Reading Guide: An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” and “An
Episode of War”
Complete the following prompts and questions on a separate sheet of paper. Be sure to title
each section appropriately.
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce
1. Read the background on the author page 479. Identify five key details about the author’s life.
2. Re-read the story.
3. Respond to the 5 Critical Reading questions on page 489.
4. Essential Question page 489: What is the relationship between place and literature? How
does the contrast between the ordinary settings and the awful events of this story add to its
power? Explain In your response, use at least two of these Essential Question words:
heighten, conflict, tension, perspective.
5. Respond to the 5 Literary Analysis questions on page 490.
6. Respond to the 4 Reading Strategy questions on page 490.
“An Episode of War” by Stephen Crane
1. Before you read: Complete the “Connecting to the Essential Question prompt page 506
2. Before you read: read and take notes on the Literary Analysis section discussing
“naturalism” page 506
3. Read the background on the author page 507. Identify five key details about the author’s life.
4. Read the Background info on page 508 for context.
5. Respond to the literary analysis prompt page 510.
6. Respond to the reading strategy prompt page 510.
7. Respond to the reading check prompt page 511.
8. Respond to the 5 Critical Reading questions on page 513.
9. Essential Question page 513: How does literature shape or reflect society? In your view, does
society benefit from frank portrayals of suffering? In your response, use at least two of these
Essential Question words: awareness, assumption, reality, despair.