Assignment #4

Today you are going to do three things:
- Write about your response to the story "Where are you going? Where have you been?"
- Get down your opinions about what makes a short story great
- Respond to your group members' answers to the above tasks

Task One: Your response to last night's story.

Write a personal reaction to the piece in which you describe your feelings about the plot, setting and characters. Questions to consider (you need not answer all of these):
a. Why is the setting in the second half of the story so important (when Connie is home alone)?
b. How does Connie's character draw the reader in? What does she do that drives you crazy or makes you like her? Is she asking for trouble? Does she represent something in our own society?
c. What larger topics is Joyce Carol Oates addressing in the story? Think about the conflicts.
d. Why does this story appeal to so many people?
e. What actually happens at the end in your opinion?
f. How do you explain the actions of the male antagonist? How do you think he got to be such a disgusting human being? What could he represent in our own society? Why is he so important to the story?

Task Two: Elements of a great short story

Make a list of ten things you think makes a short story great. Consider plot, setting, characters, genre, length, point of view, and conflict. Be specific. Don't just say " a good plot". What makes a plot good? What makes a character great and fun to read about? What do you like to read about? If you like mysteries, put that on your list. If you like characters who are in their teens, get that down. If you prefer stories that are written in the first person voice, include that. Do you like settings that are in the natural environment, where humans are faced with life threatening elements? Be specific in your preferences BUT be sure to include things that ALL short stories need in order to be good.


Task Three:

Visit you fellow group members' blogs and respond to either their lists or their reactions to the story. Do you agree with what they say? Disagree? Explain. Do they make points that you missed?