Comparing short stories: aiming for grade A
| Purpose (e.g. to express, amuse, provoke, challenge, sympathise etc) Aim to see more than one purpose | ||
| One effective device used to convey an idea or to interest the reader (e.g. extended metaphor? surprise ending? narrative voice? dialogue/gesture/contrast.. ) | ||
The intended or achieved effect of that device on the reader
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Any ambiguous expression or action or anything creating a sense of ambivalence in the reader (seeing 2 points of view)
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Any implied meaning
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Anything predictable
or surprising about the
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Anything important about the time when the stories were written or set |
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Attitudes/ideas behind the stories (the way they reflect life and society)
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Your preference & the reason for it & your favourite part of each story
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The relevance of the stories to you – or to other readers today
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Three alternative interpretations/responses according to different types of reader – older, different gender, different culture.
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