Cuyamaca Collegeskip to content
Research Guides - HomeLibrary - HomeEnglish
English 90R
Instructor:
Ms. E. Pumpelly
Short stories assignment

Purpose: To introduce students to American and English short story writers. To increase student understanding of the elements of a short story such as plot, theme, characters and setting. view your short story assignment

1. What is a short story?  How does a short story differ from a novel?
A short story is a work of fiction that is shorter than a novel.  The action is compact and every single event is critical to the development of the plot.  The time span could vary from a day to years
.
Read more short story elements and use the student activity worksheet
to document your information.

2. How do I find a short story?

3. How do I find five facts about my  author?
 
Go to the Library Homepage --->Articles and databases A-Z --> Select Letter L --> open Literature Resource Center.

FIRST METHOD: BROWSE SHELVES: The 1st way is to browse the call number sections of the Cuyamaca collection.  You may browse the call number sections listed below:

  • PN 6120.2 – English Fiction (books can be either a novel or a collection of short stories)
  • PS 648 S5 – American Short Stories Collections
  • PZ 1 – Collections of novels, short stories or other fiction
  • Great American Short Stories: The O. Henry Awards (PZ 1 +)
    One of my favorite short story writers is William S. Porter, who wrote under the pen name O. Henry, was born in 1862.  He started writing stories while in prison for embezzlement.  His writing career was short but he is the most widely read American short story writer. His best known story is "The Gift of the Magi" (1905) and the "Last Leaf". After his death, DoubleDay publishers established the O. Henry Awards in his honor.  Try this website 

 

WEBSITES

 Comprehensive websites:

 

 

 
 
 
research guides home | library home

 

Page footer information
Cuyamaca College Social Media Cuyamaca College Social Media