Short stories are a vital part of English literature. These short story studies can be used to build a short story unit, to supplement other texts, or as a standby lesson.
Use this with our FREE Introduction to Short Stories two-page handout.
Each classic story is copyright free in Australia, the U.K. and U.S. Paragraphs are numbered for ease of reference.
There are four activities, corresponding to Bloom’s taxonomy of lower- to higher-order tasks.
A comprehension question checks knowledge and understanding
A close reading task assists development of textual analysis
A writing at length task involves considering the story’s effect, mood, or technical strategies.
A choice of two creative writing tasks use an aspect of the story as a springboard to write creatively, discursively, or persuasively.
This character-study short story, ‘The Use of Force’, by William Carlos Williams is around 1550 words and has been successfully used with a Year 7/8 class (age 11-13).
Short stories are a vital part of English literature. These short story studies can be used to build a short story unit, to supplement other texts, or as a standby lesson.
Use this with our FREE Introduction to Short Stories two-page handout.
Each classic story is copyright free in Australia, the U.K. and U.S. Paragraphs are numbered for ease of reference.
There are four activities, corresponding to Bloom’s taxonomy of lower- to higher-order tasks.
A comprehension question checks knowledge and understanding
A close reading task assists development of textual analysis
A writing at length task involves considering the story’s effect, mood, or technical strategies.
A choice of two creative writing tasks use an aspect of the story as a springboard to write creatively, discursively, or persuasively.
This short story about the supernatural, ‘August Heat’, by William Fryer is around 1800 words and has been successfully used with a Year 7 class (age 11-13).
Short stories are a vital part of English literature. These short story studies can be used to build a short story unit, to supplement other texts, or as a standby lesson.
Use this with our FREE Introduction to Short Stories two-page handout.
Each classic story is copyright free in Australia, the U.K. and U.S. Paragraphs are numbered for ease of reference.
There are four activities, corresponding to Bloom’s taxonomy of lower- to higher-order tasks.
A comprehension question checks knowledge and understanding
A close reading task assists development of textual analysis
A writing at length task involves considering the story’s effect, mood, or technical strategies.
A choice of two creative writing tasks use an aspect of the story as a springboard to write creatively, discursively, or persuasively.
This twist in the tale moral short story, ‘The Necklace’, Guy de Maupassant is around 3000 words and has been successfully used with a Year 10 class (ages 15-16)
Short stories are a vital part of English literature. These short story studies can be used to build a short story unit, to supplement other texts, or as a standby lesson.
Use this with our FREE Introduction to Short Stories two-page handout.
Each classic story is copyright free in Australia, the U.K. and U.S. Paragraphs are numbered for ease of reference.
There are four activities, corresponding to Bloom’s taxonomy of lower- to higher-order tasks.
A comprehension question checks knowledge and understanding
A close reading task assists development of textual analysis
A writing at length task involves considering the story’s effect, mood, or technical strategies.
A choice of two creative writing tasks use an aspect of the story as a springboard to write creatively, discursively, or persuasively.
This comical short story, ‘Joy’, by Anton Chekhov, is around 700 words and has been successfully used with a Year 7/8 class (age 11-13).
Short stories are a vital part of English literature. These short story studies can be used to build a short story unit, to supplement other texts, or as a standby lesson.
Use this with our FREE Introduction to Short Stories two-page handout.
Each classic story is copyright free in Australia, the U.K. and U.S. Paragraphs are numbered for ease of reference.
There are four activities, corresponding to Bloom’s taxonomy of lower- to higher-order tasks.
A comprehension question checks knowledge and understanding
A close reading task assists development of textual analysis
A writing at length task involves considering the story’s effect, mood, or technical strategies.
A choice of two creative writing tasks use an aspect of the story as a springboard to write creatively, discursively, or persuasively.
This satirical short story ‘Putois’ by French writer Anatole France is around 5000 words and has been successfully used with a Year 10 class (age 14-15).
Short stories are a vital part of English literature. These short story studies can be used to build a short story unit, to supplement other texts, or as a standby lesson.
Use this with our FREE Introduction to Short Stories two-page handout.
Each classic story is copyright free in Australia, the U.K. and U.S. Paragraphs are numbered for ease of reference.
There are four activities, corresponding to Bloom’s taxonomy of lower- to higher-order tasks.
A comprehension question checks knowledge and understanding
A close reading task assists development of textual analysis
A writing at length task involves considering the story’s effect, mood, or technical strategies.
A choice of two creative writing tasks use an aspect of the story as a springboard to write creatively, discursively, or persuasively.
This short horror story ‘The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar’, by Edgar Allan Poe is around 3600 words and has been successfully used with a Year 10 class (age 14-15).
Short stories are a vital part of English literature. These short story studies can be used to build a short story unit, to supplement other texts, or as a standby lesson.
Use this with our FREE Introduction to Short Stories two-page handout.
Each classic story is copyright free in Australia, the U.K. and U.S. Paragraphs are numbered for ease of reference.
There are four activities, corresponding to Bloom’s taxonomy of lower- to higher-order tasks.
A comprehension question checks knowledge and understanding
A close reading task assists development of textual analysis
A writing at length task involves considering the story’s effect, mood, or technical strategies.
A choice of two creative writing tasks use an aspect of the story as a springboard to write creatively, discursively, or persuasively.
This comic short story, ‘Gabriel-Ernest’, by Saki, is around 2500 words and has been successfully used with a Year 9/10 class ( 15-16 years).
Short stories are an effective way to illustrate the key concepts and reading strategies in the HSC Texts and Human Experience module. These short stories can be used to introduce the module, to supplement the prescribed text, as a standby lesson, or as part of an assessment task.
Questions ask students to apply concepts from the rubric to the story, and sample answers on separate pages which the teacher may detach for teaching.
This character-driven story of two old people attempting a day out despite dementia, ‘Day Out’, by Rose Hughson, is around 2700 words long and has been used successfully with a senior class (16-18 years).
Short films can be engaging texts from which to construct a whole unit, or as reward breaks for single lessons. The rich variety of styles and stories in short films from around the world will appeal to even the most disengaged or low-ability student.
This single-lesson activity comprises questions for the 20 minute short film ‘Second Best’, directed by Alyssa McClelland. The film was found on Second Best by Alyssa McClelland | Comedy | Short Film (shortoftheweek.com), and is suitable for students 15+. There is one instance of swearing (the f-word).
Please note this file does not include the film itself, nor can we guarantee that the film will remain at that site permanently. We advise teachers to check the link above, or make sure that they can view the film before purchasing.
Short films can be engaging texts from which to construct a whole unit, or as reward breaks for single lessons. The rich variety of styles and stories in short films from around the world will appeal to even the most disengaged or low-ability student.
This single-lesson activity comprises questions for the 15 minute short satirical film ‘Utopia’, directed by Kosta Nikas. The film is suitable for students 15+. (There are multiple instances of swearing, blocked by a beep).
Please note this file does not include the film itself, nor can we guarantee that the film will remain at that site permanently. We advise teachers to check the link above, or make sure that they can view the film before purchasing.
Short stories are a vital part of English literature. These short story studies can be used to build a short story unit, to supplement other texts, or as a standby lesson.
Use this with our FREE Introduction to Short Stories two-page handout.
Each classic story is copyright free in Australia, the U.K. and U.S. Paragraphs are numbered for ease of reference.
There are four activities, corresponding to Bloom’s taxonomy of lower- to higher-order tasks.
A comprehension question checks knowledge and understanding
A close reading task assists development of textual analysis
A writing at length task involves considering the story’s effect, mood, or technical strategies.
A choice of two creative writing tasks use an aspect of the story as a springboard to write creatively, discursively, or persuasively.
This character-driven short story, ‘The Old Man at the Bridge’, by Ernest Hemingway is around 800 words and has been successfully used with a Year 7/8 class (11-13 years).
Short stories are a vital part of English literature. These short story studies can be used to build a short story unit, to supplement other texts, or as a standby lesson.
Use this with our FREE Introduction to Short Stories two-page handout.
Each classic story is copyright free in Australia, the U.K. and U.S. Paragraphs are numbered for ease of reference.
There are four activities, corresponding to Bloom’s taxonomy of lower- to higher-order tasks.
A comprehension question checks knowledge and understanding
A close reading task assists development of textual analysis
A writing at length task involves considering the story’s effect, mood, or technical strategies.
A choice of two creative writing tasks use an aspect of the story as a springboard to write creatively, discursively, or persuasively.
This monologue-style short story, ‘The Gate of 100 Sorrows’, by Rudyard Kipling is around 2600 words and has been successfully used with a Year 10 class (age 15-16).
Short stories are a vital part of English literature. These short story studies can be used to build a short story unit, to supplement other texts, or as a standby lesson.
Use this with our FREE Introduction to Short Stories two-page handout.
Each classic story is copyright free in Australia, the U.K. and U.S. Paragraphs are numbered for ease of reference.
There are four activities, corresponding to Bloom’s taxonomy of lower- to higher-order tasks.
A comprehension question checks knowledge and understanding
A close reading task assists development of textual analysis
A writing at length task involves considering the story’s effect, mood, or technical strategies.
A choice of two creative writing tasks use an aspect of the story as a springboard to write creatively, discursively, or persuasively.
This beautiful short story, ‘If Not Higher’ by Isaac Peretz is around 1200 words and has been successfully used with a Year 7/8 class (11-13 years).
Short stories are a vital part of English literature. These short story studies can be used to build a short story unit, to supplement other texts, or as a standby lesson.
Use this with our FREE Introduction to Short Stories two-page handout.
Each classic story is copyright free in Australia, the U.K. and U.S. Paragraphs are numbered for ease of reference.
There are four activities, corresponding to Bloom’s taxonomy of lower- to higher-order tasks.
A comprehension question checks knowledge and understanding
A close reading task assists development of textual analysis
A writing at length task involves considering the story’s effect, mood, or technical strategies.
A choice of two creative writing tasks use an aspect of the story as a springboard to write creatively, discursively, or persuasively.
This Australian dreaming story from the Birpai people of coastal NSW’ is around 1500 words and has been successfully used with a Year 7/8 class (age 11-13).
Short stories are a vital part of English literature. These short story studies can be used to build a short story unit, to supplement other texts, or as a standby lesson.
Use this with our FREE Introduction to Short Stories two-page handout.
Each classic story is copyright free in Australia, the U.K. and U.S. Paragraphs are numbered for ease of reference.
There are four activities, corresponding to Bloom’s taxonomy of lower- to higher-order tasks.
A comprehension question checks knowledge and understanding
A close reading task assists development of textual analysis
A writing at length task involves considering the story’s effect, mood, or technical strategies.
A choice of two creative writing tasks use an aspect of the story as a springboard to write creatively, discursively, or persuasively.
This folklore-style short story, ‘Tiger, Tiger’, by Chen-Yao Wang is around 1400 words and has been successfully used with a Year 7/8 class (age 11-13).
Short stories are a vital part of English literature. These short story studies can be used to build a short story unit, to supplement other texts, or as a standby lesson.
Use this with our FREE Introduction to Short Stories two-page handout.
Each classic story is copyright free in Australia, the U.K. and U.S. Paragraphs are numbered for ease of reference.
There are four activities, corresponding to Bloom’s taxonomy of lower- to higher-order tasks.
A comprehension question checks knowledge and understanding
A close reading task assists development of textual analysis
A writing at length task involves considering the story’s effect, mood, or technical strategies.
A choice of two creative writing tasks use an aspect of the story as a springboard to write creatively, discursively, or persuasively.
This short philosophical story, ‘The Law of Life,’ by Jack London, is around 2800 words and has been successfully used with a Year 10 class (age 15-16).
Short stories are a vital part of English literature. These short story studies can be used to build a short story unit, to supplement other texts, or as a standby lesson.
Use this with our FREE Introduction to Short Stories two-page handout.
Each classic story is copyright free in Australia, the U.K. and U.S. Paragraphs are numbered for ease of reference.
There are four activities, corresponding to Bloom’s taxonomy of lower- to higher-order tasks.
A comprehension question checks knowledge and understanding
A close reading task assists development of textual analysis
A writing at length task involves considering the story’s effect, mood, or technical strategies.
A choice of two creative writing tasks use an aspect of the story as a springboard to write creatively, discursively, or persuasively.
This apocalyptic short story, ‘Finis’, by Frank Pollack, is around 4000 words and has been successfully used with a Year 9/10 class ( 15-16 years).
Short stories are an effective way to illustrate the key concepts and reading strategies in the HSC Texts and Human Experience module. These short stories can be used to introduce the module, to supplement the prescribed text, as a standby lesson, or as part of an assessment task.
Questions ask students to apply concepts from the rubric to the story, and sample answers on separate pages which the teacher may detach for teaching.
Miriam Marshall’s ‘A Breath of Wind’ reflects on an encounter between a young white woman and an Aboriginal man. It is around 1368 words long and has been used successfully with a senior class (16-18 years).
Short stories are an effective way to illustrate the key concepts and reading strategies in the HSC Texts and Human Experience module. These short stories can be used to introduce the module, to supplement the prescribed text, as a standby lesson, or as part of an assessment task.
Questions ask students to apply concepts from the rubric to the story, and sample answers on separate pages which the teacher may detach for teaching.
This feminist retelling of a famous biblical story, ‘Oath’ by Anton Linn is around 1200 words long and has been used successfully with a senior class (16-18 years).
Short stories are an effective way to illustrate the key concepts and reading strategies in the HSC Texts and Human Experience module. These short stories can be used to introduce the module, to supplement the prescribed text, as a standby lesson, or as part of an assessment task.
Questions ask students to apply concepts from the rubric to the story, and sample answers on separate pages which the teacher may detach for teaching.
This character-driven story, ‘Bequest’, by Alan Stevenson, is around 1400 words long and has been used successfully with a senior class (16-18 years).