Short Stories by O. Henry

Hi guys!

On Monday we officially start our Analyzing Fiction unit, during which you'll have the opportunity to choose short stories to read and analyze. The genre of short stories is hard to define, but usually they focus on a set number of characters, typically take place in one location, and have one central conflict. Short stories utilize literary elements such as character development, plot, and theme, but to a much lesser extent than novels do. They can be any genre and any length, but most are under thirty pages or so.

See what I mean? Short stories are tough to define! 

Today in class, everyone read "A Retrieved Reformation" by O. Henry for our Analyzing Fiction pretest, but it will also serve as our mentor text for the next couple of weeks. I'm going to link to the story here in case you ever need it at home.

"A Retrieved Reformation"

O. Henry is considered by many to be the master of short stories - having written over 600 in his lifetime! Some people really enjoyed "A Retrieved Reformation", so I thought I'd also link some of O. Henry's other short stories. Here are some of his most famous ones:

"After Twenty Years"

"The Gift of the Magi" (One of my favorites!)

"The Ransom of Red Chief"

"Last Leaf"

And here is a link to a whole lot more! Feel free to use any of these to write your next reading response!