Short Stories
Short stories are excellent to use as one or more of the required literary texts for HL. They also work well as supplemental texts in SL.
- The teaching of two literary works is required in the course.
- Approximately 7-10 short stories = one literary work. They don't all need to be written by the same author, but collections of short stories may be used.
- They must be originally written in English.
- Students need to understand the fundamental elements of literary works studied, such as themes, plot, and characters.
- Literary criticism is not the objective.
- Literature is the stimulus for exploring ideas.
- It is used for the individual oral
- Literary works with a high degree of complex language are not suitable for the Language B course.
- "Easy reader" texts and works in translation must be avoided.
- The course encourages the integration of short stories and various text types to promote critical and creative thinking.
- Each short story can easily be integrated into units connecting to English B themes or topics.
- They are shorter; students are more likely to read the entire text.
- Most short story texts are available online.
- Various authors, perspectives, and Anglophone cultures can be integrated into the course with short stories.
Fish Cheeks by Amy Tan
"Fish Cheeks, a short story by American-born author Amy Tan, explores the English B theme of identities and experiences. This page has a PowerPoint on the story, paper 2 excerpt with questions, a paper...
Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl
"Lamb to the Slaughter" is a 1953 short story written by British writer Roald Dahl. It best explores the English B theme of Social Organization and the topic of law and order. This page features the story,...
Names/Nombres by Julia Alvarez
Names/Nombres, a short story by American-born author Julia Alvarez, explores the English B theme of identity. This page has a PowerPoint on the story, paper 2 excerpt with questions, a paper 1 prompt...
The Bass, The River, and Sheila Mant by W.D. Wetherell
"The Bass, The River, and Sheila Mant," a short story by American author W.D. Wetherell, explores the English B theme of experiences and social relationships. This page features the story, along with...
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is an American classic short story that promotes critical and creative thinking about the themes of Identities (beliefs and values), Experiences (customs and traditions),...
The Mask of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe
"The Mask of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe is a classic American short story. The story follows Prince Prospero as he attempts to avoid the plague, known as the Red Death, by hiding in his abbey....
The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas
"The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas" is a 1973 short work of philosophical fiction, or a short story, written by American writer Ursula K. Le Guin. It best explores the English B theme of Sharing the...
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Kurt Vonnegut
"Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" is a short story by American author Kurt Vonnegut, published in 1953. The story takes place in the future, in 2153, after the invention of a medicine that halts the...