Short StoryThe Kayak

IntroWhy do people tell stories?What is the difference between stories about

real events, and stories about fictional events? Which do you like better?

What are some stories you remember, or like?Vonnegut Advice: Short Stories American author Kurt Vonnegut combined satiric social

commentary and black comedy with surrealist and science fictional elements. His best known works are Player Piano (1952), Cat's Cradle (1963), Slaughterhouse-Five (1969; film, 1972), and Breakfast of Champions (1973). Known for his outspoken political opinions, Vonnegut also produced a host of essays, articles, and short stories. A number of his works have been translated into television or film, and he graced a few of these with cameo appearances. Vonnegut was also a graphic artist, and illustrated a number of his works himself.

Investigating the Model1) The lead of a story should

catch the reader’s attention, identify main character, introduce conflict, define setting, and establish point of view. Does “The Kayak” accomplish this?

2) The plot revolves around a conflict. Identify an external and internal conflict, and tell how they are related.

Investigating the Model3) Authors often use details of

setting to reflect on the character’s state of mind. Find an example of this.

4) What point of view is this story written? Why did Debbie Spring choose this point of view?

5) Physical details: identify two passages that provide details about character’s appearance.

Investigating the Model6)What do you feel is the theme?

Work through Writer’s

Workshop pp. 39 – 40The Kayak.mov

GrammarPronoun – word that takes the place

of a nounPreposition – word that shows the

relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the same sentence.

Conjunction – joining word that connects words or groups of words – and, but, or, so, yet, for, nor

Interjection – word that shows strong feeling or emotion