Necklaces, Tigers, and Monkeys: Oh, My!

A Literature WebQuestA Literature WebQuestCreated by Justine VehrsCreated by Justine Vehrs

Harrison YangHarrison YangEDU 505 – SL4EDU 505 – SL431 March 200831 March 2008

Necklaces, Tigers, and Monkeys:Necklaces, Tigers, and Monkeys:Oh, My!Oh, My!

Do you want to be a great writer? Do you want to be a great writer? Do you want other people to read Do you want other people to read

your stories over and over again? your stories over and over again? Do you want people to be shocked Do you want people to be shocked

and amazed by the endings of and amazed by the endings of your stories?your stories?

IntroductioIntroductio

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ProcessProcess The best way to be a great writer is to The best way to be a great writer is to

read great writing.read great writing. This WebQuest will offer you opportunities This WebQuest will offer you opportunities

to read great writing and to become a to read great writing and to become a great writer. great writer.

Go step-by-step and follow all directions Go step-by-step and follow all directions within each task. within each task.

Meet Guy de Maupassant.Meet Guy de Maupassant.

Source: http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=10063&rendTypeId=4Source: http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=10063&rendTypeId=4

Author of Author of “The “The

Necklace”Necklace”

Author ofAuthor of

““The Lady or the The Lady or the Tiger”Tiger”

Source: http://php.educanet2.ch/enggybn/assets/images/Frank_Stockton.jpgSource: http://php.educanet2.ch/enggybn/assets/images/Frank_Stockton.jpg

Meet Frank Stockton.Meet Frank Stockton.

Author of Author of “The Monkey’s “The Monkey’s

Paw” Paw”

Source: http://www.violetbooks.com/images-weird/jacobs-port.jpgSource: http://www.violetbooks.com/images-weird/jacobs-port.jpg

Meet W. W. Jacobs.Meet W. W. Jacobs.

Read each of these short stories. Read each of these short stories. They are very different, but each They are very different, but each

one is fabulous, and a true classic. one is fabulous, and a true classic. Feel free to print out the stories so Feel free to print out the stories so

that you can write notes on them. that you can write notes on them. We will be spending time in the We will be spending time in the

computer lab tomorrow so that computer lab tomorrow so that you may find and begin reading you may find and begin reading each story. each story.

““The Necklace”The Necklace”

Read Read “The Necklace”“The Necklace”

Source: http://www.unc.edu/~getkara/The%20Necklace/Necklace.jpeSource: http://www.unc.edu/~getkara/The%20Necklace/Necklace.jpe

““The Lady or the The Lady or the Tiger”Tiger”

Read “The Read “The Lady or the Lady or the Tiger”Tiger”

Source: Source: http://www.ompersonal.com.ar/newsletters/ladytiger.jpg

““The Monkey’s Paw”The Monkey’s Paw”

Read Read “The Monkey’s Paw“The Monkey’s Paw””

Source: http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/schools/harding/Images/monkey1.jpgSource: http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/schools/harding/Images/monkey1.jpg

After you have read the stories, you have After you have read the stories, you have three tasks to complete. three tasks to complete.

Task OneTask One

The parts of this task will add to The parts of this task will add to your understanding of each story.your understanding of each story.

Please find twenty words that you Please find twenty words that you do not know within any of the do not know within any of the stories. stories.

Write the word, the entire Write the word, the entire sentence in which you found it, sentence in which you found it, and which story included the word.and which story included the word.

Define the word.Define the word. Explain the sentence, being sure Explain the sentence, being sure

your understanding of the word, your understanding of the word, its meaning, and the sentence is its meaning, and the sentence is clear. clear.

Then, write to me in an informal Then, write to me in an informal way. Let me know your opinions on way. Let me know your opinions on each of the three stories. each of the three stories.

What did you love? What did you love? What did you hate? What did you hate? Which type of ending did you Which type of ending did you

prefer? prefer? Which story or stories would you Which story or stories would you

recommend? recommend? Did you see any of the endings Did you see any of the endings

coming? coming? What one question would you ask What one question would you ask

each of the authors? each of the authors?

After you have read the stories, you have After you have read the stories, you have three tasks to complete. three tasks to complete.

Task TwoTask Two

You have a choice for this task. You You have a choice for this task. You may either write a different ending for may either write a different ending for one of the three stories, or add to the one of the three stories, or add to the ending of one of the three stories.ending of one of the three stories.

OrOr You may write a persuasive essay telling You may write a persuasive essay telling

me whether you think the lady or the me whether you think the lady or the tiger came out of the door. tiger came out of the door.

ResourcesResourcesHere are some sites that will help you write a persuasive essay. Here are some sites that will help you write a persuasive essay. Visit each one, write two or three sentences summarizing the Visit each one, write two or three sentences summarizing the information on each site, and let me know the best piece of information on each site, and let me know the best piece of information you obtained from each site. Please complete these information you obtained from each site. Please complete these elements even if you choose not to write a persuasive essay for elements even if you choose not to write a persuasive essay for this task.this task.

Maria College Maria College Web WritersWeb Writers Mid LakesMid Lakes StudyStudy Write ExpressWrite Express

After you have read the stories, you have After you have read the stories, you have three tasks to complete. three tasks to complete.

Task ThreeTask Three

You will participate in a You will participate in a class debate about “The class debate about “The Lady or the Tiger?”Lady or the Tiger?”

You must be prepared to You must be prepared to defend either argument. defend either argument. You will not know which You will not know which you are defending until the you are defending until the day of the debate. day of the debate.

ResourcesResources

Public Speaking ExpertPublic Speaking Expert MIT.EDUMIT.EDU Business and Professional Business and Professional

SettingsSettings UK Youth ParliamentUK Youth Parliament Tips for Successful DebatingTips for Successful Debating

Here are some sites that will help you Here are some sites that will help you improve your public speaking skills. Visit improve your public speaking skills. Visit each one, write two or three sentences each one, write two or three sentences summarizing the information on each site, summarizing the information on each site, and let me know the best piece of and let me know the best piece of information you obtained from each site.information you obtained from each site.

EvaluatioEvaluationn

Each task is worth 100 points.Each task is worth 100 points. You will earn points for You will earn points for

completion of every part.completion of every part. You will earn points for honesty You will earn points for honesty

and detail within your informal and detail within your informal writing.writing.

Your persuasive essay must Your persuasive essay must demonstrate an understanding demonstrate an understanding of the format, or your story of the format, or your story ending must be elaborate and ending must be elaborate and creative.creative.

During the debate, your During the debate, your arguments should be sound arguments should be sound and it should be clear you are and it should be clear you are prepared. prepared.

ConclusionConclusion

Within a paragraph or two, write to Within a paragraph or two, write to me and tell me about your me and tell me about your experience with this WebQuest.experience with this WebQuest.

What worked and what did not?What worked and what did not? Explain your thoughts, opinions, and Explain your thoughts, opinions, and

ideas for next time.ideas for next time.

Moving Moving ForwardForward

Reading great writing helps us to Reading great writing helps us to become better writers.become better writers.

Whenever you need inspiration, read! Whenever you need inspiration, read! There are stories and novels out there There are stories and novels out there

for every one of us to love.for every one of us to love. Take what you have learned into the Take what you have learned into the

world and write the next great story for world and write the next great story for future students to adore. future students to adore.