Kindly note:
This is an ESL friendly class, CEFR  level — C1, C2 (Advanced)
Please feel free to write me via Outschool email with questions.
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Critical thinking, discussion, and debate come as together we consider key classic short stories that are essential for all lovers of the world’s greatest short story masterpieces.

Our 8-session class will focus on blending the acknowledged technique of Spar debating with understanding classic short stories  through debate and discussion.  Spar means “SPontaneous ARgumentation” a quicktime technique that is used to prepare students for formal debate.  Our class will use Spar debating to explore the key points involving acknowledged masterworks of the short story with works from Edgar Allan Poe to Maya Angelou Anton Chekhov to  Shirley Jackson.

The result?  Students will learn to take a position on key issues involving intriguing literary questions, while gaining a nuanced and thorough understanding both sides of every issue. All students will gain an enhanced exploration of literature while expanding debate techniques. 

With insights to the short story writing process to spark discussion at the beginning of every session, Spar Lit Short Story Classics will work with learners to explore the deeper meanings of the story and then move to Spar Debate to gain further insight to essential points of the of the works.

Optional homework assignments will be provided for each class that will expand on the thinking from the sessions.

SHORT STORIES COVERED IN SPAR LIT SHORT STORY CLASSICS

Week 1: The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

Week 2: Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville

Week 3: The Lady with the Toy Dog by Anton Chehkov

Week 4: The Mark on the Wall by Virginia Woolf

Week 5: When I Lay My Burden Down by Maya Angelou 

Week 6: Why I Live at the PO by Eudora Welty 

Week 7:  The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield

Week 8: The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

Spar Debate questions will focus on the literary aspect of each weekly short story and the Spar debates are evidence-based from the short stories themselves.  The 20 minute discussion at the beginning of each session, guided by me, will allow all students to engage in productive discussion. Guidance will be given as to the parameters of Spar debating which are evidence-based not guided by emotional responses.

This class has been purposely limited to six students to maximize the participation of every learner.  Prior to each weekly class the chosen short story will be posted for consideration prior to the class. Many of these short stories are readily available in the public domain.

This class is a companion to my own Spar Lit Sr: Understanding Great Essays Through Speech and Debate Techniques. No prerequisite required for this class, simply a desire to learn more about short stories. 

Spar is quick debate! With debaters given the Pro or Con position, a short Spar debate can illuminate ideas and provide for more nuanced critical thinking. 

Each ongoing class will run as follows:

10 minutes of general introduction

30 minutes of interactive discussion on the chapter or pages set for the class

20 minutes of ongoing Spar pro/con debate involving key literary questions from the weekly reading
and recap of the Spar discussions and the points raised by the students.

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How does Spar debating work?

10 MINUTE MINI DEBATES!

Students face off in pairs to debate a Pro/Con question involving the specific reading from literature for the day.

COIN FLIP TO DETERMINE PRO/CON

2 minutes

Both students have 2 minutes to brainstorm ideas for their position (evidence/arguments)

1 minute
Pro student gives a 1 minute opening statement to make their case (Con student listens quietly and takes notes)

1 minute
Con student gives a 1 minute opening statement to make their case (Pro student listens quietly and take notes)

30 seconds
Both students think!

3 minutes
Mini crossfire discussion where both students can ask each other questions about opposing statements.

30 seconds
Both students think again to prepare their closing statements

1 minute
Con student gives a 1 minute closing statement (Pro student listens quietly)

1 minute
Pro student gives a 1 minute closing statement (Con student listens quietly

No previous experience with speech and debate or Spar debating required, However, this class also provides an excellent outlet for speech and debate students interested in enhancing their ability to communicate their ideas with clarity and style that will be useful in classrooms and in ongoing discussions everywhere.