Spar Lit Short Story Classics: Understanding Key Short Stories Through Debate
In this 8-week class we will study some of the finest short stories in the English language from Edgar Allan Poe to Shirley Jackson to Maya Angelou through discussion and Spar Debate. ESL friendly, CEFR level C1, C2 (Advanced) #academic
What's included
8 live meetings
7 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Students will be required to read the upcoming short story we will be considering for the upcoming week. In addition, optional writing assignments will be made available after each session for students who wish to expand writing abilities. Detailed written responses will be sent individually to each learner upon completion of assignments.Assessment
Learners will receive both oral and written feedback throughout the sessions. Detailed written responses will be sent individually to each learner upon completion of assignments.Class Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
Advanced Level
Kindly note: This is an ESL friendly class, CEFR level — C1, C2 (Advanced) Please feel free to write me via Outschool email with questions. *** 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. **** 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.
Learning Goals
*To gain confidence in speaking and organization
*Understand all the basic ideas of debate and rhetoric
*Gain deeper understanding of literature through debate
* To communicate effectively through speaking, thinking adroitly and responding fluently
* Improve memory retention and organizational skills
* Gain confidence and poise in oral presentation
* Expand vocabulary and word usage
*To gain deeper understanding of the nuances of literature and the short story format
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Why the Short Story? and Discussion of The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
Discussion of The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe and Spar Debate Sparked by:
Spar Statement: The most compelling aspect of The Tell-Tale Heart is Poe’s use of the first person narrator to relate his story.
Position 1: Agree with the above statement. Explain.
Position 2: Disagree with the above Statement. The power of this story comes from the characterization of the narrator exemplified through his dialogue.
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Understanding Plot and Discussion of Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville
Discussion of Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville and Spar Debate sparked by: "I would prefer not to.:
Spar Statement: When we need assistance we should always still cling to our pride above all else.
Position 1: Agree with the above statement. Explain.
Position 2: Disagree with the above statement. When we are vulnerable we need to put pride aside to accept the help we need to move forward.
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Understanding Characterization and Discussion of The Lady with the Toy Dog
Discussion of The Lady with the Toy Dog by Anton Chekhov and Spar Debate sparked by: “I do not understand…what do you want?”
Spar Statement: People are usually honest with themselves over their plans and motivations.
Position 1: People are usually honest with themselves over their plans and motivations.
Position 2: People may have an awareness of their motivations but their subconscious moves them in a different direction.
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Understanding Point of View and Discussion of The Mark on the Wall by V. Woolf
Discussion of The Mark on the Wall and Spar Debate sparked by: The narrator in Woolf’s story is grounding herself in reality by noting the mark on the wall.
Spar Statement: Stream of consciousness thought can bring us a greater sense of stability, allowing our minds to wander and always return to a point of reference.
Position 1: Agree with the above statement. Explain.
Position 2: Disagree with the above statement. Stream of consciousness thinking allows us to tap into our inner selves.
55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The superb short stories we will be studying in this class are chosen for mature students who love and can truly engage with great writing. The short stories we will discuss and debate deal with topics such as interpersonal relations, the goals and frustrations of the writer, and class issues. Several classic stories also deal with adultery (The Lady and the Toy Dog), murder (The Tell-Tale Heart), race relations in the segregated American South (When I Lay My Burden Down), mob violence (The Lottery). Moreover, please note that Eudora Welty's otherwise excellent, Why I Live at the P.O. uses the disreputable "n-word" in describing people of color. We will discuss why Welty used this word was used in creating this story (published in The Atlantic Monthly in 1941) and why it is unacceptable to use it today. The attached essay "Teaching the N-Word" will be referenced in class for context. https://rethinkingschools.org/articles/teaching-the-n-word/ . It is stressed that we will be considering these classic short stories as works of literature - sensitive questions that may arise from the issues presented will be explained as literary devices essential to the overall understanding and meaning of the story. If you have questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to me.
Supply List
All short stories will be sent to students via pdf prior to each class session over the classroom page. It is not necessary to purchase books for this class.
1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree from The University of Michigan, 1982 Honors in The History of Art, Does not Expire
Longtime teacher of literature for both middle and high school students. Founder and former coach of an award-winning Speech and Debate team that competed at local, state and national levels, long-time speech judge for local, regional, national speech events for NCFL and National Speech and Debate Association, former teacher of high school debate and rhetoric, art history, literature, and AP Language and Composition.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$225
for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
55 min
Completed by 21 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
3-6 learners per class