Spar Lit Short Story Masterpieces: Understanding Modern Stories Through Debate
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 some of the finest modern short stories with a diverse array of authors intent on expanding both the possibilities of the short story and exploring depths of human emotion. Spar Lit Short Story Masterpieces: Understanding Modern Stories Through Debate is the companion class to my own Spar Lit Short Story Classics: Understanding Classic Short Stories Through Debate. The classes can be taken in any order. Our 8-session class, each of which begin by offering insights to the short story writing process and background on the authors, will focus on blending the acknowledged technique of Spar debating with understanding modern 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 Jhumpa Lahiri to Ray Bradbury to Amy Tan. 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 MASTERPIECES Week 1: Boys and Girls by Alice Munro Week 2: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury Week 3: Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Week 4: The Swimmer by John Cheever Week 5: The Rules of the Game by Amy Tan Week 6: A Temporary Matter by Jhumpa Lahiri Week 7: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner Week 8: The Wind by Lauren Groff 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. Optional Homework assignment opportunities will be given after each class. 5 minutes of general introduction 15 minutes of interactive discussion on skills of the short story writer 20 minutes of interactive discussion about the short story of the week 20 minutes of ongoing Spar pro/con debate involving key literary questions from the weekly reading **** 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:
Inner Workings of the S. Story, Discussion of Boys and Girls by A. Munro
Discussion of Boys and Girls by Alice Munro and Spar Debating sparked by the story.
Spar Question: How do boys and girls find their place in the world?
Position 1: Boys and girls find their place in the world by subtle — and sometimes not so subtle— messages that influence their behavior and choices. Explain.
Position 2: Boys and girls find their place in the world through sheer force of will and a hard won discovery of self—whomever that self may be. Explain.
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Inner Workings...Discussions of There Will Come Soft Rains by R. Bradbury
Discussion of There Will Come Soft Rains and Spar Debating sparked by the story.
Spar Statement: Technology is taking over our lives and blunting our ability to relate to and understand Nature.
Position 1: Agree
Position 2: Disagree
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Inner workings...Discussion of Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut
Discussion of Harrison Bergeron and Spar Debating sparked by the story.
Spar Statement: Making certain everyone is exactly equal is just and fair.
Position: 1: Agree with this statement. Equality under the law should be both celebrated and cherished. Explain.
Position 2: Disagree with this statement. Not only is this goal not viable but it’s deeply unfair to each and every person no matter their levels of intelligence or expertise. Explain.
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Inner workings... Discussion of The Swimmer by John Cheever
Discussion of The Swimmer and Spar Debating sparked by the story:
Spar Statement: When faced with true upset or trauma many of us revert to fantasy to protect ourselves and our illusions.
Position 1: Agree with the above statement. Explain.
Position 2: Disagree with the above statement. In spite of dishonor and possible humiliation, people should work to face issues head on, confront them, and deal with them to move forward.
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. Certain of the stories also deal with spousal and child abuse (The Wind), nuclear war (There Will Come Soft Rains), anxiety and mental illness (The Swimmer), complex parent/child relations (The Rules of the Game, Crying in H Mart, and Boys and Girls), government control (Harrison Bergeron). It is stressed that we will be considering these modern 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 8 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
3-6 learners per class