Spooky Short Stories

Spooky Short Stories

Creating Suspense

​Short Stories

• ​What are the 5 tips?

• ​How can you use these to improve your writing?

Multiple Choice

According to the creator of the video, what should you base your story on?

• something you have knowlwdge about

• something you are interested in

• something that scares you

• all of these

Multiple Select

Why do these strategies work?

• the story feels authentic

• the reader can relate

• characters seem real

• none of these strategies are suggested

Multiple Choice

Quality is better than quantity when it comes to details.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What might happen if you use too many details?

• your audience is more engaged

• your audience feels overwhelmed

• both of these

• none of these

Multiple Choice

What does it mean to "visualize" what you are writing?

• describing a scene to someone

• creating a scene in your mind

• using sensory details

• none of these

Multiple Choice

Scary doesn't necessarily mean gory.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What makes for a great spooky, scary story?

• fear of the unknown

• the realization that things aren't what they appear to be

• fear that you are in danger, and not safe

• creating suspense

• all of these

Multiple Select

What does the "Chekhov's Gun Concept" state?

Select all correct answers.

• every element in a story must be necessary

• irrelevant elements should be removed

• all elements of your story must be used

• small details can be used for foreshadowing

Poll

Was this video helpful?

• Yes, definitely!

• Somewhat helpful

• Maybe a little

• It was useless. Why did Mr. R. make us watch this?

​Short Story Example

​On the next slide, you will find the Storyjumper version of the short story "The Return" by Fernando Sorentino.

​

Read the story and answer the questions that follow.

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Multiple Select

What is the setting of the story?

Select all correct answers

• 1965

• Early September Spring

• Very early one morning

• The narrator's (Fernando) apartment on the sixth floor

Multiple Choice

Who owned the house on the corner lot, with the manicured garden?

• Don Cesareo

• The Bernasconi family

Multiple Choice

Why did Fernando often stare out the window?

• He has bored and lazy

• He was delusional

• He was in love with Adriana Bernasconi

Multiple Choice

What did Fernando see that was unusual that day?

• Adriana Bernasconi

• An old beggar in tattered clothes

• Don Cesario watering his garden

Open Ended

What do we learn about Don Cesario through direct characterization?

Open Ended

What do we learn about Don Cesario through indirect characterization?

Open Ended

Why do you think Fernando chose to keep what he saw a secret?

Open Ended

Describe the events Fernando witnessed on the December morning in 1969.

Open Ended

Why do you think Fernando ran downstairs when he saw the beggar approach the Bernasconi house?

Open Ended

What does he learn when he gets there?

Open Ended

What does Fernando mean when he says, "I would have liked the name Fernando better"?

Poll

What do you believe?

• Fernando was hallucinating

• He wanted to see Adriana

• The Beggar was reincarnated as Gustavo

• Fernando saw what he wanted to see

Open Ended

Describe the events ten years later in 1979.

Open Ended

Describe what the people at Don Cesario's wake saw. What was their reaction?

Open Ended

What happened to Gustavo?

Poll

Why do you think Fernando chose to keep all of this a secret?

• it was all just a dream

• No one would believe him.

• He resented Adriana for not marrying him.

• other

Open Ended

Describe at least two ways in which the author builds suspense in the sto