The Lottery Pre-Reading

Open Ended

Winning the lottery is always a good thing.

Explain your answer.

Open Ended

You should always follow authority without question.

Explain your answer.

Open Ended

Traditions should never be broken. They are there for a reason.

Explain your answer.

... And put away your phone.

Open Ended

People are not always what they seem.

Explain your answer.

And pick up the trash around your desk.

Open Ended

What has worked in the past will always work in the future.

Explain your answer.

Open Ended

What is a TRADITION either you or someone you know follows just because they’ve “Always done it that way”? Describe that tradition and its purpose for why you or this person follows it.

Open Ended

When you think of a lottery, what do you expect to take place? How would you define a lottery? Have you or do you know someone who has participated in a lottery? What was the outcome?

Open Ended

This story by Shirley Jackson takes place in a small rural village. The people are gathered for the drawing of a lottery. Consider what you know about small towns. What are some characteristics of a small town or community?