‘Examination Day’ Henry Slesar

Prediction Task I will read a story to you but stop before the end. Listen carefully to the story and then predict how it will end. Write down your predictions.

Writing a Summary-- three stages. Write a brief summary of each paragraph. Now write a summary of the essay circa 100-200 words. Finally write a summary in no more than a few lines.

Essay Question The ending of Henry Slesar’s short story Examination Day is not what one might expect. By looking closely at the story, show how the author leads us to the unexpected ending.

Essay Plan Introduction Summary Ending Characterisation Setting Language Conclusion

Structure and Paragraphing   Introduction   Introduction Task Summary   Topic Sentence Point Evidence Explanation Technique 1 Ending   Technique 2 e.g. characterisation Paragraph Linking Sentence? Technique 3 e.g. Setting Paragraph Technique 4 e.g. Language Conclusion Conclusion

Introduction Title of the text Author Task Essay Intention – what your essay is going to be showing the reader

Introduction Henry Slesar’s short story ‘Examination Day’ has a surprise ending. However, his characterisation, setting and use of language all combine to give the reader subtle clues to the eventual outcome. I am going to discuss how Slesar prepares the reader for the ending.

Introduction 2 If we think of sitting exams we normally think of intelligence being rewarded. Henry Slesar turns this idea on its head in his short story, ‘Examination Day’, when the central character is executed by the state for being too intelligent. This ending comes as a shock to the reader but a closer analysis reveals the subtle ways that Slesar prepares the reader for this twist.

How to show a title Examination Day (Italics) ‘Examination Day’ (Inverted Commas) Examination Day (Underlined) Choose one and stick to it! Be consistent!

Summary Write a short account of what happens in the story. A good summary uses your own words and covers the main plot of the story. You want to get this as short as possible.

Ending Write a paragraph explaining why you think the story has an effective ending. Remember to get across that it is surprising and shocking. You must use quotations to back up your points.

Characterisation Remember your task! You need to show what the main characters are like. You need to show how Slesar has developed their personalities and attitude to build up to the ending. In this section of your essay you must get across what the characters are like and how they are used to give the reader a sense that something surprising will happen at the end.

OK…remembering your structure… this is just a grown up PEE Chain Point Context Quotation/evidence Explain

Characterisation ‘Dickie’ P. The central character of Dickie is an intelligent and curious boy. C. When we first meet him he is described as an Q.“alert-eyed youngster” with “a quick, nervous manner.” E.This suggests that he is bright and curious. This impression is added to as he has a desire to learn and asks frequent questions. Dickie also adds that, “I get good marks in school”. All these indications show that Dickie should do well in an academic exam. It is only at the end we realise how dangerous this intelligence is.

Characterisation ‘Dickie’ Continued P.As story unfolds the reader is given a sense of Dickie’s growing unease about the exam. C. Early in the story when his parents are discussing the exam it states, Q.“He didn’t understand what the sudden tension was about.” E.This suggests that he is picking up on the anxiety that the upcoming test is creating but at this stage is unsure why. Later…

Setting Remember Your Task! Time- when is the story set? Is this significant. Place- where is the story set? Look at both Dickie’s house and the Government building. Society- what is the society like?

Language How does the writer’s language prepare us for the ending? This concept of analysing exactly what the writer has done lies at the heart of much that we teach and learn in English. Think: word choice, imagery and sentence structure.

Language foreboding or foreshadowing Word Choice Anxious manner Imagery “colourful squares of fast-paced action” “veil of mist that shrouded the glass” “she composed her face into a misty smile” “The room was as cold and official as a courtroom.”

Imagery Quotation Type S, M or P What is compared to what? Explain effectiveness Analyse how this links to your point

Imagery Example “Veil of mist that shrouded the glass.” This is a metaphor (M) The mist is said to be a veil and shrouding This is effective because the idea of a veil and a shrouding means it is hard to see out of. It is particularly effective because these words are associated with death. Therefore the image is a powerful one in its own right, however it also adds another layer of connotation that suggests death. This links well into the ending which leads to the shock of Dickie’s death.

Conclusion How are you going to finish your essay? Sum up your main arguments. Make it clear you have answered the question Give your views on what you think of the techniques the author used to create an effective story.