Take 5 minutes to think and free write to answer this question. Think from a reading standpoint. Please respond in your Reading Notebook.

Irony is… An outcome of events that is contrary to what was, or had been, expected. Contradicts Has a Twist Surprises Appearance vs. Reality

Using the short story, “After Twenty Years,” students will learn the importance of note-taking and close reading and will be able to gain deeper knowledge of the text, which will be used when completing coordinating assignments.

Standards Being Applied RL.7.1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. RL.7.3 Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact. RL.7.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language and connotative meanings.

By O. Henry

Historical Background The story occurs in New York City in 1890, while looking back at a promise made 20 years before in This is during the time period when gold had been discovered out West, causing many to try to win their fortune. The completion of the railroad in 1869 also contributed to westward movement because travel was easier and faster.

What is Close Reading? Close Reading requires multiple components that help students to better understand the text they are reading. What to do: Involve short passages of text Study the passage closely and read it multiple times Use a great deal of discussion, both in groups and as a class Connect with other parts of the text Facilitate deeper understanding in a visual way by taking notes

Group Activity

Directions for Activity You will be working with your table groups. Each group will take notes on their large Post-It. One Post-It per group will be submitted. Each group will be assigned their reading passage. You only read and take notes for your passage! Notes will be taken within the following categories, which appear on the next slide. You only take notes from the categories that fit into your passage. Not every category will be used with every passage.

Note Categories Setting of the Story Predictions Vocabulary What details are included to keep me involved in the story? Character Descriptions Presence of Signposts Personal Feelings (this does not require textual evidence) All notes must include evidence from the text to support that statement.

What happened at the end of the story? How was this Ironic?