A Literature WebQuest Created by Justine Vehrs Harrison Yang EDU 505 – SL4 31 March 2008 Necklaces, Tigers, and Monkeys: Oh, My!

Do you want to be a great writer? Do you want to be a great writer? Do you want other people to read your stories over and over again? Do you want other people to read your stories over and over again? Do you want people to be shocked and amazed by the endings of your stories? Do you want people to be shocked and amazed by the endings of your stories? Introduction

Process The best way to be a great writer is to read great writing. The best way to be a great writer is to read great writing. This WebQuest will offer you opportunities to read great writing and to become a great writer. This WebQuest will offer you opportunities to read great writing and to become a great writer. Go step-by-step and follow all directions within each task. Go step-by-step and follow all directions within each task.

Meet Guy de Maupassant. Source: Author of “The Necklace”

Author of “The Lady or the Tiger” Source: Meet Frank Stockton.

Author of “The Monkey’s Paw” Source: Meet W. W. Jacobs.

Read each of these short stories. Read each of these short stories. They are very different, but each one is fabulous, and a true classic. They are very different, but each one is fabulous, and a true classic. Feel free to print out the stories so that you can write notes on them. Feel free to print out the stories so that you can write notes on them. We will be spending time in the computer lab tomorrow so that you may find and begin reading each story. We will be spending time in the computer lab tomorrow so that you may find and begin reading each story.

“The Necklace” Read “The Necklace” Read “The Necklace”“The Necklace”“The Necklace” Source:

“The Lady or the Tiger” Read “The Lady or the Tiger” Read “The Lady or the Tiger”“The Lady or the Tiger”“The Lady or the Tiger” Source: Source:

“The Monkey’s Paw” Read “The Monkey’s Paw” Read “The Monkey’s Paw”“The Monkey’s Paw”“The Monkey’s Paw” Source:

After you have read the stories, you have three tasks to complete. After you have read the stories, you have three tasks to complete.

Task One Task One The parts of this task will add to your understanding of each story. The parts of this task will add to your understanding of each story. Please find twenty words that you do not know within any of the stories. Please find twenty words that you do not know within any of the stories. Write the word, the entire sentence in which you found it, and which story included the word. Write the word, the entire sentence in which you found it, and which story included the word. Define the word. Define the word. Explain the sentence, being sure your understanding of the word, its meaning, and the sentence is clear. Explain the sentence, being sure your understanding of the word, its meaning, and the sentence is clear.

Then, write to me in an informal way. Let me know your opinions on each of the three stories. Then, write to me in an informal way. Let me know your opinions on each of the three stories. What did you love? What did you love? What did you hate? What did you hate? Which type of ending did you prefer? Which type of ending did you prefer? Which story or stories would you recommend? Which story or stories would you recommend? Did you see any of the endings coming? Did you see any of the endings coming? What one question would you ask each of the authors? What one question would you ask each of the authors?

After you have read the stories, you have three tasks to complete. After you have read the stories, you have three tasks to complete.

Task Two You have a choice for this task. You may either write a different ending for one of the three stories, or add to the ending of one of the three stories. You have a choice for this task. You may either write a different ending for one of the three stories, or add to the ending of one of the three stories.Or You may write a persuasive essay telling me whether you think the lady or the tiger came out of the door. You may write a persuasive essay telling me whether you think the lady or the tiger came out of the door.

Resources Here are some sites that will help you write a persuasive essay. Visit each one, write two or three sentences summarizing the information on each site, and let me know the best piece of information you obtained from each site. Please complete these elements even if you choose not to write a persuasive essay for this task. Maria College Maria College Maria College Maria College Web Writers Web Writers Web Writers Web Writers Mid Lakes Mid Lakes Mid Lakes Mid Lakes Study Study Study Write Express Write Express Write Express Write Express

After you have read the stories, you have three tasks to complete. After you have read the stories, you have three tasks to complete.

Task Three Task Three You will participate in a class debate about “The Lady or the Tiger?” You will participate in a class debate about “The Lady or the Tiger?” You must be prepared to defend either argument. You will not know which you are defending until the day of the debate. You must be prepared to defend either argument. You will not know which you are defending until the day of the debate.

Resources Public Speaking Expert Public Speaking Expert Public Speaking Expert Public Speaking Expert MIT.EDU MIT.EDU MIT.EDU Business and Professional Settings Business and Professional Settings Business and Professional Settings Business and Professional Settings UK Youth Parliament UK Youth Parliament UK Youth Parliament UK Youth Parliament Tips for Successful Debating Tips for Successful Debating Tips for Successful Debating Tips for Successful Debating Here are some sites that will help you improve your public speaking skills. Visit each one, write two or three sentences summarizing the information on each site, and let me know the best piece of information you obtained from each site.

Evaluation Each task is worth 100 points. Each task is worth 100 points. You will earn points for completion of every part. You will earn points for completion of every part. You will earn points for honesty and detail within your informal writing. You will earn points for honesty and detail within your informal writing. Your persuasive essay must demonstrate an understanding of the format, or your story ending must be elaborate and creative. Your persuasive essay must demonstrate an understanding of the format, or your story ending must be elaborate and creative. During the debate, your arguments should be sound and it should be clear you are prepared. During the debate, your arguments should be sound and it should be clear you are prepared.

Conclusion Within a paragraph or two, write to me and tell me about your experience with this WebQuest. Within a paragraph or two, write to me and tell me about your experience with this WebQuest. What worked and what did not? What worked and what did not? Explain your thoughts, opinions, and ideas for next time. Explain your thoughts, opinions, and ideas for next time.

Moving Forward Moving Forward Reading great writing helps us to become better writers. Reading great writing helps us to become better writers. Whenever you need inspiration, read! Whenever you need inspiration, read! There are stories and novels out there for every one of us to love. There are stories and novels out there for every one of us to love. Take what you have learned into the world and write the next great story for future students to adore. Take what you have learned into the world and write the next great story for future students to adore.