1. Roles of each member of the group:
Project Manager Ryan Collier
Designer(s) Cameron Geiwitz
Literary Critic(s) Halie Bell

2. “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” By Ambrose Bierce
Ryan Collier, Cameron Geiwitz, Halie Bell
Babcock
English 9 Honors 3B

3. What’s the Point?
This slideshow will present why “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce needs to be in included in the 9th-grade literature textbook. It will do this in a way that appeals to its audience, fellow 9th graders. This presentation includes in depth analyses of the literary elements presented in the chosen story. It includes visual aids which follow along with the story and the other slides presented. This slideshow presents information of the story in an aesthetically appealing manner to better show the audience the prominent reasons of why the chosen story, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” needs to be included in a 9th grade textbook.

4. Summary of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
Peyton Farquhar, an innocent civilian with a family, is being hanged for interfering with the bridge on which the Yanks have built a stockade. A ceremony is held marking his release into the afterlife. The soldiers make preparations and he is moved onto a board extending over the water held up by the weight of another man. He thinks if only he could free his hands, he could cut his noose, get to the water and swim to shore. The man steps aside and the rope tightens around his neck, and just as he is about to die, the rope breaks. Peyton finds himself in the water and once to the surface, he must avoid the bullets raining down on him from the plethora of military soldiers still on the bridge. He dodges bullets and cannons but he finally makes it to the shore and runs into the forest. All he can think about is his family as he tries to find his way back home. After hours of searching for his home and starvation overtaking his body, he finds his home, and another shocking revelation.
The story's lexile score

5. Owl Creek Bridge, the setting of Peyton’s death.

6. Beginning of the Story
Peyton Farquhar is being hanged for his actions concerning Owl Creek Bridge

7. Climax
The Climax of the story is when Peyton Farquhar’s noose breaks and he lands in the river beneath the bridge, meaning he has a chance at survival.

8. Mood
To start off the story, the mood is very solemn. The soldiers orderly carry out their preparations for the hanging of Peyton Farquhar. The mood changes when Peyton imagines a way out of the situation. It becomes suspenseful as the reader is left to wonder if Peyton will succeed and make it out alive. The suspenseful mood continues throughout Peyton’s quest to survive. He makes it into the water but there are still many obstacles he will have to overcome. When he makes it into the forest it changes into a more calm mood despite the hunger and starvation that are ever-present. He finds his house and the story ends with a peaceful mood since Peyton has made it home.

9. Mood
The light and the dark contrast of this photo represents the mood of the story since the story starts off as solemn and dark as Peyton Farquhar knows he will die. As the story goes on and the plot progresses, he becomes more hopeful and at the end of the story, he finally meets his family.

10. Conflict(s)
The conflict presented in the story is if Peyton Farquhar will be killed or if he will escape the hanging. In the beginning his death presents no conflict but as he shows hope about living the reader wonders whether he will make it out alive. He lands in the water after his noose breaking, however, the soldiers on the bridge continue to try to end his life. They shoot bullets and cannonballs towards him, but he dodges them and makes it to shore. The conflict then becomes man vs. nature, as he gets lost in the woods and is facing the danger of starvation. As the story draws to a close, he makes it home and the conflict is resolved.

11. Conflict
This sign refers to the rule that caused main conflict of the story, the hanging of an innocent civilian. It states that any civilian interfering with Owl Creek Bridge will be hanged. Peyton Farquhar disobeys this rule, creating a plot for the story, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.”

12. Literary Element of Interest #1 -
Imagery - figurative languages that represent objects, actions and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses.
“...his body, with a broken neck, swung gently from side to side beneath the timbers of the Owl Creek bridge.”
The author uses figurative language to better describe the events happening in the story and to appeal to the reader’s senses. This better connects them to the story and keeps them interested.
Why is this important?

13. Imagery
The author uses imagery to describe to the reader the hanging of Peyton Farquhar. This helps the reader relate more to the pain he feels as imagery appeals to our physical senses.

14. Literary Element of Interest #2 -
Indirect Characterization - the process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed through the character's speech, actions, appearance, etc.
“To be hanged and drowned," he thought, "that is not so bad; but I do not wish to be shot. No; I will not be shot; that is not fair." “At the bottom of the steps she stands waiting, with a smile of ineffable joy, an attitude of matchless grace and dignity. Ah, how beautiful she is! As he is about to clasp her he feels a stunning blow upon the back of the neck; a blinding white light blazes all about him with a sound like the shock of a cannon - then all is darkness and silence!”"
It shows that Peyton grew delirious while hanging from the noose and started thinking about him seeing his family again. This shows that Peyton loves his family dearly and thought only of them when he was about to die.
Why is this important?

15. Indirect Characterization
Peyton is described as a loving husband by his own actions as he sees his family as he is about to die.

16. Theme Statement
Within Ambrose Bierce’s historical fiction short story entitled “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” he discusses hope to reveal that even on the verge of death, humans, as a species, are hopeful and are always looking for the good in things. Even when things cannot get any worse, humans turn to optimism to make it through.

17. Theme Statement
The picture to the right represents humanities will to be optimistic, even if the circumstances are not in their favor.

18. Final thoughts
“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is a stellar story that provides interest, meaning, and important truths about humanity for its audience. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat by flawlessly executing the use of a variety of literary elements. The events happening throughout the story enthrall the reader while teaching them an important lesson on humans as a whole. The story is a perfect educational opportunity and has a fascinating plot, making it the perfect story to include in the 9th grade English textbook.

19. Works Cited Page
Bierce, Ambrose. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Examiner, Fiction: The Eserver Collection. Eserver. Web. 18 Jan
L., Betty. Owl Creek Bridge. Digital Image. English II: N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Jan
Snell, George. Noose. Digital Image. Artful Hatter. Creative Commons, n.d. Web. 18 Jan occurrence-at-owl-creek-bridge/
Pierre, Brian. Hanged Man. Digital Image. AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE. Chronicle Books, n.d. Web. 18 Jan
Robinson, John. Underwater Escapee. Digital Image. Mission Language Lab. n.p. 8 Oct Web. 18 Jan
Wickelus, Charles. An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge: On The Beauty Of Life. Digital Image. Return Of Kings. Kings Media, Web. 18 Jan
Murphy, Shawn. Why Create Workplace Optimism?. Digital Image. PeopleResults. Disqus, 22 Aug Web. 18 Jan
Totaro, Donato. Contextual Analysis of An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge: Robert Enrico vs. Rod Serling. Digital Image. Offscreen. Eclectic & Serious Film Criticism, Apr Web. 18 Jan
Johnson, Sherrie Mills. Fleeing Darkness. Digital Image. GOOD NEWS!. N.p., 4 Oct Web. 19 Jan <