Lesson 4: Analyzing Short Stories
A Late Night Visitor by Janet Kay Blaylock
Story ideas come from anywhere. Sometimes ideas come from dreams, a thought that runs across your mind, experiences you had as a child, experiences you have as an adult, listening to others talk about their lives, etc. The list goes on and on.
This story came to me after someone came to my house late in the evening. She needed help and wanted me to take her to a gas station. I wouldn't do it because I had never seen her before. I wasn't about to go anywhere with someone I didn't know, especially late at night. Since my parents were home, I did let the person use the cordless phone to call for help. However, I didn't let her inside the house. I was glad I lived with my parents. I wasn't as afraid with someone else in the house as I would have been if I was alone. It's always a scary feeling answering the door after dark and finding someone standing there whom you do not know. Even though I answered the door and everything was all right, I still learned that I needed to be more careful. You never know who might be around or what they might do. I learned that it is better to not answer your door after dark, especially.
"A Late Night Visitor" can be found at the following URL: http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/3056...
Suggested Reading Assignment
(1) You are to read the story and be prepared to answer the questions below.
Questions To Think About For Your Summary
(1) Who is the detective in the story?
(2) Who were the main characters?
(3) Who was the villain?
(4) What happened in the story?
(5) What was the theme of the story?
(6) Did you like the story? Why or why not?
Suggested Writing Assignment
(1) Write a summary of the story you just read.
