These reading activities are available in both the old-school paper format (.RTF and .PDF) and the updated Ereading Worksheet format . With the print-out versions, I optimized to reduce paper use. Most of these fit onto 4 sides. With the new Ereading Worksheets (online versions), I was not limited by paper sides, and was able to ask follow-up short response questions to each multiple-choice. I recommend that you use these if you have the tech at your disposal. They can be completed on any Internet connected device. Students receive instant feedback, and they can print, save, or email score sheets . They can also share their results on Facebook. These activities are easy to integrate with Google Classroom . Definitions of challenging vocabulary words can be found with one click. And perhaps most importantly, these activities are more accessible to students with disabilities . Without further introduction, I present 22 of my favorite short stories with questions, available as worksheets and online activities.
I hope that these stories and resources help you accomplish your goals. Please let me know if you find any errors or have any feedback. Leave a comment below or contact me directly at mortonteaches@gmail.com . Thank you for visiting my website.
We found 272 free papers on short story, essay examples, a short story – the old lady.
Short Story
The Old Lady sank wearily into her cracked leather armchair and shifted around to get comfortable with the lumps. With a sigh, she looked around at her world. For two years, she had been restricted from living upstairs because of rheumatism. And she often wondered how much dust had accumulated in her once proud and…
This text reveals that discoveries and discovering can offer new understanding and renewed perception of ourselves and others. These can be far reaching and transformation fort the individual and broader society. The young girl in the story, whilst away, on the island, makes many discoveries. For example, she discovers the “web of life”. The web…
Storytelling
My Surroundings Ah, the breath of fresh air and the wide open range of earth is soothing as I glance out into the world. My eyes scan across the landscape of God’s country, and the tall trees that have sprung forth are starting to shed their leaves. With each warm breeze, a new leaf finds…
Blind dates are full of uncertainty as you can never really know someone until you spend time with them and communicate. Several years back, my initial blind date occurred at my workplace. A colleague would often bring up her daughter and propose that I should go out with her. This colleague depicted her daughter, Kelli,…
‘So could everyone please stand and applaud this family, who have given so much to this community, their donations and commitment making it what it is today. Without them who knows where we would be. We are all truly grateful and would like to take this opportunity to let you know that you are the…
If we go back two centuries, women had limited rights compared to their current status. They were prohibited from voting, accessing courts, or attending higher education institutions. Their control over personal property after marriage was also restricted, and they faced challenges in obtaining legal custody of their children during divorce proceedings. Additionally, they were expected…
Imagine this: A child with 4 brothers and 6 sisters, with no dad and not a lot of money. He lives in a run down old trailer park. He has to decide whether to go to school with his friends or play basketball on an organized team. Well, Once upon a time there lived two…
Introduction The short story Recitatif by Toni Morrison revolves around the story of two girls—Twyla, the narrator of the story, and Roberta. The story is divided into meetings or moments in each of the girls’ lives, from childhood at the St. Bonny’s facility up to the time when both of them already have families….
The Persistence of Desire is based on the idea that there is always an unfinished business between former lovers, in a sense of absence of closure. Though some people are able to deal with such feelings in a positive way and move on, others experience moments of doubt, ecstasy, pain, curiosity, longing, etc, when they…
In the story of “First Confession” Frank O’Connor has us look at the story from the boy, Jackie’s, point of view. Jackie is a seven year-old boy who must go to make his first confession before he can take his first communion. The story takes places in various settings that include Jackie’s house, Jackie’s school…
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Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest . Looking for great American short stories you can read for free? Whether they’re written by American authors, set in the USA, or just have that ever-elusive quality of Americana, this is the page you’re looking for.
“ hearts are trump ” by sarah coury.
🏆 Winner of Contest #246
Uncle Abe and Uncle Will haven’t played cards together in years. If you want to get real technical about it, Uncle Abe and Uncle Will haven’t even shared the same room in years, but that ain’t news to anyone east of Livernois. By now, the entire city of Detroit knows about Abraham and William Haddad—at least those who regularly stop into the family party store for their weekly supply of meats, spirits, and fresh-baked pita. It’s old news. Two bitter brothers broken up over a girl who left town anyway. It’s been ages and the aunties need fres...
🏆 Winner of Contest #198
Okay class! Pop quiz. If you've been doing the readings, this should be a piece of cake. Remember to fill out both sides of this paper. You have the whole class period to finish. Good luck.1. Christopher Columbus first traveled to the Americas using which means of transportation?A) A cargo shipB) A steam locomotiveC) A Boeing 747 airliner D) A vintage red 1985 Camaro with a crack in the middle of the windshield and no heated seats2. What is the term...
🏆 Winner of Contest #196
II shot papa square in the heart but he didn’t die. That damn bible he carried with him saved his life. I was considerable lucky that papa had his axe at hand, and that he kept it sharp. I picked it up. It was a heavy thing, so I swung with all my might and put it right through his head. Seein’ his brains made me throw up. I moved away so it wouldn’t get on papa. That would be disrespectful.Papa was a big man. I couldn’t bury him like that, so I started choppin’ off his arms and legs ...
“ mandy could shoot ” by frances gaudiano.
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #255
Mandy could shoot. She could shoot better than any girl she ever met, any man too, but you didn’t go around telling men that. Men around here wouldn’t date a girl that was better than them and she did like going out on dates – getting all dolled up with her best outfit and putting on make-up. She liked when they picked her up in their newly cleaned truck and took her to dinner, or the cinema and they paid her way. Men around here were old-fashioned. That was fine with her. She’d smile, showing off the dimple in her left cheek and say, ‘Sure ...
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #246
I’m standing on the corner of 48th and 8th outside of Duffy’s Ale House, waiting for Buford to light a cigarette, knowing that, like most things he attempts, eventually he’ll succeed. But it won’t be easy. Not because it’s complicated, but because Buford complicates the uncomplicated. He creates pitfalls and snags and obstacles if only because Buford won’t attempt anything unless it’s handled like one exhaustive, endless, mind-numbing game.“You have to fuck them to win, Muck,” Buford says, cigarette dangling from his rubbery lips. And they a...
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #227
“Give me that thing” Chunhui grabs the cigarette from Bobby’s hand. There is a moment where their fingers touch, the warmest feeling in Alaska’s Northern Slope, and then it is gone. “No need to get handsy,” Bobby says to her. His voice is a dead whisper against the sweeping brown coastline, but she can hear him. They’re sitting shoulder to shoulder on the dried-out vertebrae of a bow...
🏆 Featuring 12 prize-winning stories from our community. Download it now for FREE .
“ call and response ” by angela gilmartin.
Submitted to Contest #262
“It’s going to be another hot one. Why don’t you go out?” I said, flicking the soap suds off my fingertips into the sink. Breakfast plates floated like islands in the sudsy water. I wanted so badly to scoop a handful of the dishwater (dirty as it was, I almost didn’t care) and pour a handful on my neck, taking a bit of the heat off my neck which radiated in waves down my back. In the living room, the news station talking head made it official. It was day three of yet another Texas scorcher. The man in the three piece warned to expect highs c...
Dr. Brandt had overslept. Evanhour Brandt had not heard the alarm clock despite sleeping in a room the size of a walk-in closet. With all the variations of alarm devices he’d slept beside, this had never happened. Whether Evanhour should thank his grandfather’s Westclox, a rare WW2 commodity, the chronograph Omega Mother and Father splurged on for graduation, or the indefatigable Timex secured on sturdy, metal nubs on the night table, Evanhour had never been late for anything. Not lectures, dates with his then-girlfriend, or appointments wi...
Lightning Strikes “Extreme heat advisory is in effect until 9pm this evening here in the Valley of the Sun. Whenever possible stay indoors. The elderly and those with breathing difficulties should avoid going outdoors if possible. Stay tuned to this station for more advisories.” Gravel crunched under the tires of Freddy Jansen’s tow truck as he pulled up to the office of King’s Auto Parts Yard. He shifted the truck’s transmission into park, took his cell phone out of the front pocket of his work overalls, and dismissed the he...
School was out for summer. I got off the bus that Friday to an exciting vision: our brand new 1968 Ford station wagon backed down the driveway, facing out - engine running. We were ready for a fast vacation escape!Patsy Powell, my father, was home early - loading suitcases, fishing poles, sleeping bags, and beer coolers into the car. Smiling ear to ear with a smoldering cigarette in his mouth, I hadn’t seen Dad so happy since our grandmother Agnes threatened she might move to ...
SUMMER VACATION AT THEO LACY My idea of the perfect summer vacation destination was not Theo Lacy Correctional Facility. I should be somewhere to get relief from the heat and boredom. Swimming pool. Beach resort. Even somewhere with air conditioning. My three-month stay is the result of local law enforcement finding a few roaches in my car's ash tray. The prosecutor kept continuing my trial until late May. When I was finally sentenced to three-months of county time, it was almost June. That meant I wouldn't be released until late August, eve...
Christine was sitting on her front lawn waiting for the ice cream truck. She had been waiting in the sweltering heat for over twenty minutes. Thirty minutes earlier, Christine had been inside with her mother and little brother Thomas reading her most recent library acquisition—The Giver. She had just realized that Jonas, the main character, could still see color when she heard the ice cream truck’s signature song. She sat for a few minutes in her favorite chair to gauge how far away it still was. She calculated close to two miles, but with t...
Time. Temp. Time. Temp. 12:07 p.m. 98 degrees. 12:08 p.m. 99 degrees. Withering mid-August heat billowed from the Capitol Drive pavement and obscured Park State Bank’s Irish-emerald sign, blurring the tiny, jaundiced Lite-Brite bulbs on the marquee that served as a courtesy to the drivers passing below. ...
Summer Vacation Paradise“Have you heard from the kids yet? Are they packed and ready to go? Mapped out their plan of action to get there about the same time as we will?” Jed fussed as he double and triple checked his list.“You're the planner and coordinator of this whole trip. Haven't you been exchanging e-mails with them to know those answers?” His harried wife, Trudy, retorted. “Look. We saved for it. We meticulously planned for it. We've anticipated it. We've waited for this moment. We are on our way right on schedule. So relax. The kids ...
It was the first day at our beach house, and Randy, my Standard Poodle, and I were just looking around the place when we noticed a nude beachcomber heading our way. I'm far from shy and not the least bit timid, but the man I saw coming toward me made a plantain look tiny. I looked and then looked away since I didn't want to seem like I was gawking. But then I looked again. I couldn't believe my eyes; the man was well-tanned and in great shape. He caught me looking because when I looked up at his body and made my way to his face, he smiled a ...
Charles and Lucinda’s paths first crossed on a sun-drenched morning at a sidewalk cafe in the small coastal town of Mystic Harbor—a dot on the map known for its laid-back charm and vibrant boardwalk. The town was a magnet for single travelers looking to escape the confines of their mundane lives. Families on vacation often bypassed Mystic Harbor for the larger resort towns further down the beach. Charles, a freelance writer passionate about adventure, had sought and accepted a summer assignment to capture the essence of the place for a...
Candis was the last of the gathered poets to stash her notebook and assorted pens in her capacious bag after everyone else dispersed. The highlight of her week always ended too soon.She abandoned the picnic bench outside Scripps Cottage to head back to the main campus of San Diego State University. Glancing down, she paused to adjust her bag so the mermaid portrait trimmed with sequins would be displayed to any passerby. The opposite side only showed a curling wave, frilled with a filigree of foam, not half as interesting.She glanced at the ...
PROLOGUE The events I’m about to describe took place during 1967 and 1968. No one involved besides me knows the whole truth about what happened, and I want to keep it that way for reasons that will become obvious. Some of the names and places used in this story are fictitious. The events are real. Why am I telling this tale to you, a stranger? Because the prospect of taking this story untold to my grave is unbearable. Some of you may understand that what I did, I did out of love. Others may feel I should rot in hell for my actions. Each read...
August 17th 2010.It all started like most summer vacations, everyone waiting for that day, to travel somewhere exotic and fun, free from school and work. My family had been planning this trip all year, not just your everyday beach vacation, but all the way to the Caribbean! We arrived at the airport, in record time for a family of six, and three of them girls no less, they can be quick when they want to be.Dad, my brother and I took up one row, while Mom and my sisters took up the row directly in front, my siblings and I getting somewhat bor...
Submitted to Contest #261
They Should Make a Thank-You Card for That Thank-You for coming!7/17/2013Kate,Thank-you for coming to my grad party! Can’t believe you drove 4 hours but it was great to have you there. How are we adults now? College was amazing, especially the last few years with you. I couldn’t haven’t asked for a better roommate. I’m going to miss you so much. Keep in touch!Love,MaryPS- Good luck on your interview! Thank-you…8/15/2013Mary,Everyone at my new job thinks I have a rich boyfriend now, so thank-you very much for those flowers. You’re the best fo...
That summer didn’t have a particular theme song. There was no particular color that summer. But, ohh, the smell of fresh cut limes and limeade, that was the memory. Wherever I went that summer, to my potential future father in law’s, my mother’s house, my friend’s Spanish-style villa, limeade was served, and the scent of fresh cut lime lifted my soul. I, Vicky, was engaged to be married that summer. Life was getting hectic with work, planning ...
America tends to conjure very different images for each person. You might be thinking of Manhattan streets crowded with iconic yellow taxis, cactus-ridden Arizona deserts, or long highways and cheap motels. There’s no shortage of distinct scenes in American literature, as the country’s expansive nature allows for remarkable variety.
America is buzzing with the excitement of potential and possibility. Anyone could be the next Jack Kerouac, Toni Morrison, or John Steinbeck — in other words, a voice shaping the way America is seen by generations of readers. Some of these future voices could be on this page.
This page features American short stories submitted to Reedsy’s writing contest . Written fresh every week, these stories are both very timely and enduring, with chronotopes that roam free into the past, the present, and the future.
You can find any American short stories that have won our contests (or made the shortlist) up top for your convenience. They vary wildly in genre and in mood: you’ll come across short stories about hope as well as despair, stories that explicitly thematize Americanness and stories that take it for granted, turning their focus elsewhere. But as you’ll see, the sheer range of these stories reflects the range of American life. And if you'd like to read the best of the best entries from across 40+ genres, be sure to check out Prompted , our new literary magazine — there's a free copy waiting for you!
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Officials had braced for more unrest on Wednesday, but the night’s anti-immigration protests were smaller, with counterprotesters dominating the streets instead.
By Lynsey Chutel
After days of violent rioting set off by disinformation around a deadly stabbing rampage, the authorities in Britain had been bracing for more unrest on Wednesday. But by nightfall, large-scale anti-immigration demonstrations had not materialized, and only a few arrests had been made nationwide.
Instead, streets in cities across the country were filled with thousands of antiracism protesters, including in Liverpool, where by late evening, the counterdemonstration had taken on an almost celebratory tone.
Over the weekend, the anti-immigration protests, organized by far-right groups, had devolved into violence in more than a dozen towns and cities. And with messages on social media calling for wider protests and counterprotests on Wednesday, the British authorities were on high alert.
With tensions running high, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s cabinet held emergency meetings to discuss what has become the first crisis of his recently elected government. Some 6,000 specialist public-order police officers were mobilized nationwide to respond to any disorder, and the authorities in several cities and towns stepped up patrols.
Wednesday was not trouble-free, however.
In Bristol, the police said there was one arrest after a brick was thrown at a police vehicle and a bottle was thrown. In the southern city of Portsmouth, police officers dispersed a small group of anti-immigration protesters who had blocked a roadway. And in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where there have been at least four nights of unrest, disorder continued, and the police service said it would bring in additional officers.
But overall, many expressed relief that the fears of wide-scale violence had not been realized.
Here’s what we know about the turmoil in Britain.
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2 pages / 884 words. The short story "Letters from My Father", written by Robert Olen Butler, and the poem "The Writer", written by Richard Wilbur, both depict family struggles. "Letters from My Father" is about a Vietnamese girl who grew up without a father because of troubles with immigration... Short Story.
Short stories are to novels what TV episodes are to movies. Short stories are a form of narrative writing that has all the same elements as novels—plot, character development, point of view, story structure, theme—but are delivered in fewer words. For many writers, short stories are a less daunting way to dive into creative writing than attempting to write a novel.
A short story analysis essay follows a different format from other literature essays. That said, to help with that, here are instructive steps and helpful tips. 1. Take Down Notes. Considering that you have read the short story a couple of times, the first step you should take before writing your essay is to summarize and write down your notes ...
In Literary short stories, you are free to explore uncertainty, ambiguity, and inchoate, realistic endings that suggest multiple interpretations, and unresolved issues. ... Expository prose (telling, like an essay) takes up very, very little space in your short story, and it does not appear near the beginning. The story is in Narrative format ...
The Rocking-horse Winner: Unveiling Hidden Desires. D.H. Lawrence's short story "The Rocking-Horse Winner" delves into the complexities of human desires and the destructive power of materialism. This essay analyzes the themes of luck, greed, and the pursuit of wealth, while also examining the characters' emotional turmoil and the haunting ...
Midnight Breakfast is a free online literary magazine that publishes short stories, essays, and nonfiction. They publish stories and ideas from diverse voices and are looking to "spark conversation" with "good friends over greasy food.". So if this at all intrigues you, check out their very eclectic catalogue of free stories.
3-5 paragraph short story essay. 2 Page Short story essay (500-600 words) 3 page short story essay (750-900 Words. 5 Page short story essay (1250-1500 Words) To guide you in your efforts here are six (6) steps to follow when writing a short story essay: Start with an idea. Every good piece of writing starts with an idea, so start by considering ...
Short Story - List of Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas. 46 essay samples found. A short story is a brief work of fiction that typically focuses on a single character or event. Essays might explore the structural elements of short stories, the evolution of this literary form, analysis of notable short stories and their themes, and the impact ...
Our website isn't just for students seeking narrative essays for exams. It's a hub for anyone seeking to master the art of storytelling. Explore various narrative essay topics, including personal experiences, friendship, family, love, travel, childhood memories, and more. 5. Tailor-Made Examples for Your Academic Needs.
Short Story Essay Examples. James Joyce's 'The Dead'. James Joyce's short story "The Dead" deals with the meaning of life. This title is significant and enhances several aspects of the story. First of all, it reveals that the characters are unable to be emotional. They are physically living but emotionally dead.
Over 1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy, come meet them. Reedsy Prompts is home to the largest short stories collection. Check out 25000+ stories by up & coming writers across the world. Choose the genre of your interest and start reading now from the largest online collection of handpicked short stories for free!
As an ominously prescient prediction of the downside of technology, "The Veldt" is a short and shining example of how Ray Bradbury was an author before his time. 10. "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes. In this classic short story, we are privy to the journals of Charlie Gordon, a cleaner with an IQ of 68.
The Best Fiction Short Stories. Short fiction stories are a fantastic way to access the literary world in compact, bite-sized reading sessions. The short story as we know it today began in the 19th century, when the increasing interest in print literary magazines led to many authors like Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens writing and publishing stories.
Misc. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson. The Last American Hero Is Junior Johnson. Yes! by Tom Wolfe. Masters of the Universe Go to Camp by Philip Weiss. What Is Glitter? by Caity Weaver. The best short articles, nonfiction and essays from around the net - interesting articles and essays on every subject, all free to read online.
We believe that the key to writing good short stories is reading good short stories. Below, we have provided an ever-expanding selection of old and new short stories that are free to download. Short story writers are listed alphabetically. In 2020 we'll be adding a wide range of new stories to read online. Recently added stories will be fund at the top of the page. Recently added Aiken ...
Read the story for free courtesy of The TSS. 'The Semplica Girl Diaries' by George Saunders "Work, work, work. Stupid work. Am so tired of work." Read the story in The New Yorker. 'Bullet in the Brain' by Tobias Wolff "The bullet is already in the brain; it won't be outrun forever, or charmed to a halt.
3. Project Gutenberg. You can read classic short stories directly on the Project Gutenberg website / Screenshot: Project Gutenberg. One of the most popular choices for free short stories online, Project Gutenberg is a digital library of over 60,000 free eBooks, available in both epub and Kindle eBooks formats.
The 50 Best Short Articles & Essays to Read for Students Read the best short articles and essays for free online Life. ... Financial help from parents comes in many forms, and it's the basis of so many success stories. So why do millennials act like it doesn't exist? Jen Doll examines the myth—and tyranny—of the "self-made" success story...
Submitted to Contest #262. The brutal desert sun beat down on the sleek black Jeep Wrangler. It headed south along the 190 through the barren landscape of Death Valley leaving a cloud of dust in its wake. Tom drove leisurely, his tanned hands baking in the sun atop the leather-wrapped steering wheel.
This page features 22 of my favorite short stories with questions. These reading activities are perfect for classroom use. Written by some of the greatest authors in history, these stories are short enough to cover in a single class period, and rich enough to warrant study. I tried to select stories that students would find highly interesting.
A short story - The Old Lady. Short Story. Words: 779 (4 pages) The Old Lady sank wearily into her cracked leather armchair and shifted around to get comfortable with the lumps. With a sigh, she looked around at her world. For two years, she had been restricted from living upstairs because of rheumatism. And she often wondered how much dust ...
Phil Conklin was eighty when he died. His death hit Joe McManus like a sledgehammer blow to the stomach. For forty years, McManus joked that Phil would live forever. In his heart of hearts, he believed it was true. A two-year battle with lung cancer reduced Phil to a shell of the man he had once been.
Join Bluey and her family in these delightful 5-minute stories that capture the fun and excitement of their adventures. Perfect for young readers looking for engaging and easy-to-read stories. Read More. Short English Moral Stories (Free PDF) Explore our collection of short moral stories that impart valuable lessons through engaging narratives.
Early on Friday morning, a 31-year-old female trainee doctor retired to sleep in a seminar hall after a gruelling day at one of India's oldest hospitals. It was the last time she was seen alive ...
Officials had braced for more unrest on Wednesday, but the night's anti-immigration protests were smaller, with counterprotesters dominating the streets instead.