Part 1: Analysis
I. Which story did you read? The Sniper By Liam O’Flaherty
II. Describe the physical setting of the story. Which words or descriptions contribute to the
emotional setting or mood? What is the mood that results from the author’s use of
description? The story took place in Dublin, Ireland on a long night in June. The Author
made the story seem like machine gun and rifles going off. It created suspense and fear
for the reader.
III. What is the theme? How do the final lines of the story influence the meaning or theme of
the story? The theme of the story is that war just doesn’t affect the people in it but the
families of the war veterans and the cities that the war is taking place. In the end it states:
“The sniper turned over the dead body and looked into his brother’s eyes.” That is
showing that you don’t know the enemy you are shooting is and shows how the veterans
feel sad and fear.
IV. What techniques does the author use to create a surprise ending? The technique the author
uses is ‘Discovery’ because he looked at the dead corpse, he shot, was his brother.
V. Were you surprised by the twist? If so, why? If not, what should the author have done to
make the ending more surprising and effective? Yes, I was surprised by twist at the end
because the whole time he was fighting his enemy, he was fight one of his own family
members.
VI. What was your experience in reading this story? Did it evoke fear or physically have an
effect on you? Why or why not? No, The story did not evoke fear or physically have an
effect on me because my uncle and grandpa was a veteran and I nevered fear anything
that would happen to them. I knew they would still be fine; I had hope.
Part 2: Creation
I. Create a surprise ending to an original story. You don't need to write a whole story—just
the twist ending. Begin with a short summary of the setting, characters, plot, and conflicts in
your story. Then, write an ending to your story with an unexpected twist using the
techniques learned in this lesson. You should only need two or three fully developed
paragraphs. Be sure to label at least three of the techniques used to demonstrate what
you've learned.
The time has come, and the game is just starting. Tommy watches on the side while both
teams are going back to back at each other. Halftime is over and Tommy still hasn’t
gotten in yet. Coach wasn’t planning on playing Tommy because there starting guard was
the only one scoring. Late in third quarter a hard-foul hit on the best player as he goes
down on his arm. Coach threw his book in the air once he found out he was injured and
couldn’t play the rest of the game.
Coach turned to Tommy and told him “get out their boy…and don’t mess this up.” Tommy
ignored him and went on to the field. The game was tied with 56 & 56. The clock only has
45 seconds left; time is running out. The whole crowd is on there feet with anticipation
cheering “LETS GO PANTHERS”. They pass the ball to Tommy who runs up and shoots a 2.
The ball drops and he wins the game for his team!
II. Create an alternative ending for the story you read in the lesson. Summarize any
necessary changes you made in the action of the story for your surprise ending to make
sense. Fully develop your alternative ending in two or three paragraphs. Demonstrate
what you've learned in this lesson by labeling at least three techniques you used.
It was a long June night in Dublin, Ireland; You can hear machine guns and snipers going
off in all directions. On a rooftop was a Republican sniper named George, laying,
watching. Next thing George spotted an old woman talking to a man in a car. George
was wondering who the woman was talking to then she saw him pointing in his direction.
She was talking to an INFORMER. Suddenly, A shot rang out from the other roof, George
shot back, and they kept shooting each other for quite some time. After a few minutes with
no one taking a shot George decided to make a move and get closer to the enemy.
George climbed down the ladder, darted to the other side of the street; But before he
could climb the ladder the enemy took a shot and shot George in the shoulder. George
didn’t let that stop him. George took a shot back and a loud “BANG” rang he shot the
enemy in the head. With that over he decide to head back to his commander and report
what happened.
