Short Story

February BAM Guidelines
9th and 10th Grade English 2010

For this BAM report you will read a collection of short stories and keep a Reader's Response Journal on the stories. The DLS library has a display of short story collections, and collections can be found in both public libraries and local bookstores as well. Often short stories are overlooked as a source of pleasure reading, but some of the greatest writers in history developed their skills by crafting short stories. Look for collections that have about 10-20 stories and are approximately 150 pages or longer (I may make exceptions on both numbers depending on the book; these are just general targets). Avoid "Complete Collections" or anthologies that have 50 or more stories in them.
The BAM report itself will consist of 10-20 journal entries in which you identify the title of the story then write a 300-500 word response to it (at least 1 page handwritten, no skipped lines or large letters). Entries should include both a summary of the story that briefly explains the plot and your response to it. Your response is a personal reaction to and/or connection with the characters and/or plot. It should explore your own ideas, opinions and experiences in some detail. I am less interested in what you comprehended (summary) and more interested in what you thought or how you related to characters or events (response). You may type or handwrite the log. The journal is due before school on Monday, Feb. 15. Here is a sample of a journal entry that was done on two chapters in a novel:
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
Chapters One and Two (approx. 450 words)
This is very strange. I don’t like the protagonist at all. I’m sure I’m not supposed to, but I’ve never really read a book in which the main character repulses me. Ignatius seems very well-educated, but just plain weird, very interested in moral issues. He wears a green hunting cap, has a bushy black mustache, and is quite large. He attacks a... [continues]

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