ASSIGNMENT 02: Short stories
Due date: [will be announced on myUnisa]
This assignment comprises TWO sections. Both sections are compulsory. Section
A: Reflective essay: The Short Story (Unit 3)
Now that you have worked through Unit 3 (The Short Story) in the study guide, write a reflective
essay of 250 – 350 words in which you discuss how this section of the work resonated with your
own personal experiences or memories, and what insight you gained from studying this section. In
your essay, please reflect on the questions below:
1. Do you like reading fiction? Have you ever read short stories before doing this module? Do you
have a favourite short story? If so, please tell us the title and author.
2. Which section(s) in this unit did you find particularly enjoyable or interesting, or gave you more
insight into short stories? Please be as specific as possible (quote from the section and
provide page references).
3. Which section(s) in this unit did you find the least enjoyable or difficult to understand? Please
be as specific as possible (quote from the section and provide page references).
REFLECTIVE ESSAY
This unit about short stories made me think about how much I like reading fiction. I have always
loved getting lost in stories created by talented writers. Before this, I didn't read many short
stories. But there's one I really liked called "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. It's kind of spooky,
but it made me think a lot.
Learning about short stories in this module was really interesting. I learned what makes them
different from novels, like how they focus on just one main thing. It helped me understand why
short stories are special. Also, learning about things like 'setting' and 'characters' made me
appreciate short stories even more.
While most of the unit was fun, some parts were a bit tricky to understand. Like when it talked
about short stories showing 'an experience' instead of 'experience'. That confused me at first.
Also, the idea of short stories focusing on just one main thing took some getting used to.
, Among the sections covered in this unit, I found the discussion on the distinguishing
characteristics of short stories particularly enlightening. Learning about the specific traits that set
short stories apart from novels, such as their focused plot and limited scope, provided me with a
clearer understanding of the unique dynamics at play within this literary form. Additionally, delving
into concepts like 'setting' and 'characterization' deepened my appreciation for the intricacies
involved in crafting compelling short narratives.
While the majority of the unit 3 was engaging, I encountered some challenges in grasping certain
concepts. For instance, understanding the notion that short stories present 'an experience' rather
than 'experience' initially perplexed me. Align to that, the explanation of how short stories zoom in
on one main incident or plot point raised questions about the depth of storytelling within
constrained word limits. However, through further reflection and exploration, I began to appreciate
the nuanced approach to narrative structure and thematic exploration in short stories.
In the end, unit 3 in the study guide taught me a lot about short stories and made me appreciate
them more. I'm excited to use what I've learned to read more short stories from different places
and about different things. It's made me want to explore more and understand them better.
Due date: [will be announced on myUnisa]
This assignment comprises TWO sections. Both sections are compulsory. Section
A: Reflective essay: The Short Story (Unit 3)
Now that you have worked through Unit 3 (The Short Story) in the study guide, write a reflective
essay of 250 – 350 words in which you discuss how this section of the work resonated with your
own personal experiences or memories, and what insight you gained from studying this section. In
your essay, please reflect on the questions below:
1. Do you like reading fiction? Have you ever read short stories before doing this module? Do you
have a favourite short story? If so, please tell us the title and author.
2. Which section(s) in this unit did you find particularly enjoyable or interesting, or gave you more
insight into short stories? Please be as specific as possible (quote from the section and
provide page references).
3. Which section(s) in this unit did you find the least enjoyable or difficult to understand? Please
be as specific as possible (quote from the section and provide page references).
REFLECTIVE ESSAY
This unit about short stories made me think about how much I like reading fiction. I have always
loved getting lost in stories created by talented writers. Before this, I didn't read many short
stories. But there's one I really liked called "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. It's kind of spooky,
but it made me think a lot.
Learning about short stories in this module was really interesting. I learned what makes them
different from novels, like how they focus on just one main thing. It helped me understand why
short stories are special. Also, learning about things like 'setting' and 'characters' made me
appreciate short stories even more.
While most of the unit was fun, some parts were a bit tricky to understand. Like when it talked
about short stories showing 'an experience' instead of 'experience'. That confused me at first.
Also, the idea of short stories focusing on just one main thing took some getting used to.
, Among the sections covered in this unit, I found the discussion on the distinguishing
characteristics of short stories particularly enlightening. Learning about the specific traits that set
short stories apart from novels, such as their focused plot and limited scope, provided me with a
clearer understanding of the unique dynamics at play within this literary form. Additionally, delving
into concepts like 'setting' and 'characterization' deepened my appreciation for the intricacies
involved in crafting compelling short narratives.
While the majority of the unit 3 was engaging, I encountered some challenges in grasping certain
concepts. For instance, understanding the notion that short stories present 'an experience' rather
than 'experience' initially perplexed me. Align to that, the explanation of how short stories zoom in
on one main incident or plot point raised questions about the depth of storytelling within
constrained word limits. However, through further reflection and exploration, I began to appreciate
the nuanced approach to narrative structure and thematic exploration in short stories.
In the end, unit 3 in the study guide taught me a lot about short stories and made me appreciate
them more. I'm excited to use what I've learned to read more short stories from different places
and about different things. It's made me want to explore more and understand them better.
