In English short stories, 'The Monkey's Paw' by W.W. Jacobs is a popular one. A family comes into possession of a mummified monkey's paw that has the power to grant three wishes. However, each wish is accompanied by unexpected and tragic consequences. It's a story that plays on the idea of be careful what you wish for. 'Bartleby, the Scrivener' by Herman Melville is also notable. Bartleby is a clerk who starts to refuse to do his work with the simple phrase 'I would prefer not to', which gradually drives his employer to madness as he tries to deal with Bartleby's strange behavior.
A well - known English short story is 'A Rose for Emily' by William Faulkner. It's about Miss Emily Grierson, a southern woman who lives in a small town. The story is filled with mystery as the townspeople gradually discover some disturbing secrets about her life, including her relationship with a man named Homer Barron. It gives a deep look into the decay of the old South and the complex nature of its people. Also, 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Edgar Allan Poe is famous. It's a dark tale of revenge where the narrator lures his so - called friend Fortunato into the catacombs under his palazzo and walls him up alive.
One classic English short story is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It tells the story of a young couple who are very poor but deeply in love. The wife cuts off her long, beautiful hair to buy a chain for her husband's precious watch, while the husband sells his watch to buy combs for his wife's hair. It's a heart - warming tale about sacrifice and love. Another is 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant. A woman borrows a diamond necklace for a ball, loses it, and spends years in poverty trying to replace it, only to find out in the end that the original necklace was fake. It shows the power of vanity and the consequences of false pride.
The significance might lie in its ability to convey a certain message. It could be inspiring readers to think about a particular topic, like environmental protection or human relationships.
I think one way to approach the 'english extension 2 short story' is to focus on its writing style. Does it use a lot of descriptive language? For example, if it's rich in adjectives and adverbs, it can create vivid images in the reader's mind. The dialogue in the story can also tell us a lot. If the characters' conversations are natural and engaging, it usually makes the story more interesting.
Well, short stories are great for English language learning. They offer cultural insights which are important for language acquisition. For example, if a story is about life in London in the 19th century, learners can learn about the social norms, customs and values of that time. Also, they can improve pronunciation. By reading the stories aloud, learners can practice proper intonation, stress and rhythm. And when it comes to comprehension skills, short stories provide a complete context within which learners can practice understanding main ideas, details and inferences.
Sherlock Holmes short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle are very well - known. They are full of mystery and brilliant deductions. For example, 'A Scandal in Bohemia' where Holmes is outwitted by Irene Adler in a very clever way.
Some good ones include 'The Monkey's Paw' by W.W. Jacobs. This story has an element of the supernatural as a family makes wishes on a cursed paw. 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' by Frank R. Stockton is an interesting one too. It ends with a cliffhanger, leaving the reader to decide the fate of the protagonist. And don't forget 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' by Ambrose Bierce, which plays with time and perception.
Some stories might be about adventures. Maybe a character goes on a journey in a magical forest and meets different creatures along the way. It's exciting and full of surprises. This kind of story in 'a2 english short stories' can improve our vocabulary and understanding of different scenarios.
One characteristic is their concise yet impactful storytelling. They manage to convey deep emotions, complex ideas, or interesting plots in a relatively short space. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the whole story of selfless love is told in just a few pages.
One key element is the plot. It needs to be engaging and have a logical flow. Another is the characters. They should be well - developed and believable. And the setting is important too. It helps to create the atmosphere of the story.
First, come up with an interesting concept. It could be a unique character, a strange setting, or an unexpected situation. For example, a character who can see the future but is powerless to change it. Then, plan the plot structure. Usually, it has a beginning that hooks the reader, a middle with rising action and conflict, and an end that resolves the story. For the writing style, use vivid language to describe the scenes and characters. Don't be afraid to use figurative language like metaphors and similes.
A great one to start with is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It's a short, heartwarming story with a twist at the end that shows the power of selfless love. Another is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, which is a thought - provoking story that makes you question society's norms.