LESSON PLAN IN SHORT STORY

I. OBJECTIVES
a. Show understanding and appreciation for the different genres with emphasis
on the elements of the short story.

II. SUBJECT MATTER

Additional lesson on Elements of Short Story (Characters, Points of View and
Conflict)
Selection: “The Taximan’s Story”
Materials: Cartolina Paper
Value Focus: Appreciating Literature

III. PROCEDURE
Review: (Previous Lesson) What is the format of a book bibliography? Give
examples…

a. Pre- Reading:
Unlocking of Difficulty
Unscramble the following words taken from the story.
1. NAMIXTA (TAXIMAN)
2. OLETM (MOTEL)
3. TSROPIEUT (PROSTITUTE)
Use the dictionary to know the meaning…

b. Motivation
Find out in the story the topic of conversation between the taxi driver and
the passenger.

c. Motive Question
Have you ever ridden a taxi? Have you ever talked to the driver? Share
your experiences.

d. During Reading
Students take note of the characters, conflict and point of view used in the
story, “The Taximan’s Story”.

e. Comprehension Check
1. What is the topic conversation of the characters in the story?
2. What are the themes raised in the story?
3. How realistic is the story?
4. Do you sympathize with the taximan? Explain.
5. What is the problem in the story?
6. Describe the characters.
7. Who is the story teller?
 f. Enrichment
The teacher leads the class in the discussion about:

1. Conflict is essential to the plot. Without conflict there is no plot. It is the

struggle between two or more opposing forces which is the nucleus of the plot.

1. Human VS Human – conflict between two characters.

2. Human VS Society – conflict with the society.
3. Human VS Nature – conflict between nature.
4. Human VS God – conflict with God
5. Human VS Self – conflict with self
2. Character could have two meanings – the person in a work of fiction or the
characteristics of a person. Short stories use fewer characters. One character
is clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance
to this character; he/she is the Protagonist, while the person (or force) that
opposes the main character is called the Antagonist.
For a story to seem real to the reader, its character must seem real.
Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the characters
themselves. The author may reveal a character in several ways.

a. Direct characterization (expository) – this method allows the writer to present the
character’s physical traits and personality. The character traits are explicitly
brought out by the writer using descriptive words.
b. Indirect characterization (dramatic) – this method allows the readers to deduce the
traits of the characters through their thoughts, words, actions, decisions.

Types of Characters:
a. Static or Flat Characters – they are characters who do not have flesh and blood
qualities. They normally do not undergo changes throughout the story.
Example: a driver who appears in the story remains a driver until the end of
the story.
b. Dynamic (full or rounded) characters – they are characters who live lives of
sorrow and joy, sinking or swimming in the visible tides of life – very much like
us. They are capable of undergoing changes.
Example: A beggar whom the major character helped before becomes a rich
man who will help the major character in return.

3. Point of View – is defined as the angle or perspective from which

the story is told. There several kinds of point of view.
a. Omniscient – literally means “all knowing”. Using the third person
omniscient point of view, the narrator can move from character to
character, event to event, having free access to the thoughts, feelings
and motivations of any character and can introduce information
where and when he or she chooses.
 b. Limited Omniscient – the story is told by the third person narrator
but from viewpoint of a character in the story, usually the main
character or protagonist. The has access to the thoughts and feelings
of only one character.

(Note: Discuss the elements of the short story and give concrete examples based on the
“Taxi Man’s Story)

IV. APPLICATION
Perform the following activities.
Group 1 – The Dramatist
(perform a scene that highlights the theme of the story.)
Group 2 – The Moralist
(present a problem – solution chart about moral problems.)
Group 3 – The Dancers
(choose a song that best describe the story and do an interpretative dance.)
Group 4 – The Singers
(present a rap that best describe the story. Write your own lyrics.)
Group 5 – The Artist
(draw the central message of the story.)

V. EVALUATION
Answer TRUE or FALSE.
1. Limited Omniscient the story is told by a third person narrator, but the view
point is the protagonist. ____________
2. Omniscient means all knowing. _________
3. Dynamic is the angle the story is told. ___________
4. Character the person in a work of fiction or the characteristics of a person.
_______
5. Human VS God conflict between human being. _______

VI. ASSIGNMENT
Present a Short Story and classify each element.
 “5 Key Elements of a Great Short Story”

Character
The characters answer the question ‘Who?’. A character can be a person, an animal, or
another thing that is alive and takes part in the action of the story. This is a short story, so
there is not a lot of time for telling your character’s backstory or having flashbacks to
childhood. Tell the reader what they need to know when they need to know it and move on.
But at the same time, you need to build a character the reader can relate to and become
invested in, so they will be compelled to read the story to the end to find out what happens
to the characters.

Setting
Setting answers the questions ‘When?’ and ‘Where?’. A short story’s setting is the place
and time in which the action takes place. This can include scenery, buildings, landscape,
weather, seasons, or other time and environment elements. Don’t spend a lot of time on
scenery if it’s not crucial to the story. Short stories are short by name, so don’t make them
longer than they need to be.

Conflict
Conflict brings an answer to the question ‘Why?’. Conflict is the struggle between two (or
more) people or things in the story. The conflict usually involves the main character as
representing one side of the conflict. On the other side of the conflict, is the other part of
the struggle. This can be another character, the forces of nature, a character’s inner
turmoil, or something else. In a short story, there isn’t a lot of time to hem and haw around
with character musings, describing scenery, or getting artsy with your prose. Get to the
point of the conflict sooner rather than later. Don’t keep your reader waiting.

Plot
Plot answers the question ‘What?’. Plot is the series of events and actions that move the
central conflict along. In a short story, every sentence, paragraph, and word should move
the reader closer to the conclusion of the story. If it doesn’t carry the story forward, don’t
put it in.

Theme
Theme is central idea of the story. Don’t get creative or philosophical here. Have the theme
in mind and work it in naturally. Don’t shove it in where it doesn’t fit. The theme also
helps you identify what the purpose of your story is and to keep that in mind throughout
your writing. It could be a moral, lesson, or other important message.
 “READING LISTS FOR SHORT STORIES”

WEEK TITLE AUTHOR ACTIVITY

Role-playing activity.
This can help students
better understand the
1 A CHRISTMAS CHARLES
key features of the
CAROL DICKENS characters, and how
they would behave in
certain
circumstances.
They will answer text-
dependent questions that
MONKEYS PAW W.W. JACOBS
2 include having students
analyze the text for
foreshadowing clues, as well
as use of situational irony.
Students will use context
clues and dictionaries to
determine the meanings of
selected vocabulary words
from the story.
Search for evidence
DESIREE’S BABY KATE CHOPIN for each literary
3 device listed and
explain what it does
for the readers.

Students will form

THE LOTTERY SHIRLEY opinions, identify
4 JACKSON similar situations in
society today, and
use role-playing to
better understand
the feelings of
characters in a story.
SHORT STORY
 “THE TAXIMAN’S STORY”
By: Catherine Lim
WORLD “SDDF
GUIDEQUESTIONS

1.What is the irony of the story?

The irony is the fact that the taximan criticizes young people of our generation for b
eingtoo immature by hanging out at places like Hotel McElroy; while he still goes there to make an
easy living as Hotel McElroy is a popular spot to earn more money. This is an act of
contradiction and instead of 'practicing what he has preached', he has gone against his
stand and decides to put money and making a living over his own beliefs and mind-set.
The irony of the story is that Lay Choo is intelligent and is very good in her studies but unexpectedl
y, she was fooling around instead of being in school.

2 . What are themes raised in the story?

The themes raised are: How young people of Singapore have grown to be bold and reckless;
as compared to the youths of the 'old' Singapore. Differences of the 'old'(taximan's
generation) and current (Lay Choo's generation) Singapore How making a living in
Singapore has overcome the need to stand up for our own beliefs and make a stand to whatever
opposes us.

3 . How realistic is this story?

This story is very realistic as it touches on how fast Singapore has advanced, be it
for the better
the worse, just like how the current youths of Singapore have been 'learning' from olderge
nerationsmore quickly. This is realistic as it narrates a current affair of Singapore.
This story is very realistic as the writer portrays the taximan to be a typical Singaporean
who do not have much education and speaks in English. She also writes about the current
problems faced by most families about handling teenagers, like the taximan's.

4.What do you think of the taximan? Do you feel sympathy for him?
I do not think highly of this taximan. Although it is alright to put your job ahead
of everything else to survive, I think Singaporeans should also have a sense of pride at the
same time. We might be a small country, but we are advancing fast and it is important for
us to be proud of what we believe in; rather than let that belief crumble under
circumstances like earning a quick buck.