Stories with a twist ending are often popular with teenager readers. The story “The Sniper” also has a gritty, war time setting that can draw readers into the story. The story is a small snapshot of wartime and offers different ways to analyze and examine the story, setting, and twist ending.
Activities to Use with “The Sniper”
Research the Irish Civil War
Students will research the Irish Civil war. Then they will create a written or multimedia project to share their findings. Discussion or project can relate the research to the story setting. How does the real-world information change the understanding of the story? (This project is included as choice when you buy the Culminating Projects for The Sniper. Also works well with the Scaffolding Support for Research Writing resource or the Story Based Research project, both for use with any story.)
Alternate Point of View
The story could be retold from another point of view, perhaps the enemy sniper, or the little old lady, another soldier. What might be the impact of one of those other characters’ views. (Buy the Alternate Point of View Writing resource.)
Make an Infographic
Infographics are a popular medium for summarizing information, especially in the social media era. Students can depict major events of the story, characters, and themes in an infographic format to demonstrate their understanding of the story. (This project is included as choice when you buy the Culminating Projects for The Sniper.)
Prequel or Sequel Writing
Since the story is small moment, a single event, there is plenty that could come before or after in Prequel or Sequel writing. Students could write about the relationship of the characters before the war, or after the reveal. How did the main character and the revealed character end up on opposite sides of the war in the first place? (Buy the Prequel or Sequel Writing resource.)
Stories of war and tragedy should be handled carefully, even fictional. These are not happy or cheerful events and the activities should to some degree reflect that mood. Students may be fortunate enough to not directly relate to the events, but they should be able to appreciate the gravity of the situation. Stories like this do help draw in even some of the more reluctant readers in my experience.
So, it’s all good.