Flash Fiction Project
In this project, students focused on how best to utilize language effectively, economically, and experimentally. The end product for the unit was a flash fiction piece with a set word limit (between 1200-1500 words). We started the unit with looking at the shortest forms of flash fiction--six-word stories--to emphasize how important language choice is and how much can be said in so few words. Students then looked at longer examples of flash fiction, focusing on genre, technique, parts of narrative arcs, and, throughout, started applying the lessons to their own story ideas and story writing. The unit culminated in a critical reflection piece that asked students to analyze their own writing and metareflectively critique what they did well and how their choices and decisions lead to larger understanding within their stories.
This video is from the launch of the project. I led the students in a discussion of the three E's and then worked them into breaking down and discussing example six-word stories. From there, they moved into doing a world cafe with different six-word stories at each location. Their task was to read each story, identify how the story is utilizing the three E's, and then comment at the station their thoughts for the next group to build on. The larger focus of this lesson in the project is to expose students to how powerful language can be in its shortest form, and give them an idea of what can be done when they are asked to start writing their own flash fiction stories. Outside of that, it was an opportunity to teach students how important specificity and intention are with writing.
​
The section I chose in particular is the conversation about Hemingway's famous six-word story. It was the first foray into analyzing what was published stories for the unit, and where the students really started to focus in and recognize how much can be said with so few words, and the impact of intentional use of language and grammar. It also provided a lot of interesting conversation as they tried to parse the purpose and effect that Hemingway was trying to achieve. It serves as a good example of what other lessons would be like and the ultimate goal of analyzing language and the three E's in other forms of writing.
​