Abstract

‘The Anthem Guide to Short Fiction’ contains 20 classic short stories by well-known and respected authors, some of which are rarely anthologized in the contemporary publishing market. Accordingly, this new selection provides a fresh perspective on each author and his or her place in the overarching literary canon, and will offer students both inspiration and guidance when thinking and writing about literature.

The guide offers works by a variety of acclaimed authors, including Leo Tolstoy, Mark Twain, Kate Chopin, Rudyard Kipling, James Joyce and Edith Wharton. Features of the guide include individual biographical notes for each writer, a short introduction to his or her short story, and a critical “Thinking About the Story” section for each text – including incisive discussion questions formulated to help students respond to each story insightfully. Similarly, the guide’s creative activities have been devised to engage critical and imaginative thinking in the reader, as well as to offer an understanding of authorship and the creative process. A concise glossary of literary terms, designed for optimal and regular use, is also included.

Containing 20 classic short stories by a variety of renowned authors, including Leo Tolstoy, Mark Twain, Kate Chopin, Rudyard Kipling, James Joyce and Edith Wharton, The Anthem Guide to Short Fiction has been designed to offer students and instructors both inspiration and guidance when thinking and writing about literary texts and their construction. Each story is followed by a critical ‘Thinking About the Story’ section, and is accompanied by a set of incisive discussion questions formulated to stimulate insightful literary thought. Similarly, the guide’s creative activities have been devised to engage critical and imaginative thinking, as well as to offer the reader an understanding of authorship and the creative process. Additional features include biographical notes, editorial introductions, and a concise glossary of literary terms.

Christopher Linforth was a finalist in the ‘Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook’ Novel Writing Competition in 2007. He has had work published in ‘Denver Quarterly’, ‘Permafrost’, ‘Camas’, and many other literary journals. He was recently awarded a Fellowship to the Colgate Writers’ Conference (2010) and a scholarship to the New York State Writers’ Conference (2010). For several years he taught writing and literature at Kansas State University and Northern Michigan University. He is currently a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) fellow at Virginia Tech.