Think of a story that is important to you and your friends, but is difficult to explain to others. Why is that? What about the story makes it hard to relate?

Think of a story that’s important to your friends, and that you like to tell. How does that story change as it’s retold? In what ways? Why? What parts remain true? What changes?

What are the elements of a true story?

May 9:       2012-2013 SP Handbook, Project Plan form, sample Plan published

May 18:     Senior Project Presentations, class of 2012 May 21:     Community Service Fair (during Homeroom) MAY 24:     SP Committee visits Homerooms (to meet

with ALL juniors to review guidelines, answer questions) May 29:     Deadline for submission of Project Plan for

early approval (Turnitin.com) June 6:       Senior Project Committee publishes

feedback (Turnitin.com) June 7:       SP Committee available to help during STP

or HR June 13:     Deadline for revision of existing Project Plan

submissions (TII) June 20:     Project approvals (or denials) are published

(Turnitin.com)

Explain one rule Tim O’Brien gives for a “true war story.” If possible, give an example of how he explains the rule.

1. In groups of 2 or 3 go through “How To Tell A True War Story” and make two lists. The first list should include: what the narrator thinks defines a true war story. The second list should include: what the narrator thinks does not define a true war story. Write down page numbers for quotes.

• 1. Does Tim O'Brien tell a true war story by his own criteria? Use your group list as a guide.

• 2. Do you (as a group) think he tells a true story? Use your journal and the class discussion from the beginning of the period as a guide.

• 3. "True war stories do not generalize. They do not indulge in abstraction or analysis." What do you think this statement means? Do you agree? Disagree? Why?

• 4. Using the criteria that you established for a true war story, evaluate short stories you have already read. Which are true? Which have true elements? Which are false? How do you know? Pay specific attention to the stories that are repeated multiple times, for example Curt Lemon’s death.

Listen to the the middle of page 80 (“How do you generalize”) through the top of 82 (“…but now is not”).

While listening close your eyes and abstractly draw whatever comes to mind. Don’t think about it too much.

Look at your drawing. What shapes, things, etc can you pull out?

How does your drawing relate to what you just read/heard about war?

How do you feel about O’Brien’s claims? Can anybody ever know the absolute truth of

something they didn’t experience personally? Can a generalization be true? Do you think war can be beautiful?

What does this all say about war and those who fght wars?