Name: _____________________________________________ Period: ____________

The Sniper by Liam OFlaherty

Story Vocabulary
With your shoulder partner, make an educated guess as to the part of speech and the
meaning of each of the words below based on how they are used in the story. As we read
and review the story, update your definitions. All words are bolded & underlined.

enveloped

beleaguered

ascetic

fanatic

drought

parapet

turret

paroxysm

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report

ruse

silhouetted

recoil

DURING YOUR READING

Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Remember to restate the

question as part of your response. Proofread your answers, and be prepared to share.

1. What time of day is the story set? How do you know?

2. What are the names of the two sides that are at war? On which side is the
protagonist? On which side is the antagonist?

3. What risk does the sniper decide to take, and why is it so daring?

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4. Explain the significance of the armored car, its driver and the old woman to the
plot of the story.

5. Describe the snipers ruse to kill his enemy.

6. How does the sniper feel about war after he kills his enemy?

7. What is the irony of the storys ending?

8. From what point of view is this story told? Provide evidence.

AFTER YOU READ

Answer the following questions. Follow directions carefully.

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1. List 3 powerful examples of figurative language (simile, metaphor,
personification, hyperbole) from the story. Label what type of figurative
language it is, and explain how it adds to the story.

Powerful Text Example Type of Fig. Lang. How it adds to the story

2. Write a theme statement for the story. What do you believe OFlaherty is
trying to say about the consequences of war?

TYPE 3 WRITING: ARGUMENTATIVE

PROMPT: Were the snipers actions justified? In one well-organized

paragraph, support your answer with at least three different and logical
reasons.

FCA 1: A minimum of one paragraph that answers all parts of the prompt using a
variety of logical support

FCA 2: Writer takes a clear position in thesis statement and maintains consistency
throughout the response

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FCA 3: Writer uses proper end punctuation, spelling, and capitalization.