Do you remember the first time you read or taught short stories with twist endings? You know, the ones that made you re-think everything you’d just read.
She did what with the frozen leg of lamb?
The necklace was really worth how little?
How could that town do that to its own people?
Not only are these stories memorable but they are a great way to focus on skills at any point in the school year. At their most basic, short stories with twist endings provide students with a chance to think critically about what they’ve read. They can use inference skills, examine how characters develop, study a writer’s craft, and so much more!
Keep reading below for 11 Short Stories With Twist Endings Your Students Will Love To Read!
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Why Teach Short Stories with Twist Endings?
Short stories with twist endings are unexpected, especially for a first-time reader of the story. As you reread a piece of literature, you might see hints of what was to come that first time you read through the story. Then, the information shared at the climax introduces a new perspective that turns the story on its head.
These short stories with twist endings are nearly irresistible for students. Dark and twisty stories are the bread and butter of the English teacher’s repertoire!
While there may be one or two students who proclaim they knew what was going to happen, they are still engaging with the story. (Plus, those are the students you can ask to reread to find the hints that helped them figure out the ending!)
In studying these masterful stories, students are often comfortable rereading and examining such stories in more depth – a win-win! Additionally, these stories with twist endings usually provide some commentary on social issues that can lend a fantastic focus for classroom discussion and further analysis.
11 Short Stories With Twist Endings
There are tons of short stories with twist endings, but here are 11 that are always a hit with students. Continue reading for a quick summary and a few activity ideas for each that will make your students think critically and immensely enjoy the literature they are reading!
1. “The Most Dangerous Game”
Richard Connell’s story “The Most Dangerous Game” focuses on a hunter of humans rather than animals. When a big game hunter finds himself falling overboard and stuck on an island with a retired big-game hunter he is presented with two options, neither of which is desirable.
This suspenseful story will ensure that upper middle and high school students understand unexpected plotlines with comprehension quizzes, tracking story elements, and writing about the effectiveness of one key aspect. You can find complete lessons with teacher answers here.
Another option is to use this story for discussion of character motivation, especially in light of Zaroff’s declaration that “life is for the strong.” Trust me; this story is one of the best short stories with twist endings your students will read while in upper middle or high school!
Check out the post below to learn more about plot activities for “The Most Dangerous Game!”
2. “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
This story by writer and American Civil War veteran Ambrose Bierce has both a twist ending and a non-linear timeline. As the protagonist prepares for his death, his thoughts shift to his memories and his hope for an escape.
When teaching this story, I like to focus on the non-linear timeline and how that affects the readers of the story. Focus on discussing why and how the author included such a timeline to examine the writer’s craft. Another option is to focus on imagery and the sensory details in the setting that Bierce describes so well. Your students will never see the resolution coming as this story personifies short stories with twist endings!
3. “The Cactus”
Henry is known for his short stories with twist endings and “The Cactus” is one such story. The young male protagonist of the story proposes to his love interest, but he is so full of himself that he misses the most important sign of her acceptance. Their relationship falls apart and the final part of the story reveals what could have made all the difference in their relationship.
Examining symbolism through the story’s title and the gift of the cactus is one activity that can push readers to further analysis. The two main characters – Trysdale and his unnamed love interest – are also perfect for an in-depth study.
Use STEAL as an approach to studying aspects of the two characters, especially Trysdale! STEAL is an acronym for what characters say, think, his/her effects on others, and how they act and look.
S- Say
T- Think
E- Effects
A- Act
L- Look
Even though O. Henry is more known for the classic short stories “The Gift of the Magi” and “After Twenty Years,” you will not want to miss out on his lesser known “The Cactus!”
4. “After Twenty Years”
This tale is another of O. Henry’s short stories with a twist! It relays an experience of two friends who follow different life paths but plan to meet up in 20 years. When they are set to meet again their meeting goes awry with a delightful twist!
There is a fair bit to get into with this story so it’s an ideal option to break down the plot into chunks so students better understand character and action. Get the bundle of lessons here to save your time and energy!
Another option is to focus on Bob and Jimmy as characters. You can ask the following questions:
- What are their motivations?
- What are their paths?
- What options exist for them?
And a third option is to dive into irony with this story and its example of situational irony.
5. “The Gift of the Magi”
This 1905 story by O. Henry completes a trifecta of short stories with twist endings that are sure to delight students. This story is about a young couple struggling financially, who try to figure out which gifts to buy one another for Christmas.
This story is great for studying characterization with Jim and Della, the couple featured in the story. Based on its length you could chunk the story into smaller parts and have students complete 1-sentence summaries to ensure comprehension and practice summary skills at the same time!
Click below for PRINT & TEACH activities for this wonderful short story!
6. “The Lottery”
This chilling short story by Shirley Jackson showcases human nature in light of a small town’s annual event to mark the harvest. There is quite the twist awaiting the protagonist Tessie Hutchinson, and it’s sure to catch students off guard.
This is a story that deserves a second read to point out the elements of foreshadowing that Jackson incorporates. Have students highlight the story or create a list of ‘hints’ that point to the twist ending. Another option to do with this story is to discuss traditions and whether they are always worth keeping.
Check out this BUNDLE to help make teaching this short story SIMPLE & EASY!
7. “Lamb to the Slaughter”
This classic story with a killer plot twist is about a woman who kills her husband and gets away with murder thanks to cooking a leg of lamb!
Students can play detective using their inference skills during a close reading of the story. This bundle of activities will encourage your students to explore the internal and external traits of the characters and trace the plot in order to cite evidence with expertise!
Click below to learn about teaching reading and writing while reading Roald Dahl’s “Lamb to the Slaughter!”
8. “The Pedestrian”
Ray Bradbury’s dystopian story set in 2131 features a man who walks the city while everyone else watches television. This story has a simple premise, but when the man encounters the police and declares he’s a writer, the values of society are revealed.
With its social commentary that remains poignant in our times, this story is a good one to explore the theme. It also provides some wonderful opportunities for text-to-world connections and discussion.
9. “The Veldt”
This is another quintessential science fiction story by Ray Bradbury story. It was first published as “The World the Children Made” in 1950 and the title of the story is apt! Focused on a futuristic world where a video screen can be controlled, it turns out to be more than simple virtual reality. By the story’s conclusion, the world the children made leads to the demise of their parents. Clearly, this dystopian story is a prime example of short stories with twist endings!
One of the valuable elements of the story is its tie to hot topics such as the dangers of technology. Even now, long after the story’s publication, the topic is still fresh. Consider discussions of the dangers of social media as a way to update students’ connection to the story. Provide a nonfiction reading to pair with the story and have students make text-to-text connections in order to compare and contrast fiction to reality.
10. “The Necklace”
Guy de Maupassant’s story of riches to rags and letting go of one’s pride provides such a marvelous twist at the end that this is a must-teach if you want to include short stories with twist endings! Madame Loisel is a social climber who borrows a necklace from a rich friend, only to lose the necklace on the night of the ball. This is not a Cinderella rags-to-riches story but rather a middle-class-to-rags story! After suffering in poverty for years to afford to replace the necklace she lost, Madame Loisel discovers a twist that could have saved her a lifetime of hardship.
A series of activities to complete a close reading for character, setting, and theme are all suitable for this story. In addition, consider a discussion about social status and/or financial responsibility; this last option is a great way to include some financial literacy into ELA.
11. “Click Clack the Rattle Bag”
This short story by Neil Gaiman is creepy and fun in the best ways possible! The narrator is taking care of his girlfriend’s little brother and walking him to bed when the child asks for a story. Instead of the narrator sharing a story, the boy shares about the Click Clacks who drink their prey and leave behind rattling bodies. When it comes to struggling readers, this tale is one of the most engaging short stories with twist endings!
The unexpected developments of the story and Gaiman’s signature style make this story a great addition to a list of short stories with twist endings. Add to it this quiz and reading questions pack with differentiated options, and you can practice test prep with your students, so they will feel more confident analyzing short stories and preparing for state assessments! Another option for this story is to explore other urban legends or ghost stories in fiction or non-fiction. Push this even further with a look at oral tradition and storytelling.
Final Thoughts on Short Stories with Twist Endings
Short stories with twist endings are a great addition to your ELA lesson plans at any time of the school year. Short stories work to introduce concepts at the start of the year, make connections to long texts or take a break from those long texts mid-year, or even review concepts as the school year wraps up. Now, short stories with twist endings are an ideal choice. They are fun, engaging, and create an opportunity for critical thinking.
Whether you incorporate short stories within a single unit in the autumn or want to end the year with some reading fun, your students will never regret reading, analyzing, or discussing these mysterious tales!
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