Critical reading and thinking abilities can be encouraged among average and above-average secondary school students through the study of literature. One approach is to give students a study sheet on the elements of the short story. The students should be led through the elements listed and given an opportunity to express their opinions about the importance or significance of the title; the type of story; and the theme, mood, tone, point of view, and techniques used by the authors. Having modeled, by working together with the class, an analysis of the elements of one short story, students can work together in small groups to discuss a second story, using their notes as a guide for discussion. A third story can be used to introduce the technique of webbing, a graphic means of presenting related information. The individual assignment is to produce a webbing of a story of the student's choice. Another activity involves having the students create original short story awards, establishing the criteria for the award and choosing one of their short stories to be the recipient. Such activities can help students approach the tasks of analyzing what they are reading; defining important and supporting elements; and evaluating, interpreting, and supporting those evaluations. Appended are a study sheet, "Guide to the Elements of the Short Story" and several examples of the webbing technique. (HOD)