What is a short story?
A short story has elements of the poem and the letter. Its "rules" have been
"set" since the first short stories began to appear in popular magazines in the
nineteenth century.
These rules were developed by Edgar Allan Poe who said that a Short Story
should:
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Be complete by itself.
Be able to be read in one sitting.
Have every word used for important effect.
Have a good opening sentence that is developed throughout the work.
End at its climax.
Have no more characters than those necessary for the action.
What is in a short story?
A short story is made up of several aspects. These are:
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The situation or plot (we see how the characters react to the situation)
Point of view (usually limited – one person’s perspective)
The writer's intention or theme (not usually stated explicitly, but found
in the characters and how they react to them)
The characters (presented economically; only the qualities and traits
relevant to the situation are mentioned or implied).
The setting (Usually established in a few, well chosen details. If it is
enlarged upon (for example in Second Best) the details are important
to the overall effect of the story.
The style – (All elements of the story make up the style, but especially
the language, the types of sentences, the choice of words, the imagery
and the symbols. The way these work together create the tone of the
story. The language is charged with suggestions and implication. It is
compressed.
Within the short story is conflict e.g.
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conflict between the world of adults and the world of children;
between our dreams and reality;
between the individual and society;
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The short story has its own aims:
a unique singular effect by the way the writer chooses to tell the
story. This involves both point of view and style.
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It’s own features:
limitations of plot, character, point of view and ideas
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It’s own qualities:
brevity (shortness of length), economy (using language sparingly and
wisely, emphasis (choosing certain aspects to be important), unity