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A short story can be identified by a
number of features
They have a small number of characters,
as there is not enough time for many to be
developed
Typically fiction, written in prose in a

narrative format
The setting or plot is simpler

Contain most of the key elements of a

novel
 Some short stories may lack a plot, instead giving a
snapshot in time of the protagonists thoughts, feelings
and situation. In this case, there is often a message,
moral or lesson in the story.

This is different from the story, as it does not need to

be in chronological order.

When there is a plot, it may lack the

typical climax or build up that is seen in
most novels

The story may be left incomplete or

unfinished, without resolution
A typical contour of a narrative is shown below.
However, a short story does not necessarily
follow this.
 When you are analysing the plot,
consider:
What is the nature of the conflict?
What are the other elements of the plot,

such as time, foreshadowing, flashbacks,

etc?
What changes take place as the plot

unfolds?
Identify the different sections of the plot.

Techniques such as irony, suspense and

coincidence
What is the effect of the order of events?

What effect does the plot have on the

readers emotional response?

 The story may be told in first or third person
This is the narrator
The type of narrator affects the tone,
interpretation and meaning.
Narrator may be unreliable or
omniscient
There may be multiple
narrators
 Political,
cultural, historical, physical,
emotion, geographical
Can be in time or space
Usually only have one setting
Consider how the story is established, and
what function does it serve?
 Single or two settings do not go far from it
Brief time period
Rely on metaphor
Round Characters Have many traits and are
real
 Characters may be static or dynamic
Mariam in A Red Spot is static, whereas the
protagonist in dynamic.
Youshould identify the protagonist,
antagonist, and any flat, round, foil, static,
dynamic
 The intended lesson, moral or idea contained
in the story
Can you identify a them in the story
There can be a stated theme, or an implied
theme.
Are there generalisations about human life
made in the story
Many short stories use implied theme
 Conveys a meaning through another objects
or thing.
The suggested meaning is different from the
literal meaning
Includes allegories
 Techniques and devices in the language of
the story
Includes diction, syntax, dialect, dialogue,
tone, irony, oxymoron, colloquialisms
 Parables Has a lesson in mind
Fables Story with a moral, but doesnt
always have a lesson. Not an explicit
teaching there is more focus on the story
itself
Anthology A collection of short stories,
usually with a similar context (place, time)
Sardines and Oranges
 Static Characters Stay the same Mariam Red
Spot
Dynamic Characters Develop and change over
time Main character tortoise
Foil Character A characters that is juxtaposed
against the protagonist -
Omniscience A third person narrative, when
they are removed and see everything that is
going on
Unreliable narrator Does not give reliable
information because they misinterpret it or are
deceptive, such as a child, or insane person
 Grammatical structure
- past
Usually have a lingering message
 Setting where the story takes place
Philosophical
Time
Place
Political
Historical
Geographical
Cultural
Emotional
Often exposition -> complication -> crisis ->
climax -> resolution -> moral
 Third person
Point of view
Subjective
Symbolism
Syntax
Diction
First person narrative