====== The Short Story ====== **Definition** “a story that can be read in one sitting” (Edgar Allen Poe) ===== General characteristics ===== * **limited number of characters**, often only one main character (=protagonist) and little/no character development (cf. novels e.g. by Charles Dickens with over 20 main characters) * **limited time span**: only a few hours, days or weeks (cf. novels that cover a whole lifetime or even several generations) * **a single theme/plot** (cf. novels that can deal with several/many themes and can have various sub-plots) ===== Typical structure of the plot ===== * **Exposition**: introduction of main character(s) and setting (place, time, general social background), hints at theme and/or atmosphere; often no or very short exposition: story begins “in medias res”, e.g. in the middle of a dialogue * **Rising action**: development of the conflict * **Climax**: conflict reaches its highest point * [**Turning point**: a change in the conflict] * [**Falling action**: reduction of suspense] * Ending * //Denouement//: conflict is resolved * //Open ending//: conflict is not resolved, reader wonders what might happen next * //Surprise ending//: reader’s expectations are not fulfilled ---- [these elements are not always present]