“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