What Makes a Great Short Story?
Unlike novels, short stories have a finite amount of time to tell a tale, introduce characters and themes, and tie it all together in a neat proverbial bow. While novels are 200-400 pages on average, short stories tell a complete story in 10,000 words or less. They also cut to the chase and establish and resolve conflict.
Iconic Examples of Short Stories for Adults
When you think of short stories, you might think of children’s books. However, short stories are designed for all ages. Adult short stories deal with all the topics that full-length adult novels do, just in an abbreviated and easily digestible way.
The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe
Explore an individual’s fall into the abyss of insanity in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher.” Poe’s poetic prose creates an air of suspense as he weaves the twisted tale of the House of Usher.
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
In “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, tradition and community ties lead to deadly consequences when a woman is chosen in the eponymous lottery to be stoned to death.
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry is a classic story with a powerful theme of love and giving. In just a few short pages, O. Henry creates sympathetic characters that the audience can relate to. This glimpse into their lives highlights both their power of character and the key themes of the story such as love, giving and sacrifice.
