Length: The most obvious difference between a short story and a novel is length, typically measured in the number of words contained within. A short story, as the moniker suggests, usually consists of only a few thousand words, while a novel can contain tens of thousands. The exact number differs depending on the specifications of the publisher, but a short story is usually somewhere between 2500 and 5000 words, while a novel can be upwards of 50,000.
Pace: Due to their relatively small word counts, short stories can't waste time with detailed descriptions or unnecessary details. The action has to start immediately, usually at the very beginning of the piece, and continue through to the resolution with no downtime. A novel, on the other hand, has time to gradually build up to the conflict and can delve deeper into the interactions and motivations of the characters, adding side details and background information throughout. In racing terms, a short story is a sprint, while a novel is a marathon.
Characters: Because of the word count constraints, short stories typically have only a few characters, with very little in-depth descriptions of their physical appearance or inner thoughts. The action has to happen quickly and carry through to the end, and a quick story is difficult with a dozen characters to keep track of. Novels are worlds of their own, though, with larger casts of main, side and recurring characters.
Plot: In terms of plot, a short story is like a half-hour television show, while a novel is more like a full-length movie. Short stories usually consist of only a few scenes: an introduction, conflict and resolution in relatively rapid succession. A novel has a much deeper plot, usually with a subplot or two intertwined. Novels incorporate richer character development than short stories can offer, furthering the plot with flashbacks, foreshadowing and inner reflection.
Obviously; the length is the MAIN difference between a short story & a novel, a Short Story May contain 500 to 2,000 words. But a novel may contain 2,000 words and up.
Also a short story may have one or two events/problems & only one or two main characters... When a novel may have more than one or two main characters & events/problems. :)
=] Amanda AbuAli
One I suppose obvious difference is the fact that short stories are normally quite short and don't normally contain chapters. Novels are longer and more likely than not have chapters. Short stories also, I suppose, don't become published in their own seperate book unlike novels. They're usually shown in a group.
A novel differs from a short story because it is more likely to include a subplot.
There are some differences between an anecdote and a short story. the most important difference is that short story is fiction, therefore based on imagination. However, anecdote is based on a real incident that has happened to a man, whether or not he is famous.
no similarities both are forms of writing novels are fiction, poems can be too novels are prose narrative, poems can be too both can use literary devices such as metaphor simile
Light novels are short novels, often in a series, containing predominantly or exclusively text; often there will be fullpage illustrations interspersed. Graphic novels are entirely pannelled illustrations with text in speech bubbles.
a short story is a story that is similar to a picture book, or an easy chapter book for young kids, while a novel is a chapter book for older people and is more difficult to read or understand :)
short story has a single plot while a novel has multiple plots
Short Story
A novel differs from a short story because it is more likely to include a subplot.
There are some differences between an anecdote and a short story. the most important difference is that short story is fiction, therefore based on imagination. However, anecdote is based on a real incident that has happened to a man, whether or not he is famous.
a short novel or long short story.
no similarities both are forms of writing novels are fiction, poems can be too novels are prose narrative, poems can be too both can use literary devices such as metaphor simile
A short story is typically defined as 7,500 words or less; flash fiction (or short-short stories) is usually 1,000 words or less.
A novella (also called a short novel) is a written, fictional, prose narrative longer than a novelette but shorter than a novel.A novel is a book-length work of fiction. Just being fictional and bound isn't enough -- collections of short stories, novellas, and other fictional texts can be bound, but they don't thereby become a novel.A novella is traditionally defined as between 17,500 and 40,000 words. A novel is over 40,000 words.
A short novel or a long short story.
By comparing to the average length of a novel.
A poet does not usually use as many words as a short story or novel author.
It's a (fairly short) novel.