How do you analyze a short story?

Answer 1

A short story is 2,000 to 7,500 words. This is anywhere between 10 to 30 typed pages, depending on how many words you can fit onto one page.

You write a short story the same way you write anything else. Pick a topic, sit down, and get started.

Click on the Related Questions to see how to write better, if you're interested in that.

Answer 2

I. In literature and in writing it's important to understand the subject and the theme and also be able to identify key points and create your own opinion. When analyzing a novel, you need to discuss the following literary elements that are interwoven together seamlessly to create the great themes and plots.

• Setting (When and where the story takes place)

• Mood(The overall feeling created by a writer's use of words or the tone of the novel)

• Main Characters(Names, descriptions and events associated with them)

• Main Conflicts(The main disputes in the novel that move the story along and create the plot)

• Climax(The greatest tension in the story, a battle between the protagonist and Antagonist)

• Conclusion(The resolution after the climax)

II. You also need to understand a story plot begins with exposition, introduction to characters, setting, rising action, turning point, climax and conclusion.

III. For the overall effect of a story, look at how things change from the beginning to the end of the story. Very few stories end with things exactly the way they were.

When you understand the changes in a short story (or even a novel), you'll find the reason why the author has used each literary device (irony, conflict, imagery, symbolism, theme, characterization, etc) in the story. All of the literary devices used in a short story are there to support that change from the beginning to the end.

Interestingly enough, there's a formula that works every time in finding that change from the beginning to the end in a story:

1. Find the Old View (a strong evaluation or description about a trait, goal, problem, or desire related to the main character) early on in the story ,

2. Note how that Old View is supported or undercut in the middle of the story, and then,

3. Locate the reverse of the Old View at the end of the story--and there's always a reverse.

For instance, in William Faulkner's popular short story, A Rose for Emily, the very first sentence contains the OldView, which is the "respectful affection" that the townspeople have for Miss Emily, and they are showing it by attending her funeral.

In all the conflicts in the middle of the story, as several incidents of Miss Emily's life in the town are reviewed, the townspeople unfailingly show Miss Emily their respectful affection by giving in to her, no matter what, though they are sorely tried at times.

At the end of the story, the present day is resumed right after the funeral as the townspeople break in to an upper room in her mansion--and they find in the bed the corpse of Miss Emily's missing boyfriend from decades ago. And there's evidence that Emily has been sleeping next to it for decades. That's all that's said, but it's plain that the "respectful affection" of the townspeople has to reverse--for who can have affection or respect for someone who has been doing such a vile and inhuman thing for decades?

If you want more very clear and plain examples of this same sort of OldView-support/undercut-Reverse pattern in short stories, go look up The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell and The Bet by Anton Chekov. You'll have no problem finding the pattern, guaranteed.

On the other hand, here are two short stories that are a bit more subtle and provide more of a challenge in pinpointing the OldView, the support/undercuts, and the Reverse---but the pattern is definitely there in both, if you'll take the time to find it:

The Stranger, by Katherine Mansfield

The Cask of Amontillado, by Edgar Allan Poe

NOTE: All the five short stories mentioned here are available, at your fingertips, on the internet, in full, and they're FREE.

Answer 3

As in all literature, great liberty is given to the writer to do pretty well what ever he wants to do. In fact being creative and unorthodox is encouraged. So there isn't really a proper way, and if there was then writers would try and violate it to be innovative and creative.

Traditional Help:

# establish conflict and plot as early as possible. This provides the 'narrative hook' that will keep readers interested in the story. # establish characters and character development as soon as possible this is the second most interesting thing in a story. # establish point of view and narration technique and try to stick to it through out the story although this isn't necessary. # establish setting, time frame, mood, tone, and atmosphere. # continue the story developing all aspects as uniformly as possible.

Answer 4

First think of what you want to write about. Then just let the thoughts flow your head to the paper. It might not be great, but get something down first then go back and rewrite and rewrite. Till you think it is readable

Answer 5

The first rule of writing is to write about what you know.

Here's a hint I used to give my students:

Think about all the times you sit around with family or friends and tell stories. Funny stories, sad stories, stories where you learned something.

Do that.

How? Easy. Either gather a couple of friends and record you talking, or simply pretend. Sit in a quiet place and just start telling "your friends" a story and record it. When you have finished, transcribe what you said (play back the recording and write or type it out). This is your first draft.

As with other writing, you will need to edit and proofread what you said/wrote. This is so your story can reach as varied an audience as possible.

Trust me, the more you do this, the easier it gets. Just try it. Come back and let us know how it worked, and give us some suggestions to improve the technique.

Answer 6

To analyze a short story, focus on elements like the plot, characters, setting, theme, and literary devices used by the author. Consider the central conflict, character development, and how the story’s elements work together to convey a deeper message or meaning. Pay attention to symbolism, imagery, and the overall structure of the story to fully understand its significance.

Answer 7

once upon a time a dog was rich and it lived happily ever after

Answer 8

This is not a very clear question, sorry. You write wherever you want to -- paper, computer, online -- there is no special place to write short stories.