What Is Fiction and What Is Short Story

A work of literature results from the writer’s efforts to convey the main plot and the idea. Therefore, he applies different approaches and techniques to achieve the desired effect. Style is one of them, which plays a vital role in creating a piece of literature. In other words, style implicitly renders the overall atmosphere and the spirit of the events described by the author. Each genre of literature has its peculiarities, but the most mysterious one is the fiction genre, which comprises many difficulties in mastering it. So let us consider the main features of fiction.

Usually, fiction works are represented chiefly by fiction stories and novels. They typically comprise imaginable protagonists. Fiction is always written in prose, in available and straightforward language. That is explained by the fact that the origin of the invention is narrative stories. There are five essential elements of fiction: “the setting, the characterization, plot, theme, and point of view” (Mulcron, Patricia 591). The setting is expressed through the place, time, and atmosphere of that place at the specific time. The mood and the spirit are also revealed with the help of this element. Characterization of fiction presents the imaginary heroes through their actions, unspoken thoughts, and dialogs with each other. Dreams always have exposition, conflict, climax, and denouement (Mulcron, Patricia 600).

A short story and a present novel fiction. A short story is a fiction that always comprises fictional characters, events, and places. The main peculiarity of the story is its length, which is scarce compared to a novel. A skillful short story writer must be able to combine the different adventures of the protagonist into one plot. In addition, a short story concentrates mainly on the logical combination of personal expression, characterization, the setting, and the time. One of the famous short-story writers, Edgar Allan Poe, believes that a short story “should be read in one sitting.” (Mulcron, Patricia 590) Therefore, another core feature of that genre is the rapid development of the events that should not get bored the reader. Short stories are also terse and do not comprise lose further developments. Therefore, they always have an unexpected end. The main subject of most short stories is always a confrontation of the good and the evil.

Cynthia J. Hallett speaks about “minimalism” as the basis of the short fiction. She believes that the power of exclusion should be attached to the short story. In other words, explicitly expressed ideas in the text are more valuable than directly denoted ones. The art of minimalism is highly appraised among the writers since skillfully inserting the picture between the lines is the prerogative of an absolute master of the short story (Hallet J. Cynthia 1). On the other hand, the art of minimalism is skeptically perceived among the readers since, at first sight, the sentences seem to be somewhat detached and blur the story’s main idea. However, in this manner, they are combined in a complex and logical plot.

The art of short fiction writing is highly appraised among readers. To my mind, short story writers can be considered the masters of episodes and dialogue. In addition, the main feature of the short stories also lies in the suddenness of events that constantly keep the reader in anticipation of further actions.

Works cited

Hallett, Cynthia J. “Minimalism and the Short Story.” Studies in Short Fiction 33.4 (1996): 487+.

Mulcrone, Patricia and McGrow-Hill McGrow-Hill GED: the Most Complete and Reliable Study Program for the GED New York: McGrow-Hill, 2001.

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ChalkyPapers. 2023. "What Is Fiction and What Is Short Story." October 5, 2023. https://chalkypapers.com/what-is-fiction-and-what-is-short-story/.

1. ChalkyPapers. "What Is Fiction and What Is Short Story." October 5, 2023. https://chalkypapers.com/what-is-fiction-and-what-is-short-story/.


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ChalkyPapers. "What Is Fiction and What Is Short Story." October 5, 2023. https://chalkypapers.com/what-is-fiction-and-what-is-short-story/.