Content code
e1239
Slug (identifier)
short-stories-text-types-elementary
Grades
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Topic
English Language Arts
Content
Title (level 2)
What Are Short Stories?
Title slug (identifier)
what-are-short-stories
Contenu
Corps

Short stories, just like the name says, are stories that are short. They focus on one main idea or event and can generally be read in one sitting.

Title (level 2)
What Are the Features of Short Stories?
Title slug (identifier)
what-are-the-features-of-short-stories
Contenu
Corps

Here are the key features found in most short stories.
Keep in mind that not all short stories contain all of these features.

Short length1000 to 10 00 words (3 to 30 pages)
Can be read in 1 sitting
Few characters1 or 2 main characters
Easily identifiable and relatable
Limited setting1 or 2 locations
Only necessary details are given
Focused plotCentered on 1 idea, incident or conflict
Revolve around the main character
Strong themesExplore big ideas and themes
→ For example: coming of age, courage, identity
Image
Representation of short story features. A text measured by a ruler for short length. A physician, an adventurer and an astronaut for characters. Map pointers for limited settings. A smiling light bulb surrounded by circles for focused plot. A person becoming a grown up and a scale for strong themes.
Title (level 2)
What Can We Expect to Find in a Short Story?
Title slug (identifier)
what-can-we-expect-to-find-in-a-short-story
Contenu
Corps

Here are some examples of storytelling elements often found in short stories.

Twist endingPresents an unexpected turn of events
Changes the reader’s perspective
Creates surprise
Reinforces themes
Open endingPresents an ending that leaves parts of the story unresolved 
Leaves room for interpretation
Sparks discussion
Starts in the middle of thingsPlaces the reader in the middle of the action
Literary device is known as in media res*
*Latin for into the middle of things.
Grabs reader’s attention
Creates tension & mystery
Unreliable narratorA narrator that misleads the reader
Often used with a first-person narrator
Creates suspense, surprise and plot twists
Image
Representations of short story elements. A path going to a different place than expected, with a reader surprised by the twist ending. A path ending in ellipses with a reader wondering about the  open ending. A path with the beginning indicated in the middle and a happy reader because the story starts in the middle (in media res). A smirking face coming out of a text with a perplexed reader due to the unreliable narrator.
Title (level 2)
Short Stories at a Glance
Title slug (identifier)
short-stories-at-a-glance
Contenu
Image
Summary of the short story features and the common elements. The key features are short length (under 1000 words), few characters, limited settings, the plot being focused and strong themes like justice, love and belonging. The common elements are twist endings, open endings, starting in the middle of things and having an unreliable narrator.
Texte bouton
Click to download.
Title (level 2)
See Also
Title slug (identifier)
see-also
Contenu
Links
Remove audio playback
No
Printable tool
Off