Making a Short Story Enjoyable

Lorraine Boutin

T00530353

Assignment 1

There are a few characteristics that are fundamental in making a short story enjoyable to the reader. The first is the in-depth use of details throughout the story. This is especially important because it helps the reader to create a more intense picture in his or her mind as the story goes on. The length of the story is also significant, as it is what helps to keep the audience interested and engaged. Thirdly, having one clear, single character helps to establish the reader's ideas on the character further as the story develops. These three characteristics are crucial for the reader to thoroughly enjoy a short story.

The amount of detail the author uses is essential to the development of a short story. Unlike a novel where the amount of detail is able to be spread out over the course of the book, a short story's details need to be compressed. An example of this is in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper", when the protagonist writes, "The outside pattern is a florid arabesque, reminding one of a fungus."(604). The reader is not able to see this wallpaper his or herself, so the way the author describes it brings it to life. By using this extensive amount of detail, it allows the reader to create this image faster, as the length of the story is much shorter compared to that of a novel.

The length of a short story is also critical to the audience's enjoyment. If it is too long, they could lose interest, or if it is too short, there is not enough time to fully develop the plot. James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" is quite a long story, although in this case the length truly works. There are quite a few times when the author uses flashbacks, and although this makes the story quite long, it gives the reader a much better understanding of the events leading up to where the story is currently taking place.

Lastly, the emphasis on a single character is crucial, as it helps the reader to focus on certain details....