Introduction to Short Stories
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Questions and Answers

In the context of a podcast discussing literary forms, what is the defining feature of an 'eshort' according to the provided definition?

  • They range from 150 to 300 pages and are available in print.
  • Eshorts are exclusively available in print and feature main characters, with a focus on series’ main story.
  • They are short stories, usually between 12 and 150 pages, linked to a series and exclusively available in electronic format. (correct)
  • They are long novels that delve into unrelated side events.

If a podcast is exploring different short fiction forms, which option best describes the typical content of an 'eshort'?

  • A summary of the entire series and the main character's journey.
  • A detailed analysis from the perspective of new characters unrelated to the main series.
  • A deep dive into the main plot of a series.
  • A narrative from a perspective other than the main character in a series or a side event loosely connected to the overall storyline. (correct)

In a podcast segment discussing the economics of literature, what is highlighted as a key factor in the accessibility and creation of eshorts?

  • The high demand for hard copy books and printed series.
  • The high cost and difficulty of printing them, which creates demand.
  • The fact they require a large team of editors and illustrators, allowing creative people more employment.
  • Their pricing scheme and availability in electronic format, enabling rapid author publishing. (correct)

When discussing literary awards on a podcast, why was Alice Munro recognized with the 2013 Nobel Prize in Literature?

<p>For her mastery of the contemporary short story. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a podcast is discussing short story adaptations, what does the text imply about the transformation from short stories to other media?

<p>Short stories have frequently been adapted into various forms. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During a podcast episode about short fiction, which term refers to a very short story, often characterized by its brevity?

<p>Drabble. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily shapes the definition of a short story?

<p>The rhetorical and practical context of its creation and reception. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the correlation between short stories and the publishing industry?

<p>Short story format shifts in response to the market and submission standards of publishing houses. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A podcast is delving into types of short narrative, if a story is a brief, descriptive piece that captures a single moment or impression, what would it be referred to?

<p>Vignette. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a podcast episode discussing the evolution of short stories, what format is specifically mentioned as enabling quick publication for authors of eshorts?

<p>In e-book format. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Short stories have been viewed in what two distinct ways?

<p>As a stepping stone to longer writings, and as a cultivated art form in its own right. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is generally associated with short stories?

<p>Concentrating on a single incident, a single plot, and a small cast of characters (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do modern short stories often begin?

<p>In the middle of the action without introductory exposition. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of short story endings?

<p>They are frequently abrupt and can lack a final resolution. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The concept of a short story being readable in 'one sitting' was notably proposed by whom?

<p>Edgar Allan Poe (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which traditional narrative structure element may be skipped by short stories due to their length?

<p>Exposition. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining difference between novels and short stories?

<p>Short stories are usually less complicated than novels. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 'in medias res' in short stories?

<p>It refers to the practice of initiating a plot in the middle of the action with no context. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What influenced the emergence of the modern short story?

<p>Oral story-telling traditions, parables, and prose anecdotes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes the 'crisis' in a short story?

<p>The turning point at which the main character makes a crucial decision. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following authors is known for their short fiction, as highlighted in the provided text?

<p>Jorge Luis Borges (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect did Antoine Galland's translation of 'Thousand and One Nights' have on 18th-century European short stories?

<p>It had an enormous influence on short story writers. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what time period did the 'nouvelle', a refined short novel, develop in France?

<p>The mid-17th century (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was O. Henry known for?

<p>His numerous short stories, such as 'Gift of the Magi' (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What are eshorts?

Short stories that are typically 12-150 pages long and often linked to a series. They are available electronically and are usually priced between free and $3.99.

What makes eshorts unique?

Short stories often tell a different perspective or side event, often connected to a larger story. They allow readers to revisit beloved characters and stories in a new light.

What was Alice Munro's hope after receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature?

Alice Munro received the 2013 Nobel Prize in Literature, and expressed hope that this recognition would increase readership for short stories in general.

What media have short stories been adapted for?

Short stories have been frequently adapted for various media, including film, television, and theatre.

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What is flash fiction?

Short stories that are under 100 words in length.

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What is an Irish short story?

A short story written in an Irish style, often with a focus on Irish themes.

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What is a literary journal?

A type of literary journal that focuses on publishing short stories.

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What is a vignette?

A brief fictional piece designed to explore a specific theme or idea. It is often used by authors to experiment with different writing styles.

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Short story as an apprenticeship form

Short stories are often considered a stepping stone to longer works like novels.

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Short story as a crafted form

Short stories can be seen as a finished art form in their own right, gathered in collections.

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Length of a short story

The length of a short story can vary greatly depending on the genre, country, and time period.

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Impact of publishing on short story form

The publication market greatly influences the structure of short stories, as it does for novels.

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Traditional elements of plot in short stories

The traditional elements of dramatic structure, like exposition, complication, and climax, can be applied to short stories.

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In medias res in short stories

Modern short stories often jump right into the action, skipping the traditional introduction.

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Endings of short stories

Short stories may or may not have clear endings, and may be more open-ended than novels.

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Focus of short stories

Short stories often focus on a single conflict or core idea, unlike longer works.

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What is a Short Story?

A short story is a compact fictional narrative that tells a self-contained story in a single sitting. They typically feature a focused plot, limited characters, and a single setting.

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Roots of the Short Story

The modern short story evolved from oral traditions, parables, fables, and short prose anecdotes. It has parallel roots with the emergence of the realistic novel.

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Poe's One Sitting

Edgar Allan Poe emphasized that a short story should be read in one sitting. This idea reflects the focus on conciseness and impact in the genre.

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The Novella's Influence

The 'nouvelle', a refined short novel, emerged in mid-17th century France. This form helped establish a tradition of brief, focused narratives.

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Fairy Tales and Arabic Nights

The publication of fairy tales and the 'Thousand and One Nights' influenced the development of the European short story. These works brought stories of fantasy and adventure to a large audience.

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Masters of the Short Story

Authors like Jorge Luis Borges and O. Henry are renowned for their mastery of the short story form. Their works showcase the power and craft required to tell a complete story in a limited space.

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Study Notes

Short Story Overview

  • A short story is a piece of prose fiction that can be read in a single sitting.
  • It emerged from oral storytelling traditions in the 17th century.
  • The short story is diverse and hard to define precisely, its characteristics varying across genres, countries, and eras.
  • Word count can vary widely, from 1000 to 20,000 words, or even fewer for "short short stories" or flash fiction. Some guidelines for publication set a maximum word count of under 7500 words.
  • The form is often considered an apprenticeship or crafted form, similar in length, price and distribution to a novel.

Short Story Length

  • There's no definitive length; whether a story is an anecdote, a short story, or a novella depends on the context.
  • One common definition is that it should be readable in one sitting.
  • Edgar Allan Poe's essay "Thomas Le Moineau" (1846) emphasized the idea of a short story's length as suited to one's reading time.
  • Modern interpretations might adjust expected length of "one sitting."

Short Story Characteristics

  • Typically follows elements of dramatic structure: exposition, complication, rising action, crisis, climax, and resolution.
  • Shorter stories might not follow all the typical dramatic structure.
  • Many modern short stories begin in medias res (in the middle of the action) instead of exposition.
  • Endings may be abrupt, open-ended, and lack a clear-cut moral or practical lesson.

Short Story History

  • Short stories trace back to oral storytelling traditions, like the epics of Homer (Iliad and Odyssey).
  • Fables, with explicit morals, were said to have been invented by Aesop in the 6th century BCE.
  • Anecdotes, brief realistic narratives, were common during the Roman Empire, existing as a form of parable.
  • Oral traditions evolved into written stories in the 14th century.
  • Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and Giovanni Boccaccio's Decameron are notable examples.
  • European Short Stories evolved through collections and literary forms, including the "nouvelle."
  • The 1700s saw the influence of the "Thousand and One Nights."
  • The 1700s and 1800s saw the development of several new distinctive writers and forms of short stories.

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Short Story Overview PDF

Description

Explore the definition, characteristics, and length of short stories in this informative quiz. From their origins in oral storytelling to their modern forms, you'll gain insights into the diversity and craft of short fiction. This quiz is perfect for literature enthusiasts and aspiring writers alike.

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