You can use clear titles and concise summaries. Titles that give a hint of the main idea or a unique aspect of the story work well.
You could indicate a time gap by starting a new chapter or section with a date or time stamp. Or, describe how technology or fashion has evolved to imply the time that's gone by.
You can use onomatopoeia, like 'buzz' or 'crash', to represent sounds. It makes the description more vivid.
To indicate a novel in a paragraph, you could describe the writing style. For instance, 'The author's vivid and descriptive prose brings the story to life in this enchanting novel.' Or you could talk about the emotional impact it has, like, 'This heartwarming novel leaves you with a feeling of hope and optimism.'
You can use asterisks or dashes to mark section breaks. Like '***' or '---'. It's a simple and effective way.
You can use clear markers like dates, seasons, or specific events. For example, 'It was the summer of 1985' or 'As the leaves turned gold in autumn'.
You could also mention specific dates or seasons. Saying 'It was Christmas Eve, and the snow was falling thickly.' gives a clear indication of the time of the year.
One common way is to use a conclusive summary or statement. It clearly states that the story has reached its conclusion and wraps up the main points.
You can show texting by using italics or a different font for the text messages. Also, you could describe the character's actions while texting, like frowning or smiling as they read or type.
You can mention the business name casually in the dialogue or have characters notice its sign. For example, 'Hey, look at that store, it's called [Business Name]!'
You can show a text message in a short story by describing the character's reaction to it or the words on the screen of their phone.