Well - developed characters are also key. For example, in 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Edgar Allan Poe, the characters of Montresor and Fortunato are vividly drawn. Montresor's cold - blooded revenge and Fortunato's pride lead to a tragic end. These characters drive the drama forward. Usually, the best ones can convey complex emotions and motives in a short space. Another aspect is a tight plot. Since they are short, every element needs to contribute to the overall drama. There can't be much wasted space. It has to draw the reader in quickly and keep their attention until the end, like a good mystery that unfolds rapidly and keeps you guessing.
They often have a powerful theme. Take 'To Build a Fire' by Jack London. The theme of man's struggle against nature and his own hubris is central. The story shows how a man's overconfidence in the face of the harsh Yukon winter can lead to his downfall. This theme gives the story depth and makes it more than just a simple narrative of events.
One characteristic is strong conflict. In good drama short stories, there's often a clear struggle, like in 'The Most Dangerous Game' where it's a battle of wits and survival between the hunter and the hunted.
One characteristic is concise plot. They have to tell a complete story in a relatively short space, so every event is carefully selected. For example, in 'The Necklace', the plot quickly moves from the borrowing of the necklace to the loss and the long - term consequences. Another characteristic is strong character development in a short span. In 'The Gift of the Magi', we can quickly understand the selfless nature of the young couple. Also, they often have a clear theme. In 'The Lottery', the theme of blindly following traditions is very evident.
The best short short stories usually have a tight plot. Take 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' for instance. The events are carefully crafted to build suspense and surprise. They also tend to have well - drawn characters despite their brevity. In 'Hills Like White Elephants', the two main characters' personalities and relationship are subtly revealed through their dialogue. Moreover, they can often make a big impact with just a few words, like 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' which leaves you pondering long after reading.
They probably have engaging plots. Since they are short stories, they need to grab the reader's attention quickly. So, there could be unexpected twists and turns, like in a mystery - themed story where the solution is not what you initially expect. In addition, the use of vivid language is common. With limited space, the authors need to create a vivid world. They might use unique descriptions of settings and characters to make them come alive in the reader's mind. This helps to make the short story memorable despite its brevity.
The short stories in 'best 2019 short stories' may also be known for their ability to evoke strong emotions in a limited number of words. They can make you feel joy, sadness, or surprise in just a few pages. Take a story about a child's first encounter with loss. It can be so poignant that it stays with you long after you've finished reading, even though it's a short piece.
The 10 best short stories often have a unique narrative voice. In 'Hills Like White Elephants', Hemingway's sparse style gives the story a certain tension. They also tend to be very focused. 'The Necklace' focuses on the consequences of one woman's pride and it doesn't deviate from that central idea. Moreover, they can create a strong emotional impact in a short amount of time. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' manages to evoke feelings of claustrophobia and madness in a relatively brief story.
The 5 best short stories often have strong characters. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the couple's selfless love makes them memorable. They also usually have a clear theme. In 'The Lottery', the theme of blind tradition is very prominent. And most of them have a unique plot structure, like 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' which has a twist at the end.
Well, the 15 best short stories tend to be very impactful despite their short length. They can convey deep emotions. Take 'The Yellow Wallpaper' for instance, it makes you feel the desperation and frustration of the main character. They also are good at creating a certain atmosphere. 'The Cask of Amontillado' creates a very spooky and tense atmosphere in the catacombs. And many of them have a twist or a surprise ending. 'The Lottery' has a shockingly unexpected ending that makes you reevaluate the whole story.
Well, in many of the best K - drama love stories, there is often a strong sense of destiny. For example, in 'Descendants of the Sun', the two main characters are seemingly fated to be together despite all the obstacles. Their love has to survive through war and different career paths. Another characteristic is the slow - burn aspect. In 'Reply 1988', the love story develops gradually over the course of the series as the characters grow up together and discover their feelings in a very natural way.
They are likely to be very diverse. Some might have strong character development in a short space, like creating a vivid character in just a few pages. For example, a character who goes through a life - changing realization.
Most of the stories in '2022 best short stories' are known for their engaging plots. They start with an interesting hook that grabs the reader's attention right away. Then, there are twists and turns throughout the story that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The endings are also often thought - provoking, leaving the reader with something to ponder long after they've finished reading.