Well, a major characteristic is that they can create a strong emotional impact. When the twist is revealed, it can make the reader feel shocked, sad, or even amused. Take 'The Monkey's Paw' by W. W. Jacobs. The family wishes on a magical paw for money, but they get it in a tragic way when their son dies in an accident at work. The twist ending makes the reader think about the consequences of interfering with fate. Also, these stories usually have a certain level of mystery throughout, which keeps the reader engaged until the twist is finally disclosed.
One characteristic is the element of surprise. For example, in 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, the readers are led to believe it's a normal small - town lottery until the very end when it's revealed that the 'winner' will be stoned to death. Another characteristic is that they often make the reader re - evaluate the whole story. In a story with a twist ending, the events leading up to the end suddenly take on a different meaning. Also, they tend to be concise. Since they need to hold the reader's attention until the big reveal, they usually don't have a lot of unnecessary fluff.
One characteristic is misdirection. The story often leads the reader to expect one thing and then suddenly changes direction. For example, in a mystery story, all the clues might point to one suspect, but in the end, it's someone completely different.
One characteristic is the unexpected ending. For example, in a story where a person thinks they are safe, but suddenly something terrifying happens at the last moment. Another is the build - up of suspense. It makes the reader keep guessing what will happen next, like in a story where strange things keep occurring but there's no clear explanation until the twist. Also, they often play with the reader's fears, whether it's the fear of the unknown, like in a story set in a dark, deserted place, or the fear of something supernatural.
The stories often build up a certain expectation throughout the narrative. Take 'After Twenty Years' for instance. The two friends are supposed to meet after such a long time. But then, one of them turns out to be a criminal wanted by the police. The twists are not just for the sake of being surprising; they also often reveal something deeper about human nature, such as the sacrifices in love, the unpredictability of life, or the complexity of moral choices.
Most of them build up suspense gradually. Take 'The Girl on the Train'. The unreliable narrator gives bits and pieces of information, leading you down a path, but then the twist at the end completely alters your understanding of the whole story. It's all about creating a false sense of security for the reader before the big reveal.
One characteristic is the element of surprise. The ending is not what you expect.
The element of surprise. When a short story has a twist ending, it catches the reader off - guard. For example, in 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, the reader doesn't expect the brutal stoning at the end. It makes the story memorable.
Well, it could be various authors. Some are known for their creative minds and the ability to come up with those unexpected twists. It really depends on the individual's imagination and writing skills.
Surprise. The ending should catch the reader off - guard. For example, in 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, the reader initially thinks the lottery is a positive thing, but then it turns out to be a brutal stoning ritual. It's completely unexpected.
One example is 'The Gift of the Magi'. A young couple is very poor. The wife cuts off her long hair to buy a chain for her husband's watch. Meanwhile, the husband sells his watch to buy combs for his wife's beautiful hair. Another is 'The Necklace'. A woman borrows what she thinks is an expensive necklace for a ball. She loses it and spends years in poverty to replace it, only to find out later that the original necklace was a fake.
Well, start by setting up expectations and then surprising the reader. Maybe introduce a character or event that seems insignificant at first but turns out to be crucial at the end.