Good investigation short stories usually have a mysterious plot. For example, there is often an unsolved crime or a strange event at the beginning that hooks the reader.
Sherlock Holmes stories like 'A Scandal in Bohemia' are also great. Holmes' deductive reasoning skills are on full display as he investigates a case involving a king and a photograph.
Good short short stories are often concise but impactful. They can convey a strong emotion or idea in just a few pages. For example, they might have a single, clear theme like love, loss, or hope. They usually have well - developed characters despite their short length. The characters' actions and dialogues can quickly show their personalities. Also, they often have a unique plot. It could be a sudden twist, like in 'The Necklace' where the ending reveals the truth about the necklace, which completely changes the reader's perception of the whole story.
One characteristic is a clear and concise plot. Since they are short, they need to get to the point quickly. For example, in 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, the plot is straightforward - a woman borrows a necklace, loses it, and spends years paying off the debt for a replacement, only to find out the original was fake. It's simple yet impactful.
Good short stories usually have well - developed characters in a limited space. In short stories like those by Edgar Allan Poe, the characters, though briefly described, are very vivid. Their personalities and motives are clearly presented, which helps to drive the story forward and create a sense of mystery and horror in Poe's case.
Famous investigation nonfiction novels usually have authenticity. They present real - life situations and people as accurately as possible. They also tend to be very thorough in their exploration. Take 'All the President's Men', the authors dug deep into the Watergate scandal, interviewing numerous sources. Moreover, these novels can be eye - opening. 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' reveals a hidden part of medical history that many people were unaware of before reading the book.
They are often simple and easy to understand. For example, the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus simply told of a shepherd who left his ninety - nine sheep to find the one that was lost. It's a straightforward concept that gets the message of God's love for the individual across quickly.
Good short stories often have vivid characters. For instance, in 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, the characters are ordinary villagers, but through their actions and reactions, we can see the dark side of human nature. They are so real that readers can easily relate to them.
They usually have vivid descriptions that can make the reader feel the Christmas atmosphere. Like in 'The Little Match Girl', the cold of the Christmas Eve and the warm visions she has are well - described, which helps to set the mood. Also, they can be easily related to the readers' own experiences or feelings during Christmas time. Many people can relate to the idea of giving and receiving in 'The Gift of the Magi'.
Good short comedy stories often have unexpected twists. Say, a character is preparing for a normal day at work but ends up in a completely different and funny situation, like being in a children's play area instead of the office. They also use vivid characters. A character with an over - the - top personality, like a super - clumsy waiter who keeps spilling drinks on customers, can make the story really comical. These elements combined create a great short comedy story.
A good romance short story often has well - developed characters. Even in a short space, you can feel the connection between the characters. Also, it usually has a strong emotional core, making the reader feel the love, longing or heartbreak.