Write a note on the elements of a short story.

Short stories have a special charm not only for the little ones but to the grown up people also. It is a very common means of enjoyment from the dawn of literary activities. Perhaps, short stories are the first kind of any literature. Besides being a means of enjoyment, they have didactive values also. They are a good source of inspiration for all.

In order to its popularity and utility, these following elements are required for a good short story :

1. Clear and Thorough Idea: A good short has one clear and thorough idea. A good story writer knows well about his aim of the writing of an story. He plans his story according to his clear and thorough idea of the story..

2. Short and Simple Plot: Plot of a short story is always short and simple. Since, a short story is written with a purpose or idea, so plot of the story is kept according to purpose or idea. A short story does not keep long, so its plot is always kept short and simple.

3. Characterisation : Plot of a short story is not complex. So it does not require so many characters. Its characters are very limited. Two to four characters are more than enough for a good story. However, there may be more than four characters in a story if theme of the story requires.

4. Action: Since, plot of a short story is very short and limited, characters are few, so it does not require much actions. It take generally one action at a time. But according to the requirement of plot, there may be more than one action.

5. Expantion: Because of its limited plot, a good story contains about 500 to 600 words. Though, as per requirement this limit may be extended but, generally a good story may be kept limited to this words limit.

6. Conclusion: The conclusion of a good short story should be very impressive. It may be a brief summary of the plot, or a moral, or the author’s comment on something giving a clue to the future plot.

7. Moral Message: A good short story must have a moral message. Generally, short is written to convey a moral message. It is the most important aspect of a good short story.

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