Short stories tend to be more concise than novels, focusing on a single incident or plot within a limited setting and number of characters over a short period of time. They developed from oral storytelling traditions as well as prose anecdotes meant to swiftly make a point. A short story is typically no longer than 20,000 words and no shorter than 1,000 words, with anything briefer often called "flash fiction."

1. Elements and Characteristics

2. The short story is type of fictional writing that tends to be more brief and to the point than longer works of fiction such as and novels.

3. Short stories tend to be less complex than novels. Usually, a short story will focus on only one incident, has a single plot, a single setting, a limited number of characters, and covers a short period of time.

4. Short stories have their origins in oral story-telling traditions. They also developed from the prose anecdote, a swiftly-sketched situation that quickly comes to its point.

5. The term short story most often refers to a work of fiction no longer than 20,000 words and no shorter than 1,000.

6. Stories less than 1,000 words are usually referred to either as "short short fiction,“ "short shorts,” or “flash fiction.”

7. A short story is one that should be able to be read in one sitting,