Home > Subjects > English > English level 3 > 3.2 Written text(s) > Subject content > Short story
- Subject: English
- AS: 90721
- Level: 3
- Credits: 3
- External
3.2 Respond critically to written text(s) studied
Short story
Short stories are written in such a way that few words are wasted, and often meaning is implied rather than stated directly or described at length as in a novel. Typically a short story will have on one major setting, event, and one or two characters. The story is crafted so that every element has a specific function, to help present and support the writer's ideas in an interesting and appropriate way. For this reason it is important that your critical response to each text is very thorough and detailed.
In the examination you must discuss at least TWO short stories you have studied. In addition to all the major aspects of literature, examination questions may ask you to focus on the characteristics of the short story genre, to compare and contrast texts, or how techniques such as symbolism, point of view, or structure have been used to present ideas in the text(s).
For general help see:
- Close Analysis of a Short Story (Word 35KB) has a range of questions to help you analyse any short story (scroll to the bottom of the page).
- Write about a story scroll to the heading narrative.
