What are the characteristics of the top 10 best short stories?

The stories in top best short stories usually have a clear theme. This theme can be about love, like in some romantic short stories, or it can be about society, such as in stories that critique social norms. They are also very good at creating an atmosphere. In 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the atmosphere of suspense and madness is palpable from the start. The language used is also very important. It's often precise and vivid, helping to bring the story to life.

The top short horror stories usually create a strong atmosphere. In 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the description of the wallpaper and the woman's isolation in the room makes the reader feel claustrophobic and uneasy. Also, they often play with the reader's fears. 'The Masque of the Red Death' uses the fear of a deadly plague and the inevitability of death. They can also have unreliable narrators, like in 'The Horla' where we're not sure if the narrator is really being haunted or just losing his mind.

Most of them often have a sense of the unknown and the uncanny. For example, in 'The Call of Cthulhu', the existence of the ancient and powerful Cthulhu is something that defies human understanding. Another characteristic is a build - up of suspense. In 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's growing paranoia and the slow reveal of his plan to kill the old man keeps the reader on edge. And many use elements of the ordinary turned sinister, like in 'The Lottery' where a normal small - town event becomes a horror.

One characteristic is their ability to convey deep themes in a concise manner. For example, many of them can explore complex human emotions like love, jealousy, and fear within just a few pages. Another is their diverse settings. They can be set in different time periods and places, from the cold Yukon in 'To Build a Fire' to a small village in 'The Lottery'.

One characteristic is their ability to surprise. In 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge', the ending is completely unexpected. They also often explore human nature in different ways. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' shows how a person's mental state can be affected by their environment. And they are diverse in terms of genre, from realistic to magical realism, which makes them appealing to a wide range of readers.

Well - developed characters are also common. In 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the main character's descent into madness is vividly portrayed. You can really feel her frustration and the slow erosion of her sanity as she is confined by her situation.

Well, they are often very imaginative. They can take you to different worlds, whether it's a fantastical realm full of magic or a historical setting. For example, some stories might be set in ancient Rome or a far - off planet.

The best short short stories usually have a tight plot. Take 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' for instance. The events are carefully crafted to build suspense and surprise. They also tend to have well - drawn characters despite their brevity. In 'Hills Like White Elephants', the two main characters' personalities and relationship are subtly revealed through their dialogue. Moreover, they can often make a big impact with just a few words, like 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' which leaves you pondering long after reading.

Most of the top 10 horror short stories have vivid descriptions. In 'The Masque of the Red Death', Poe's detailed description of the rooms and the figure of Death creates a terrifying atmosphere. They also play with human fears. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' taps into the fear of confinement and madness. Additionally, they can use elements of the supernatural, as seen in many of these stories such as 'The Monkey's Paw' with its magic and cursed object.

They usually have a concise yet effective plot. In 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, the plot is simple but full of twists. A woman borrows a necklace to look good at a party, loses it, and spends years in poverty to replace it, only to find out the original necklace was fake. This kind of plot that can surprise the reader in a short space is often seen in top selling short stories.