What are some characteristics of popular fiction short stories?

One characteristic is their brevity. Since they are short short stories, they convey a complete idea or story in very few words. For example, they might be able to create a vivid character or a unique situation in just a page or two.

They are accessible. This means that they don't require a lot of prior knowledge or a high - level vocabulary to be understood. A lot of popular short stories are written in a straightforward style. For instance, many of Edgar Allan Poe's short stories, despite their often dark and complex themes, are written in a way that can be easily followed by a wide range of readers.

Many of them might have had strong character development. Since they are short, the authors had to quickly establish who the characters were and what they were about.

They might have had engaging characters. Since short stories need to capture the reader's attention quickly, the characters in 2014's popular ones were probably well - developed despite the limited space.

Popular historical fiction short stories often have vivid settings. For example, in 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow', the description of the colonial American countryside makes the story feel real. They also usually feature complex characters. In 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne is a multi - faceted character. And they tend to have a strong sense of time and place, like in 'A Rose for Emily' by William Faulkner which is firmly set in a particular era of the South.

One characteristic is the exploration of scientific concepts. For example, they might deal with time travel, like in 'A Sound of Thunder'. Another is the creation of unique settings. Stories often take place in far - flung futures or on alien planets. Also, they usually have a strong sense of wonder. The reader is made to wonder about the possibilities of technology and its impact on society.

Popular prose fiction short stories often have relatable characters. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the young couple is in a situation that many people can understand - they are poor but in love. They also usually have a clear theme. In 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find', the theme of morality is evident throughout. And they tend to have a strong narrative arc that grabs the reader's attention from the start to the end.

Popular short fiction tends to have a clear theme. It might be about love, friendship, or the struggle between good and evil. This clear theme helps the reader understand the story's purpose easily.

In 'One Story', the single - story - per - issue format means the short fiction is often very carefully curated. The stories tend to be engaging and can stand on their own. 'Electric Literature' has a modern and accessible feel to its short fiction. It often showcases stories that are relevant to contemporary issues. 'Harper's Magazine' short fiction can be quite diverse in terms of themes and writing styles, but generally maintains a high level of literary quality.

One characteristic is their concise nature. Since they are short stories, they can quickly convey a message or tell a story. Often, they may focus on aspects of Hebrew culture, traditions, or the Israeli experience.