They often have a simple yet profound message. For example, like in 'The Giving Tree', the message of selfless giving is clear and easy to understand. The simplicity of the story allows the reader to quickly grasp the essence.
Most of them feature relatable characters or situations. In 'The Little Engine That Could', the little engine is in a tough situation that many people can relate to, like facing a difficult task. And the positive 'I - think - I - can' attitude is inspiring. These stories draw the reader in because they can see themselves in the story.
Inspiring short stories tend to be accessible in terms of language and concept. They are designed to reach a wide audience, so they don't use overly complicated words or convoluted plots. They often feature characters who face adversity, whether it's social, physical, or emotional. By showing how these characters rise above their problems, the stories inspire readers. Also, the pacing is usually well - controlled. It builds up the story towards the moment of inspiration, making the reader feel engaged and ultimately inspired by the end of the story.
One characteristic is that they often feature characters who overcome great difficulties. For example, in the story of Thomas Edison, he failed thousands of times before inventing the light bulb. But he didn't give up.
Real life inspiring short stories typically have real - world settings that readers can recognize. They often feature ordinary people who do extraordinary things. For instance, a janitor who discovers a new way to clean more efficiently. These stories also tend to have a moral or lesson. It could be about the power of kindness, as in the story of a stranger helping a homeless person get back on their feet. Moreover, they usually show the power of human will, like a cancer patient who beats the odds through sheer determination.
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.
They probably have engaging plots. Since they are short stories, they need to grab the reader's attention quickly. So, there could be unexpected twists and turns, like in a mystery - themed story where the solution is not what you initially expect. In addition, the use of vivid language is common. With limited space, the authors need to create a vivid world. They might use unique descriptions of settings and characters to make them come alive in the reader's mind. This helps to make the short story memorable despite its brevity.
The short stories in 'best 2019 short stories' may also be known for their ability to evoke strong emotions in a limited number of words. They can make you feel joy, sadness, or surprise in just a few pages. Take a story about a child's first encounter with loss. It can be so poignant that it stays with you long after you've finished reading, even though it's a short piece.
The 10 best short stories often have a unique narrative voice. In 'Hills Like White Elephants', Hemingway's sparse style gives the story a certain tension. They also tend to be very focused. 'The Necklace' focuses on the consequences of one woman's pride and it doesn't deviate from that central idea. Moreover, they can create a strong emotional impact in a short amount of time. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' manages to evoke feelings of claustrophobia and madness in a relatively brief story.
The 5 best short stories often have strong characters. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the couple's selfless love makes them memorable. They also usually have a clear theme. In 'The Lottery', the theme of blind tradition is very prominent. And most of them have a unique plot structure, like 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' which has a twist at the end.
Well, the 15 best short stories tend to be very impactful despite their short length. They can convey deep emotions. Take 'The Yellow Wallpaper' for instance, it makes you feel the desperation and frustration of the main character. They also are good at creating a certain atmosphere. 'The Cask of Amontillado' creates a very spooky and tense atmosphere in the catacombs. And many of them have a twist or a surprise ending. 'The Lottery' has a shockingly unexpected ending that makes you reevaluate the whole story.
They are likely to be very diverse. Some might have strong character development in a short space, like creating a vivid character in just a few pages. For example, a character who goes through a life - changing realization.