One characteristic is its concise nature. It can quickly convey a complete story or idea without excessive length. For example, it might focus on a single event or a brief period in a character's life. Another aspect is its flexibility in terms of style. It can be highly descriptive like a vignette, or it can be more plot - driven in a compact way. Also, it often has a limited number of characters to keep the narrative streamlined.
A relatively short work of prose fiction typically has a concise narrative that gets to the point quickly. It might not have as much depth in character development or world-building as a longer work. Examples could be short stories or novellas, usually ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of words.
Sure. 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry is a great example. It's a short story that tells a heartwarming and ironic tale about a young couple's sacrifice for each other during Christmas. Another one is 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings' by Gabriel García Márquez. This short prose work combines magical realism with a thought - provoking story about an angel - like figure in a small village.
A long work of prose fiction is basically a prose-written story that's quite lengthy. It gives the author enough space to build a rich and elaborate world, introduce various characters with complex personalities, and unfold a plot with many twists and turns.
A long work of prose fiction is typically a novel. It usually has a complex plot, multiple characters, and a significant word count to fully develop the story and themes.
A lengthy fiction in prose usually has a rich narrative that unfolds gradually. It may have elaborate descriptions of characters' emotions and thoughts. Moreover, it can cover a broad time span and present various challenges and resolutions for the characters.