There are protagonists, who are the main characters around which the story revolves. Then there are antagonists, characters that oppose the protagonist. There are also minor characters, who may play supporting roles, like the friendly neighbor who gives some advice to the protagonist, or the shopkeeper where the main character often goes.
Protagonist is one kind. It's the main character around whom the story revolves. Antagonist is another, often opposing the protagonist. Then there are minor characters who play supporting roles, like the best friend of the protagonist, or the nosy neighbor who adds some color and context to the story.
In a short story, you'll find dynamic characters. These are characters that change over the course of the story, often learning a lesson or growing in some way. Static characters, on the other hand, remain the same throughout the story. Additionally, there are flat characters, who are simple and one - dimensional, usually having only one or two traits. And then there are round characters which are complex and multi - faceted, just like real people.
Take 'The Necklace'. Mathilde Loisel is the protagonist. She is a dynamic character as she changes from being a vain woman longing for a luxurious life to a hard - working, worn - out woman. Her husband is also a character, a static one in a way as he remains loyal and practical throughout. The friend who lends her the necklace can be seen as a minor character.
Look at their role in the plot. If a character drives the story forward, it's likely the protagonist. If they oppose the main character's goals, they're antagonists. Minor characters don't have as much influence on the main plot.
One kind could be the traditional short story which follows a clear narrative arc with a beginning, middle and end. It often has a single main plotline and a small set of well - developed characters. Another kind might be the experimental short story. This type often plays with form, perhaps having a non - linear structure, fragmented narration, or using unique literary devices to convey its message.
There are many kinds of short stories. Some common ones include mystery short stories, where the plot often revolves around a puzzling event or crime that needs to be solved. Romance short stories focus on love and relationships between characters. Another kind is the horror short story, which aims to frighten and create a sense of unease with elements like the supernatural or psychological terror.
Pay attention to how they change. A character that starts off selfish and ends up selfless is a dynamic character. Static characters will act the same from the beginning to the end. Also, if a character is described in very simple terms and doesn't have much depth, they could be a flat character. Round characters, in contrast, are described with more details and have a complex personality.
The four kinds of conflict in a short story are man vs. man, which is a direct conflict between two characters; man vs. self, involving a character's internal struggle; man vs. society, when a character is in opposition to the values or norms of society; and man vs. nature, where the character battles against the forces of nature.
Some common kinds of plots in a short story include the quest plot, where the character is on a journey to find something, like a treasure or a solution to a problem. Another is the conflict plot, which often involves a character in a struggle against another character, society, or nature. And there's also the transformation plot, where the main character undergoes a significant change in their personality or view of the world.