How to read short stories

When you read stories or poems, do the following:

• Read the story once for fun.
• Read the story a second time.
• Highlight important details.
• Highlight difficult or new words or phrases.
• Determine who is telling the story (i.e. narrator).
• Find the major and minor characters.
• Determine the theme or moral.
• Determine the types of conflict. (others, self nature, fate)

The plots of short stories usually involve one or two main characters working toward the resolution of a single conflict. The events often take place in one place or time. A theme of a short story usually offers observation about human nature. Effective short stories are written by authors who are able to use words and literary devices to make the plots and characters seem real.