A short story is a work of short, narrative prose that is usually centered around one single event. It is limited in scope and has an introduction, body and conclusion. Although a short story has much in common with a novel, it is written with much greater precision. Any time you are asked to write an essay that is based on a piece of fiction, the following guide and questions may help you.

Once you examine these narrative elements, you want to look for patterns, or motifs, in the work. Pay attention to the words and images that are related.