2. Explore Your Story

After thoroughly examining your assignment, now it's time to look for some initial background or starting information on your short story. Many short stories have an entry in Short Stories for Students, which is a great place to start learning more about your short story.

Short Stories for Students
ISBN: 1414421850
Short Stories for Students is a great place to start! Learn more about your short story's characters, themes, style, setting, symbols and more! Use the search box to see if there is an entry on your short story (just type in the title). *Each entry also has several literary criticism essays also.

Analyze Your Short Story

The Facts on File Guide to Writing a Literary Essay by Infobase Learning
Call Number: eBook
ISBN: 9781438177175
Publication Date: 2017-05-01
The Facts of File Guide to Writing a Literary Essay is an excellent resource to use to learn a little more about how to write literary essays on themes, characters, symbolism, imagery, historical context, and more.

Questions to Ask Yourself

When and where did the story take place? (place and time)

What is the atmosphere? (historical / sociological)

How is the story told? (narrative / point of view)

What language is used? (style, tone, and irony)

Who are the main characters? (protagonist / antagonist / others)

Are there symbols used? (symbols)

How does the plot help the reader understand the theme?

What is the dramatic moment? What is the conflict?

What is the moment of climax? (turning point / illumination / understanding)

How does the story end? (resolution)