Short Story is a Short Story, Here is the Complete Definition, Characteristics, Functions and Examples

Kapanlagi.com - Short stories are one of the literary works that are quite enjoyable to read. You don't need a long time to finish a short story. Its short length and sometimes complex stories make readers quickly engrossed.

That's normal because short stories are literary works that are designed to be read in one sitting. Although short, writing a short story is not easy. The writer must think about how to package the story briefly, but clearly.

Now, if you are learning to write short stories, try reading the following review about short stories. It could be that short stories are a suitable medium for you to express your ideas. To get to know short stories better, please read the explanations compiled from various sources below.

1. The Definition of Short Story

Illustration (Credit: Pixabay)

As mentioned above, a short story is one form of literary work. According to Sumardjo, as quoted from the book 'Writing is Easy: Practical Guide to Becoming a Skilled Writer', a short story or cerpen is an art, a skill in presenting a story that is a complete, unified form, with no unnecessary parts, but also with parts that are not too many.

Another meaning referring to the Great Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), a short story or cerpen is a short story or narrative (less than 10,000 words) that gives a dominant single impression and focuses on one character in one situation (at a certain time). Well, from several definitions above, it can be said that a short story is a literary work that focuses on an event or incident. The plot also concentrates on that event.

2. Characteristics of a Short Story

Illustration (Credit: Pixabay)

Characteristics of a short story are distinctive signs that are usually found in a short story. The most obvious characteristic can be seen in the short story, namely the presence of intrinsic elements consisting of the following parts.

Theme

The theme of a short story is the underlying aspect of the story. The basis of a short story can come from anywhere, it can be a daily life story or a story created following someone's fantasy. Examples of common themes in short stories include friendship, romance, crime, or detective stories.

Point of View

Point of view in a short story can be interpreted as the way the author conveys their work or their bias. This can be seen from the author's use of pronouns. For example, using "I" or "me" as a first-person point of view. It can also use third-person pronouns like "he/she" or the character's name, positioning oneself as an observer in the story.

Setting of the Short Story

In a story, there is certainly clarity about the setting. Whether it's the background of a place, time, or atmosphere. It can be found in the speaker's description. An example of a description of a place background can be by expressing the event at home, in the city "S", or at a lake. The background of time can be expressed as "that afternoon", mentioning a specific time, such as "12 noon", or mentioning the day "Thursday".

The atmosphere doesn't have to be described with words like "tense", "happy", or "sad". The atmosphere can be captured through the way the speaker describes the surroundings or through the expression of specific characters.

Characters and Characterization

Characters and characterization in a short story are two things that drive the story. Characters are the actors, while characterization is the assessment of the character of the actors.

Plot

The plot in a short story is a series of events within it. After reading it, you can determine that the short story has a progressive, regressive, or mixed plot (containing both progressive and regressive plot).

Moral

Moral is the moral message that may be contained in a short story. It is said "maybe" because moral messages are not always the main thing in short stories.

3. Functions of a Short Story

Illustration (Credit: Pixabay)

There are various functions of a short story. The function of a short story is to entertain or serve as a tool for learning. To understand more clearly, please refer to the following explanation.

Recreational function: the short story serves as a means of entertainment for readers.

Aesthetic function: the short story serves as an aesthetic value or beauty that exists in the short story, providing satisfaction to readers.

Educational function: the short story serves as a source of lessons or education that will be beneficial for readers.

Morality function: the short story serves as a moral value based on the content of the story to determine what is good or bad conveyed by the author to readers.

Religious function: the short story serves as a religious lesson that can be used as a good example by readers.

4. Example Opening of Short Story

Illustration (Credit: Pixabay)

The opening of a short story is an important component. Most people want to continue reading the short story until the end because they find the opening interesting. Here are some examples of opening paragraphs for short stories that you can use as learning media.

- Sentimentalism Short Story of a Future Corpse by Sony Karsono

Father is a stranger ghost, just like the shadow I find in the mirror when brushing my teeth in the morning. I still enjoy eating ice cream in the backyard with the chickens, when one day Father disappeared at the end of the alley carrying a backpack. He was in a hurry, forgetting to pat my head, as a father usually does in movies or kindergarten poems. I asked, "Mom, where is Father?" "Father is looking for money," Mother replied while hanging the laundry. "He will come back with souvenirs for you."

(Kompas-Minggu, October 15, 1995)

- Short Story Mother Goes to the Sea by Puthut EA

Dad said Mom went to the sea. When I asked why Mom didn't come back, Dad answered, maybe Mom won't come back. Of course then I asked if mother didn't miss me? And father answered, of course mother misses and still loves me. But why doesn't she come home? Is there a child like me out at sea so mother doesn't want to come home anymore to this house? Father's eyes then welled up.

(Kompas-Minggu, 17 April 2005)

- Short story Autobiography Gloria by AS.Laksana

After that night, you know, my grandmother had to go through all the things she herself was tired of doing and she went through it alone because my grandfather no longer accompanied her. The man is still alive, but he cannot leave the cage that imprisons him.

(Koran Tempo-Minggu 20 August 2006)

Well, Klovers, what do you think about the opening example of the short story above? Short story is a literary work that is suitable to be used as a medium to tell a glimpse of the story you want to write.

(kpl/gen/ans)