Keys to Reading a Short Story

The short story is concerned primarily with five elements: plot, setting, character, point of view, and theme. But, unlike a novel, the short story restricts the development of these elements, primarily because its length requires it to do so. Very often, a short story concentrates mostly on character as it reveals theme. 

As you read a short story look for these elements:

Setting: Setting is the time, place, and environment in which the story takes place. Understanding the setting helps the reader to understand the context of the story.

Plot: Plot is the series of events in the story that reveals the conflict(s), crisis (or turning point), and resolution. A good short story has a problem (or conflict) that must be solved. The conflict could be external - a character versus other characters or a character versus nature--or the conflict might be internal, a character versus himself. The turning point is that moment when the direction of the story changes, when the direction of the conflict is altered. The resolution is simply how the conflict turns out. Conflict is critical to a story, as theme most often is related to the conflict and its resolution.

Character: In a short story, the author often only has time to develop one character fully. A character is considered to be a flat character if he/she only has one distinguishing characteristic. The character who is more complicated and multi-dimensional (often referred to as a round character) - the one who appears more "real" - is often the main character of the story. But, to make sure who the main character is, ask "Which character changes the most?" The answer to that question is the main character. We learn about character through what that character says, what others in the story say about him/her, what the narrator says about him/her, and the character's actions.

Point of View:  This is the vantage point from which the story is told. The basic choices available to an author are first person, third person omniscient, third person limited, and third person objective. As a reader, you should ask why the author has chosen a particular point of view.

Theme: The theme is what the author is trying to ask us about the subject of the story. For example, if the subject of the story is "discrimination", the theme might be "Discrimination often causes the loss of self-esteem in those victimized by its oppressive nature".