A short story is a brief work of narrative prose. The history of episodic literature has included a variety forms such as jests, fables, and fairy tales. Short fiction was previously not considered its own genre; the modern short story as we know it emerged in the 19th century, especially in the United States where there is a strong tradition.
Short fiction has no formally defined length and a story can be anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 words, though this high range begins to reach novella territory and flash fiction can be much shorter. Ernest Hemingway is famously credited with writing a moving six-word story. Short fiction is designed to be read in one sitting, though critics and avid readers often encourage a second reading.
A short story typically centers around a single event or central theme with only a few characters and scenes. The form encourages economy, but despite deliberate and concise writing, authors employ a variety of devices and styles to deliver an arresting experience for their readers.