Which characteristic does a short story typically have?

A short story typically features fully developed themes but maintains a limited length. This characteristic allows for a focused narrative that conveys a specific idea or message, engaging the reader effectively within a shorter timeframe compared to a novel. In a short story, every element—whether character, setting, or plot—serves to enhance this central theme, allowing for depth despite the brevity of the format.

While a short story may include characters and some plot elements, it usually does not delve into complex subplots or multiple narratives, which are more characteristic of longer forms of literature. Instead, the concise nature of a short story emphasizes a singular central idea, making it a rich yet efficient storytelling method.