39 Kinds of Short Stories

Definition of Short Story (Short Story)

Short story or commonly shortened to short story is an example of a narrative text that retells an event or a fictional essay that usually centered on a single character whose word count is no more than 10,000 words or less than ten page.

Jusuf Sjarif Badudu or better known as J. S. Badudu, an Indonesian language expert, defines short stories as a story that only leads and focuses on one event. In addition, Jakobus Sumarjo or Jakob Sumarjo, a humanist and pioneer of the study of Indonesian philosophy, defines short stories as the art or skill of presenting stories. (skill to present story), in which it is a unified whole, unified (focusing on one part or one) characters only), and there are no unnecessary parts, but there are also parts that are too Lots. The meaning of the 'too much' part that is said by Jakob Sumarjo is the part of the story from the side of the character or the part of the 'I-ness' which is the center of the story to be explored.

Another definition of short stories according to Edgar Allan Poe, a writer; editor; as well as an American language critic, who defines the short story as a story that is read in one sitting, about 30 minutes to two hours, or something if reading time is not possible to complete a novel. Meanwhile, according to Hans Bague Jassin or H. B. Jassin, a writer; editor; as well as literary critics Indonesia, defines short story as a short story that must have the most important parts, namely introduction, dispute, and settlement.

Characteristics of Short Stories (Short Stories)

To distinguish short stories from other forms of writing, the following are the characteristics of short stories or short stories:

1. Judging from the length of the story, short stories have a shorter storyline than novels.
2. The number of words contained in the short story is not more than 10,000 words or less than ten pages. There is also a source that mentions the limit of words allowed in the short story as much as 5,000 words.
3. From the content of the story, it usually tells of events or events that occur in everyday life.
4. From the characters told, the short story only focuses on one character, so that other supporting characters in the story has a problem or conflict related to the problem or conflict experienced by the character main.
5. The use of words used in short stories is word – simple words that are easily understood by readers.
6. The message conveyed by the short story is strong so that it leaves a deep impression of the story of the short story.
7. Just like characters, short stories usually only focus on one event.
8. Usually has a single and straight groove.
9. The characterizations in the short story are made simple, not deep, and short. In short stories, the focus of the story is only on one character, so that other supporting characters are not told their background in detail.

Short Story Structure (Short Story)

The following is a systematic writing of short stories,

1. Abstract

Abstract contains a summary or core that will be developed into a short story outline that will be written.

1. Orientation

The orientation includes the setting of the short story, both the time setting; background scene; as well as the background atmosphere that occurs along the storyline.

1. Complications

The compilation contains a systematic sequence of events in short stories developed from cause-effect relationships. In this section, the characters involved in the story are introduced, and the characters of each character are introduced.

1. Evaluation

The story conflict is the main focus in this section. Starting from the introduction of the conflict, the climax, until the conflict resolution was introduced.

1. Resolution

The focus of this section is the resolution of the conflict faced by the main character. In this section the solutions to the conflict are presented.

1. code (Coda)

The last part contains the mandate, values, and lessons that the author wants to convey through his short story.

Elements in Story Short

The elements in the short story are divided into:

1. Intrinsic Elements of Short Stories

Intrinsic elements are elements in forming short stories (short stories) from within the short story itself. The following are the intrinsic elements of the short story:

1.1. Theme

It is the main idea that becomes the benchmark for developing the course of the story.

1.2. Plot or Plot

It is the stage in which a story progresses. Starting from the introduction of the setting, the introduction of the characters, the introduction of the conflict, the climax of the conflict, the introduction of the solution, the resolution. The storyline can be a forward plot, backward plot (Flash back), as well as mixed flow.

1.3. Background or Settings

Is a situation that wants to be described in a short story that includes the place, time, and atmosphere that want to be displayed, besides that, social background such as the character's relationship with the environment is also included in the elements this.

1.4. Characterizations

It is a depiction of the character's character which is reflected in the attitude, behavior, speech, thoughts, and views of the character in every situation encountered in the story. In characterization there are two methods of characterization as follows,

• Analytical Method

This method describes the character's character by telling it directly.

Example:

Amalia is the second child in her family. For a girl her age, she is a shy person. Apart from being shy, he is also a bit of a coward.

From the short story quote above, we can identify if Amalia has a shy and timid character.

• Dramatic Method

This method describes the character's character indirectly, such as through physical descriptions, conversations, and reactions of other characters.

Example:

The atmosphere in the class suddenly tensed and every time the young man came. No one dared to look directly at him, time seemed to freeze for a moment.

“Hey, I want to sit here,” the young man said to one of the students. Without arguing, the student hastily packed his bag and changed seats.

From the short story quote above, we can identify if the young man told has a scary, authoritarian, and unfriendly character. This can be inferred from the atmosphere created when the character appears and the reactions of other characters to the actions of the young man.

1.5. Message or Trust

In a short story, this element is one of the elements that must exist. The message or message is the educational value that the author wants to convey to the reader, both explicitly and implicitly. The values ​​contained can be in the form of religious, social, moral, and religious values culture.

1.6. Viewpoint (point of view)

The point of view is created by the author and directs the reader to judge the short story from the point of view he has directed. The point of view is divided into 4 types as follows,

• First person point of view as the main character.

In this point of view, the character 'I' is the center of the short story that is written. All the series of events that are told are experienced by the 'I' character.

• First person point of view as a side actor.

In this point of view, the character 'I' only appears as a supporting character. The 'I' character here only acts as a witness to the events experienced by the main character.

• Third person omniscient point of view.

This point of view tells the story from the point of view of 'he', but the author or narrator seems to know everything related to the character 'he'.

• Third person point of view as observer.

This point of view tells through the point of view of 'he', but the author or narrator only describes what is felt, experienced, seen, and thought by a character. The author acts only as an observer of the main character's movements.

2. Extrinsic Elements of Short Stories

The extrinsic element is an element of the short story that forms the short story from outside the short story itself. The following are the extrinsic elements of the short story,

2.2. Community Background

The background of the community can influence the formation of the storyline in the short story. The influence of community background can be in the form of political, ideological, social conditions, and community economic conditions.

2.2. Author Background

The author's background includes a curriculum vitae containing the author's personal biography Overall, this factor can influence the author to compose short stories based on experience his life. In addition, the author's psychological condition which includes: mood and motivation will affect what he writes, such as when the author is sad he will write a sad short story. The last is the literary genre adopted by the author, this condition will affect the writing style and language used by the author in writing short stories.

Short stories can be classified into several types. Classification in short stories can be divided based on the number of words, composing techniques, and literary genres.

1. Kinds of short stories based on the number of words

Based on the number of words, short stories are divided into 3, namely,

1.1. mini short story (flash), short stories with the number of words ranging from 750 to 1,000 words.

These short stories are often called mini stories or mirrors. Short stories of this type are usually written to the point, does not use an in-depth and long-winded explanation or description. Examples of mini short stories include “Memengang Spoon and Straws” by writer Dewi Lestari or familiarly known as Dee. Another example of a mini short story is the short story "Rendra" by Putu Wijaya.

Remembering Spoons and Straws

Works: Goddess “Dee” Sustainable

In the middle of rice fields and luxury hotels in Ubud, when I and some of my co-authors were asked to attend by UNAIDS for the HIV/AIDS introduction program. I had time to ask myself: is there a turning point where this deadly virus can become an accelerator of life? And 'live' in this context means not how long we breathe, but how meaningfully we are able to take advantage of this life, this finite mortality? I experienced a similar moment when I attended the book launch of the late Suzanna Murni, an HIV/AIDS activist who founded the Spiritia Foundation.

I was stunned and carried away reading Suzanna's book. First, because of its authenticity and honesty. Second, because Suzanna is a very good writer. And again I contemplated, HIV could be the most beautiful gift that Suzanna Murni got. Knowing the existence of a time bomb that could end her life at any moment, Suzanna uses energy and time to build, help, and create.

While most of us live our days like living corpses that move but die, being and not being, without meaning and purpose, without appreciating the beauty and magic of the process called life. Then I was again contacted by UNAIDS to be a mentor in a writing training program for PLWHA. And this is where for the first time I interact closely with friends living with HIV. To be honest, I don't feel the need to include the description of 'PLWHA', which seems to fence them off with me or with other people. Just like I feel there is no need to say 'leukemia friends' or 'hypertension friends'. PLWHA must die, I, who is not PLWHA, will also die. Time bombs are everywhere. Death is a guarantee, a certainty. It just varies, the end result is the same.

At an inn in Karang Setra, I became acquainted with four participants in the mentoring program. I watched them one by one, who happened to be all girls. One is petite. The other two participants were much fuller than me. One is six months pregnant. Task after task they do brilliantly, even beyond expectations. There was only one program we were forced to cancel: writing in the zoo. At that time the issue of bird flu was being widely circulated in the city of Bandung, and for the safety of their health condition, we decided not to go. Only then did I feel that there were restrictions, special conditions that differentiated our range of motion. Other than that, there's no difference at all. Despite the content of their writings, no sadness or despair was revealed.

Unlike the advertisements about PLWHA which have been circulating and exploiting their powerlessness, they are lying emaciated and waiting to die. I only got acquainted with their struggles through what they wrote. From there I try to understand the various processes they go through with HIV, especially the implications for everything they know family, friends, lovers, and so on. When we chatted live, all there was was laughter. And I realized, that power can be present because they know that they are not alone. Counseling, enlightenment, activity, and togetherness, can light a lamp within them to become a strength and not be an outcast.

On the last night of the training, one of the facilitators had a birthday and celebrated it at a restaurant in Dago Pakar. Like the mentoring days, we enjoyed snacking while overlooking the city valley that was lit up at night. While chatting and laughing, we tasted each other's food and drinks. Until we parted, I returned home, and suddenly my cell phone rang. An incoming message: Ma'am, thank you for tonight. We are very impressed, Ms. is willing to share spoons and straws with us because parents don't necessarily want.

Thank you for increasing our confidence. I was silent for a long time, thinking about what the hell I had done. The whole moment in the restaurant seemed to pass naturally. It took me a long time to remember, during the trial and error event, I had sipped a drink from a glass using the straw they were using, then tasted the ice cream with the spoon they were using. I pondered for a long time, remembering the straw that had been on my lips for a few seconds, remembering the spoon that had been approaching my tongue for a few seconds. How a small thing that I just missed turned out to be a big and memorable deed in their eyes. And perhaps so is the case with the series of miracles in life. Often we go with the flow without having time to observe the great beauties hidden in the little things we pass by.

We await great deeds that seem majestic and forget that at every tread there are many opportunities to do something meaningful. If the virus wasn't in their blood, my spontaneous actions would be meaningless. I probably won't be sent that message, and I won't dwell on it. My questions in Ubud were answered with an experience. At one point, the virus had touched my life. Be the accelerator of my life. Not to prolong the heartbeat, but to teach me that life is very precious and always rich in meaning, if only we choose to know it. Suzanna Pure knows that. The same goes for the mentoring participants. I just hope they keep it in mind, and so do we. Message The brief was sent on May 13, 2006, and I still have it to this day.

1.2. The ideal short story is a short story with a word count ranging from 3000 to 4000 words.

This short story, as the name implies, is an ideal short story description, both in terms of the number of words as well as the language and content. The ideal short story has language and content that is easy to understand, so it is likened if this short story can be read in one sitting or less than an hour. And the contents are not easily forgotten by the reader. One example of an ideal short story is a short story "My Last Love” by Agnes Davonar.

1.3. Long short stories, short stories with the number of words that reach 10,000 words.

In some definitions, long short stories are limited to a word count of 10,000 words or approx eight to ten pages, But in fact this type of novel is widely written to exceed 10,000 said. This novel was very popular in Europe at around the end of the 19th century to the 20th century. Short stories with a length of more than 10,000 words are often categorized as novella or novellet, an essay that is shorter than a novel. Example novella The famous one is the long short story “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway which tells the story of an old fisherman from Cuba named Santiago who struggles in the middle of the high seas to get a fish. Example novella Another is “Inpatient Room No. 6” by Anton Chekhov which tells the story of a doctor and his patient in a room hospital, this short story aims to describe the social depravity in Russia in the past, as well as launch criticism social.

2. Kinds of Short Stories Based on Composing Techniques

2.1. Perfect Short (well made short story)

This short story is written with a focus on one theme that has a very clear plot and ending which is easy to understand. Generally, this type of short story is conventional and written based on the existing reality. This type of short story is easy to read and understand even by ordinary readers. Examples of short stories of this type are very much we find today.

2.2. Incomplete Short Story (slice of life short story)

This short story does not focus on one theme or the themes are scattered. The plot he uses is unstructured and is sometimes made floating by the author. Generally, short stories of this type are contemporary in nature and are written based on ideas or ideas original from the author so that this type of short story is also commonly referred to as short story ideas or short stories idea. Ordinary readers will find it difficult to understand this type of short story, so it must be read over and over again so that it can be understood as it should be. For ordinary readers, this type of short story is also called a thick short story or heavy short story. We find many examples of this type of short story among short stories by accomplished writers, such as Putu Wijaya and W. S. Rendra.

3. Kinds of Short Stories Based on Story Stream

The streams in short stories or short stories are the basic philosophy that characterizes the style the writing or pronunciation of a writer's literature. Based on the flow of short stories, here are some kinds of short stories,

3.1. Realism

The flow of realism emerged around the 18th century. This flow is a flow in literature that describes a real situation. H. B. Jassin defines this genre as a flow that depicts the work of art as it is actually seen by the eye. The author places himself as an objective observer so that in writing his work he is careful, without prejudice, without mixing with subjective interpretations, nor imposing their views or wishes on actors or characters or readers the story. This flow is contrary to the flow of romanticism that is considered crybaby and exaggerated by realists. Many of the works of realism take stories or images from the lower classes of society, such as the peasants; laborers; tramp; prostitute; and thuggery.

3.2. Impressionism

Impressionism comes from the word impe which means impression. Different from the flow of realism, according to J. S. Badudu, Impressionist followers will not describe the things they see in detail, but only The first impression that sticks from the author's vision is what the author will retell to the reader.

3.3. Naturalism

This flow can be regarded as a branch of the flow of realism. The flow of naturalism tends to describe anything that is actually felt, unlike the flow of realism which mostly dwells on everyday life. Naturalism tends to describe things that are bad, dirty, even pornographic, but the flow of naturalism also launches social criticism more sharply. Adherents of the flow of naturalism will reveal aspects of the universe that are fatalistic and mechanical, and are concerned with motion and movement activity human beings who embody material and low moral life.

3.4. Neo-Naturalism

This flow is a new form of flow or a continuation of the flow of naturalism. This flow combines the flow of realism with naturalism, where this flow describes both bad things and good facts. This flow arises because of dissatisfaction with the flow of realism which is considered unable to express expression the soul of the author and dissatisfaction with the flow of naturalism which is considered to be less expressive extreme.

3.5. Determinism

Determinism comes from the word 'to determine' which means to determine. This stream is a branch from naturalism flow. This flow is centered on destiny, where according to determinism, destiny is something that is determined by biological and environmental elements. J. S. Badudu explained, if this sect will view fate as not something that is determined by God, but fate is determined by the circumstances of the surrounding community. This flow argues that if thepoorThe suffering that a person experiences, the evil nature of a person, or the illness that a person suffers is not due to God's destiny, but due to environmental influences. Examples of works that use this plot include "Hell of the World" by Nur St. Iskandar, "On a Ship" by N. H. Dini, and "Atheis" by Achdiat K. Mihardja.

3.6. Expressionism

Expressionalism described by H. B. Jassin is a sect in which adherents are able to recognize humans to the deepest thoughts and feelings, sadness and misery, the heights of morals, and the lows of lust. In this flow, the author seems to enter into the characters and is active in the soul of the character. This type of flow makes the author as a subjective player who also expresses what he is in every story he tells write down.

3.7. Romanticism

The flow of romanticism focuses on feelings. Romanticism is sometimes considered a disease of young people who haven't tasted much of the bitter - sweet life, where they more often measure everything by intuition and feeling without involve the brain. The flow of romanticism is very concerned with the use of beautiful words and presuppositions or clouds in dreamland. There are different types of romantic works crybaby, which depicts the turmoil of a teenager's soul who sings about happy romance as if the world only belongs to the two of them, running around in a beautiful flower garden covered by clouds and a rainbow that decorates it. However, there is also an adult type of romanticism that is wrapped with experience and knowledge that is capable of producing works literature heartwarming, such as Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" and Victor Hugo's "Les Mirables".

3.8. Idealism

This flow is defined by Sabarudin Ahmad as a flow of romanticism that bases the ideals of the story on the ideals or ideas of the author alone. Followers of this flow will look far ahead into the future with all the possibilities that are expected to happen. The works of this genre are generally beautiful and charming, one example is the creation of the Deaf character in the short story Layar Terkembang who is told is able to realize his ideals to raise the dignity of women as aspired R. A. Kartini. Other works that are classified as idealism include Abdul Muis' "Pertemuan Match" and Marah Rusli's "Siti Nurbaya".

3.9. Surrealism

This sect emerged in France during the First World War and the Second World War. The characters of this genre try to describe a dream world without directing its meaning, so that readers are encouraged to provide their own interpretations. The depiction of the story in the flow of Surrealism generally jumps so that it is difficult to understand. Readers are required to be able to unify their own language, thoughts, and logic randomly displayed by the author in his surrealism.

Thus an explanation of the types of short stories and examples. Hopefully this article is useful.