ENG1501
Assignment 2
(Detailed Answers)
Due 23 June 2025
, ENG1501 Assignment 2 (Detailed Answers)
Due 23 June 2025
Section A: The Short Story
1. Characteristics Distinguishing a Short Story from a Novel
The primary distinctions between a short story and a novel revolve around length,
narrative scope, and thematic concentration. Short stories are characterized by their
conciseness, compelling writers to distill themes, characters, and events into a compact,
often impactful form. This economy of language allows for a focused exploration of a
singular idea or moment, enabling me as a reader to engage intensively with the core
theme without distraction from secondary plotlines or extensive character development
(Baldick, 2001).
Furthermore, the narrative focus in short stories tends to be narrow—centered on a
single event, revelation, or emotional shift—providing a snapshot that encapsulates a
specific aspect of human experience (Cuddon & Muray, 2013). This concentrated focus
fosters a deep emotional or thematic resonance, often leaving a lingering impression.
The limited scope, involving few characters and confined settings, facilitates a thorough
exploration of character and theme within a manageable framework, contrasting with
the sprawling, multi-layered narrative structures typical of novels. Novels offer a broad
canvas that spans extended periods and complex developments, whereas short stories
deliver a poignant, self-contained literary moment that demands economy and precision
(Merriam-Webster, 2017).
2. Differentiating Between First-, Second-, and Third-Person Narration
Narrative perspective significantly influences how a story is perceived and interpreted.
First-person narration employs pronouns such as “I” or “we,” providing intimate
access to the narrator’s internal thoughts and emotions. This perspective fosters
closeness and subjectivity, allowing me to experience the story through the narrator’s
personal lens—“I felt the world shift beneath me”—which creates a sense of immediacy
Assignment 2
(Detailed Answers)
Due 23 June 2025
, ENG1501 Assignment 2 (Detailed Answers)
Due 23 June 2025
Section A: The Short Story
1. Characteristics Distinguishing a Short Story from a Novel
The primary distinctions between a short story and a novel revolve around length,
narrative scope, and thematic concentration. Short stories are characterized by their
conciseness, compelling writers to distill themes, characters, and events into a compact,
often impactful form. This economy of language allows for a focused exploration of a
singular idea or moment, enabling me as a reader to engage intensively with the core
theme without distraction from secondary plotlines or extensive character development
(Baldick, 2001).
Furthermore, the narrative focus in short stories tends to be narrow—centered on a
single event, revelation, or emotional shift—providing a snapshot that encapsulates a
specific aspect of human experience (Cuddon & Muray, 2013). This concentrated focus
fosters a deep emotional or thematic resonance, often leaving a lingering impression.
The limited scope, involving few characters and confined settings, facilitates a thorough
exploration of character and theme within a manageable framework, contrasting with
the sprawling, multi-layered narrative structures typical of novels. Novels offer a broad
canvas that spans extended periods and complex developments, whereas short stories
deliver a poignant, self-contained literary moment that demands economy and precision
(Merriam-Webster, 2017).
2. Differentiating Between First-, Second-, and Third-Person Narration
Narrative perspective significantly influences how a story is perceived and interpreted.
First-person narration employs pronouns such as “I” or “we,” providing intimate
access to the narrator’s internal thoughts and emotions. This perspective fosters
closeness and subjectivity, allowing me to experience the story through the narrator’s
personal lens—“I felt the world shift beneath me”—which creates a sense of immediacy
