What is a short story? Come and discuss its characteristics, its length, design, mood and style. What distinguishes it from other kinds of short narrative? We’ll compare short stories to other forms, such as myths, legends, anecdotes, fabliaux, parables, fables, and ‘tales’. We’ll look at some of the greatest practitioners including Edgar Allan Poe, Katherine Mansfield, and O’ Henry.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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This in-college course examines some of the best practitioners of the short story form: such as Edgar Allan Poe, Dorothy Parker, Arthur Conan Doyle, O’ Henry, Saki, Katherine Mansfield, Damon Runyon, JG Ballard, and Donald Barthelme.
We’ll consider its history, development, and widening appeal. We’ll explore the magazine market and its popularity. We'll explore how short stories have been defined against other types of short narrative.
What will we cover?
We will begin with a range of examples of short narratives: myth, folk tale, fairy tale, parable, legend, tales, exempla, embedded narratives, nested tales, digressions, and fabliaux. We will shift focus to 19 century forms from Poe, and Conan Doyle, moving on to the Modernism of Mansfield and Joyce. We’ll consider the twist in the tale from O’ Henry, Damon Runyon, and Roald Dahl, witty stories from Saki and Dorothy Parker, moving to Speculative Fiction from JG Ballard and Post-Modern stories from Robert Coover and Donald Barthelme.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Appreciate the challenges and rewards of the genre - Understand how the genre is distinguished from other short fiction - Identify a range of narrative devices used in short stories - Discuss marketing, distribution and reception of short stories.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You do not have to have studied literature before. An enthusiasm for short stories, an open-mindedness towards different approaches to interpretation, and a willingness to listen to the views of others is essential.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
There will be a mixture of tutor presentation and small-group and whole-class discussion. We will study key passages from each text in class. Key extracts will be provided in advance of the class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Key extracts will be provided in advance of the class by the tutor. Please try to read them beforehand to get the most out of the day.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other other Literature courses under Culture, History and Humanities at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Alexander has taught advanced Literature and English Language for over twenty-five years. A Former Head of English, Alexander currently teaches Literature courses to adults at The Questors Theatre, Ealing, and to students at a 6th Form College in Kensington. He has been writing a book on the critical reception of JG Ballard, worked at three top ten 6th Form Colleges, and trained A level teachers how to teach ‘Critical Discourse Analysis’. He holds an MA distinction in Shakespeare Studies, a PGCE, a first in English Literature BA (hons.), and a DipEngl in English Language. An FRSA, he brings a passionate commitment to life-long learning, to making connections between disciplines, and to creating supportive and engaging learning environments.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/what-is-a-short-story1440367What is a Short Story?https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/h/what-is-a-short-story-hlt182-square.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Introductory Literature courses22851177118718591228511771187<p>What is a short story? Come and discuss its characteristics, its length, design, mood and style. What distinguishes it from other kinds of short narrative? We’ll compare short stories to other forms, such as myths, legends, anecdotes, fabliaux, parables, fables, and ‘tales’. We’ll look at some of the greatest practitioners including Edgar Allan Poe, Katherine Mansfield, and O’ Henry.</p>003037624What is a Short Story?7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/h/what-is-a-short-story-hlt182-square_2.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-10-17T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allOct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT1827979What is a Short Story?635179Alexander Fairbairn-Dixonwhat-is-a-short-story/hlt182-2627<p>What is a short story? Come and discuss its characteristics, its length, design, mood and style. What distinguishes it from other kinds of short narrative? We’ll compare short stories to other forms, such as myths, legends, anecdotes, fabliaux, parables, fables, and ‘tales’. We’ll look at some of the greatest practitioners including Edgar Allan Poe, Katherine Mansfield, and O’ Henry.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-17 00:00:00This in-college course examines some of the best practitioners of the short story form: such as Edgar Allan Poe, Dorothy Parker, Arthur Conan Doyle, O’ Henry, Saki, Katherine Mansfield, Damon Runyon, JG Ballard, and Donald Barthelme. <br><br>We’ll consider its history, development, and widening appeal. We’ll explore the magazine market and its popularity. <br>We'll explore how short stories have been defined against other types of short narrative.<p>What is a short story? Come and discuss its characteristics, its length, design, mood and style. What distinguishes it from other kinds of short narrative? We’ll compare short stories to other forms, such as myths, legends, anecdotes, fabliaux, parables, fables, and ‘tales’. We’ll look at some of the greatest practitioners including Edgar Allan Poe, Katherine Mansfield, and O’ Henry.</p>We will begin with a range of examples of short narratives: myth, folk tale, fairy tale, parable, legend, tales, exempla, embedded narratives, nested tales, digressions, and fabliaux. <br>We will shift focus to 19 century forms from Poe, and Conan Doyle, moving on to the Modernism of Mansfield and Joyce. <br>We’ll consider the twist in the tale from O’ Henry, Damon Runyon, and Roald Dahl, witty stories from Saki and Dorothy Parker, moving to Speculative Fiction from JG Ballard and Post-Modern stories from Robert Coover and Donald Barthelme.- Appreciate the challenges and rewards of the genre<br>- Understand how the genre is distinguished from other short fiction<br>- Identify a range of narrative devices used in short stories<br>- Discuss marketing, distribution and reception of short stories.You do not have to have studied literature before. An enthusiasm for short stories, an open-mindedness towards different approaches to interpretation, and a willingness to listen to the views of others is essential.There will be a mixture of tutor presentation and small-group and whole-class discussion. We will study key passages from each text in class. Key extracts will be provided in advance of the class.Key extracts will be provided in advance of the class by the tutor. Please try to read them beforehand to get the most out of the day.<p>Look for other other Literature courses under Culture, History and Humanities at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteratureIntroductory Literature coursesvirtual637951HLT182NONESat17/10/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyWeekendKSKeeley StreetAlexander Fairbairn-DixonBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-10-17T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeOct 2026Culture, history & humanities7979What is a Short Story?what-is-a-short-story/hlt182-2627<p>What is a short story? Come and discuss its characteristics, its length, design, mood and style. What distinguishes it from other kinds of short narrative? We’ll compare short stories to other forms, such as myths, legends, anecdotes, fabliaux, parables, fables, and ‘tales’. We’ll look at some of the greatest practitioners including Edgar Allan Poe, Katherine Mansfield, and O’ Henry.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-17 00:00:00This in-college course examines some of the best practitioners of the short story form: such as Edgar Allan Poe, Dorothy Parker, Arthur Conan Doyle, O’ Henry, Saki, Katherine Mansfield, Damon Runyon, JG Ballard, and Donald Barthelme. <br><br>We’ll consider its history, development, and widening appeal. We’ll explore the magazine market and its popularity. <br>We'll explore how short stories have been defined against other types of short narrative.<p>What is a short story? Come and discuss its characteristics, its length, design, mood and style. What distinguishes it from other kinds of short narrative? We’ll compare short stories to other forms, such as myths, legends, anecdotes, fabliaux, parables, fables, and ‘tales’. We’ll look at some of the greatest practitioners including Edgar Allan Poe, Katherine Mansfield, and O’ Henry.</p>We will begin with a range of examples of short narratives: myth, folk tale, fairy tale, parable, legend, tales, exempla, embedded narratives, nested tales, digressions, and fabliaux. <br>We will shift focus to 19 century forms from Poe, and Conan Doyle, moving on to the Modernism of Mansfield and Joyce. <br>We’ll consider the twist in the tale from O’ Henry, Damon Runyon, and Roald Dahl, witty stories from Saki and Dorothy Parker, moving to Speculative Fiction from JG Ballard and Post-Modern stories from Robert Coover and Donald Barthelme.- Appreciate the challenges and rewards of the genre<br>- Understand how the genre is distinguished from other short fiction<br>- Identify a range of narrative devices used in short stories<br>- Discuss marketing, distribution and reception of short stories.You do not have to have studied literature before. An enthusiasm for short stories, an open-mindedness towards different approaches to interpretation, and a willingness to listen to the views of others is essential.There will be a mixture of tutor presentation and small-group and whole-class discussion. We will study key passages from each text in class. Key extracts will be provided in advance of the class.Key extracts will be provided in advance of the class by the tutor. Please try to read them beforehand to get the most out of the day.<p>Look for other other Literature courses under Culture, History and Humanities at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteratureIntroductory Literature coursesconfigurable
18591187Introductory Literature courseshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/introductory-literature-courses1/2/285/1177/1187/18591/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Introductory Literature courses
