Brief history of short story theory

Abstract

This paper offers a panoramic overview of the structural characteristics that distinguish the classic short story, the modern (or experimental) short story, and the postmodern short story — the latter in a paradoxical and ironic juxtaposition with the preceding traditions. It then addresses some personal poetics of short story writing in Mexico, followed by a presentation of specific elements of the theory of the short-short story and microfiction. Finally, it discusses some references related to the still scarce infography and the narrative formulas associated with the theory of the short story in literary studies. The work concludes with a general bibliography comprising 150 titles, in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, on theories of the short story, theories of the short-short story, and poetics of short story writing.