Writing A Short Story Review

 A review of a short story should include the following:

1. Introduction

In the introduction, you should include some basic facts about the story, including the title, the author and the story genre. You should also say something about your opinion of the story, along with your reasons for liking or disliking it.

2. Summary

Briefly summarise the story. Discuss the setting, the main character(s) and the main events or problems that the characters experience. Do not give the ending away!

3. Personal reflection

Discuss what you like or dislike about the story. Give reasons to support your opinion. You may want to compare and contrast the story with other stories you have read by the same author or in the same genre. You can also compare the story to your own personal experience or a current event in the news.

4. Critical analysis

In the critical analysis, some questions to explore are:

 What is the author’s purpose for writing the story? Is the author successful in achieving this purpose?
 What is the setting of the story? Is it appropriate to the genre?
 How well are the characters developed? Do they think, feel, speak and act in a believable way?

 How well is the plot structured? Is the action suspenseful enough? Are the events too predictable?
 What is the theme, or the central idea, of the story?
 Does the story have a ‘coda’, or a lesson? What is it?
 Does the story have a ‘twist’, or an unexpected ending?
 Does the author use any literary devices, such as metaphor, simile, or alliteration?

5. Conclusion

In the conclusion, you should evaluate the story and either recommend it or not recommend it to others, depending on whether you think it is worthwhile reading. 

Before you begin writing the review, make sure you read the story closely and take good notes. 

The source: Original source