Novels, Short Stories, and Novellas

         This week I learned about three works of literature. They were novels, short stories, and novellas. In this essay, I will describe each of these separately, as well as give book examples, and talk about which style I prefer and why.

         First, are novels, which are usually long books with much detail. In fact, so much detail that even if the conflict itself could be short, it can last from one to many chapters. This can make them very exciting to read, but they can feel very long and boring to some people. Also, in many novels, there is more telling about what is going on in the book rather than dialogue.  

          Novels are usually fiction, with fake characters. Sometimes the time and place in a fiction novel may exist, and can be very accurate, but there are almost always fictional characters. Despite this, in some books one of the characters talks about or even meets real historical characters. 

         Examples of books that are novels are: Lord of the Rings, Alice in Wonderland, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Charlotte’s Web, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Jungle Book, Wizard of Oz, and the Secret Garden. There are many, many other novels that are very famous for adults and children. 

         Short stories, on the other hand, are something different. They are also fictional, but they are not nearly as long. They used to be tales or legends that could easily be told without a book. 

          They use some descriptive language, but describing and telling about the conflict can be about as long as the conflict itself. In short stories today, there is usually more talking or dialogue than novels, and it takes up most of the book.  

          Some example short stories that many people know are: The Ugly Duckling, The Three Little Pigs, Peter Rabbit, and Little Red Riding Hood. Also, all of the prince and princess fairy tales (Snow White, Cinderella, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, et cetera) are also considered short stories. 

          A short story is basically a story that is easy to read and understand without as much descriptive language. They can be long stories, but they are never very complicated. 

         Finally, there is a novella, which, on a scale, is seen right in between a short story and a novel. They do not have to be very long, but describing the conflict and other important parts takes up more space than in a short story. Novellas use as much descriptive language as they need to let the reader understand, which is fairly easy to do. They, too, are almost always fiction. 

         Some examples of novellas are: The Old Man and the Sea, Of Mice and Men, and Animal Farm. Novellas are usually for adults, but there are some that can be for children. An example of a children’s novella that was made into a movie is How to Train Your Dragon. 

         Out of these three works of literature, I like reading novels the best. Using all the describing words, I can easily draw a picture in my head of how the things looks, or feels, or acts, or smells, or sounds, et cetera. I like how long they are, because unless I am close to the end, I can keep reading and not be done with the book so quickly. 

        Literature, books, reading, writing, and everything in between is so important to learn. The books you read greatly affect who you are and who you will become. It is very important and necessary to read good books that teach you things that will help you in life. Someday, I want to write many books that I hope people can benefit from as I did and do from other people’s books.