Langgam Pos - A short story is a brief narrative typically featuring one or two characters. Unlike novels, which can be extensive, short stories usually contain a maximum of 10,000 words, focusing on a central plot involving one or two characters.
To craft a compelling short story, both intrinsic and extrinsic elements are necessary. This article delves into the extrinsic elements that are crucial in short story creation.
Extrinsic Elements of Short Stories:
1. Setting: This includes the physical location where the story unfolds.
2. Atmosphere: The emotional environment or mood of the story.
3. Time: The temporal context in which the story occurs.
4. Societal Background: The social context influencing the story's development.
According to Indah Rimawan et al. in their book Cara Mudah Menulis Cerpen (2022), one key extrinsic element is the societal background.
In summary, the societal background explains how the conditions of society impact the storyline. This can encompass national ideologies, political conditions, social contexts, and the economic state of the community.
Additionally, the background of the author is also considered an extrinsic element. The author's understanding of their life history and previous works influences this aspect. As noted by Sri Dewita in Ayo Menulis Cerpen (2024), personal experiences, including life events or emotions, play a role in the author's background. Other factors include the author's biography, psychological state, and literary movement affiliations.
Finally, the values conveyed in the short story, whether implicit or explicit, form another extrinsic element. Examples of such values include religious, moral, and economic values.
In conclusion, the extrinsic elements of a short story include the societal background, the author's background, and the values embedded in the story.
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