ENG1501 Assignment 2 2025 Due 23 June 2025

ASSIGNMENT 02: Short stories
‘Man lands on the moon’ by Sindiwe Magona
Due date: 23 June 2025

Section A: The Short Story (Unit 3)
Read and work through Unit 3 (The Short Story) in the study guide. Thereafter,
address the following questions in short paragraphs (100-200 words):
1. Which three characteristics that can be used to distinguish a short story from a
novel are the most helpful to you? Discuss these in a short paragraph, exploring
what they are and how they are useful to you.

ANSWERS

1. Three characteristics that help to distinguish a short story from a novel

The three most helpful characteristics that help me understand the difference between a
short story and a novel are: length, number of characters, and focus on one plot. First, a
short story is short and can be read in one sitting, like during tea time or before bed,
while a novel takes many hours to read (Unit 3, p. 40). Secondly, a short story has only
a few characters, which makes it easier to understand them, while a novel has many
characters and is more complex. Thirdly, a short story usually focuses on one main
incident or event, while a novel includes many events over time (Unit 3, p. 40). The
differences help me because short stories are not too long, they are easier to read and