Anecdote Quote by Irving Howe
“Sometimes ... the short short appears to rest on nothing more than a fragile anecdote which the writer has managed to drape with a quantity of suggestion. A single incident, a mere anecdote - these form the spine of the short short.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Short Short, Irving Howe, 1975
A brief story often relies on a single anecdote, heavily embellished with implication, to give it structure and meaning.
In simple terms: Short stories use one vivid incident to carry the whole piece.
Key Takeaway
Focus on a strong, suggestive anecdote.
Themes
storytelling
brevity
structure
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
literary
educational
When to use this quote
- creative writing workshops
- literary analysis
- teaching fiction
- editing short pieces
Key Concepts
narrative technique
implication
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you deepen the implication of an anecdote?
- What other elements can support a thin narrative?
A Different Perspective
Relying on a single anecdote can make the story feel flimsy if the implication isn’t strong.
![“[The cats] scamper in front of my legs, causing me to fall and face plant into whatever furniture is closest. They especially like to play this game when I’m carrying piping hot coffee.” quote by Weston Locher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/df9/weston-locher-51973_anecdote_the-cats-scamper-in-front-of-my-legs-cau_489229.jpg)
