Short Story Toolkit
A structured framework for analysing fiction, designed by novelist Matt Wilven.
This toolkit breaks a story into its core elements — theme, structure, character, and voice — using the same lenses I apply in my own craft. The modules can be used on your own, or with the support of an AI tool (such as ChatGPT) to generate prompts and surface questions.
The emphasis is on clarity and repeatability: a framework you can return to with every draft or text you study.
What you get
- Module 1: First Read Report – summarise theme, merit, and impact.
- Module 2: Narrative Shape – analyse structure and pacing.
- Module 3: Character Snapshot – map want vs need and transformation.
- Module 4: Prose and Voice – examine diction, syntax, imagery, and perspective.
Who it’s for
- Writers sharpening their craft through structured self-analysis.
- Students and teachers wanting a reliable model for close reading.
- Book clubs and workshop groups interested in deeper discussion.
Each module is practical and reusable. Apply them to any short story — classic or contemporary — to produce original, detailed insights tailored to your needs.
A complete 4-module AI-prompt toolkit for analysing short fiction. Step-by-step guidance on narrative shape, character arcs, prose, and voice. Example reports on major works (Alice Munro, Raymond Carver). Flexible frameworks you can re-use for writing, study, or teaching.