'The Anthem Guide to Short Fiction' contains 20 classic short stories by well-known and respected authors, some of which are rarely anthologized in the contemporary publishing market. Accordingly, this new selection provides a fresh perspective on each author and his or her place in the overarching literary canon, and will offer students both inspiration and guidance when thinking and writing about literature.

The guide offers works by a variety of acclaimed authors, including Leo Tolstoy, Mark Twain, Kate Chopin, Rudyard Kipling, James Joyce and Edith Wharton. Features of the guide include individual biographical notes for each writer, a short introduction to his or her short story, and a critical "Thinking About the Story" section for each text - including incisive discussion questions formulated to help students respond to each story insightfully. Similarly, the guide's creative activities have been devised to engage critical and imaginative thinking in the reader, as well as to offer an understanding of authorship and the creative process. A concise glossary of literary terms, designed for optimal and regular use, is also included.