Flash fiction is a very short narrative form that aims to tell a complete story in a compact space, typically concentrating on a single moment, scene, or idea and often featuring a twist, revelation, or strong impression at the end. It emphasizes brevity, precision, and impact, leaving much to the reader’s imagination. If you’re looking for a concise overview, here are the essentials:

• Length and scope: Flash fiction usually ranges from a few hundred words up to around 1,000 words, with many writers aiming for even shorter microfiction (often under 300 words) or “very short” pieces of 100–500 words. The emphasis is on efficiency of language and a focused, contained moment. [citation-style: general consensus across sources]
• Structure: It often presents a snapshot rather than a full, sprawling plot. Typically, it has a clear beginning, a minimal middle, and a punchy ending. Some flashes rely on a twist or a revelation that alters the reader’s understanding of what came before. [citation-style: general definitions]
• Techniques:
  • Precise diction and strong imagery to convey mood and meaning with few words.
  • Suggestive language that implies backstory rather than explicitly detailing it.
  • A single focus or theme, with subtext that adds depth beyond the surface action.
  • Open or ambiguous endings are common, inviting readers to fill in gaps. [citation-style: common craft guidance]
• Origins and use: The term became popular in the Anglo-American literary scene in the late 20th century, though similar ultra-short prose forms had existed earlier. It grew in part with online publishing, where brief pieces suit digital reading habits. [citation-style: general historical notes]
• Styles and variants: Flash fiction is related to but distinct from microfiction, sudden fiction, and short-short stories. The exact word-count boundaries vary by critic and publication, but all share the core principle of telling a complete story in a notably compressed form. [citation-style: general distinctions]

If you’d like, I can tailor this into a quick glossary, or provide examples, prompts, and a mini-guide to start writing your own flash fiction.