When outlining the theme of a short story in a single paragraph, what should it include? And how long should the paragraph be?

The first sentence should include the thesis of your paragraph.

The three middle sentences should give 3 supporting facts to prove your thesis.
The last sentence should be a conclusion showing how these facts support your thesis.

The outline should look like this
A. Thesis
a. fact
b. fact
c. fact
B. Conclusion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plot_%28narrative%29

This article lists the main elements of a short story. If you write your paragraph with one sentence each, you should be fine:

exposition
conflict
rising action
climax
falling action
dénouement

When outlining the theme of a short story in a single paragraph, the paragraph should include a concise statement that encapsulates the central message, underlying meaning, or overarching idea explored in the story. It should focus on the universal or enduring aspect revealed through the characters, plot, or setting. The paragraph can be as short as a sentence or can extend to a few sentences, depending on the complexity of the theme and the level of detail you wish to include. The primary goal is to express the essence of the theme in a clear and succinct manner that captures the story's deeper significance. It's important to note that the length of the paragraph is not as crucial as the clarity and effectiveness of the statement in conveying the theme.