Short Story Structure: The Art of Writing A Great Short Story – Jericho Writers (2024)

A short story is a piece of fiction between 1,000-4,000 words (although it can go as high as 15,000 words). Simply put, it’s a story you can read in one sitting.

Soundseasy to write, right?

Wrong.

Short stories are notoriously difficult to write, and that’s often because the writer hasn’t understood the basics of good story structure. So, ifafterfinishing writingyour short storyyou’releftthinking,Thisisso boring!Where have I gone wrong?Is there ashort story plotorstructureI can follow?– then you’ve come to the right place.Because chances areyou may need toreworkyourshort story structure.

In this article I will be talking about what make a great short story and looking at the various structures you can use to keep readers gripped. But you can’t start writing short stories until you have an idea. So let us begin there…

Getting Started: The Big Idea

Where can you get your short story idea from?

Some people have a great idea but struggle to turn it into a story (in which case you can skip to the next part). But for those of you confident about how to write a short story but need some inspiration to get you going, here are a few Jericho Writers articles to kick-start your creativity.

1. How To Find Inspiration
   In this article, award-winning author Patrice Lawrence will guide you through the myriad ways you can find inspiration – from reading poetry and other books, to observing real life around you.
2. Ideas For Writing
   In this article, Jericho Writers founder and author Harry Bingham, explains how to go from a seed on an idea to a novel (or short story)
3. How to build a fictional world
   And finally, in this article, Harry is back explaining world building in fiction and how to create setting that will help your story come alive.

Great. So now you have your amazing idea, it’s time to structure it and turn it into short fiction,

Learn How To Write A Great Short Story

Firstly, let’s look at the varioustypes of structure used when writing short stories structuresand how to analyse them.

It may seem formulaic or predictable in thebeginning buttrust the process andyou’ll soon see results.Then, we’ll have some funpractising how toapply the generic story structure template to your work.

By the end of this exercise,you’llhave gainedthe confidencetocreate short storiesthatboth make you happy and showcase your talent.

What Is Story Structure?

The structure for a short story is not dissimilar to that of a full-length novel – your readers still expect the same rise and fall.The most basic story structure is called the ‘narrative structure’ and is defined as ‘the order in which elements of a narrative are presented to the reader or audience.’

Essentially, there are two parts toitwhich are:

1. Plot
2. The elements of a story

AuthorofPlot & Structure,James Scott Bell,provides a further explanation:

‘Simply put, structure is what assembles the parts ofastory in a way that makes them accessible to readers. It is the orderly arrangement of a story material for the benefit of the audience.Plot is aboutelements, those things that go into the mix of making a good story even better. Structure is about timing – where in the mix those elements go.’

Let’stakea closer look at whatall thisactually means.

Structural Features Of A Short Story

As stated, there are two parts within any short story structure. The first is the plotwhich is‘what happens’orthe chain of events that occur in your short story. The other is‘story elements’ whichisthe ‘underlying factors that drive the narrative action: protagonists, conflicts, setting, etc.’

Still confused?

A helpful analogyfor how to createa traditional short story structureis when you weave a piece of fabric. Naturally,a finished producthas to have a harmoniouslook and feel when it’s drapedacross your body. Similarly,when youproperlyweavetogether things that happen with things that matterin your short story, you make thatvitalconnectionwith your readers. The reader shouldnotonly understand what ishappeningin yourshortstory, but what it allmeans.

There are five main structural features of a short story:

1. Exposition
2. RisingAction
3. Climax
4. FallingAction
5. Resolution (orDenouement)

To show you how to analyse a short story with plot structure,I will be referencing theBengali storyofDevdasbySaratChandra Chatterjee,which wasadaptedinto avery successfulBollywood movieby the same name.

1.Exposition

This is the part of the story where the charactersand setting areintroducedto the reader.There are generally fourtypes of characters:

• The Protagonistwho is the main character whose journey we follow in the story.
• The Antagonistwhose goals are often the opposite of the protagonist’s.
• The Dynamic Character who changes as a result of the events in the story.
• The Static Character who does not change at all.

In the opening sceneofDevdas,you meet ourprotagonistby the same name. He returns home to the love of his life, Parvati(Paro).She is the dynamic character who changesupon her marriage to another.Theantagonists areDevdas’sfatherand family, who opposethe union.The static character isChandramukhi,the woman towhomDevdaseventuallyturnsto.

2.Rising Action

Here, theprotagonistfaceschallenges and crises.It’s the catalyst which sets the story in motion, forcing the protagonist out of his comfort zone.Inthe story,Devdasand Paroadmit to having fallenfor each other,gradually becoming aware of his family’s opposition to this union.

3.Climax

Often the most exciting part of the story,theprotagonist is testedat this stage.InDevdas,our protagonistmakes a catastrophic decisiontorejectParo andwatches her marryanother.

4.Falling Action

This refers to the events that follow the climax, often where theprotagonist believes he’s failed.Devdasbegins to drinkwith a vengeanceand goes to livewiththeseeminglyunsuitable courtesan namedChandramukhi.

5.Resolution Or Denouement

The conflict has been resolved and the character has changed.There can be three different outcomes:the protagonist gets what he wants;the protagonistdoesn’t get what he wants;or,the protagonistdoesn’t get what he wants,but realises that he has something more important.

InDevdas, it’s a mix becausetheprotagonistdoes get his wishto go to Paro to die.However,he alsoacknowledges and reciprocatessomething important –Chandramukhi’seternallove.

Types Of Short Story Structures

Now that youhave an overview ofa good short story structure,let’s delve a little deeper and look at some actual structures of storiesbeginning withthe ‘Hero’s Journey’.

The Hero’s Journey

One of the best-known story structures,‘The Hero’s Journey’is a pattern that exists inmany worldmythologies. For the mainstream storyteller of today,Christopher Vogler created a simplified versionand frameworkofitwhichcan be applied to almost any genre of fiction:

• The Ordinary World,which sets out theprotagonist’s everyday life.
• The Call of Adventure,where the protagonist is incited into taking action.
• Refusal of the Call,where theprotagonist is reluctantto take action.
• Meeting the Mentor,where theprotagonistmeets a mentor (parent,teacher, spiritual master, etc.) who encourages him to take action.
• Crossing the First Threshold,where theprotagoniststeps out of his comfort zone and takes action.
• Tests, Allies, Enemies,where theprotagonistfaces challenges.
• Approach to the Inmost Cave,where theprotagonistgets close to his goal.
• The Ordeal,where theprotagonistmeets his greatest challenge.
• Reward,where theprotagonistacquires what he was looking for and victory is in sight.
• The Road Back,where theprotagonistgetting what he wanted may have made things worse.
• Resurrection,where theprotagonistfaces a challenge that hinges on everything he’s learnt.
• Return with the Elixir,where theprotagonistreturns home, triumphant.

Three Act Structure

One of the most notable forms of the basic short story structure is the‘Three Act Structure’.

In some instances, the three acts are described as theBeginning, the Middle and the End.Place themwithin the context of the previously listed structural featuresof a short story,andthey can bedescribed as Setup, Confrontation and Resolution.

In Act 1 (Setup), include the element of Exposition where the protagonist’s ‘ordinary world’ is set up.Additionally, you’ll also have anInciting Incident where an event will set the story in motion, and Plot Point One, where the protagonist crosses the threshold. The storytruly moves into gear.

In Act 2 (Confrontation), increase the stakes for our protagonistbyusing the element of Rising Action.Next,move to the Midpoint where there’s an event that upends the protagonist’s mission. Act 2 ends with Plot Point Two whereheis tested and fails. His ability to succeed is now in doubt.

Act 3 (Resolution) begins with the Pre-Climax which can best be described as the ‘the night is the darkest before dawn’. Our protagonist must muster allhiscourage and choose successoverfailure.Nextcomes the Climax where the reader must wonder if the protagonist will fail or succeed. Finally, there’s Denouement where, against all odds, the protagonist has succeeded. This part ends with theconsequences(both good and bad)of suchsuccess.

Seven-Point Story Structure

Developed by Dan Wells, this structure encourages you to start at the end with theResolution, and work your way back to the starting point.The elements of the Seven-Point Story Structure will include the following:

• The Hook, whichstatesthe protagonist’s current situation.
• Plot Point 1, where the protagonist is called to action.
• Pinch Point 1,where the protagonist faces his first blow.
• Turning Point, where the protagonist becomes active and decides to meet any conflicthead-on.
• Pinch Point 2, where theprotagonistfaces his second blow.
• Plot Point 2,where the protagonist sees that he has had the solution to the problem all along.
• Resolution,where the story’s primary problem is resolved.

A Few More Story Structure Examples

Although they’re uncommon, thereare four more short story structures you canuse.

Freytag’s Pyramid

The first isFreytag’s Pyramid, which is described as a ‘five-point dramatic structure that’s based on the classical Greek tragedies,’ andusedin more depressing contemporary tales.

Story Circle

Dan Harmon’s ‘Story Circle’ is heavily inspired by the ‘Hero’s Journey’. It is focused on the protagonist’s character and his wants and needs.

Save The Cat

A variation of the ‘Three-Act Structure’ is the‘Save the Cat Beat Sheet’, created bya Hollywood screenwriter calledBlake Snyder.Avery precise structure, everything in the story happensexactlywhereand whenit should.By working with key story ‘beats’, the screenplay or novel is broken down into the following sections within each act:

• Act 1 (setting, inciting incident, and decision)
• Act 2 (start of the journey, the fun and games where all the action and obstacles happen)
• Act 3 (bad guys close in, all is lost, hero works it out, resolution)

Fichtean Curve

The ‘Fichtean Curve’effectivelystarts with the Rising Action and does away with Exposition becausethecharacters and setting will reveal themselves from this point on.

How To Write A Short Story Structure

Let’s look at theseideas and structure suggestions in action. Here is a breakdown of one of my own short stories,The Flame, long-listed for theExeterLiterary Festival.

1. Ordinary world:Nina receives a wedding invitation andencounters a familiar dilemma –“What should I wear?”
2. Something shocking happens to break the status quo and theprotagonistreceives a call to action:The dress code is surprising–‘Ethnic Best’.
3. Theprotagonistvacillates, but ultimately answers the call to action:After contemplating other options, Nina decides to wear asari.
4. Although theprotagonistmakes a sincere attempt to attain her goal/meet her need, she failsand feels defeated:Ninachoosesageorgette-chiffonsarithe family calls ‘The Flame’. Nina’s mother cautions her about wearing this sari.
5. This is the mid-point where theprotagonisttries to defeat the thing preventing her from getting what she needs. If shesucceeds, a bigger challenge faces her. If shefails, she has to face up to her weakness (usually internal). More often than not, she’s made the problem worse:Nina’s mother reminds her that it’s ‘a rule’ that women wear silk garments at Hindu wedding ceremonies. Nina stages a protest.
6. This is the time for self-reflection, amentor’spep-talk,or, theprotagonisthits rock bottom:Nina does some research into this ‘rule’.
7. Theprotagonistaccepts her fate and begins to make a concerted effort to overcome her weakness:Rejecting the‘rule’ Ninainsists on wearing ‘The Flame’.
8. At this ¾ mark, allseemslost.The protagonistfigures outthatthere’s a chance at success, but it’s a long shot:‘The Flame’ isnowhere to be found.
9. The final push where everything that is improbable yet plausible happens. Yet, theprotagonistsucceeds because she’sovercome all her weaknesses:Nina turns the house upsidedown looking for ‘The Flame’.
10. This is the wrap up where theprotagonistreturns to the status quo a transformed person:Nina finds ‘The Flame’ and is the onlyguest who’scomfortable at the wedding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have questions about writing a short story? Take a look at these questions short story writers have been asking us lately:

What Are The 5 Parts Of A Short Story Structure?

1. ExpositionGive us a glimpse of what the main character’s life looks like before the big thing happens. Who are they? What’s the setting? What does their life look like? How do they interact with others?
2. RisingActionThis is the big where the big thing happens – without this inciting incident there would be no story (In Romeo and Juliet it’s the part where they meet, in A Christmas Carol it’s the part where the ghosts visit Scrooge).
3. ClimaxBang! It’s all coming to a head, there’s been a big twist in the middle, and now the bad guys are closing in. This is the part where people should be on the edge of their seats (or at least flipping the pages faster).
4. FallingActionThings are going from bad to worse but the main character is nearly there.
5. Resolution (orDenouement)And phew, they made it. Whether they got the girl, won the fight, or learned a lesson about themselves, the story is all wrapped up and the reader is (hopefully) happy.

Do Short Stories Have Structure?

Yes, they must, otherwise you are simply writing a snippet of prose (which is lovely, but you’re not telling the reader anything). Like any story, regardless of its length, a short story must have a clear beginning, middle, and end.

What Is Plot And Structure In Short Stories?

The plot and structure of a short story (otherwise known as a story arc) is the logical order in which events happen in the story. It’s important to set the scene, introduce the inciting incident and obstacles, then show the resolution.

But, as you have fewer words to play with its vital that you keep your theme simple, your storyline linear (no complicated subplots) and don’t overcomplicate your characters (of which you don’t need as many).

Try It Yourself!

I hope you have found this short story structure guide useful and are now eager to get writing. It’s easy…

Once you have your story idea, take a lookat our varioustypes of short structures,analyse them, and decidewhich one will work best for your short story– then see what you create!

Writing a great short story takes time, but once you apply the skills you’ve learnt you’llsoon find yourselfin the company ofoutstandingwriters.