Setting

• Each short story begins by setting the scene and introducing the reader to the time period, characters and conflict. The setting must be descriptive and grab the reader's attention so he or she develops an emotional attachment to the characters and wants to continue reading to see the conflict compellingly resolved. Multiple literary techniques may be involved, such as dialogue, description or beginning in the middle of the action.
  
  

Rising Action

• The rising action further develops the characters and the conflict. In the part of the story, the reader comes to know and understand the characters' actions and motivations as they work to resolve the conflict. Character flaws are revealed. The reader also gains a clearer understanding of the conflict as the characters attempt various resolutions without success. The conflict may be external to the characters -- such as a horde of zombies -- or internal -- such as the desire to eat cookies before dinner.
  
  

Climax

• The climax of the story describes the point at which the conflict threatens to overwhelm the characters. At this point, the zombies are beating down the door to the safe house or the hero has a hand in the cookie jar. What has been revealed about the characters' personalities determines the outcome of this climax.
  
  

Denouement

• The denouement provides the reader with resolution. The ending may be happy or disappointing, but must bring an end to the conflict. Some short stories will continue past the immediate resolution to describe the aftereffects on the characters, but this description isn't necessary and will not work for all stories.