What are the characteristics of the best beginning, middle and end in a literary short story?

The beginning has to grab the reader's attention. It often starts with an interesting event or a description that makes you want to know more. For instance, 'Once upon a time' is a classic start for fairy tales. The middle is where the story unfolds. There are events that build on each other and lead to a climax. In a thriller, the middle is full of suspense and danger. The end should leave the reader satisfied. It can be a happy, sad or thought - provoking ending. In a dystopian story, the end might show the future of the society after all the events have occurred.

One example is 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor. The beginning sets the scene with a family going on a trip, and the grandmother's manipulative behavior grabs your attention. In the middle, they have the car accident and encounter the Misfit, which builds intense drama. The end, where the family is brutally murdered and the grandmother has a moment of grace before death, is shocking yet thought - provoking. Another is 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway. The beginning with the couple waiting at the train station in a desolate place is intriguing. The middle is filled with their cryptic conversation about an 'operation', which is really about an abortion. The end, which is somewhat open - ended but still powerful, leaves the reader with a sense of unease about their relationship. Also, 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Edgar Allan Poe has a great start with Montresor luring Fortunato into the catacombs with the promise of a rare wine. The middle is their journey deeper into the catacombs, full of suspense. And the end, where Montresor walls Fortunato up alive, is both terrifying and a perfect conclusion to the story of revenge.

In the beginning, it's important to establish the mood. If it's a horror story, you might start with a dark and stormy night. The middle should build tension. For instance, in a mystery short story, new clues keep emerging but also more questions. The end has to be satisfying. It should answer all the questions raised in the middle. For example, the mystery is solved and the culprit is revealed.

The beginning often sets the tone. It might introduce a theme or a main character's goal. In the middle, the story progresses with various events that test the character. The end should bring a conclusion to the character's journey, whether it's achieving the goal or realizing something new.

The beginning of a short story should hook the reader. You can start with a dialogue or an interesting event. In the middle, develop the plot by adding more characters or events related to the main conflict. Say, if the story is about a detective solving a case, in the middle he might find some false clues and have some misunderstandings with his partner. At the end, tie up all the loose ends. So the detective solves the case and the guilty person is punished.

The beginning of a short story should grab the reader's attention. For example, start with an interesting event or a thought - provoking statement. The middle develops the plot, like introducing conflicts or challenges. The end resolves these issues and gives a sense of closure.

In a fairytale, the beginning often starts with 'Once upon a time' and presents a world with a character in a particular situation, say a poor girl living with her stepmother. The middle part is full of events that test the character, like the girl facing tasks set by her stepmother. The end is the happy or sad conclusion. In this case, it could be the girl marrying a prince and living happily ever after, which is the typical fairytale end.

At the beginning of a story, there is often an introduction of the main elements. It has a sense of newness and starting. For example, in a horror story, the beginning might introduce a spooky setting like an old, abandoned house. The middle is full of twists and turns. It's where the characters face difficulties and the plot thickens. In the middle of that horror story, strange things start to happen in the house. The end is the culmination. It can be a happy or sad ending. In the horror story, it could be that the characters either escape the haunted house or are consumed by it.

In the beginning, it's important to have a hook. This could be a mystery or an exciting event. In the middle, there should be a progression of the plot. For instance, if it's a fantasy story, the hero might gain new powers or face stronger enemies. At the end, there should be a satisfying conclusion. The hero defeats the big bad and restores peace to the kingdom.

The beginning needs to set the stage. It might include the time, place, and the initial situation. The middle is about complications. It could be a conflict between characters or a struggle against nature. The end should provide closure. For instance, in a coming - of - age story, the beginning shows the innocent state of the protagonist, the middle has the challenges that force the character to grow, and the end shows how the character has changed.