Any story has a particular plot and structure in which all characters play their part. In the short story, there is a wide range of structures and plot forms. A traditional or typical plot consists of a beginning with introduction of the problem, middle - development of the problem, and an end that elaborates the problem. If you read and study a story, you'll find that it comprises of these elements.

Less Predictable Plots:

As the trend set by the former writers, most of the writers write stories in a typical way which is often predictable. Nevertheless, some writers break through the typical plot structure and venture into less predictable plots. One of such powerful writers is Canadian Margaret Atwood. Her Significant Moments in the Life of My Mother (1983) seems to be plot-less but it is intentionally divided into 13 brief episodes.

Complicating the Plot Structure Using Certain Techniques:

Some innovative writers do not like to write story with simple plot. They complicate the structure of their plots by way of using certain techniques, and tactics. They make use of some flashbacks and flash-forwards; with a frame that beautifully encloses the story or a story within a story. If you study Indian writings in English, you'll witness the presence of story within the story. Moreover, such writers also use subplots often known as secondary storylines. Furthermore, they sometimes use double plots that mean two or more likewise important narratives developing simultaneously.

Enhancing the Plot Structure:

There are other devices that authors often use for enhancing the plot structure. They are reversals of fortune, foreshadowing, abrupt transitions, digressions, and juxtapositions of contrasting settings or characters. You'll find these elements in most of the modern writings.

Deliberate Ambiguity vs. Unambiguous Resolutions

There is deliberate ambiguity or open-enddness in stead of unambiguous resolutions or closed-endedness plot feature in many modern stories. The surprise endings of the stories of French author Guy de Maupassant influenced many commercial writers as well as some literary ones. His 1884 story The Necklace is remarkable. American author O. Henry became famous for his surprise endings and paradoxical style. His story A Gift of the Magi (1905) is remarkable for this. Later on, American writer William Faulkner used this kind of surprise ending in A Rose for Emily (1931).

A powerfully crafted story can create the sense of awe, entertainment and pleasure in the reader. Nevertheless, it is up to the reader how to appreciate and enjoy a literary work.

Rakesh Patel is an aspiring poet, freelance writer, self-published author and teacher. To learn about various types of poetry and English literature, read my blog www.EnglishLiterature99.wordpress.com