Structure of Story - Beginning, Middle and End of it

Structure of a story is the template in which you fit all the elements of the story. Like for instance, an email has a structure. (To, subject, and content fields). A chess game also has a

structure.(opening, middle, ending) Not surprisingly the most popular structure of a story is where it has a three parts - beginning, middle and end. It sounds like a letdown, right?

Giving a template for your story and calling the parts as beginning, middle and end. Hopefully you will not feel so once I explain what you do in each part.

Basically, in Beginning, you set up the character(s), you point to the desire that beats in the heart of all the main characters. You set the story in motion by starting the main character on

an action. Keep this to the point. Don't go on a tour about the weather.

Then comes the middle. Here you should foil the attempts of the main character who is on a pursuit of his quest. The main character should be learning from his failures. In that sense he should be growing. This is the longest part in the story.

Then comes the end. Short and sweet. Preferably with a twist. But always an Aha moment. Limit it to a para or two in short story. Keep it about the main character and his quest. Not about your philosophy on life.