The structure of a story is often referred to as the “plot”. The fundamental plot structure was first described by Aristotle as consisting of a beginning, middle and end (unified plot). Gustav Freytag further refined this to be an exposition, a rising conflict, climax, a period of declining action where the events triggered by the climax unfold, and a resolution. Depending on the type of story the resolution may involve a catastrophic denoument. The story moves through time following a chain of successive causes and effects. This will be sufficient for a short story, but for full-length fiction there will probably be an episodic succession of these plot elements with perhaps a further overarching theme following the same pattern but of larger scope.

Plots can be told in chronological order, or the timeline may be fragmented by using techniques such as flashback. Or the story may begin in media res, i.e. in the middle of the action without a preceding exposition.

A study of plot structure is taught in almost every college and the top online schools. Writing courses can provide you a formal background in plot elements.