Short Story Plot Diagram

Exposition:

During midnight in the cold and damp weather of late October, a murder took place. Gunshots roared through the streets of New York City. Bewildered and petrified, the people who were asleep woke up. The murderer ran across the street and vanished from the crime scene.

The following morning, investigators, officers, and reporters gathered around the crime scene. A dead body was found on the floor. Detective Frank, responsible for this case, found no evidence of murder, but was determined that it was a well plotted one.

Rising Action:

Throughout the whole morning, Detective Frank found no evidence that was related to the crime. Detective Frank's partner, Mr. Adams, and Detective Frank went to get their daily coffee from the coffee shop that was right across the street of the crime scene. However, going from the crime scene to the coffee shop took a ten minute walk because of the construction of making new pavements. While walking around the block, the construction workers were arguing about footprints that were imprinted in the, not yet hard, concrete.

Detective Frank thought it was an ordinary prank than any person would do overnight. After his coffee break with his assistant, Detective Frank still couldn't figure out who the murder was. After investigating for another hour, he realized that Mr. Adams was freezing. He had worn shoes the day before but was wearing sandals, which was abnormal because it was the end of October. Then Detective Frank realized something he didn't want to.

Climax:

Surrounded by police, Detective Frank said,

"Mr. Adams, can I ask a favor?"

"Anything Detective Frank," Mr. Adams replied.

"Can you put your hands behind your back? Your under arrest for committing murder."

While Mr. Adams was surprised, the police arrested Mr. Adams without any questions.

Falling Action

Detective Frank explained to the audience of investigators, officers, and reporters that Mr. Adams was guilty because of his shoes. Mr. Adams wasn't wearing his shoes he wore yesterday because they were covered with cement from the construction area. While running from the murder, Mr. Adams ran away and accidentally stepped in the concrete. He didn't have any other shoes so he had worn his summer sandals this morning. Having no complaint about what Detective Frank just said, Mr. Adams fell to his knees and started to cry. He explained that he was drunk yesterday and his memory was vague about the murder. But once he realized he killed someone, he ran home, accidentally stepping in the cement on the way.

Resolution:

After hearing that Mr. Adams was guilty, the police arrested him and sent him to jail. Detective Frank wasn't relieved that he solved his crime. Some guilt made him regret that he solved this crime. He lost his trusted assistant and needed to find a new one. However, he had done his duty as a detective.

Conflict:

Detective Frank had a difficult time solving a murder case with only a few clues.