E X T E N S I O N THE PERFECT SHORT STORY POE S RULES A short story must have a single mood and every sentence must build towards it. The Fall of the House of Usher is considered to be one of Poe s most controlled and concentrated short stories and follows the set of rules for writing a perfect short story, which he set out in 1842. The rotting mansion with its crack is a powerful metaphor for the human mind, and this is what Poe concentrates on from the very beginning. So if you fancy becoming a writer, try following these golden rules to create a successful and riveting1 story. Number one: Be able to read the story in one sitting Make sure your story is not too long, even if Poe considered one/two hours a sitting, a little less is fine, as long as your story is intense and complete. Number two: Unity of effect This means that you must create an atmosphere or mood and concentrate on one single effect, such as, for example, sadness, nostalgia, happiness, whatever is the point of your story. 1. riveting: compelling, something you can t put down, gripping. 2. digressing: leaving the main subject temporarily in writing or speech. 84