Edgar Allan Poe was a writer who used strict personal guidelines for writing short stories. "The Fall of the House of Usher" is an excellent example in which three of his guidelines are quite evident- telling a story in the first person, beginning at the beginning, and using unity of effect. For instance, the story is told in the first person narrator. Also "The Fall of the House of Usher" starts at the true beginning of these events without any preliminary incidents or background. Furthermore, the story is based around the single effect of terror. These three characteristics hold true during the entire story.

For example, "The Fall of the House of Usher" is told by a narrator. It is explained by the narrator. The narrator experienced the events firsthand. By explaining the event this way; the reader is able to identify with the "I" in the story...