"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge"

The story begins as a fairly straight-forward description of the scene that is taking place, with little to no background information or character details. The author starts the story like this in order to catch the reader's attention and keep them reading, without offending them or turning them off to the plot. He only later describes that the man being hanged is a white former slave owner and southern movement supporter. This might make reader's less interested in his emotions or point of view, and force them to have less empathy or understanding for his position.

Another change in the story occurs in point of view. The beginning, in Part I is in all told through 3rd person objective, while in the last part of the story it begins to lean more towards 3rd person limited. This transition aids in really placing the reader in the story. The transition to 3rd person limited gives a deeper insight into the delusional and blurred visions and thoughts of Peyton Farquhar as he falls to his death.

Other changes that occur in the story are in chronology. There are many flashbacks in reference to the main character's past and family. There is also a very important flashback to Farquhar's run-in with the federal soldier, who tricks him into believing otherwise. This important scene reveals the reason for his hanging, in the fact that he nonchalantly talked to this undercover agent about burning down the bridge at Owl Creek.