Poe believed that all literary works should be short. "There is", he writes, "a distinct limit... to all works of literary art - the limit of a single sitting." He especially emphasized this "rule" with regards to poetry<span>, but also noted that the </span>short story<span> is superior to the novel for this reason.
</span>The essay states Poe's conviction that a work of fiction should be written only after the author has decided how it is to end and which emotional<span> response, or "effect," he wishes to create, commonly known as the "unity of effect."
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Once this effect has been determined, the writer should decide all other matters pertaining to the composition of the work, including tone<span>, </span>theme<span>, </span>setting<span>, </span>characters<span>, </span>conflict<span>, and </span>plot<span>. In this case, Poe logically decides on "the death... of a beautiful woman" as it "is unquestionably the most poetical topic in the world</span>
