The plot of the story is traditional because it includes all elements. It runs as follows:

•  exposition ( the author with the help of setting’s description at the beginning of the story shows us the place in which the main events will happen. Also we get to know information about the main characters: Sue and Johnsy. From the words “In a little district west of Washington Square the streets have run crazy and broken themselves into small strips called “places”  till the words “that joint studio resulted” );
•  the story itself (the author tells us about the illness of one of the girls.From the words “That was in May” till the words “And that afternoon Sue came to the bed where Johnsy lay, contentedly knitting a very blue and very useless woolen shoulder scarf, and put one arm around her, pillows and all”);
• the climax (this is the moment where we get to know that the leaf which is remaining on the wall is painted by Mr. Behrmn and that this causes his death. From the words “They couldn't imagine where he had been on such a dreadfull night” till the words “ivy leaf on the wall”);
•  the denouement (the last two sentences. From the words “didn't yo wonder” till the words “the last leaf fell”).
• Here is an open ending, because we don’t know what will happen with the two girls.

Type of seech

1.       The type of speech employed by the author of the analysed story is a narration. The given story is a narration with some insertion of dialogue. The events is presented is chronological order and there is not any flashbacks.