I can only give a small guideline by a famous poet of my country who suggested -

that a short story will talk-

about one of the millions of happenings in common people's everyday life,

about of an individual or a group in a simple language, 

about their well and woes,

in no eloquent manner, nor any climax nor any theory nor suggestions.

After ending it, readers will carry on an unended, unfulfilled and unfinished feeling in their heart!!!

(taken from a 'definition of short story' by Rabindranath Tagore (nobel Laurette, 1913)

Thank you so much, Saidur.  This helps.

My "Train The Trainer" instructor Datuk Azizan Osman who is well known in Malaysia suggested this method (especially for stories related to business success):

Begin with the successful person (X) as he/she is now. Then add a paragraph along the lines of "But X's life had not always been like this. When X. was (add age of X) he/she was humiliated by .... for ...(add incident)"

I hope this helps. I cannot cite any research but according to my instructor this development of inspiring story is the most likely to resonate with an audience.

For short stories on business success, writers will make sure they follow the 6Cs: Complete, Concrete, Correct, Concise, Clear, Considerate.

I hope this helps.

you can directly start with the incident or you may start with the persons involved but whatever you do is completely your choice! It would be useful to remember that you make a link in describing things.

regards,

Sayeed

I agree with Saidur, just pen down your words with passion and it will be a beautiful story. Pathos play an important role while writing a story. 

Best regards,

I'm intrigued by your memory of this event and how it has stayed with you. That means there are three protagonist - the professor, the student, you - but even more, counting other members of the class, not to mention the lecture theatre itself, the graffiti on the backs of the seats and the chewing gum in the carpet. A helpful strategy is to pull the incident apart; write the incident from every protagonist's POV, the put together a piece which enables you to tap into the sage advice of Tagore (via Saldur), giving you the "millions of happenings" and no trite endings or cliche 'just so' morals.

All the best with your writing!

You are so right, James.  I had thought to come in and write a thread from each of the three POVs--one being mine as a shocked observer.

Thank you, James, Sayeed, and others who took the time to reply.

Would any of you look at my story when I get it completed?

How enviable your position!  I think the worse problem for any writer is being without ideas! The problem you describe (I regard) is preferable (though not necessarily) easy to solve. But several tools/techniques exist to help you get an idea out of your head and into paper...far fewer to develop ideas.

A tooI have used with mostly success (as determined by the person given the tool) with my students who just cannot seem to get started, even with a  good idea and ample desire to write "in hand" is that of developing the idea in the body of a "letter" to a friend. 

(For ex)

"Dear Margaret, 

Blah blah blah the weather (other "normal" material...) I was thinking of the time when you and I

...Traveled to the Rockies...

... Hiked the Incan Trail ...

...walked around Salt Lake City with those two engineers we met in front of ... 

Remember the waiter who spilled the risitto on that emerald green  silk shirt you'd purchased at...?"

Doesn't matter much what the story is. The point is, sometimes we are the ones who get in the way of the telling of a good story. Maybe we are self-conscious and freeze... whatever the issue, telling a friend (ostensibly) relieves this problem.

Try it! 

At first it feels a bit "contrived" but keep writing. Most story tellers WILL forget themselves...eventually...and get that good story told.

And key to any kind if writing (even purely technical writing), is just to start. Start anywhere and write. Later edit. Then write more. 

Good luck!

Yes, I'd love t read your story when it's finished. Let me know.

Hi, James,

Where can I send my story?  Do you have an address you can give me to send it?

I just finished a draft that seems almost final.

Thanks,

Gloria

Before staring short story, one should think, what is the message, the story writer  want to give. If it for children, it will be made by taking animals, plant kingdom, nature, fish, etc  into consideration. If it is for adults, it should be done by using present living styles. Really, it is  an art to make stories. It is an built in property. Even during my childhood, at the age of 8 years, I used to tell stories, as my dreams, where all my friends become   rolls( Actors) 

A coursera course on story telling lists 6 Cs and 1 S of a good story: Clear, concise, consistent, credible, cohesive and compelling, and "Sticky."

According to the same online course, a story needs a "Headline" (the "what?") a Background, The Opportunity, (Usually) Three "Hows" and a Payoff or Resolution. The example cited in the course was of how CPR training by a company paid off when one of the course participants managed to save his wife who suffered a heart attack shortly after attending the course.

The elements are: Background: CPR Training

Core Message or Headline: CPR Training Pays Off Sooner Than Expected

Opportunity: Using the knowledge gained in training to save someone

How 1, 2, 3: Details of the story.

Payoff: Commitment to safety pays off.

I have worked out a way to use the incident as the start of the story.  People are saying the current draft  holds some interest and now I am starting to send the story to some literary magazines.

I think it might be good to write about how to use an incident (especially if this is a traumatic incident that came to mind because of a psychological "trigger" event) for a story.  When I looked around on the Internet, there was very little help.  You have added  to that help in all your answers.

Thanks, again!