Help with "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" essay...?

The directions say "Compose a well-written essay analyzing the literary techniques Bierce employs to create and maintain suspense in his short story, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." You may want to consider imagery, arrangement, characterization, as well as plot elements. Support your responses with examples from the text." i've read it three times and i still have no idea how to start this essay...please help?