  The fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE) is extensively studied, but the
explanation for Hall plateau widths and excitation energy gaps remains elusive.
We study the effective theory of FQHE built upon experimental inputs of Hall
current distribution, edge dynamics, and many-body correlations. We argue that
correlated composites of integer spin, comprising electrons and their images,
localized at the edge of the incompressible strip are the basic transport
entity. We show in the lowest Landau level that Zeeman interactions of these
composites produce all odd denominator plateaus and effective fractional
charges. Utilizing field-dependent chemical potential and effective g-factor,
we fully explain the observed Hall resistivity curve and excitation energy gaps
of the half-filling family. The plateau heights are systematically generated by
multi-particle correlations, whereas the plateau widths and excitation energy
gaps are determined by the correlation strengths. We explicitly show that the
Drude-like behavior at half-filling follows from equal strength of
multi-particle correlations.
