Malcolm Rivera
A story's plot is a series of events that are linked by cause and effect, with different portions serving different functions. Rising action is a crucial element of storytelling, building tension and moving the plot forward. It is the longest part of a story, in which tension is increased as the protagonist encounters progressively more difficult conflicts, meets new allies and enemies, and learns painful lessons. The rising action begins with an inciting incident or complication, which creates a problem or conflict for the characters and sets in motion a series of significant events that constitute the main events of the story. Each event in the rising action should raise the stakes, making it increasingly difficult for the protagonist to achieve their goal. The rising action ends with the climax, the highest point of conflict or turning point in the story. Following the climax is the falling action, during which the central conflict is de-escalated and tension is further dispelled. The falling action leads the story back full circle, showing how the protagonist has grown and learned from their journey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rising Action | Builds tension or suspense |
| Begins with an inciting incident or complication | |
| Constitutes the bulk of a story | |
| Ends with the climax | |
| Climax | Highest point of conflict or turning point |
| Falling Action | Events following the climax leading towards resolution |
| Deals with the fallout of the events that have taken place | |
| Leads the story back full circle, showing how the protagonist has learned and grown |
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What You'll Learn
- Rising action: a series of events that build tension and introduce conflict
- Inciting incident: an event that creates a problem and sets the rising action in motion
- Climax: the turning point of the story, where tension peaks
- Falling action: the events following the climax, where tension is released and the conflict is de-escalated
- Resolution: the final outcome of the story, where loose ends are tied up
Rising action: a series of events that build tension and introduce conflict
Rising action is a crucial element of storytelling, as it builds tension and introduces conflict, gradually drawing the reader or viewer into the story. It is the "meat" of the story, constituting the majority of the plotline, and is essential to ensuring the story is engaging and compelling.
The rising action typically begins with an inciting incident or complication that creates a problem for the characters and sets in motion a series of increasingly significant events. In "Romeo and Juliet", for example, the inciting incident is when Romeo sees Juliet at a masquerade ball, falls in love, and then discovers she belongs to a rival family. This sets the stage for a series of secret meetings and a clandestine marriage, building tension and conflict that engage the audience.
Each event in the rising action should increase the stakes, making it more difficult for the protagonist to achieve their goal. This can be achieved through a variety of means, such as introducing new problems, obstacles, or conflicts in each sequence. For instance, in a thriller, the rising action might involve a detective drawing closer to the villain, while in a romance, it could be the journey of two people falling in love.
The rising action should also develop the characters, revealing their motivations and introducing subplots that add depth to the story. This is achieved by creating a cause-and-effect relationship where each event has consequences that lead to further complications. For example, in "Little Red Riding Hood", the rising action includes encounters with trolls, elves, goblins, and antagonists, each presenting new challenges and increasing the tension.
The rising action should build steadily, cranking up the conflict, tension, and stakes, until it reaches its pinnacle, leading to the climax of the story. During this journey, the protagonist often undergoes an inner transformation, making them ready to face the confrontation that the climax brings. This transformation is essential for the reader to believe in the protagonist's victory or emergence from the climax.
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Inciting incident: an event that creates a problem and sets the rising action in motion
The inciting incident is an event that creates a problem or conflict for the characters and sets the rising action in motion. It marks the end of the exposition or setup and the beginning of the rising action. This event doesn't necessarily have to be an action; it could be a piece of information that adds tension or suspense to the story.
In Romeo and Juliet, for example, the inciting incident is when Romeo sees Juliet at the masquerade ball, falls in love with her, and then discovers that she is from the rival Montague family. This creates a problem for the characters, as their love seems doomed due to the bitter rivalry between their families.
In a thriller, the inciting incident might be a detective discovering a clue that leads them to investigate a murder, drawing them closer to the villain. In a romance, it could be the moment when two people meet and begin to fall in love, facing obstacles that challenge their relationship. In children's literature, it could be the main character's journey towards self-reliance, where they encounter challenges that teach them valuable lessons.
The inciting incident is crucial because it captures the reader's or audience's interest and makes them want to continue following the story. It sets the stage for the rising action, where tension and stakes are gradually increased, leading to the climax, the highest point of conflict or turning point in the narrative.
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Climax: the turning point of the story, where tension peaks
The climax of a story is the point of highest tension and conflict, often constituting a turning point in the narrative. It is the moment when the rising action, or buildup of suspense, reaches its pinnacle. The rising action is essential in crafting an engaging story, as it provides depth to characters and advances the plot. It is during this phase that characters are developed, their motivations are revealed, and they encounter progressively more difficult conflicts, meet new allies and enemies, and learn valuable lessons.
In the context of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", there are differing opinions on where the climax occurs. One view holds that the climax takes place when Romeo kills Tybalt, a member of the Capulet family, and must subsequently flee the city to avoid execution. This interpretation considers the rising action to include the initial meeting between Romeo and Juliet at the masquerade ball, their secret meetings, and their secret marriage.
In a thriller, the rising action might involve a detective investigating a murder and getting closer to the villain. In a romance, it could be the journey of two people falling in love. Each step in the rising action increases the narrative stakes, making it more challenging for the protagonist to achieve their goal.
The rising action should generally be the longest part of the story, building tension and moving the plot forward. It is important to craft it thoughtfully, ensuring a gradual escalation of tension through a series of interconnected events. This keeps the reader engaged and invested in the story, creating a sense of momentum that builds towards the climax.
The climax, as the turning point, releases the tension built up during the rising action. It is followed by the falling action, during which the central conflict is de-escalated, and the story moves towards resolution. The falling action reflects the impact of the climax on the characters, showcasing their growth and how they deal with the aftermath of the pivotal event.
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Falling action: the events following the climax, where tension is released and the conflict is de-escalated
Falling action refers to the events that follow the climax of a story, where the main conflict is de-escalated and tension is released. This phase typically leads towards a resolution, marking the end of the central conflict and guiding the story towards its conclusion.
In the falling action, the characters deal with the immediate aftermath of the climax, navigating the fallout and consequences of the preceding events. This section of the story reflects on how the protagonist has grown and changed as a result of their journey, showcasing their transformation and character development.
The falling action serves as a transition, bridging the intense events of the climax with the resolution or denouement that brings the story to a close. It provides an opportunity for the author to explore the impact of the climax on the characters and their world, tying up loose ends and providing a sense of closure.
While the falling action releases tension, it is not merely passive. It can still include compelling events and challenges for the characters, albeit at a reduced intensity compared to the rising action and climax. The falling action allows the author to explore the emotional and psychological repercussions of the climax, adding depth to the characters and their relationships.
In Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," for example, the falling action occurs after Romeo kills Juliet's cousin Tybalt and must flee the city. This inciting incident marks the climax, and the subsequent falling action encompasses the remainder of the play, including Juliet's faked death, Romeo's tragic misunderstanding, and their ultimate decision to take their own lives.
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Resolution: the final outcome of the story, where loose ends are tied up
The resolution is the final outcome of a story, where loose ends are tied up and the story concludes. This is the point at which the reader understands how the characters' journeys have ended and where they are going next.
The resolution is the final stage of Freytag's Pyramid, a model of plot structure. It is preceded by the falling action, which is the period of resolution immediately following the climax, during which the central characters deal with the fallout of the events that have taken place. The falling action leads the story back full circle, showing how the protagonist has learned and grown.
The resolution is the point at which the reader understands how the characters' journeys have ended and where they are going next. It provides a sense of completion and can hint at the characters' futures.
In a story with a complex plot or multiple characters, the resolution may be longer to ensure that all loose ends are tied up. In other stories, the resolution may be very short, with the falling action tying up most loose ends.
The resolution is an important part of the story, providing a sense of closure for the reader and an opportunity to reflect on the characters' journeys and the lessons they have learned.
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Frequently asked questions
Rising action is a literary device used to build tension and suspense in a story. It usually constitutes the bulk of a story and ends with the climax. During this phase, the main characters are introduced to new conflicts, obstacles, and complications, which they must overcome.
The purpose of rising action is to engage the reader or viewer and make them care about what happens next. It helps build tension, introduce subplots, and develop characters.
The climax is the highest point of conflict in a story. It is the turning point, after which the tension and suspense start to decrease.
Falling action is the phase of a story that follows the climax. It is the immediate result or fallout from the climax, during which the central conflict is de-escalated and tension is further dispelled.
The rising action usually begins with an inciting incident or complication that creates a problem for the characters. It can be identified by paying attention to how the tension and suspense in a story build up.
