2. Plot Structure
Plot is the literary element that describes
the structure of a story. It shows the
causal arrangement of events and actions
within a story.
It’s like the framework that the story is
built around. The better the framework,
the better the story.
3. Where does conflict fit?
• Plot structure is formed around
conflict.
• Plot introduces the conflict, develops
it, and finally resolves it.
4. Freytag’s Pyramid
Freytag’s Pyramid uses a five-part system to
describe a story’s plot.
This graphic organizer matches the way stories
are constructed: The climax is the high point, and
it’s surrounded by rising and falling action.
5. Modified Freytag Pyramid
Freytag’s Pyramid is often modified so that it
extends slightly before and after the primary
rising and falling action.
You might think of this part of the chart as
similar to the warm-up and cool-down for the
story.
6. Plot Structure Components
Turning Point/Climax: the place where the plot turns or
“changes direction” because after this point, the story is moving
towards resolution. It is the event that the rising action builds
up to and that the falling action follows.
Rising Action: the series of Falling Action: events that
conflicts and crises in the story happen as a result of the climax
that lead to the turning point. as the conflict grows closer to
being resolved.
Exposition: setting the scene. The Resolution: the main conflict is
writer introduces the characters solved or resolved.
and setting, providing description
and background.
7. Two more parts
We are going to include two additional parts to
Freytag’s pyramid.
• Inciting incident – tied to the exposition, it is something happens
to begin the action. A single event usually signals the beginning of
the main conflict. The inciting incident is sometimes called 'the
complication'. On the pyramid, it is after exposition, before
rising action.
• Denouement - (a French term, pronounced: day-noo-mon) the
ending. At this point, any remaining secrets, questions or
mysteries which remain after the resolution are solved by the
characters or explained by the author. Sometimes the author
leaves us to think about the THEME or future possibilities for
the characters. It’s next to resolution on the pyramid.
