Plot is the sequence of events in a narrative. In a fictional narrative, these events, among other things, are invented. In a nonfictional narrative, they are arranged, usually in the order you see in the image to the left.
Classical storytelling usually follows this pattern. There are other ways to tell a story, of course, but for analysis, this is the best pattern to know. Even if a story does not follow this pattern to the letter, the elements are there somewhere. There is a beginning, middle and end, and definitely a conflict. Authors often like to heighten interest by introducing flashbacks and flash forwards, and interpolating other perspectives and visualizing thought processes, but the core is still the same: some personality is trying to reach a goal and/or solve a problem, obstacles occur (sometimes created by themselves), and the goal is achieved or the problem solved or it isn't, and the personality has changed their situation or outlook on life. Below are the major plot points and their descriptions. |
Exposition
The EXPOSITION is the beginning of the story. It introduces three things:
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Rising Action and Climax
RISING ACTION, also called COMPLICATIONS, is the longest part of any narrative. It is the struggle to resolve the conflict. There are often many obstacles to this resolution that the protagonist faces. Some are presented by the antagonist, some by the protagonist and their friends, sidekicks and minions, and in the occasional story, they are a completely separate subplot. Wherever they originate, however, they are usually solved in some way by the protagonist. Not always, though. In the Harry Potter series, a number of complications are resolved by Hermione and Ron, which goes to show why sidekicks and friends are so useful in narrative.
When you are analyzing fiction, and outlining a plot, it is customary to list THREE complications/obstacles in the story to define the RISING ACTION. CLIMAX is the point at which the major conflict is resolved. It is not, as often purported, the "most exciting part of the story." This definition is unsophisticated. Effective narratives may have many exciting parts, and none of them may be the climax. It is only the climax if it resolves the major conflict, and not necessarily in the protagonist's favor. Often this is a confrontation with a villain, a final clue of a mystery, or a declaration of love. It is the point at which the protagonist succeeds or fails in overcoming the major conflict. |
Falling Action, Denouement, and Resolution
FALLING ACTION is the sequence of events that come immediately after the climax. In the film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the falling action is the rescue of Frodo and Sam after they have destroyed the One Ring. The major conflict is resolved, but there is more of the story to tell. It would not be logical to end the story with the throwing of the ring into the volcano. It would be very unsatisfying if the story ended with the protagonist and his friend surrounded by lava and ash and we didn't know what happened to them afterwards.
RESOLUTION and DENOUEMENT, for our purposes, are related. If you should go into the theatre arts, you will see that these concepts are particular, but they both relate to consequences. RESOLUTION is how the major conflict was resolved, and DENOUEMENT is how ALL conflicts, major and minor, are resolved. They both occur at the end of the story, however, and only college professors or very particular high school teachers will mind if you confuse the two. They also encompass how the characters have changed; what have they learned? How has their standing in society changed? Do they receive material rewards, etc? |