Understanding Plot

The plot of a story generally follows a specific structure and includes these five elements:

Exposition: What you need to know. Background information is presented, main characters are introduced, and the conflict is established.

Rising Action: The conflicts and challenges encountered by the characters. How they respond keeps the story moving forward.

Climax: The turning point in the conflict. Tension builds until the main character must make a decision or take action that determines the direction of the story.

Falling Action: The events that occur after the main character makes the key decision in the story.

Resolution: The resolution is where all the questions are answered and loose ends are tied, providing a clear ending.

A plot diagram illustrates where these elements fall in a narrative.