Basics of Plot

The Structure of Plot

Freytag's Pyramid Plot Freytag’s Pyramid the author’s arrangement of incidents in the story Freytag’s Pyramid a diagram of the structure of a five-act tragedy, given by Gustav Freytag widely accepted (and sometimes adapted) as a means of analyzing the structure of many kinds of fiction in addition to drama.

Freytag's Pyramid

The pyramid is made up of seven steps – four phases and three moments from beginning to end.

Stage 1 Exposition the introductory material, which often creates the tone. Gives the setting, introduces the characters, and supplies other facts necessary for understanding

Stage 2 Inciting Moment the event or force that sets in motion the rising action of a work of fiction. Also called the precipitating incident, exciting force or narrative hook.

Stage 3 Rising Action the part of the dramatic action that has to do with the complication of the action. Begins with the inciting moment, gains interest or power as the opposing groups/ideas come into conflict, and proceeds to the climax. It can also be called the complication.

Stage 4 Climax the turning point in the action, the crisis at which the rising action reverses and becomes the falling action. Sometimes called the reversal.

Stage 5 Falling Action the second half of the dramatic plot. It follows the climax and often exhibits the winding down of the climax.

Stage 6 Resolution the end of the falling action and the solution of the conflict. The resolution is not always a happy ending.

Stage 7 Denouement involves not only the resolution of the conflict but an explanation of all the secrets and misunderstandings connected with the plot; the tying up of loose ends, exposure of a villain, clearing up a mistaken identity, reuniting characters, etc.

Other Plot Structures…

Concepts and terms that run throughout plot Protagonist Main character in a fiction or drama Antagonist Character or force opposed to the protagonist in a fiction or drama .

Concepts and terms that run throughout plot Theme The central idea of a work of literature Expressed in a sentence. Ex: “Love is more powerful than hatred”. Symbol Something that stands for itself and something else in a story Motif any recurring element, idea, or symbol that has significance in the story. Contributes to theme. “Love” “Hate” Mood A story’s atmosphere or the feeling it evokes. “sullen” “dark” “comic” “nostalgic” Tone Attitude a writer takes toward a subject. “affectionate” “satirical”