WHAT IS RISING ACTION?

The rising action of a plot is the series of events that build up and create excitement and suspense. This excitement is a result of the problem that exists and makes the story interesting. The rising action can be identified as the ingredients that build up the story.

How to Plan for Your Rising Action SEQUENCE, SEQUENCE, SEQUENCE -You need to BUILD up to the Exciting Part. -Create a list of events that will lead up to the CLIMAX-the exciting part. -You want your reader at the edge of their seat wondering what will happen next. Think of other stories that you have read to help you develop your rising action!

Think of a set of stairs. To make it to the top, you need to go step-by-step !

Goosebumps covered my exposed arms and legs. Partly because of the cool breeze, and the little bathing suit I had on. I was shaking from head to toe. The dreaded no-breather. “Come on. You can do it,” I thought to myself. Hunched over, I tucked my head down into my chest and watched my toes curl over the edge of the diving block with blue chlorinated water below it. I waited for the signal to dive.

A whistle blew sharply. It was time for action. I shifted my weight from heel to toe and propelled myself forward, my arms outstretched. My hands joined with one perfectly fit on top of the other, forming the perfect streamline, and my tensed body sprung from the diving block – flying me through in the air. As I launched forward, a focused thought passed through my mind. “Just don't breathe. Kick hard and low. Churn your arms like a windmill. You can get it this time.” I said in my mind. A split-second later, my fingertips hit the water with my body quick to follow - forearms, elbows, head, shoulders, all in.

The chill of the water hit quickly, but there was no time to think about it. The feeling of anticipation jump-started my body. “Must move fast!” I whispered to myself. With streamlined arms and hands pushed together so not to create drag, my legs kicked quickly, like scissors opening and closing. A small burst of water barely broke through the water, so I knew I was using all energy to move me forward. Kick. Kick. Kick. Quickly, my right hand pulled down along my side, scooping water out and back, propelling my body forward. “Right arm up, left arm scoops back. I am a machine,” I kept telling myself. My body rocketed forward. Kick. Kick. Pull. Pull. The end of the pool became visible.

Halfway down the pool, my lungs started burning, and the water began to fill my nose. “Need to breathe!” I thought to myself. “I'm not going to make it.” My body instantly reacted. With my lungs on fire, my arms kicked into high gear. They went beyond windmill-mode and moved like fans on high speed. My hands sliced through the water, and my legs kicked in emergency mode. As I fought with myself, willing myself not to lift my head for air, my auto-pilot body shot me forward, and my eyes closed as I concentrated on keeping my breath held. Kick. Kick. Pull. Pull. Kick. Pull.

Right as I lifted my head and gave up on the goal, my reaching fingers hit something hard. My body continued launching forward. My arm braced with a jolt. I felt confused. “What happened?” I asked myself. I opened my eyes and stopped before my face plowed into the pool edge. I pressed my nose to the edge of the pool. “I did it! I did it!” I shouted. Looking through goggled eyes, I noticed my coach run toward me with a proud look on his face. I felt both relieved and victorious. My heart continued to beat rapidly, but I let my feet glide onto the floor of the pool. I wanted to freeze time and savor the moment. Finally, I had swum an entire lap without taking a single breath. A grin flashed across my face, and I relished the feat, savored the moment and basked in my triumph. I filled my lungs to capacity with cool, sweet air.

TODAY! Today you will be thinking about where you want your story to go! You will then start to plan the ACTION. Just jot down the main events leading up to the CLIMAX! It does not need to be in full sentences.

Getting Your Writing Started 1.Plan your ideas -jot down a quick list of things in sequential order -everything needs to be STEP-BY- STEP -remember: it is a short period of time with strong feelings

Writing Format After your first paragraph, it is time to get the ACTION going! Your first two sentences will be DETAILS. The third sentence will be a FEELINGS sentence and so on… Take another look at “Breathless”

A Good Pattern To Work With: DETAIL FEELING DETAIL FEELING DETAIL FEELING…

STOP! You should now be at the CLIMAX of your personal narrative. The first sentences should stretch out all the events leading up to the REAL EXCITING PART. This keeps your writing in FORWARD MOVEMENT

LET’S TAKE A LOOK! Work with a partner Read each other’s writing Make sure they have used DETAIL/FEELING sentences that create a PICTURE in your mind!