1. Elements of Fiction And drama
10/25

2. Plot Writer arranges conflicts, complications, and resolutions.
We need to understand not just what’s happening, but why.
Conventional narratives involve 5 main stages.

3. CLIMAX
RISING
ACTION
FALLING
ACTION
Turning Point
EXPOSITION
DENOUEMENT
Inciting Incident
Resolution

4. Exposition Background info re: characters, setting, situation.
Describes nature of conflict.

5. Rising Action
Conflict and complications for main character begin building after inciting incident.

6. Climax Suspense of plot reaches peak.
May include turning point where fortunes of protagonist improve (comedy) or worsen (tragedy).

7. Falling action
Result of climax or turning point – conflict resolved.

8. denouement Conflict has been resolved, balance restored.
Traditionally used to tell moral of story.
Many modern writers frequently close without this final resolution – readers left to wonder possible meanings of what came before.

9. Other plot elements
Stories may begin in medias res – ‘in the middle of the action.’
Ex: Illiad begins after 9 years of fighting.
Drama broken into acts  scenes.