Understanding Plot Terms

Front

Exposition

Back

of characters, setting, and basic situation

Front

Climax

Back

turning point or most intense moment in the story

Front

Falling Action

Back

that follow the climax and lead to resolution

Front

Resolution

Back

end of the story where conflicts are resolved

Front

Rising Action

Back

of events that build suspense and lead to the climax

Front

Identify the exposition in a story

Back

where characters and setting are first introduced

Front

Identify the climax in a narrative

Back

the moment of greatest tension or turning point

Front

Sequence of plot elements

Back

→ Rising Action → Climax → Falling Action → Resolution

Front

Analyze how rising action builds suspense

Back

action introduces complications and increases tension

Front

Evaluate the effectiveness of a story’s resolution

Back

how well the ending resolves the main conflict