Story Arc

Story Arc/Plot
Structure

Every story ever told follows the same pattern or structure known as the story arc or plot structure.

Exposition

The beginning of a story is called the exposition. It's where information about the plot, characters, and setting is shared with the audience to give them a sense of what the story will be about.

Example: The audience is introduced to Harry Potter and his family the Dursleys. Harry Potter receives an invitation to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Rising Action

The part of the story that follows the exposition is called the rising action. It's where problems and tension start to build which cause issues for the characters. The rising action is initiated by an initial incident, which is the beginning of the main character's problems.

Example: Harry finds out the vault at Gringotts Bank, which he visited earlier, was robbed. A troll gets into Hogwarts. Harry and his friends find out that the sorcerer's stone is hidden in the school and someone is trying to steal it.

Climax

The climax of a story is the most intense scene in the plot. It marks a turning point for the main character as they are faced with their biggest challenge yet.

Example: Harry faces off with Professor Quirrell who turns out to be Voldemort, the wizard that killed his parents.

Falling Action

The falling action is the part of the story where the final conflict or problem of the story starts to be resolved. The main character has made it through their final test. The falling action leads to the resolution and the audience finds out if the main character has achieved their goal or not.

Example: Harry has defeated Voldemort and now recovers in the hospital. Harry and Gryffindor House win the Hogwarts House Cup.

Denouement

The denouement (from the French word for "untying" or "unraveling") is the part of the story where any last issues are resolved.

Example: Dumbledore destroys the sorcerer's stone. Harry goes back home for the summer.

Multiple Choice

The exposition is ...

• usually at the end of the story, and is the part where all the problems are solved.

• the beginning of the story where characters and setting are introduced.

• the middle of the story where problems for the main character begin.

• the most intense scene of the story.

Multiple Choice

The climax is ...

• the beginning of the story where characters and setting are introduced.

• the end of the story where all the problems are resolved.

• the part of the story where problems start to happen.

• the most intense scene in the story where the main character faces their biggest challenge.

Multiple Choice

The rising action is ...

• the part of the story where problems start to happen for the main characters.

• the part of the story where everything starts to make sense.

• the part of the story where characters and setting are introduced.

• the most intense part of the story where the characters face their biggest challenge.

Multiple Choice

The rising action usually begins with...

• the climax of the story.

• an inciting incident or conflict.

• introducing new characters.

• a solution to the character's problems.

Multiple Choice

The falling action is...

• the part of the story where any loose ends are tied together.

• the part of the story where characters and setting are introduced.

• the part of the story where problems are introduced.

• the part of the story where the main character has made it through the major conflict or climax.

Multiple Choice

The denouement is...

• the part of the story where the characters face their biggest challenge.

• the part of the story where the main character makes new friends.

• the part of the story where loose ends are tied to together and any last problems are taken care of.

• the most intense scene of the story where the main character faces their biggest challenge.