Film Vocabulary: Narrative Concepts, Part 1

The fictional world in which the events of a narrative occur. Everything the characters in the film can see and hear.

• Diegesis

• Non-diegetic

• Story

• Plot

Any element that comes from outside the world of the film. These are things that characters in the film can’t see or hear but the audience can.

• Diegesis

• Non-diegetic

• Story

• Plot

All the events audiences actually see and hear along with the backstory and implied continuance of the narrative after film ends.

• Diegesis

• Non-diegetic

• Story

• Plot

The sequence of events that make up the narrative that audiences actually see and hear in a film.

• Diegesis

• Non-diegetic

• Story

• Plot

Part of the story where the highest point of tension occurs and the main conflict is resolved

• Climax

• Falling Action

• Rising Action

• Dénouement

• Exposition

Part of the story that reveals the effects of the climax, showing how things have changed for the characters involved.

• Climax

• Falling Action

• Rising Action

• Dénouement

• Exposition

A series of related events that build toward a climax and resolution of the main conflict of the story.

• Climax

• Falling Action

• Rising Action

• Dénouement

• Exposition

Part of the story that provides the final outcomes of the story and settles any unanswered questions for the audience. Also known as the resolution.

• Climax

• Falling Action

• Rising Action

• Dénouement

• Exposition

The conveyance of vital background information, either through actions or dialogue, to further the events of a story. Usually told at the beginning of a story.

• Climax

• Falling Action

• Rising Action

• Dénouement

• Exposition

The perspective and atmosphere created by filmmaker/screenwriter about the subject matter and plot of the film.  

• Tone

• Narration

• Setting

• Characters

• Characterization