Stages of Plot
What is Plot?
❖ The plot is the sequence of events in
the story from the beginning to the
end (timeline).
❖ Usually the order of events is:
exposition, rising action, climax,
falling action, and resolution.
5 Stages of Plot Development
1. Exposition The beginning of
the story where the
author introduces
the setting,
characters, and
other important
information the
readers need to
know.
The Story Mountain
Exposition
5 Stages of Plot Development
1. Exposition A series of events
2. Rising Action that builds from
the beginning of
the story. Rising
action is where
the author builds
interest and
tension in the
story.
The Story Mountain
Rising Action
Exposition
5 Stages of Plot Development
1. Exposition Also can be called the
2. Rising Action “turning point”. This
3. Climax is the highest point of
tension or action in
the story. The climax
often leads the reader
to wonder, “What will
happen? How is
everything going to turn
out?” The climax is an
important turning point
for the characters or the
story.
The Story Mountain
Climax
Rising Action
Exposition
5 Stages of Plot Development
1. Exposition The events of the
2. Rising Action story after the
3. Climax climax or turning
point. The events
4. Falling Action
are leading to the
end of the story
and the
resolution.
The Story Mountain
Climax
Falling Action
Rising Action
Exposition
5 Stages of Plot Development
1. Exposition The resolution or
2. Rising Action the Denouement.
3. Climax This is the final
outcome or
4. Falling Action
“untangling” of
5. Resolution the events of the
story.
The Story Mountain
Climax
Falling Action
Rising Action
Resolution
Exposition
Image acquired from: http://www.cepolina.com/freephoto/f/Europe.Italy.z.other/Aosta.Pila.mountains.snow.jpg on 9/7/2010