The Five-Stage Story Structure

Disciplines > Storytelling > Plots > The Five-stage Story Structure

Many stories of all types have a structure that follows five basic stages of action. This basic sequence which appear as the overall shape of the story or in sub-sequences, such as chapters and scenes.

• Exposition: Setting the scene.
• Rising action: Building the tension.
• Climax: The exciting bit.
• Falling action: Tidying up loose ends.
• Resolution: Ending the story.

See also

Three stage story