Freytag's Pyramind

Gustav Freytag was a nineteenth century German novelist who came up with a diagram to illustrate and analyse common patterns in the plots of stories and novels. He used a pyramid shape to show the story’s plot.

1. Exposition – provides the background information needed to properly understand the story, the characters, the basic conflict and the setting.

2. Inciting Incident – sets the remainder of the story into motion and an indication of the beginning of the main conflict. Can also be known as ‘the complication’

3. Rising Action – the basic conflict is complicated by the introduction of related secondary conflicts. The story builds and gets more exciting.

4. Climax – A turning point for better or worse. The moment of high tension the exciting event that the rising action builds to and falling action follows.

5. Falling Action – The moment of reversal after the climax. Antagonist unravels and contains suspense, and we know the story will end soon.

6. Resolution – the character solves the main problem conflict.

7. Denouement - The ending of the story. A turning point where any remaining secrets or questions are answered.

http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~hartleyg/250/freytag.html