This document outlines the common structure of most stories, which includes an exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, moment of final suspense, and resolution. The exposition introduces the characters and setting. The inciting incident introduces the conflict. The rising action consists of events building up to the climax, which is the turning point that addresses the conflict. The falling action describes the aftermath of the climax. The resolution concludes how the conflict was resolved in the end.

1. Story Structure
Parts of the Story

2. What is Story Structure?
Most stories follow a pattern.
We will study the most common pattern.
This is a way of identifying parts of a story.
Story Structure
Climax Falling
Action
Rising
Action
Exposition Resolution
Inciting Incident
Moment of
Final Suspense

3. Elements of a Story
Setting: time and place of story.
Conflict: problem in the story.
Plot: events surrounding the conflict.

4. Exposition
Events before the plot is set in motion.
• Characters and setting are introduced
• Exposition ends when the conflict begins.
Example
Justin has a promising future as an athlete.

5. Inciting Incident
When the conflict is introduced.
• The inciting incident sets the plot in motion.
Example
Justin injures himself.

6. Rising Action
Events leading up to the climax.
After the inciting incident and before the climax.
Examples
•Justin sits in bed all day.
•He eats too much
•He watches too much TV.

7. Climax
The turning point in the story.
• Main character may learn something new
• A change takes place
• Now the conflict can be addressed.
Example
Justin’s sister motivates him.

8. Falling Action
Events after the climax.
Events leading toward the resolution.
Examples
Justin learned to study with his sister.
He passed his classes.
He got his GPA up.

9. Moment of Final Suspense
The main character is tested one last time.
• Not every story has this.
• May be the most exciting moment.
Example
Justin has to score well on the ACT.

10. Resolution
Events after the conflict is resolved.
How the story ends.
Example
Justin goes to college in Hawaii.

11. Tips for Identifying
1. First, identify the climax
2. The climax usually isn’t the most exciting
part of the story.
3. Watch for a shift in the mood of the story:
Things go from bad to good or from good to bad.

12. Review
Story Structure
Climax Falling
Action
Rising
Action
Exposition Resolution
Inciting Incident
Moment of
Final Suspense
Not every story follows this pattern, but
most do.