Fiction Plot

One of fiction’s five basic elements is plot and in coming weeks, writing tips will examine the seven parts of plot. For an overview, picture a diagram of plot’s parts with a triangle.

The first two points, exposition and inciting incident, are located at the triangle’s bottom left corner. Exposition is when the reader is introduced into the character and setting, and inciting incident is the event from which the story’s action flows. The left side of the triangle, usually the longest in page count, represents rising action, or series of events that occur between the inciting incident and the climax. The scenes in rising action often appear unrelated to the reader, and through them conflict builds.

Climax is the point of greatest conflict, when a turning point is reached for the protagonists, and the reader anticipates that which must be faced or accomplished. Climax is often confused with the big finish, or resolution. An anti-climax is when the tale’s great obstacle is overcome in an incidental scene, and only minor points remain unresolved.

The right side of the triangle represents falling action, or the series of events that occur because of the climax, and last until the resolution. Both resolution and denouement are located at the triangle’s bottom right corner. During resolution, the greatest obstacle is cleared, and in denouement, the plot, sub-plots and themes are wrapped-up.

All fiction follows this basic form. A manuscript’s imbalance in the form usually indicates a possible flaw or weakness. February’s posts will explore these.