Part Three, Fahrenheit 451 Barry 2010

The plot is the action or sequence of events in a novel, short story, play, or narrative poem.

The plot is “what happens” in a story. The plot gives a story interest, suspense, and

structure. Most plots follow the same basic structure with

the same elements.

Adapted from Traci Gardner, readwritethink.org

Freytag’s pyramid describes a story’s plot in terms of five parts.

This graphic organizer matches the structure of a typical plot—the climax is the high point, surrounded by rising and falling action.

Adapted from Traci Gardner, readwritethink.org

exposition

climax/crisis

resolution/denouement

rising action falling action

Adapted from Traci Gardner, readwritethink.org

exposition

climax/crisis

resolution/denouement

rising action falling action

The exposition is the beginning of the story that provides the reader with background information.

Adapted from Traci Gardner, readwritethink.org

exposition

climax/crisis

resolution/denouement

rising action falling action

The rising action is the action of the story that builds toward the high point.

Adapted from Traci Gardner, readwritethink.org

exposition

climax/crisis

resolution/denouement

rising action falling action

The climax or crisis is the high point of the plot with the highest emotion, intensity, or suspense.

Often the climax occurs much closer to the end than the beginning.

Adapted from Traci Gardner, readwritethink.org

exposition

climax/crisis

resolution/denouement

rising action falling action

The falling action is the action of the story after the climax that leads toward the resolution of the conflict.

Adapted from Traci Gardner, readwritethink.org

exposition

climax/crisis

resolution/denouement

rising action falling action

The resolution or denouement is the action during which the conflict is resolved and the story comes to an end.