Components of the Five-Act Story Structure

Act 1: Exposition

• Also known as the introduction
• Presents the setting (time and place)
• Establishes the mood and atmosphere of the story
• Establishes the world in which action takes place
• Introduces the protagonist and/or antagonist
• May introduce other characters
• Introduces and/all thematic elements that will resonate throughout the story
• Introduces the goals and/or conflicts the protagonist is facing
• Introduces the POV (point of view) the story is told from
• Lays the foundation of the plot
• Ends with the beginning of the inciting incident
• The stage is set for the main action
• The reader has been “hooked”

Act 2: Rising Action

• Also known as the inciting incident or complication
• Sparked by the inciting incident
• An exciting event or inciting incident occurs, which leads to conflict and impels the story to move forward
• Basic conflict introduced in Act 1 is complicated by secondary conflicts and obstacles designed to keep the protagonist from reaching his/her goal
• Lesser antagonists may be introduced/li>
• Reader begins to feel the rising tension associated with the conflict

Act 3: Climax

• Also known as the turning point or reversal
• Marks a notable change, for better or worse, in the protagonist’s journey toward his/her goal
• Bulk of action or drama takes place
• Most intense moment in the story occurs

Act 4: Falling Action

• Also known as the final suspense
• Conflict comes to a head and begins to resolve
• Made clear that protagonist will reach his/her goal
• Protagonist shows signs of overcoming the antagonist and/or other conflicts

Act 5: Denouement

• Also known as the resolution
• Loose ends are tied up
• All conflicts are resolved
• Protagonist has achieved his/her goal
• Story concludes