Stages of the Plot Climax, Falling Action and Resolution

Freytag’s Pyramid: Climax

Of course, every part of your story is essential, but if there’s one part where you want to stick the landing, it’s the climax. Here, the story’s conflict peaks, and we learn the fate of the main characters. Many writers enter their story's conclusion believing it needs to be short, fast, and action-packed. While some stories might require this finish style, there’s no strict formula for climaxing writing. Think of the climax as the “turning” point in the story – the central conflict is addressed in a way that cannot be undone.

Whether the climax is only one scene or several chapters is up to you, but remember that your climax isn’t just the turning point in the story’s plot structure but also its themes and ideas. This is your opportunity to comment on whatever concept drives your story’s narrative, giving the reader an emotional takeaway.

Note: for playwrights, the climax is usually the middle act, though, of course, not every theatrical production follows the rules.

 Freytag’s Pyramid: Falling Action

In falling action, the writer explores the aftermath of the climax. Do other conflicts arise as a result? How does the closing comment on the story’s central themes? How do the characters react to the irreversible changes made by the ending?

The story’s falling action is often the trickiest part to write. The writer must start to tie up loose ends from the central conflict, explore broader concepts and themes, and push the story towards some form of a resolution while still keeping the focus on the climax and its aftermath. If the rising action takes the story away from “normal,” the falling action is a return to a “new normal,” though rising and falling action looks dramatically different.

At the same time, the story must still engage the reader. When writing the story’s falling action, be sure to expand on the story's world, the mysteries that lie within that world, and whatever else makes your story compelling. 

 Freytag’s Pyramid: Resolution/Denouement

How do you end a story? One of the most frustrating parts of writing is figuring out where the narrative ends. Theoretically, the story can continue forever, especially in the aftermath of a life-altering climax, or even if the story is set in an alternate world.

The story's resolution involves tying up the loose ends of the climax and falling action. Sometimes, this means following the story’s aftermath to a chilling conclusion—the protagonist dies, the antagonist escapes, a fatal mistake has fatal consequences, etc. Other times, the resolution ends on a lighter note. Maybe the protagonist learns from their mistakes, starts a new life, or forgives and rectifies whatever incited the story’s conflict. Either way, use the resolution to continue your thoughts on the story’s themes and give the reader something to think about after the last word is read.

Some writers also use the term “denouement” when discussing the resolution. A denouement [day-new-man] refers to the last event that ties up the story’s loose ends, sometimes expressed in the story’s epilogue or closing scene.