Story Elements

Front

Complications

Back

Problems that add to the main conflict of the story.

Front

Falling Action

Back

Events that occur after the climax.

Front

Exposition

Back

Background information given about the characters and setting.

Front

External Conflict

Back

A conflict that occurs with an outside force such as nature, another character, or society.

Front

Freytag's Pyramid

Back

A visual representation of the structure of a story, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Front

Climax

Back

The most exciting or intense point of the story, where the main conflict reaches its peak.

Front

Resolution

Back

The part of the story where the conflicts are resolved and the story comes to a close.

Front

Characterization

Back

The process by which the author reveals the personality of a character.

Front

Theme

Back

The central idea or message that runs throughout a story.

Front

Setting

Back

The time and place in which a story takes place.