PLOT
Part Three, Fahrenheit 451
Barry 2010
PLOT
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
climax/crisis
rising action
exposition
falling action
resolution/denouement
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
FREYTAG’S PYRAMID
climax/crisis
rising action
exposition

falling action
resolution/denouement
The exposition is the beginning of the story
that provides the reader with background
information.
Adapted from Traci Gardner, readwritethink.org
FREYTAG’S PYRAMID
climax/crisis
rising action
exposition

falling action
resolution/denouement
The rising action is the action of the story that
builds toward the high point.
Adapted from Traci Gardner, readwritethink.org
FREYTAG’S PYRAMID
climax/crisis
rising action
exposition


falling action
resolution/denouement
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
FREYTAG’S PYRAMID
climax/crisis
rising action
exposition

falling action
resolution/denouement
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
FREYTAG’S PYRAMID
climax/crisis
rising action
exposition

falling action
resolution/denouement
The resolution or denouement is the action
during which the conflict is resolved and the
story comes to an end.
Adapted from Traci Gardner, readwritethink.org