We are so close to finishing our Story Structure series. Last time, we talked about the climax of the story. This time, we’re going to talk about the Falling Action. This comes after the climax.
What is the Falling Action all about?
ThoughtCo says, “The falling action in a work of literature is the sequence of events that follow the climax and end in the resolution. The falling action is the opposite of the rising action, which leads up to the plot’s climax.”
In other words, what goes up must come down?
Apparently.
All that to say, falling action is simply the part that follows the climax. But the question is: What information goes in this section?
I’m so glad you asked. Falling action:
- is where the tension from the story’s central conflict begins to subside, and the narrative moves toward its resolution or denouement.
- is where loose ends get tied up nice and neat.
- is where secondary conflicts are resolved.
- provides the characters and readers a sense of closure.
- is a period of reflection for the characters. This reflection often leads to growth or change or a major decision about something the character has been struggling with the entire story.
- sets the stage for the story’s conclusion.
Let’s take a look at Oliver and Sophia’s story. What are we going to put in the falling action part?
This is where I left you last time.
“Her sister is alive out there, someone running and looking over her shoulder. It’s time for her to come home. Sophia breaks into his home in an attempt to steal the laptop and comes face-to-face with the mayor and his gun.”
Through various means, Sophia, Oliver, and the local PD subdue the mayor; and he’s arrested. Sophia’s parents come forward and express their remorse and grief about everything, and this is part of the falling action of the story. Here, loose ends are tied up, and the readers get a sense of closure. The characters do too. And this is where Sophia determines to bring Cassidy home, setting the stage for the story’s conclusion, which we’ll address in the next post.
How about your story? What would you identify as your falling action?
Until next time.
