How to Plot a Story Using Freytag's Pyramid
How to plot a story using Freytag's Pyramid with additional steps.
The plot diagram was once my nemesis. I didn’t understand the terminology. I often became stumped by the terms because I would come across multiple variations of those terms whenever I searched for plot diagram examples on the internet. I found it more confusing than helpful. I also didn’t want to learn about these terms because I believed that plot diagrams were constrictive. I viewed them as rules rather than guidelines. After taking several creative writing classes, I have come to understand the role of Freytag’s Pyramid. I have discovered specific words that I understand to accompany my version of Freytag’s Pyramid and how to apply my stories to this structure.
Although Freytag’s Pyramid is considered “the shape of tragic drama,” I have discovered that this type of story structure can be altered and used for any genre. There are so many versions of Freytag’s Pyramid across the internet that the terminology can become confusing and difficult to understand. I often found myself wondering which Freytag’s Pyramid was accurate. I have come to learn that it doesn’t matter which version of Freytag’s Pyramid you follow as long as it makes sense to you. I encourage you to explore the other variations of Freytag’s Pyramid in addition to the other styles of story structure. I have made some adjustments to Freytag’s Pyramid and I hope this information helps clarify rather than confuse.
I have discovered that plotting is like climbing a mountain. I call it “climbing Mount Plot.” It takes time to prepare for the climb. You want to have the right gear, skills, and knowledge. I identify my climbing gear when prepping to climb Mount Plot:
1. Hook
2. Exposition
3. Inciting Incident
4. Rising Action
5. Climax
6. Falling Action
7. Resolution
8. Denouement
The hook is the opening sentence that captures the reader’s attention. The opening line should have meaning and relate to the main character’s dilemma. This leads to the exposition, which introduces the main character (the protagonist) and his or her dilemma. To identify your protagonist’s dilemma, begin by asking yourself these two questions:
1. What is my protagonist’s internal conflict?
For example, what does the protagonist value and how are those values being challenged?
2. What’s your character’s external conflict?
For example, what does he or she struggle with when it comes to the expectations of society?
The exposition also provides an opportunity to introduce world-building and the setting. However, avoid giving the reader an overwhelming amount of information within the first few pages. Spread out the world-building and the setting throughout the story and bring up these details when it is necessary.
The inciting incident is the beginning climb where an event takes place and pushes the protagonist out of his or her comfort zone. How does the character react to this event? Is it a flight or fight response? In other words, do they run from it or face it head-on?
The rising action is where the character faces multiple conflicts. Conflict is driven by the character’s actions. To clarify, the protagonist needs to make decisions. The first decision came in the inciting incident, and now they must continue making decisions. Your main character needs to act and react to what happens around them instead of being a passive observer who lets things happen to them. The event or events that occur in the rising action are what provoke the character to change and prepare them for the upcoming climax. Writer and author George Saunders says in his book A Swim in a Pond in the Rain that writers must include “escalation” in their stories. This means providing obstacles and challenges for your protagonist and keeping the character’s conflict building as the story continues.
The climax is the summit; the most intense point of the story. The protagonist must make the ultimate confrontation and face the consequences. In other words, if the protagonist had run from the event that happened in the inciting incident, the climax is where the character will have changed to the point where they can now face that event head-on and confront what they originally feared. The climax is where the protagonist conquers the antagonist. The antagonist can either be a living being, a natural element, a supernatural entity, or an emotion (for example, grief). The climax is also where the theme of the story is revealed. The theme is the message you want to give to your readers. For example, the theme could be good versus evil, overcoming grief, or finding belonging.
The falling action climbs back down the mountain and ties up loose ends, resolving any unanswered questions. However, according to professor and author Braden Hepner, “Don’t tie things up too neatly.” He says it pays to keep some mystery or ambiguity at the end of your story to keep readers thinking about what they read. After the falling action, the resolution comes next; the story’s end. Sometimes authors choose to include a denouement as well, which is an epilogue taking place after the story’s ending.
Writing a story is difficult, but I implore you to have fun with the process and find a writing system that works for you. I hope this was insightful and I wish you the best of luck on your writing journey!
