Aristotle identified the basic linear plot structure in 350 BC as a simple triangle of beginning, middle and ending. He observed that the middle section might involve some form of crisis, resolved by the end of the story.
In 1863, the German novelists Gustav Freytag published Die Technik Des Dramas in which he outlines his pyramid structure for the plot. Adapting Aristotle's basic triangle he added the idea of the plot complicating, introducing conflicts and building to a climax point, after which it falls away when the conflicts are resolved, the mysteries are also solved and we are finally left with a satisfactory resolution.
Exposition: The start of the story, the established situation before the story begins.
Rising action: The series of complications, conflicts and and layers of mystery that build toward the climax.
Climax: The turning point and the point with the highest intensity, emotionally or through action.
Falling action:
Action following the climax and pieces of the jigsaw falling in to place to solve the mysteries.
Resolution: Any disruptions caused by the rising action are returned to a state or 'normality', the mysteries are solved and as far as possible the established order of the start is returned. However where it can not return to the established order, justice is served.
This structure was the further developed in 1960s by Tzvetan Todorov in to his theory of equilibrium - disequilibrium - equilibrium.
Freytag's structure is noticeable in Hollywood output and is striking feature ofHollywood film trailers. The form of the triangle used below best represents the timing and the structure used in many film trailers where a quiet opening builds to a punch in the music, followed by rapid action and a falling away to a quiet sound and the credits at the end.
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