Which Plot Structure is Right for Your Story: Freytag's Pyramid

 If you're a pantser trying to plot your story for the first time, this series is for you. I'll make 3 posts total discussing 3 popular plot structures: Freytag's Pyramid, the Hero's Journey, and the Three-Act Structure. Today we're starting with the most basic of these, Freytag's Pyramid.

Freytag's pyramid is taught in creative writing and literature classes everywhere because it's so straightforward: Exposition, Inciting Incident, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution.

Let's take a closer look at each of these steps.

1. Exposition - The story starts with your character's life in their normal world. ("Normal" doesn't mean boring--your character's normal world may be quite exciting or miserable. Nor does "world" imply they travel to another planet--"world" is akin to "circumstances" here.)
2. Inciting Incident - Something happens that forces your character to take action and leave their normal life behind.
3. Rising Action - As your character grapples with the main conflict and adapts to the new world, they must solve problems, fight battles, and make friends. These small conflicts prepare your character for the final showdown.
4. Climax - Your character faces the main villain or is forced to solve the main conflict once and for all. The character must apply the lessons he's learned throughout the story to defeat evil.
5. Falling Action - Your character returns to their normal world, which is a journey all its own.
6. Resolution - Your character lives in the normal world once more, much changed by their experiences in the story. They'll never be the same again, and hopefully, that's a good thing.

Some pros and cons of Freytag's Pyramid:

Because Freytag's Pyramid is easily visually represented, it's often the first structure writers learn, and it's a great jumping-off point for beginners. Freytag's Pyramid may be right for you if:

• You don't like to plot in detail before you write.
• You prefer to plan major scenes and plot points before you start but leave the rest to be discovered.
• More detailed structures overwhelm you.
• You're writing a story for the first time and just want the practice.
• Having a detailed, cohesive plot isn't your first priority, but you still like to have a plan.

More resources on Freytag's Pyramid:

• Freytag’s Pyramid: Understand the Shape of Tragic Drama (reedsy.com)
• The 5 Stages of Freytag's Pyramid: Intro to Dramatic Structure (writers.com)

Next week, I'll cover the Hero's Journey, from which Freytag's Pyramid is derived. Fantasy lovers and adventure writers, be sure to check it out because the Hero's Journey is incredibly popular in your genre--think The Hobbit. 😊🗡️

*all graphics are my own