Short Story:
work of fiction, includes all
elements of fiction…
•plot
•characters
•setting
•theme
•point of view/narrator
Freytag’s Pyramid:
Visual of the events in a story –
WHAT HAPPENS!
1. Exposition
Freytag’s Pyramid—Visual representation of events in a story
3. Conflict
Freytag’s Pyramid—Visual representation of events in a story
Conflict:
A struggle between
opposing forces
Internal Conflict:
conflict found within the character
Man vs. Self
External Conflict:
conflict found on the outside
Man vs.
Man
Man vs.
Nature
Man vs.
Society
Freytag’s Pyramid—Visual representation of events in a story
5. Climax
Freytag’s Pyramid—Visual representation of events in a story
Freytag’s Pyramid—Visual representation of events in a story
7. Resolution
Freytag’s Pyramid—Visual representation of events in a story
?
Freytag’s Pyramid—Visual representation of events in a story
1. Pick 5 Popsicle sticks, one of each
color
2. Take the sticks to your desk and
read the sentences on the stick.
3. Place the sentences in order to
create Freytag’s Pyramid
The 1st sentence should seem like an
exposition, the second stick is the
rising action. Continue with each
stick you have a pyramid that looks
like the example above.
?
Freytag’s Pyramid—Visual representation of events in a story
1. Exposition
Provides background
information for the
story; sets the stage
2. Inciting
incident/Conflict
The single event
that signals the
beginning of a
conflict
Freytag’s Pyramid—Visual representation of a story
Complications
(Problems)
Development
3. Rising action
Tension builds in the
story leading to the
climax
1. Exposition
Provides background
information for the
story; sets the stage
2. Inciting
incident/Conflict
The single event
that signals the
beginning of a
conflict
Freytag’s Pyramid—Visual representation of a story
4. Climax
Moment of greatest tension; (the most
exciting event)
Complications
(Problems)
Development
3. Rising action
Tension builds in the
story leading to the
climax
1. Exposition
Provides background
information for the
story; sets the stage
2. Inciting
incident/Conflict
The single event
that signals the
beginning of a
conflict
Freytag’s Pyramid—Visual representation of a story
4. Climax
Moment of greatest tension; (the most
exciting event)
Complications
(Problems)
Development
3. Rising action
Tension builds in the
story leading to the
climax
1. Exposition
Provides background
information for the
story; sets the stage
5. Falling
action
Tension lessens; reader expects
story to end soon
2. Inciting
incident/Conflict
The single event
that signals the
beginning of a
conflict
Freytag’s Pyramid—Visual representation of a story
4. Climax
Moment of greatest tension; (the most
exciting event)
Complications
(Problems)
Development
3. Rising action
Tension builds in the
story leading to the
climax
1. Exposition
Provides background
information for the
story; sets the stage
2. Inciting
incident/Conflict
The single event
that signals the
beginning of a
conflict
5. Falling
action
Tension lessens; reader expects
story to end soon
6. Resolution
Main conflict is
resolved
Freytag’s Pyramid—Visual representation of a story
4. Climax
Moment of greatest tension; (the most
exciting event)
Complications
(Problems)
Development
3. Rising action
Tension builds in the
story leading to the
climax
1. Exposition
Provides background
information for the
story; sets the stage
2. Inciting
incident/Conflict
The single event
that signals the
beginning of a
conflict
5. Falling
action
Tension lessens; reader expects
story to end soon
6. Resolution
Main conflict is
resolved
7. Denouement
(day-noo-mah)
French for “the
end” Reader is
left to think
about the
THEME
Freytag’s Pyramid—Visual representation of a story
4. Climax
Majority of the
story – many
complications
arise.
3. Rising action
Moment of greatest tension; (the most
exciting event)
5. Falling Tension lessens; reader expects
story to end soon
action
6. Resolution Main conflict is resolved
7. Denouement Reader is left to think about the
THEME
Tension builds in the
story leading to the
climax
1. Exposition
Introduced to
Characters, Setting, and
Conflict!
2. Inciting
incident/Conflict
The single event
that signals the
beginning of a
conflict/Struggle in
the story.
Remember what happens because it is
a SHORT STORY.