English
Dramatic structure.
Definition
The framework that organizes the events of a play or story into a coherent sequence. The most common model is Freytag's Pyramid, which divides a drama into five parts: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution (denouement).
Examples
Real-world.
- 1 In Romeo and Juliet, the exposition introduces the feuding families; the climax is the deaths of the lovers
- 2 A mystery novel's rising action builds suspense through clues and red herrings
- 3 The resolution of a comedy typically ends with marriages or reconciliation
Key Fact
Freytag's Pyramid: Exposition → Rising Action → Climax → Falling Action → Denouement