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(n) Freytag's pyramid / ˈfreɪtɑːɡz ˈpɪrəmɪd /
"a map that highlights dramatic structure—the order of events in which the plot of a story unfolds." (ProWritingAid)
origin
origin
Freytag's pyramid is one type of storytelling structure first described by Gustav Freytag, a German novelist and playwright. This structure can be applied to a large number of stories told throughout history and follows a five part structure as indicated below. It was originally described for realistic drama and tragedy (ProWritingAid).
Despite the fact that many literary works follow this structure, not all of them do. It is not the only storytelling structure, but it is a very prominent one. There are genres which will largely not follow this structure, but will instead modify it somehow or use a completely different one (e.g. the Hero's Journey or the Dan Harmon Story Circle) (ProWritingAid). Examples of these genres include experimental literature, absurdist theater, postmodernism, stream of consciousness and more.
five stages
five stages
Below is a list of the five stages of Freytag's pyramid with brief explanations for each one.
- introduction (exposition)
The introduction is where the author draws the audience in. They describe the settings, the characters, often they provide backstories, etc. While the length may vary, the common theme is that the introduction ends with an inciting incident, which sets in motion the rising action. (Writers.com)
- rising action (rise)
Rising action, or rise, is the part of the story where new characters get introduced who may complicate the plot, conflict arises, a good way to imagine rising action is "things get worse." (Writers.com)
- climax
If there is one most important part of story telling that follows this structure, it is the climax. Just as with other parts, it can vary in length, but the main idea of the climax is that the story's "plot twist" is revealed, often the story takes a turn which cannot be undone and a lot of turmoil happens during the climax. (ProWritingAid)
- falling action (return, fall)
Falling action deals with the consequences of the grand reveal of the climax. Loose ends must be tied together, characters typically react to the climax, parallels are drawn between the overall theme of the piece and the events of the climax. (Writers.com)
- resolution (denouement, catastrophe)
One way to think of the resolution is as the "conclusion." Because Freytag was mainly focusing this structure on tragedies, for these works resolutions include plenty of character deaths, hopelessness and tragedy. In other works, this may mean a hope for a new future, forgiveness, the start of a new life, etc. (Writers.com)
citations
Freytag’s pyramid: Definition, examples, and usage (no date) ProWritingAid. Available at: https://prowritingaid.com/freytags-pyramid#:~:text=The%20definition%20of%20Freytag’s%20Pyramid,the%20shape%20of%20a%20pyramid. (Accessed: 22 October 2023).
Glatch, S. (2021) The 5 stages of Freytag’s pyramid: Introduction to dramatic structure, Writers.com. Available at: https://writers.com/freytags-pyramid (Accessed: 22 October 2023).
List of story structures (2023) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_story_structures (Accessed: 22 October 2023).
made by: Michaela Prudikova, 511451
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