Before getting into the elements
of a narrative story arc, best to define what it is first. The Narrative Story arc, or as some would
call it, the story arc”, is the makeup of an entire story. It outlines the
sequence of the events in a story which starts with the opening or introduction,
the body and the closing moments of a story. The story arc is quite important
when writing a narrative as it aids in effective story-telling, helping readers
connect one plot to another, keeping them excited and engaged enough to find
out what happens in the story next.
The Elements of the Narrative
Story
1.
Exposition. Pertains to the part where the background
of the story is established. This is where the readers can get the idea of what
the story is about, when and where the story takes place, who the characters are and the roles that they
play throughout the story, and where the tonality or mood is set-up.
2.
Rising Action. As the word “rising” connotes, this is
the part where an interesting plot starts to build-up. In the story of The Ten
Commandments, for instance, this is where Moses tells the pharaoh Rameses that
God will bring forth ten plagues upon Egypt if the Israelites would not be
freed.
3.
Climax. Simply put, this is where the high point of the
story happens. Going back to the Ten Commandments as an example, this is the
moment where the ten plagues happen and Rameses ends up allowing the people of
Israel go as he suffers the loss of his first born son, the tenth plague in the
story.
4.
Falling Action. After the climax of the story has been
established, there needs to be a transitional phase that leads to the ending of
the story. In this part of the arc, all sub-plots in the story are
answered. The reader will be able to
connect all the sub-plots in the story or “put the pieces of the puzzle
together” to see the entire picture.
5.
Resolution.
Where the story comes to an end.
