NARRATIVE STRUCTURE

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Comedy and Tragedy

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all CHARACTERS MAKE A JOURNEY

“There are only two or three human stories, and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened

before.

”-Willa Cather

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

adapted from Gustav Freytag’s Technik des Dramas (1863)Photo Credit: thedot

tragedy

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

INCITING MOMENT

EXPO

SITI

ON

“Exposition consists of early material providing the

theme, establishing the setting, and introducing

major characters and early hints of coming conflict.

”

tragedy

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

RISI

NG A

CTIO

N

“”Rising action is an increase in tension developing from the

conflict of the protagonist (tragic hero).

tragedy

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

“The climax is the moment of greatest tension.

” COM

PLIC

ATIO

N

CLIMAX

tragedy

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

REVERSAL “The reversal is when the protagonist’s fortune

changes irrecoverably for the worse, frequently

caused by the tragic hero's most admirable trait.

”

tragedy

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

ANAGO

RISIS “During the anagorisis, the tragic hero will verbalize his or her tragic error in a moment of recognition.

”

tragedy

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

FALLING ACTIO

N “During the falling action, earlier tragic force causes further failing of the hero, culminating in the final

catastrophe and emotional purgation in the audience.

”

tragedy

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

“The catastrophe often spirals outward due to an

earlier choice, causing suffering of the hero and

often those the hero wants to protect.

”MOMENT OF

LAST SUSPENSE

CATASTROPHE

tragedy

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

“After the moment of last suspense, the

denouement unwinds tension and provides

closure.

”MOMENT OF

LAST SUSPENSE

CATASTROPHE

tragedy

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

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comedy

(adapted)

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

CAN BE ANYONE“”A comedic hero can be anyone. Being human,

they will begin with defects such as excessive

pride, anger, or vanity. They will also desire

something or someone.

EXPO

SITI

ON

comedy

(adapted)

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

CONF

USIO

N

“”

comedy

(adapted)

A confusion, miscommunication,

frustration, or other event gets in the way of the

protagonist's desire while he or she is on the way to

that desire.

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

“”

The climax is the moment of greatest confusion or

complication, usually disastrous for the protagonist. The

protagonist shows human weakness and limitation,

usually in front of a crowd. FU

RTHE

R CO

MPL

ICAT

ION

CLIMAX

comedy

(adapted)

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

REVERSAL “”

comedy

(adapted)

The reversal is when the protagonist’s fortune

changes for the better. This may be caused by what

was the comic hero’s most prominent character

weakness or limitation.

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

ANAGO

RISIS “”

comedy

(adapted)

During the anagorisis, the comic hero will verbalize the possibility of reaching or acquiring what he or

she desires in a moment of recognition.

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

RESOLUTIO

N OR ACCEPTANCE “”

comedy

(adapted)

Resolution or acceptance occurs after

the climax. The protagonist either resolves the

confusion or complication, or learns to accept himself

or herself despite the complication.

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

“”CELEBRATION

comedy

The celebration of the comic protagonist or his or

her actions occurs after climax is resolved or

accepted.

(adapted)

active plotsGIVE STORIES

VALUE

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TAKE NOTE OF SIMILARITIES IN PLOTS

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CAN'T SAVE POOR WRITING

good STRUCTURE

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control yourPLOT

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move yourHERO

FORWARDPhoto Credit: Julius No