Here's a breakdown:
1. Exposition:
* Introduces the characters, setting, and basic conflict.
* Creates the initial context for the story.
2. Rising Action:
* A series of events leading to the climax.
* The conflict intensifies, and tension builds.
* Characters face challenges and make choices that affect the story's direction.
3. Climax:
* The point of highest tension and conflict.
* The protagonist faces their greatest challenge.
* The outcome of the story is often decided here.
4. Falling Action:
* Events that occur immediately after the climax.
* The consequences of the climax start to unfold.
* Tension eases, and the story moves towards resolution.
5. Resolution (or Denouement):
* The ending of the story.
* The conflict is resolved, and loose ends are tied up.
* The characters are often left in a new, transformed state.
Think of it like a roller coaster:
* The exposition is like getting into the car at the start.
* The rising action is the climb up the big hill, building anticipation.
* The climax is the thrilling drop.
* The falling action is the track after the drop, gradually slowing down.
* The resolution is the return to a "normal" state at the end of the ride.
A good storyline is engaging, believable, and emotionally resonant. It keeps readers hooked, wondering what will happen next, and feeling something at the end.