What is Falling Action in a Story? A Comprehensive Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 21 June 2023 6 min read

When diving into the world of storytelling, it's essential to grasp the various components that make up a well-structured narrative. One crucial aspect of a story is the falling action. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore what the falling action of a story is, its importance, and how to create a compelling falling action that keeps readers engaged.

Defining Falling Action

The falling action is the part of a story that comes after the climax and leads to the story's resolution. It's the stage where the tension begins to decrease, and the narrative starts to wrap up, guiding readers toward the story's conclusion. Let's dive deeper into the defining elements of the falling action:

Difference Between Falling Action and Resolution

While both falling action and resolution are parts of a story's denouement, they serve different purposes. The falling action is the series of events that follows the climax, answering any remaining questions and resolving any conflicts. On the other hand, the resolution is the final outcome of the story, where all loose ends are tied up, and the characters' arcs are completed.

Importance of Falling Action

Falling action is vital for a satisfying story, as it allows the readers to process the climax and see the consequences of the characters' actions. It also sets the stage for a natural, well-rounded conclusion, making the story feel complete. Without a well-crafted falling action, a story can feel abrupt and leave readers unsatisfied.

Elements of Falling Action

There are several key elements that contribute to an effective falling action. By focusing on these aspects, you can ensure that your story's falling action is engaging and satisfying for readers. Let's take a look at these components:

Character Development

During the falling action, characters often undergo important changes in response to the events of the climax. This is the time to show how the characters have grown or learned from their experiences, such as demonstrating newfound wisdom or overcoming personal obstacles. By doing so, you give readers a sense of closure and satisfaction as the story comes to an end.

Tying up Loose Ends

Falling action is the perfect opportunity to address any remaining questions or unresolved plot points. This is when you can reveal hidden motives, explain mysteries, or resolve lingering conflicts. By tying up these loose ends, you'll create a sense of completeness in your story and prevent readers from feeling like something is missing.

Pacing and Tension

While the falling action is generally less intense than the climax, it's important to maintain a sense of momentum as the story moves towards its conclusion. You should still keep readers engaged by using a steady pace and gradually easing the tension. This can be achieved by revealing information methodically, balancing emotional moments, and ensuring that the stakes remain clear.

Examples of Falling Action

To help you better understand what the falling action of a story looks like, let's explore some examples from various forms of media. These examples will illustrate how different stories handle the falling action and provide a clearer picture of how this important narrative element functions.

Example from Literature

In Harper Lee's classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the falling action occurs after the trial of Tom Robinson, which serves as the story's climax. During the falling action, we witness the aftermath of the trial and its effects on the characters. Key moments in this section include the resolution of Bob Ewell's threats, the revelation of Boo Radley's true character, and Scout's newfound understanding of her world. These events help to tie up loose ends and show the growth of the characters as they come to terms with the events that transpired in the story.

Example from Film

In the movie The Lion King, the falling action begins after Simba defeats Scar and reclaims his place as king. During this portion of the story, the once-devastated Pride Rock begins to recover, and the circle of life is restored. The falling action here emphasizes Simba's growth as a character, as he accepts his responsibilities and becomes a wise and capable leader. This part of the story helps to wrap up the narrative and provides a satisfying conclusion for the audience.

Example from Television

In the popular television series Breaking Bad, the falling action occurs in the final episodes after the climax involving Walter White's criminal empire collapsing. During the falling action, we see the consequences of Walter's actions, the resolution of various character arcs, and the ultimate fate of the main characters. This part of the story helps to bring closure to the series and ensures that all the loose ends are tied up before the conclusion.

How to Write Effective Falling Action

Now that you have a better idea of what the falling action of a story looks like, let's explore some tips for writing your own effective falling action. This section will help you ensure a satisfying conclusion to your narrative by addressing important elements such as story structure, character arcs, and reader engagement.

Know Your Story Structure

Understanding the overall structure of your story is vital when crafting the falling action. You should have a clear idea of the story's climax and the events that led up to it. By knowing where your story's peak stands, you can ensure the falling action provides a natural progression towards the resolution. This will help you maintain a coherent and satisfying narrative flow.

Focus on Character Arcs

One of the key aspects of falling action is how it affects the characters in your story. To write effective falling action, you need to pay close attention to your characters' development. Consider how the events of the climax have changed them and what they have learned throughout the story. By focusing on character arcs, you can craft falling action that demonstrates personal growth and showcases the consequences of the story's events on the characters.

Keep the Reader Engaged

Even though the falling action occurs after the story's climax, it's still important to keep your audience engaged. To do this, maintain a balance between tying up loose ends and keeping the story moving forward. You can use elements like pacing, tension, and intrigue to ensure your reader stays invested in the narrative. Remember, the falling action is your opportunity to bring the story to a satisfying conclusion, so make the most of it and leave your readers feeling fulfilled.

Falling Action in Different Genres

While the concept of falling action is universal across storytelling, the way it manifests can differ depending on the genre of your story. In this section, we'll examine how falling action can take shape in three popular genres: mystery, romance, and fantasy.

Falling Action in Mystery

In a mystery story, the falling action typically involves the protagonist revealing the solution to the central puzzle or crime. This might include:

Explaining how they pieced together clues
Revealing the identity of the perpetrator
Describing the motives behind the crime

During the falling action, a mystery story may also resolve any subplots or secondary mysteries, creating a sense of closure for the reader. It's essential to tie up all loose ends in a mystery to ensure a satisfying conclusion.

Falling Action in Romance

In a romance story, the falling action often focuses on the emotional resolution between the main characters. This can take various forms, such as:

A heartfelt conversation that resolves misunderstandings
A grand romantic gesture to win back a partner's love
A mutual decision to move forward together or apart

During the falling action in a romance, it's important to address any lingering emotional conflicts and showcase how the characters have grown throughout the story. This emotional resolution helps to create a satisfying ending for the reader.

Falling Action in Fantasy

In a fantasy story, the falling action often deals with the aftermath of a climactic battle or the resolution of a central conflict. This might include:

Rebuilding a society or kingdom after a great conflict
Returning home and reflecting on the journey
Addressing the consequences of using magical powers

Fantasy stories can also use the falling action to resolve character arcs and subplots, revealing how the events of the story have affected the world and its inhabitants. It's vital to address the broader implications of the story's events to create a satisfying conclusion in a fantasy narrative.

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