Falling Action – Definition, Tips, and Examples

In the world of storytelling, every element plays a critical role in shaping the narrative. One such element that often goes overlooked yet is Falling Action. Falling action is more than just a scene; it’s an integral part of the plot structure that adds depth and realism to your story. Whether you’re crafting a short story or building a complex novel, understanding how falling action works will help you create compelling narratives that engage readers.

This guide dives deep into the definition of falling action, explores its importance in storytelling, offers practical tips for incorporating it effectively, and provides real-world examples to illustrate its impact. By the end of this post, you’ll have a solid grasp of how to use falling action to enhance your writing.

What is Falling Action?

Before we delve into tips and examples, let’s start with the basics: what exactly is falling action?

Falling action refers to the events that naturally follow a protagonist’s realization or the inciting incident in their journey. It’s the series of actions taken by the protagonist as they confront the consequences of their choices and work toward resolving the conflict.

In simpler terms, falling action is what happens after the protagonist has faced their problem and begins taking steps to overcome it. It’s the logical progression of events that brings the story closer to its resolution.

For example, consider a story where the protagonist realizes they’ve committed a crime. The falling action would involve them confessing, paying for their mistake, and moving on with their life. This sequence makes sense and feels natural to readers because it follows the principle of causality—each event leads logically to the next.

Why is Falling Action Important?

Falling action isn’t just an afterthought in storytelling; it’s essential for creating a believable narrative. Here’s why falling action matters:

1. Causality: Falling action ensures that each event in your story has a logical cause and effect, making the plot feel realistic.
2. Character Development: It shows how the protagonist evolves over time, helping readers understand their growth or decline.
3. Conflict Resolution: Falling action helps resolve the central conflict, bringing the story to its satisfying conclusion.
4. Emotional Impact: When done well, the falling action can evoke strong emotions in readers as they witness the protagonist’s transformation.

How to Incorporate Falling Action into Your Writing

Now that we’ve established what falling action is and why it matters, let’s explore how you can include it effectively in your writing.

1. Understand the Protagonist’s Perspective

The key to crafting effective falling action lies in understanding the protagonist’s mindset after they realize their mistake or face their conflict. The actions taken by the protagonist should align with their character and motivations. If your protagonist is a mature adult, their actions will reflect life experience; if they’re a child, their actions will be more impulsive.

Example: In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet realizes her mistake after Mr. Darcy’s proposal. The falling action involves her seeking an audience with him, which naturally leads to the moment of truth—her realization that she loves him.

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2. Plan Your Conflict and Resolution

Before you start writing your story, outline the conflict and its resolution. The falling action will be a critical part of this process. Here’s how to plan it:

1. Inciting Incident: This is where the conflict is first introduced.
2. Rising Action: This is when the protagonist takes the first steps toward resolving the conflict.
3. Falling Action: This is where the protagonist faces the consequences and works toward resolution.
4. Climax: The peak of the conflict, often involving a big decision or action.
5. Falling Action Continued: The final steps as the protagonist confronts their fate or works toward healing.

Example: In The Hunger Games, Katniss’s falling action includes her attempt to kill President Snow, her capture by district leaders, and her subsequent rebellion against them.

3. Use Falling Action to Show Growth

Falling action is a great way to show how the protagonist grows throughout the story. By facing their consequences, they learn valuable lessons that shape their character for future conflicts.

Example: In The Fault in Our Stars, the titular character realizes she’s dying and begins focusing on meaningful actions—like writing letters—to preserve her memories and relationships.

4. Create Realism with Plausible Consequences

Falling action should feel realistic to your readers. The events should align with the protagonist’s past experiences and their current circumstances.

Example: If a character is a soldier returning home injured, their falling action could include dealing with medical bills, losing his job, and struggling financially—events that make sense given his background.

5. Use Falling Action to Heighten Emotion

The right sequence of events can evoke strong emotions in readers as they witness the protagonist’s transformation. Whether it’s relief, anger, or acceptance, falling action should serve a purpose in driving the story forward.

Example: In Gone with the Wind, Scarlett O’Hara confronts her fate during the Battle of Gettysburg and accepts her destiny, leading to her downfall but also allowing for character growth.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Falling Action

1. Overlooking Falling Action: Some writers feel that falling action is too obvious or anticlimactic and skip it entirely. This can lead to a disjointed narrative where readers feel the conflict isn’t properly resolved.
2. Falling Action Without Consequence: If your protagonist doesn’t face any consequences, the story feels incomplete. Always ensure that there’s a logical reason for the falling action.
3. Falling Action That Contradicts Character: Your protagonist’s actions should reflect their personality and past experiences. If they act illogically, readers will question your writing.
4. Falling Action Without Build-Up: Without a rising action leading up to it, the falling action may feel abrupt or out of place.

Examples of Falling Action in Literature

To better understand how falling action works, let’s look at some real-world examples from literature and film:

1. The Great Gatsby by F scott fitzgerald

• Inciting Incident: Tom hasn’t spoken to Daisy in years.
• Rising Action: Tom tries to reach out but is unsuccessful.
• Falling Action: Tom finally reaches Daisy, who accepts his proposal. This moment of truth marks the resolution of their conflict.

2. 1984 by george orwell

• Inciting Incident: Winston falls ill and has to be nursed back to health.
• Rising Action: Winston works tirelessly to recover from the flu.
• Falling Action: Winston becomes exhausted and collapses, revealing that he is indeed ill. The falling action leads to his imminent defeat by Big Brother.

3. The Godfather by frances coleman

• Inciting Incident: Michael Corleone returns to take over the family business after the death of Don Vito.
• Rising Action: Michael begins dealing with his new responsibilities, including his marriage to Connie Corleone and his relationship with his brother Freddie.
• Falling Action: After a series of events—such as his father’s death and his brother’s betrayal—Michael’s resolve is tested. The falling action culminates in the infamous family hit scene.

Final Thoughts on Falling Action

Falling action is one of the most underappreciated elements of storytelling. It’s easy to overlook its importance, but it plays a crucial role in creating believable and emotionally engaging narratives. By understanding how to incorporate falling action into your writing, you can bring depth and realism to your stories.

Remember, effective falling action:

• It is rooted in causality.
• Reflects the protagonist’s character and circumstances.
• Brings closure to conflicts.
• Evokes emotion.

So, the next time you’re writing a story, think about how your protagonist’s actions will play out after they face their consequences. With careful planning and execution, falling action can be a powerful tool in your storytelling arsenal.