dramatic arc
Narrative rise-fall pattern
A dramatic arc is the trajectory of a story's tension and emotion from beginning to end—the shape formed by rising action, climax, and resolution.
The term applies to plays, films, novels, and individual characters: Her character's dramatic arc takes her from naïve idealist to hardened survivor.
A story with a satisfying dramatic arc feels complete; one without may feel aimless.
- story structureOrganization of plot elements
- three act structureStorytelling divided into thirds
- rising actionPlot buildup toward climax
- tensionStretched or strained state
- foreshadowingHinting at later events
exposition · tragedy · suspense · climax · hero's journey · tragic flaw · catharsis · turning point · denouement · pacing · resolution · final act · emotional journey · character development · comedy · falling action · exhilaration · melodrama
- plot structureplot, structure, arc, story arc, narrative arc
- story arcsplot, climax, resolution, rising action, falling action
- story structureact one, act two, act three, first act, second act
- dramaturgydramaturg, text interpretation, playwright, playwrights, playwriting
- tragedytragedy, tragic flaw, tragic hero, tragic heroes, tragic irony
- arcssemicircle, crescent, parabola, curve, bow
dramatic arcvignettes
Brief evocative descriptions
plotlessness · slice of life · fragmented narrative · picaresque · stream of consciousness
dramatic arcflatline
Show no heartbeat
stasis · anti-climax · steady state · plateau
dramatic arcstasis
State of inactivity
meandering · aimlessness · going nowhere · anti-climax · Waiting for Godot
dramatic, drama, dramas, dramatics, dramatically, dramatize, dramatized, dramatizes, dramatizing