How to Use the Five-Act Story Structure (for Beginner Writers + Examples)

Have you ever felt like your story starts strong but fizzles out halfway through? Or maybe you have reached the end and realized something just does not feel right? Do not worry, every writer has been there.

When it comes to storytelling, structure is a great way to frame your work. It is a clear plan you can fall back on if you get stuck or have no idea how to continue. That is where the five-act story structure comes in. The five-act story structure is known as Freytag’s Pyramid. It is mostly used in classical theater, such as Shakespeare. This story structure has been shaping stories for centuries and it is still as powerful as it once was. Just let us understand what it truly is.

What is the Five-Act Story Structure?

The five-act structure is a storytelling framework that divides a narrative into five key steps. Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. Each act is necessary to build tension, develop characters, and create a compelling story. 

Unlike the more popular three-act structure (Beginning, Middle, End), the five-act version allows for more room for creativity and allows writers to take more control, especially writers with unique tastes.

Here is a quick overview.

Act one – Exposition: Introduce your characters, setting, and the central conflict.

Act two – Rising Action: Tension builds as your characters face increasing challenges.

Act three – Climax: The most intense moment—the big decision or confrontation.

Act four – Falling Action: Consequences unfold, and the story starts to wind down.

Act five – Resolution: Loose ends are tied up, and the character’s journey concludes.

Act one – Exposition

Show the ordinary life of your protagonist. Show the reader who they are before anything happens. Do not start too early, you want to be in action. A great way to accomplish this is by introducing a conflict in their ordinary life. Remember act one ends with the inciting incident.

Act Two – Rising Action

You will spend more time here than any other stage of your story. In the second act, the conflict increases. The protagonist will constantly try to reach their goal but will continue to face numerous challenges. Through these challenges, the character arcs develop.

Act Three – Climax

It is indeed bold to refer to the middle of the story as the climax, but it is not the climax. It is more of a point where the protagonist hits rock bottom and is in utter despair. Everything you have written has been leading to this point. It is where the tension is at its peak, yet far from done.

Act Four – Falling Action

Once again, it seems strange to call this part falling action, since you are in action. What this is suggesting is from this point it will lead to the resolution. Your protagonist is not afraid of what is going to happen, as it already happened. But rather what has to happen? It is also the perfect opportunity to make the reader doubt how the story will end.

Act Five – Resolution 

All the pieces will fit into the puzzle, and the story will come to an end, with either a tragic or happy ending. Sometimes, the protagonist learns a valuable lesson, and other times, not.  

Five-Act Story Structure Examples in Real Books

Let us examine how this structure plays out in two different novels: a classic romance and a modern dystopian novel. 

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Romance / Classic Fiction)

Act One – Exposition:

We meet the Bennet family in rural England, along with news that a wealthy bachelor, Mr. Bingley, has moved into the neighborhood. Elizabeth Bennet crosses paths with the proud and aloof Mr. Darcy. Sparks (and judgments) fly.

Act Two – Rising Action:

Misunderstandings grow. Mr. Darcy insults Elizabeth, Bingley courts Jane, and the charming Mr. Wickham spreads lies about Darcy. Elizabeth rejects Darcy’s first proposal, believing the worst of him.

Act Three – Climax:

Elizabeth learns the truth about Darcy’s character and realizes she was wrong. It’s a turning point in both her emotional journey and their relationship.

Act Four – Falling Action:

Darcy quietly helps Elizabeth’s family by handling the scandal with Lydia and Wickham. He proves his integrity and love, changing how Elizabeth sees him.

Act Five – Resolution:

Darcy and Elizabeth finally confess their love. They get engaged, and the story ends with multiple happy unions and personal growth.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Dystopian / YA Fiction)

Act One – Exposition:

In a dystopian future, Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12. When her younger sister Prim is chosen for the deadly Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers in her place.

Act Two – Rising Action:

Katniss is taken to the Capitol, trained, and thrown into the Games. Tension rises as she forms alliances, survives attacks, and faces moral dilemmas.

Act Three – Climax:

In a bold act of rebellion, Katniss and Peeta threaten to eat poison berries rather than kill each other. It forces the Capitol to let them both win.

Act Four – Falling Action:

They return home victorious, but Katniss begins to see the political consequences of her defiance. The Capitol is not pleased.

Act Five – Resolution:

Although they survive, Katniss knows her life will never be the same. The Games have changed her, setting the stage for the revolution to come in the sequels.

Why Should Writers Use the Five-Act Structure?

Why bother using the five-act? Why not use another one? Another structure would work fine, but if you struggle with a middle that drags or a climax that comes too late. Then this structure will be your friend.

It builds natural momentum. Unlike the three-act structure, which oversimplifies the story into beginning, middle, and end, the five-act structure gives your story more natural breathing space. It breaks the story into smaller, more manageable parts, especially in the middle, where most writers get stuck. This is in addition to a developed character arc. 

Benefits of Using the Five-Act Structure:

• Helps maintain momentum throughout the story.
• It prevents writer’s block.
• Encourages deeper character development.

How Can Beginner Writers Apply This?

You do not need to be a plotting genius to use the five-act structure. Here is how to start:

Outline in five phases. Ask yourself what happens in my story? Where does the tension peak and why is it there?

Look over other novels with the five-act story structure. Like the ones above (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins) analyze them and find out how it is molded into five acts. 

Revise your work. Have you finished your first draft? Write it again. Map out scenes where the structure is weak.

Final Thoughts – Start Structuring Your Story Today

The five-act story structure is not only for Shakespeare. It is for you. For writers it is important to try different styles and techniques, but especially for beginner writers. With everything we talk about today in mind, remember great stories do not happen accidentally. They happen with time, effort, and patience.