Explain the elements of the narrative story arc. why is it important when writing a narrative

Before getting into the elements of a narrative story arc, best to define what it is first.  The Narrative Story arc, or as some would call it, the story arc”, is the makeup of an entire story. It outlines the sequence of the events in a story which starts with the opening or introduction, the body and the closing moments of a story. The story arc is quite important when writing a narrative as it aids in effective story-telling, helping readers connect one plot to another, keeping them excited and engaged enough to find out what happens in the story next.

The Elements of the Narrative Story

 1.     Exposition. Pertains to the part where the background of the story is established. This is where the readers can get the idea of what the story is about, when and where the story takes place,  who the characters are and the roles that they play throughout the story, and where the tonality or mood is set-up.

2.     Rising Action. As the word “rising” connotes, this is the part where an interesting plot starts to build-up. In the story of The Ten Commandments, for instance, this is where Moses tells the pharaoh Rameses that God will bring forth ten plagues upon Egypt if the Israelites would not be freed.

 3.     Climax. Simply put, this is where the high point of the story happens. Going back to the Ten Commandments as an example, this is the moment where the ten plagues happen and Rameses ends up allowing the people of Israel go as he suffers the loss of his first born son, the tenth plague in the story.

 4.     Falling Action. After the climax of the story has been established, there needs to be a transitional phase that leads to the ending of the story. In this part of the arc, all sub-plots in the story are answered.  The reader will be able to connect all the sub-plots in the story or “put the pieces of the puzzle together” to see the entire picture.

 5.     Resolution.  Where the story comes to an end.