What is Rising Action? [Definition and Examples]

The secret to gripping storytelling? It’s all in the build-up (or what’s called “rising action”).

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Every great story has a moment when things start to shift—the calm before the storm fades, tensions rise, and the real drama begins. That moment isn’t just exciting; it’s a crucial part of storytelling.

This is the rising action, the stretch of a narrative where stakes intensify, conflicts deepen, and characters are tested in ways that shape their journey. It’s the buildup that keeps readers hooked, flipping pages to see what happens next.

Let’s talk about what makes rising action so essential and explore some examples that show how to craft it effectively in your own stories.

What is rising action?

The rising action is a literary term that refers to the part of a story where tension and conflict steadily build, heightening suspense and driving the plot forward.

Put simply, it’s the sequence of events that connects the introduction of the main conflict to the story’s climax. The rising action definition includes everything that complicates the protagonist’s journey—unexpected challenges, obstacles, and moments that deepen emotional investment.

This is where characters develop, relationships evolve, and stakes rise, setting the stage for the story’s pivotal turning point. In essence, the rising action is what gives a narrative its momentum, keeping readers or viewers eager to see how events unfold.

While rising action is often associated with longer works, it can also be effectively structured in short stories using adapted templates and worksheets.

How rising action fits into your story structure

To understand the function of rising action, it helps to look at the entire dramatic structure as a progression of key events. One of the most well-known frameworks for this is Freytag’s Pyramid, a model developed by Gustav Freytag, a 19th-century German playwright and critic. Inspired by Shakespearean drama, Freytag’s structure illustrates how tension and conflict escalate toward the climax.

Here’s how it all comes together:

• Exposition: The beginning of the story, where you set the scene, introduce the characters, and establish the setting.

• Inciting Incident: The event that disrupts the status quo and sets the main plot in motion, introducing the central conflict.

• Rising Action: The sequence of escalating events and challenges that deepen the conflict and build tension, propelling the story toward the climax.

• Dilemma/Crisis: A pivotal decision or turning point that forces the protagonist into action, often heightening the stakes and adding pressure.

• Climax: The build-up or climax of the story is where the action reaches its highest point, the conflict comes to a head, and everything changes.

• Denouement: The resolution, where loose ends are tied up, and the characters deal with the aftermath of the climax.

Examples of rising action

To truly understand the power of rising action, it helps to see it in action. These examples show how rising action shapes the story and keeps readers hooked until the climax.

Romeo and Juliet

In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the rising action begins shortly after Romeo and Juliet meet at the Capulet party, igniting a passionate love despite the longstanding feud between their families.

This rising tension builds as Romeo and Juliet secretly decide to marry, even as they face the looming threats from their surroundings in Verona. The escalating conflict takes a darker turn when Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, challenges Romeo to a duel, ultimately leading to Tybalt’s own death at Romeo’s hands.

These events are crucial to the point of the story, as they push the lovers deeper into danger and increase the stakes. The rising action continues to add layers of complications, setting the stage for the story’s tragic climax and fulfilling the themes that English literature students study today.

Harry Potter

In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the rising action begins when Hagrid arrives to tell the eleven-year-old Harry Potter that he is a wizard, leading him to Hogwarts.

As Harry learns more about his magical abilities, he also uncovers the mystery surrounding his parents’ fate and the dark wizard Voldemort, who is believed to have caused their deaths. The rising tension continues as Harry navigates school life, encounters strange behaviors from teachers like Snape, and gradually pieces together clues about the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Each event builds on the last, with secrets, dangers, and challenges steadily escalating as Harry and his friends draw closer to the truth about Voldemort and the threat of his possible return. These moments ultimately lead to the critical confrontation, where Harry must face the reality of Voldemort’s lingering power and his own mortality.

Lord of the Rings

In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the rising action begins when Frodo inherits the One Ring from Bilbo and learns of its true power and the dangers it holds.

As Frodo sets out on his journey to protect the Ring, tension builds with every new threat—from escaping the Shire, being pursued by the terrifying Ringwraiths, and joining the Fellowship, to facing the dangers of Moria and the realization of the Ring’s corrupting influence. The stakes continue to escalate as Frodo struggles with the burden of carrying the Ring, knowing its immense power could fall into enemy hands at any moment.

This rising tension steadily drives the story forward, pushing Frodo and the Fellowship toward their perilous quest to destroy the Ring.

Tips for building rising action in your story

The rising action is where you grip the reader and refuse to let go. This part of the plot structure is all about creating momentum—turning the inciting event into a series of events that lead the main character toward their moment of truth.

The rising action builds tension through challenges, setbacks, and conflict—whether internal or external—that force the protagonist to change. This phase isn’t just the longest part of the story; it’s where your main character develops, stakes get higher, and reader interest grows.

Below are some writing tips to help you make your story’s rising action the most compelling part of the plot.

• Raise the stakes continuously: In a great story, each new challenge should be harder than the last, adding more pressure to the protagonist. This keeps reader interest and makes the rising action of a story both gripping and effective.

• Introduce external and internal conflicts: Make sure the protagonist faces both external conflict (physical obstacles or antagonists) and internal conflict (fears, doubts, weaknesses). These elements of plot are essential for building a complete character arc.

• Add subplots for complexity: Subplots that tie into the main storyline add layers and tension, especially when they directly affect the main character’s journey and lead to significant plot points.

• Use the three-act structure: The rising action fits into the second act of the three-act structure, which means it’s about plot development. Make the rising action a series of events that steadily push your character forward.

• Focus on character growth: Rising action works best when your character is evolving—whether they’re gaining courage, realizing flaws, or deciding what they truly want. This helps ensure that the falling action and end of the story feel earned.

• Foreshadow future obstacles: Use hints to build reader interest and tension. When your readers sense that something big is coming, they stay engaged throughout the rising action.

• Incorporate a time limit: Introducing urgency—a ticking clock—can make every part of the rising action more intense, adding stress to even small moments.

• Give the hero wins and losses: To keep your plot points interesting, mix small victories with setbacks. Fakes or false triumphs work well to keep the tension going, as the main character thinks they’re closer to success, only to be proven wrong.

• Let relationships develop: Show how interactions with others impact the protagonist’s journey. Romantic tension, betrayals, and alliances are all powerful tools in the narrative structure of rising action.

• Reveal key information gradually: During the rising action, drop critical revelations at strategic points to change the dynamics of the storyline, shifting the main character’s goals or their understanding of what’s at stake.

By mastering these elements of plot in the rising action, you can build tension that keeps readers on the edge of their seats and delivers a good story that sticks with them well after they reach the end of the story.