Exposition (introduction) is the beginning of the story.

Conflict can be any form of struggle the main character faces. There may be only one central struggle, or there may be many minor obstacles within a dominant struggle. Character vs. Self -struggles with own soul, physical limitations, choices, etc. External - struggles with a force outside one's self. Character vs. Character - struggles against other people. Character vs. Nature - struggles against animals, weather, environment, etc. Character vs. Society - struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of others

Climax is the turning point of the story. Readers wonder what will happen next; will the conflict be resolved or not?

Falling action is where the resolution begins; events and complications start to fall into place. These are the events between climax and denouement.

Resolution (Conclusion) is the final outcome of events in the story.