exposition - background information in a story- introduces characters, setting, and a possible initial situation
rising action - the series of events in a story's plot that create increasing tension and suspense
climax - the point of greatest tension or the major turning point in a story's plot
falling action - the events in a story's plot that follow the climax and ties up loose ends
resolution - the point at which the main conflict in a story's plot is settled
conflict - the struggle between characters or forces