Falling action : definition and how to write it

The climax gets all the glory, but what happens after the big turning point can make or break your story’s impact. That’s where the falling action comes in. It’s the part where tension winds down, consequences unfold, and characters start picking up the pieces.

Done well, it adds emotional weight and leaves your readers satisfied. Done poorly, it can leave them feeling unsatisfied or confused.

What is the Falling Action in a Story?

The falling action is the part of the story that comes right after the climax and leads to the resolution. It’s where the immediate tension begins to settle, loose ends start to tie up, and we begin to see the outcome of the story’s main conflict.

In traditional story structure, like Freytag’s Pyramid, the falling action (that is different from the rising action) comes between the climax (the turning point) and the denouement (the final outcome or resolution). Think of it as the aftermath, the emotional and narrative "cool down" from the peak of the story.

Its purpose is to:

• Show the consequences of the climax

• Transition the reader from high tension to closure

• Address remaining subplots or character arcs

• Set the emotional tone for the ending

Without it, the story may feel rushed or emotionally flat. Imagine a story where the hero defeats the villain, and then—boom—the book ends. That might leave readers wondering: What happened after? What changed? What was the cost?

What is an Example of a Falling Action?

Let’s take a well-known example: J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Climax: Harry faces Professor Quirrell and Voldemort in the underground chamber.

Falling Action:

• Harry wakes up in the hospital wing.

• Dumbledore explains what happened and fills in some blanks.

• The school year ends, and Gryffindor wins the House Cup.

• Harry returns home with the Dursleys for the summer.

These moments:

• Ease the tension after the confrontation

• Answer lingering questions

• Reinforce Harry’s personal growth

• Prepare the stage for the next book

Other famous examples include:

• The Lord of the Rings: After the Ring is destroyed, we see the aftermath in Gondor, Frodo’s return to the Shire, and eventually his departure to the Undying Lands.

• Romeo and Juliet: After their deaths (climax), the feuding families mourn and vow to reconcile. This is the emotional fall and resolution.

Falling action isn’t filler, it’s essential narrative space for healing, reflection, and change.

How to Write the Falling Action?

Writing a good falling action involves more than just winding things down. It’s about choosing what to show (and what to leave out), guiding the emotional tone, and wrapping up arcs in a way that feels earned.

How Do You Start a Falling Action?

Start your falling action immediately after the climax. There’s no need for a pause. The emotional and narrative tension should begin to decline naturally. The stakes have been resolved, and now the fallout begins.

Ask yourself:

• What is the immediate aftermath of the climax?

• What is your protagonist’s physical and emotional state?

• What questions do the characters (and readers) still need answered?

You don’t need to explain everything at once. A good falling action can reveal more than explain, using character choices, conversations, and small details to show how the world has changed.

Example opening lines for falling action:

• “The battlefield was silent, except for the crackling fires and distant cries.”

• “She sat on the floor, the letter still in her hands, the truth sinking in.”

• “The trial was over. The jury had spoken. Now came the waiting.”

These beginnings shift the tone from high-stakes to introspective, often immediately signaling that we’re entering a new emotional phase.

What Should Be in the Falling Action?

There’s no one-size-fits-all, but here are common elements to consider including:

1. Consequences of the climax: What happened as a result of the main conflict being resolved? Did someone die? Is there legal or emotional fallout?

2. Character responses: Show how characters are changed by what happened. Growth, regret, relief, guilt, joy—this is the space to show internal shifts.

3. Wrap-up of subplots: Address any unresolved relationships, arcs, or mysteries. This doesn’t mean everything must tie up neatly, but the big threads should.

4. Re-establishing normal (or a new normal): Often, the story returns to a quieter pace—but nothing is quite the same. Show how the world or character has changed.

5. Foreshadowing or setting up future stories (if applicable): If you’re writing a series, this is a great place to drop a subtle hook for the next book.

How Long Should the Falling Action Be?

There’s no exact length requirement—it should be as long as it needs to be to provide closure, but not so long that it drags. A few guidelines:

• Short stories: A paragraph or a page might be enough.

• Novels: It can range from a chapter to several chapters, depending on the complexity of the climax and subplots.

What matters most is pacing. If your climax was intense and fast, a slower, quieter falling action helps the reader transition emotionally. But if your falling action drags on too long or introduces new conflicts, it can dilute the power of your climax.

Tip: When in doubt, write the falling action and then revise to tighten or expand it. Reader feedback is also a great tool for spotting pacing issues.

Little Tips to Write the Falling Action

Here are a few practical tips to help you make the most of your falling action:

Match the emotional tone

If your climax was tragic, let the falling action carry that weight. If it was triumphant, reflect that joy—but don’t make it too perfect. Realistic nuance wins.

Let characters breathe

Give your characters time to feel what just happened. Internal monologue, quiet moments, or conversations help anchor their emotional journey.

Don’t solve new problems

Avoid introducing fresh conflicts in the falling action unless they directly relate to the climax’s resolution or set up a sequel.

Use imagery and symbolism

This is a great place for callbacks to earlier imagery or motifs. It reinforces theme and gives a sense of completeness.

Leave room for reflection

Readers need time to emotionally absorb the climax. Thoughtful, slower scenes in the falling action give them the space to do that.

End with purpose

Even though the falling action isn't the climax, it leads directly into the story’s ending. Make sure the final moments are intentional and emotionally resonant.