The falling action is the part of a story that happens just after the climax. It shows what happens as the tension starts to drop and the story begins to move towards the ending. This is where problems start to get sorted out, and we see the effects of the climax on the characters.
Writers use the falling action to help bring the story to a close. It helps readers understand the consequences of what has happened and prepares them for the resolution. In GCSE English Literature, understanding the falling action helps you see how a plot is structured and how tension is controlled.
Example of falling action in a GCSE text
In Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the falling action begins after Macbeth is killed by Macduff.
The tension decreases as Malcolm is declared king and order is restored in Scotland. This shows how the conflict is ending and the consequences of Macbeth’s ambition are made clear.
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