Rising Action in Stories: Definition & Examples

Rising action is what transforms a good idea into a gripping narrative. It builds momentum, deepens character arcs, and sets the stage for that satisfying payoff. While exposition gives us context and the climax delivers the big moment, it’s the rising action that does the heavy lifting in between.

In this guide, we’ll unpack the meaning of rising action in a story, explore key examples, and share tips to help you craft stronger narrative arcs.

What is Rising Action?

So, what is rising action? Before a story hits its high point, it needs to build momentum. Rising action is where the stakes are raised, the tension escalates, and the reader becomes fully invested in what’s to come.

In simple terms, rising action refers to the series of events leading up to the climax of a story. It starts just after the inciting incident and ends at the peak of tension. Rising action includes obstacles, complications, revelations, and emotional turning points, anything that heightens suspense and pushes the characters (and plot) forward.

Without rising action, a story feels flat. With it, readers are pulled into a rhythm of questions and stakes: What happens next? Can the character handle it? What if they fail?

Why Rising Action Matters

Rising action is the engine of your story. It:

• Builds tension by introducing challenges and setbacks
• Develops characters by showing their reactions to pressure
• Expands worldbuilding by revealing more of the story’s setting and rules
• Deepens themes by exploring internal and external conflict

In short, it’s where the story happens.

Key Elements of Rising Action

Here are some common ingredients that appear during rising action:

• Complications: Things get messy. Your protagonist faces obstacles or unexpected consequences.
• Allies and Enemies: New characters appear, adding depth and tension to the plot.
• Secrets or Revelations: The truth about people, places, or motivations comes out.
• Internal Conflict: The protagonist grapples with fear, guilt, desire, or indecision.
• Foreshadowing: Clues hint at what’s to come, creating suspense.

Not every story will use all of these, but most will use several.

Rising Action Example

Let’s take a look at Gladiator (2000), directed by Ridley Scott, as a rising action example.

• The inciting incident occurs when Roman general Maximus is betrayed, his family murdered, and he is sold into slavery.
• The rising action follows his transformation from a broken man into a formidable gladiator. Through a series of brutal battles in the arena, Maximus earns fame and political influence. Along the way, he forms strategic alliances, confronts his past, and wrestles with his desire for revenge versus justice.
• The climax takes place in the final duel between Maximus and Emperor Commodus, where all the tension built through earlier events comes to a head.

This arc showcases how the basic conflict in a story is stretched and tested through escalating events and layered character development. The rising action draws out Maximus’s internal struggle while propelling the external plot forward. 

Tips for Writing Strong Rising Action

1. Keep raising the stakes
   As your story moves forward, the risks and rewards should grow. Each new obstacle should be harder than the last.
2. Create cause and effect
   Strong rising action isn’t just a sequence of scenes but a sequence of consequences. One event should naturally lead to the next, keeping the tension high and the plot tight.
3. Mix external and internal tension
   Don’t just pile on plot twists. Show your character’s internal shifts, like doubts, fears, and hopes. Blending outer action with inner conflict makes the story more compelling.
4. Use pacing wisely
   Think of your rising action like a climb. Some scenes should pick up the pace; others might slow down for reflection. But every beat should move the story forward.
5. Explore narrative arcs
   Whether it’s a hero’s rise or a tragic fall, rising action shapes the emotional arc. Where did your character start? How are they changing under pressure? Let rising tension reveal their deepest drivers.

The Relationship Between Rising Action and Climax

Rising action and climax are often confused, but they serve different roles:

• Rising action is the build-up
• Climax is the breaking point

If you’ve done your job well, the climax will feel inevitable because of everything that came before. This turning point often reflects key themes in literature and ties together narrative threads introduced early in the story. Want a better climax? Strengthen your rising action.

Bringing It All Together

Rising action is where the heart of storytelling lives. It’s where characters are tested, stakes are raised, and the tension tightens with every step. Without it, the climax falls flat because there’s nothing driving us there. Strong rising action gives your story shape, momentum, and emotional pull.

Need help planning your next draft? Explore building climax in a story to see how rising action creates unforgettable turning points.