Story Climax or Resolution -- The Difference?

Distinguishing the Resolution of a Story From Its Climax

Feb 6, 2009

Story climax and resolution. Two elements of plot audience members may not be able to tell apart. But as a writer, you must know the difference and master the art.

Two complex and closely related parts of a plot are its story climax and resolution, or denouement. First, it must be said that to have a story climax, one must have previously created interest, or suspense, in the story being told. Suspense is that feeling ingrained in readers (or moviegoers) that what happens next simply can't wait.

An audience develops a necessity to see the story through and embrace the fates of all the characters they've grown to love and/or hate. If a writer does his job well, the audience will stay for the moment of truth and the fallout, no matter what we do with their new loved ones.

It's the moment of truth that this article will first focus on, known as the story climax. Lastly, this article will look at the elements you need to consider in how to write a resolution.

Story Climax, or the Highest Point of Emotional Interest

You may like the term investment rather than interest, because ideally, a writer wants to make the audience feel as though they have some stake in the events they are watching unfold.

Emotional attachment to a character causes the audience to feel some sort of risk in addition to what is being experienced first-hand by the character.

Will they or won't they fall in love? Will the main character confront his abusive mother? Will the doctor avenge his wife's death to the one-armed man? Will the brothers reconcile before it’s too late?

The moment where the character makes, or refuses to make, that final decision is where the audience's boiling point is about to roil over.

How to Write a Resolution

Stories should have a limited amount of characters. If for no other reason than easy cleanup! In the resolution of a story, it’s your job to make sure the audience receives a satisfying conclusion to the character arcs you’ve had them following. Once a writer builds to his story climax, there will be repercussions that affect the fates of all those involved.

This doesn’t necessarily mean each character should receive a neat, tidy denouement to complete the audience’s thoughts for them, but it does mean that the major story arc should have a satisfying tone of finality, and every characters’ role in that story should be adequately drawn to a close.

In the climax of Slumdog Millionaire, Jamal Malik reaches the final question. If he answers it right, he wins 20 million rupees. If he answers it wrong, he goes right back to his subservient life of poverty. This is the highest point of emotional interest, or the story climax, because the character stands to win or lose everything. There is no status quo.

What happens when Jamal answers the question right or wrong will determine what happens to him. The decision his brother makes to free Latika from the ruthless grasp of a crime lord affects Jamal and Latika’s final happiness and causes his own demise. Latika risks it all by leaving when the opportunity presents itself and going to meet her one true love.

When the answer comes, viewers discover whether all these decisions were worth it for the characters that made them.

Final Thoughts

The path characters take determines the plot of your story. Eventually, that plot builds to a moment where your characters stand to gain or lose everything. When that moment comes, you will have your audience at the edge of their seats. Writing a resolution is simply a matter of determining where your characters end up in the moments that follow…at least until the sequel.

For more information, tips on writing, and writer's markets, visit Writer's Digest.

The copyright of the article Story Climax or Resolution -- The Difference? in Fiction Plots & Pacing is owned by Aric Mitchell. Permission to republish Story Climax or Resolution -- The Difference? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.