Basics of Plot

So you want to write a story?  Well, what is a story?  What are the basics of story writing?  Well, the most basic answer to that question is this:

PLOT

When writing stories, plot is king.  Imagine writing a story in which absolutely nothing happens - a story with no narrative.  If you can't imagine this scenario, awesome.  A story cannot exist without plot due to its very definition.  Academic essays and journals are perhaps the best example that I can think of that illustrate written works without plot.  

So then, what IS plot?  Plot, basically, is conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist, and we can divide how the conflict unravels into into five main categories. 

Exposition - This is the "story before the story".  Exposition tells us about the background of the world that the narrative takes place in.  A perfect of exposition is the legendary yellow scrolling text from the openings of the Star Wars films.  Exposition can also tell us about the main characters, answering basic questions such as their life so far or current state of mind.

Rising Action - Everything after the Exposition is part of the Rising Action.  These are small events that begin to escalate.  Even small parts of the story, such as the main character missing a meeting or him getting sick, can be part of the rising action if they relate to the conflict at hand.  Ultimately, however, the rising action is building towards the Climax of the plot.

Climax - This is what the rising action has been building up to for the entire story - the high point of action, where the conflict reaches its apex.  Depending on the story, a climax can happen anywhere, but is usually best saved for near the end of the tale.  Think of when Darth Vader reveals his true nature to Luke in The Empire Strikes Back - That is a perfect example of the climax of the movie.

Falling Action - The events that happen due to after effects of the cliamx.  At this point in the narrative, the plot is racing towards a conclusion, the resolution.

Denouement - The final part of a narrative, during which the story ends.  Perhaps the conflict is expanded on; perhaps there will be more of the tale in the near future - room for a sequel, perhaps.  But, for the moment, the tale is complete; the conflict is resolved and its effects have been noted.