A-B-D-C-E Method

Alice Adams, an American Novelist, devised this method of plot outlining to drive the storyline and keep it pumping. Here C is used for climax and D is used for development.

• Action
  • Start out the story with action
  • The character should be in motion some way
• Background
  • Expository
  • Growing conflict
  • Building Tension
• Development
  • the rising action of the plot up to the climax
  • Give a goal to be met, then give another
  • Each goal gets the character closer to the primary goal
• Climax
  • the resolution to the rising action
  • the struggle is over either way
  • Character achieves/fails the goal
• Ending
  • the conclusion
  • the tie-up of all loose ends