All literature follows a certain formula marked by major steps or stages. To understand what rising tension is, you must see where it lies in relation to the rest of the story. Rising tension occurs shortly after the introduction stage. In the introduction, you reveal the characters, setting, background and anything else to lend context to the story. This is known as exposition.
Once the foundation has been laid, this gives way to the rising action stage. This is where rising tension takes place. As the story progresses, the protagonist encounters some challenges that impede her from reaching her goals. These problems mainly result from interference by the antagonist, but other factors contribute as well. The rising tension bridges the gap between the calm introduction stage and the intense conflict to come.
The climax is the pivotal moment in the story. Not only is it more exciting than the other stages, but it also dictates how the plot will end. At first, the protagonist reaches a low point where it seems that he cannot overcome the challenges created by the rising tension. However, he soon discovers a solution and begins to work against the problem. The protagonist and the antagonist clash until one of them emerges victorious.
Also known as the denouement, this is when the story essentially begins to wind down. Any tension is over and the characters can finally rest easily. The resolution is the recovery process in the aftermath of the conflict, where everyone reaps the rewards of victory or endures the suffering of their defeat.