Aristotle's "Poetics" is the first extant theory on drama. It outlines the genres and basic elements of drama, most of which are based on his analysis of tragedy. Aristotle stated that tragedy has six components: plot, character, diction, thought, spectacle and song.
Freytag analyzed drama through the ages and updated Aristotle's theory, creating his pyramid demonstrating the structure of formulaic drama. As with Aristotle's original theory, it aroused differing opinions.
The six points of structure identified by Freytag are exposition, the inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action and conclusion. The exposition provides the background and outlines the basic conflict. The inciting incident is the event that puts the conflict into action. Rising action explores the basic conflict and complicates it with further conflicts. The climax is the turning point. In a tragedy, this is when factors go wrong for the protagonist; in comedy, it is when factors start to improve. Falling action may provide a final moment of suspense but is the moment after the climax. The conclusion brings all the conflicts to resolution; in a tragedy, it results in the death of the hero.