What is the term for the turning point of a story?

The turning point of a story is known as the climax. This moment is crucial as it represents the peak of tension and conflict in the narrative, where the protagonist faces a decisive confrontation and the outcome of their struggle becomes clear. The climax often leads to a significant change in the story, altering the course of events and setting the stage for the resolution that follows.

In contrast, the inciting incident is the event that sets the story in motion, introducing the conflict. The rising action comprises the series of events that build up to the climax, escalating the tension and developing characters and their relationships. The resolution occurs after the climax, wrapping up the story and resolving any remaining issues. Each of these elements plays an important role in story structure, but it is the climax that serves as the definitive turning point, shaping the direction of the plot.