The character comes to an important realization or makes a big decision. The climax is a major element of a plot, providing the peak or highest point of tension. Normally, the climax taxes place toward the end of the story, so that the reader anticipates a payoff for the time and effort put into reading the lead-up to the climax. Climax is the term used to refer to the part of story or play where the tension or action reaches its highest part. Sometimes, the climax is a "crisis" point in the plot.