Most good stories start with a fundamental list of ingredients: the initial situation, conflict, complication, climax, suspense, denouement, and conclusion. Great writers sometimes shake up the recipe and add some spice.
Exposition
Young Poets Society
Instead of writing an essay for Mr. Ward's section on the Harlem Renaissance, Wesley decides to pen a poem instead. When Mr. Ward has him share it with the whole class, Open Mike Fridays are born.
Rising Action
Learning and Growing
As students share their poems every Friday, they learn more about each other and come to recognize that though they may look different on the outside, they all have the same hopes, dreams, and fears on the inside. Empathy is magical.
Climax
Extra, Extra, Read All About It
Mr. Ward gets a real live poet—Pedro Pietri—to visit his class, and the kids get an article written about them in the newspaper. The reporter calls them an inspiration.
Falling Action
Future Tense
Tyrone and the other students in Mr. Ward's class start thinking about their lives after high school. These open mic sessions have given them hope for the future, the ability to dream, and an understanding of other people. English class is magical, yo.
Resolution
Def Poetry Jam: Part II
Everyone reads their poems at an assembly in front of the entire school. Mr. Ward declares Open Mike Fridays such a success that he's decided to do it again next year. And he's going to add a slam poetry contest to the mix, too. Oh, we're so in.