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 (Initial Situation)
Mr. Lonely
The narrator has found it hard to connect with other adults all his life. As a result, he’s a pretty lonely guy. Adults don’t understand his drawings, and they like talking about practical, sensible stuff like neckties and politics and golf. Yuck!
Rising Action (Conflict, Complication)
A Boy Currently Known as Prince
Then, the narrator has a plane accident in the Sahara, where he meets the little prince, and he’s thrilled that someone finally gets him.While the narrator attempts to fix his plane, the prince describes his travels and his adventures. He also tells the narrator about his love for a flower and how she caused him pain, which was why he left his planet in the first place.
Climax (Crisis, Turning Point)
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
The narrator learns about the prince’s encounter with a fox: The wise fox taught the prince about trust, love, and friendship. As a result, the prince realizes that his love for his flower is true.
Falling Action
Reality Bites
The prince and the narrator go on a quest for water and end up finding a well; also, the narrator succeeds in fixing his engine. In order to return to his planet, the prince is bitten by a snake and disappears from the Earth.
Resolution (Denouement)
Star Gazing
Six years after the prince disappears, the narrator keeps looking for him in the stars. He still wonders what is going on with his friend. He wants readers to keep these questions alive and keep thinking of the prince, too.