Needs put together!

Story Outline

Exposition: when we learn important background information about the protagonist (the main character) and their “normal” life. (You’re “exposing” the reader to the back story.)

Characters: the characters involved in the story include the media, the public (the people living in the Flint in Genesee, Michigan), and authorities (the United States Environmental Protection Agency).

Setting: the flint water crisis hit the city of Flint in Genesee, Michigan and started in April 2014. This is after the authorities decided to change the supply of drinking water from Detroit system to Flint system in an effort to save on costs.

Basic Situation: the water crisis at flint resulted from poor assessment and decision making by the local water authorities. The water was inadequately treated and tested, leading to numerous health issues because of its poor quality and contamination.

Conflict: the conflict started when the authorities shifted the source of water supply to the city, thus exposing thousands of residents to lead poisoning from the discolored, foul-smelling, and off-tasting water that caused hair loss, skin rashes, and itchy skin to its users for several months. Despite numerous reports and coverage by news agencies such as the Detroit Free Press, MLive, and independent reporters, authorities largely ignored the public outcry.

Rising Action: sequence of events that happen because of the conflict. They usually get more intense over time.

• People started complaining that the water smells like rotten eggs, is brown, and tastes funny.

• people started noticing the effects of consuming the poisoned water. Some of the effects included hair loss, skin rashes, and itchy skin to its users for several months.

• the editorial board of the Detroit Free Press ran a report on October 8, 2015 showing how the government had failed to curb the water crisis

• Several other media houses run stories showing the failure by government to address the issue

• the authorities deny claims that the water is contaminated and assures the public that it is safe for consumption.

Climax: a pediatrician releases a frightening report regarding the impact of the contaminated water on children. This is after carrying out some blood tests on the community’s children.

Falling Action: the events after the climax (usually quicker than the rising action).

• The governor of Michigan calls for a crisis meeting.

• Authorities start brainstorming for ideas on what should be done to solve the problem and save the situation.

• The government, with the help of other organizations, starts distributing bottled water that is safe for drinking and supplies lead filters across the country.

Resolution: the governor of Michigan requests legislators to allocate the state funds which will be used to change the city’s water supply back to Lake Huron just like it was the case before the crisis set in.