Narrative arcs and the “Plot Diagram” or are essential for building literary comprehension and appreciation. The narrative plot diagram, or story plot diagram, allows students to pick out major themes in the text, trace changes to major characters over the course of the narrative, and hone their analytic skills. They challenge students to pick out the most important parts of the story, and create a short, organized summary. Lessons emphasizing these skills meet many Common Core Standards for English Language Arts (CCSS.ELA-Literacy). The concepts not only give students a fuller understanding of classroom texts, but also their favorite books and movies. Also known as a plot graph, plot mountain, or plot chart, a story chart, a plot triangle, or a story arc, they typically contain the following elements: Show
Elements of a Plot Diagram or the Narrative Arc of a StoryWhat is a Plot Diagram?Below are the parts of a plot diagram explained:Exposition in a Plot DiagramThe exposition is the introduction to a story, including the primary characters' names, setting, mood, and time. Conflict in a Plot DiagramThe conflict is the primary problem that drives the plot of the story, often a main goal for the protagonist to achieve or overcome. Rising Action in a Plot DiagramThe rising action of the story is all of the events that lead to the eventual climax, including character development and events that create suspense. Climax in a Plot DiagramThe climax is the most exciting point of the story, and is a turning point for the plot or goals of the main character. Falling Action in a Plot DiagramThe falling action is everything that happens as a result of the climax, including wrapping-up of plot points, questions being answered, and character development. Resolution in a Plot DiagramThe resolution is not always happy, but it does complete the story. It can leave a reader with questions, answers, frustration, or satisfaction. By plotting a simple narrative plot diagram in three-cell storyboards, or more complicated stories in six-cell boards, teachers can easily assess students’ understanding of important story components when they make a plot diagram of their own. Combined illustrations and text can enliven difficult concepts like “rising action” and “climax”. These story arc templates help students to flesh out the most important parts of a story in a clear visual way. Below is a plot chart example from the popular high school novel, To Kill a Mockingbird.
Example Plot Diagram ActivitiesA plot diagram in literature can be completed with any novel across grade levels. View some of the premade plot diagram activities you can copy to your teacher account. For younger students or short stories, replace the plot diagram with a Beginning, Middle, End summary. Story Arc TemplateMaking storyboards that explain the elements and structure of a plot can bring students' understanding to life! It's an engaging and fun way for students to interact with the texts they read in class. The details featured in students’ plot chart diagram storyboards allow instructors to immediately determine whether students comprehend the main events of the story, and the scope of the objectives. For narrative arcs for younger grades or other plot diagram templates, make sure to check out"Four Innovative Ways to Teach Parts of a Story".
Plot Diagram Examples from LiteratureSuggested ModificationsFor the Students Who Need Minimal GuidanceWithin special education there are varying degrees of abilities, including students who may have disabilities that have a minimal impact on their cognitive abilities. Those students for whatever reason may still be in a special education setting but won’t necessarily need significant modifications on something like a plot diagram. For the students that require minimal assistance, a blank plot diagram with very little or no information completed may be best. As the creator of the storyboard, the teacher can control just what information is provided and decide how much to guide students. Use the templates above as they are, or make slight adjustments to the templates. Students Who Need a Little GuidanceSome students will need a little more guidance when it comes to a plot diagram. Students who struggle with reading comprehension may have difficulty picking out the different parts of a story. Details of the story can be lost in translation, so to speak. That is where a plot diagram with some leading information can be helpful. Providing visuals prior to asking the students to complete the plot diagram gives them “clues” to what they are looking for when completing the diagram. The visuals act as context clues for students to focus their energy on the appropriate information, as seen in the Holes Plot Diagram example below.
Students Who Need More GuidanceStoryboarding allows for variations that also work for those students who really struggle and require more explicit guidance. For students who can still complete the plot diagram as an assignment but need simplification, alter the plot diagram to a more basic "beginning middle end" approach, or use a short story with plot diagram example. With the BME storyboard the amount of information included can still be as little or as much as needed for the students. Check out BME storyboard templates and examples already completed and ready for use. One of our completed plot structure examples may be better if BME does not fit the assignment and the students require a more in-depth plot diagram. The students can then use it as a reference rather than an assignment. Options like this are great, especially when the students notice what other students have or don’t have. From afar, it will look like they received the same storyboard, but they actually have one that meets their needs.
Classroom Exercises and Book ReportsSome fun ways to teach this lesson using Storyboard That:
Relating to the Common CoreAnalyzing a literary work with a plot structure diagram fulfills Common Core ELA standards for many age groups. Below are only two examples of ELA standards for different levels. Please see your Common Core State Standards for grade-appropriate strands.
Example Rubrics
Create a plot diagram for the story using Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Customize Worksheets!If you're looking for another step or an alternative assignment, you can create plot diagram worksheets to use in your class! These worksheets can be customized and printed out for students to fill out with a pencil, or they can be completed in the Storyboard Creator like a digital worksheet. You can even create multiple versions for those students who might need a little extra help, and keep them on hand for future use! Find plenty of templates to work from or just start with a blank canvas. Which plot element is the turning point in conflict?Climax: The climax occurs at the turning point which is usually the most suspenseful or emotional moment of the story. The climax is reached when the protagonist takes the last step to resolve a conflict or reach a goal. The result of this step or action is the turning point.
Which part of the plot is a turning point?The climax is the most exciting point of the story, and is a turning point for the plot or goals of the main character. The falling action is everything that happens as a result of the climax, including wrapping-up of plot points, questions being answered, and character development.
Is conflict the turning point of the story?Turning points can come at any point during a story's structure, but they often come either with the first plot point—when the main character decides to take part in the storyline's main conflict (after the inciting incident)—or at the climax of the story—when the conflict comes to a head and there's no turning back ( ...
Which part of the plot develops the conflict?The exposition and conflict form the beginning of the story. The rising action and the climax form the middle of the story, and. The falling action and the resolution form the end of the story.
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