Cinder Summary

Creating a plot diagram not only helps students learn the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and helps students develop a greater understanding of literary structures. Students can create a storyboard capturing the narrative arc in a work with a six-cell storyboard containing the major parts of the plot diagram. In this activity, students will create a visual plot diagram of major events in Cinder. Students should identify major turning points in the novel such as the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.

Cinder Plot Diagram Example

Exposition: Cinder is a 16 year old cyborg mechanic who lives with her horrible stepmother and stepsisters in New Beijing. The country is plagued with a deadly disease called letumosis, for which there is no cure. Cinder meets Prince Kai, who is heir to the throne, and her whole life begins to change.

Rising Action: Kai’s father, the emperor, and Cinder’s stepsister, Peony, die of the disease. Cinder learns that she is a Lunar, and is therefore immune to the disease. She also learns of Queen Levana’s plan to take over the commonwealth, and eventually the whole planet by forcing Kai to marry her and then kill him, making her the empress.

Climax: At Kai’s coronation ball, Kai discovers that Cinder is a cyborg and a Lunar. During an altercation, Queen Levana tries to brainwash Cinder into shooting herself, but she shoots at the ceiling instead and feels intense pain.

Falling Action: While trying to run away, Cinder’s foot becomes detached and she falls to the ground. Emperor Kai has her taken into custody until Queen Levana can have her taken away to Luna.

Resolution: Dr. Erland uses his powers to see Cinder while she is in prison. He brings her a new hand and foot, and encourages her to escape and meet him in Africa. He tells Cinder that she is, indeed, Princess Selene.