Activity Overview
A common use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a novel. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and help students develop greater understanding of literary structures.
Students can create a storyboard capturing the narrative arc in a novel with a six-cell storyboard containing the major parts of the plot diagram. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the novel in sequence using: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a visual plot diagram of To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Separate the story into the Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
- Create an image that represents an important moment or set of events for each of the story components.
- Write a description of each of the steps in the plot diagram.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 21 Points | Beginning 17 Points | Try Again 13 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Descriptive and Visual Elements | Cells have many descriptive elements, and provide the reader with a vivid representation. | Cells have many descriptive elements, but flow of cells may have been hard to understand. | Cells have few descriptive elements, or have visuals that make the work confusing. | Cells have few or no descriptive elements. |
| Grammar/Spelling | Textables have three or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have four or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have five or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have six or more spelling/grammar errors. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has done both peer and teacher editing. | Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has either teacher or peer editing, but not both. | Student has done neither peer, nor teacher editing. | Work shows no evidence of any effort. |
| Plot | All parts of the plot are included in the diagram. | All parts of the plot are included in the diagram, but one or more is confusing. | Parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot difficult to follow. | Almost all of the parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot very difficult to follow. |
How To Make a Cohesive Plot Diagram
Understand the Elements of the Plot Diagram
Teachers can begin by explaining the main elements involved in the plot diagram and provide students with easy definitions. They can also provide examples from other novels and stories of the exact part of the story that resonates with a specific plot element.
Highlight Important Parts
After understanding the main elements of the plot students can review the book once again and highlight the parts they think are the most important and fit in the definition of the plot elements.
Make a diagram
Start by sketching a straightforward line to depict the plot. A section of this line will represent each plot element. Depending on the student’s preference, either a straight line or a curve may be used.
Divide the Line
Separate the line into parts that represent the various plot components. Exposition, Inciting Incident, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution should be in that order from left to right.
Summarize Events
Describe the main event that takes place during each portion of the story in only a few sentences. These incidents ought to summarise the key plot points and aid in illuminating the development of the narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions About Creating a Plot Diagram for “To Kill a Mockingbird”
What occurrence should I pick as the provoking event?
Atticus agreeing to defend Tom Robinson in "To Kill a Mockingbird" serves as the book's catalyst. The main conflict of the novel is launched by this occurrence.
How can I adequately capture the escalating action?
The confrontation intensifies and tension rises as a result of a number of incidents in the escalating action. Include moments from Boo Radley's gifts discovery, Scout's first day of school, and Atticus's defense of Tom Robinson, among others.
What crucial development should the climax focus on?
Tom Robinson's trial serves as the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird"'s conclusion. As Atticus offers his defense and the jury announces its decision, it's a crucial moment when the tension reaches its climax.
How should I depict the falling action and resolution?
The actions that occur after the climax and depict the fallout make up the falling action. You can portray Scout and Jem's evolving friendship with Boo Radley as well as the teachings they come to understand. The conclusion of the trial and the chat between Atticus and Scout may serve as the resolution.
More Storyboard That Activities
To Kill a Mockingbird
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