Introduction to Plot: Life Graphs

Showing Students That a Text's Plot Can Be Represented Visually

© Jessica Brown

Apr 11, 2008

Introduction/Objective

Many students new to the concept of plot think of it simply as "what happened in the story." While this is part of the definition, there are other basic elements which are essential to understanding it and discussing it effectively. Having students create a visual representation of a story of interest to them--and what can be more interesting to a middle schooler than his own story?--introduces the elements of plot in a meaningful and memorable way.

Procedure

1. Have students create a list of 15 life events from birth to present. It is helpful for the teacher to model this activity (and those that follow) on the overhead or chalkboard. Events might include birth of a sibling, a move, a special birthday, a first day of school, getting a new pet, etc.
2. Have students trade lists with 2 or 3 other students and discuss which 10 of the items are most significant; each student should compose a final list in chronological order. They may need to take their lists home to get help on dates from a parent or other adult.
3. Have students create a chart with the events in the lefthand column and the remaining 3 columns titled excitement, importance, and happiness. Discuss the difference between these three terms, providing examples. Have them rate each event on each of these three scales.
4. Discuss the elements of a graph, including axes, scale, a key, a title, etc. Showing examples from a math or science book will probably prove helpful.
5. Have students graph their "data" on a rough draft graph. Review students' drafts and/or conference about them before they create final drafts.
6. Review specifications for the final drafts, including color, neatness and mechanics expectations, etc. Sharing a rubric ahead of time is always helpful for students.
7. On the day final drafts are due, as a segue into a discussion of plot and its components, highlighting that the plot of a story can be represented in this same way; ask students which of the three scales is represented by plot--excitement.

Assessment

• Use a rubric (shared with students ahead of time) to assess student work.
• Create a peer quiz where students read each other's graphs and answer questions about them (such as, "which event was most exciting for Johnny? How do you know?"); this allows the teacher to assess the accuracy of the graphs as well as student understanding of the concepts.

Extensions

• Have students create new versions of their life graphs on Microsoft Excel or other graphing software
• Have students use motifs that are important to them to enhance their graphs (for example, small soccer balls as the data points for a soccer player).
• Suggest that students create a watermark (faded drawing) of an important image behind their graphs.
• Refer back to the life graphs during later plot studies to make comparisons.

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