Plot Elements Lesson
Students Learn Parts of a Story and Make a Poster as an Assessment
Jan 26, 2008
The plot of most stories follows a basic format. Sometimes plot is illustrated as an upside down V or as an erupting volcano. In this lesson, students learn the elements of plot and apply the information to novels they are reading.
Organizing the Plot Element Lesson
- Create a handout on plot elements. The definitions on this handout could be assessed as a matching quiz later.
- Choose a book that everyone in the class has read. When discussing the plot elements, refer to this book.
- Place large paper or poster board, markers and colored pencils in a central location for students to use.
Create the Plot Elements Handout for Students
Create a handout that explains the plot elements. The following are example items for the handout:
Exposition is the beginning of the story. The exposition introduces the setting and characters.
- setting -- the time and place of the novel
- characters -- the people, animals and/or creatures who are part of the story
Rising Action includes events leading up to the climax. There are conflicts that arise during these events.
Conflicts are problems or complications. There are many types of conflicts, but the most commons ones are as follows:
- Man vs. man – two people arguing or fighting
- Man vs. himself – a person who has problems within, such as depression, unresolved anger or love, feelings of rejection, etc.
- Man vs. nature – a person against a natural disaster or Mother Nature, i.e. a storm, blizzard, hurricane, etc.
- Man vs. supernatural – a person against things that are not easily explained or "normal", such as ghosts, evil forces, gods, etc.
Climax is the turning point of the story. It is a high point and is usually somewhere in the middle of the story.
Falling Action includes events after the climax. These events lead to the resolution and start tying up loose ends.
Resolution is the end of the story where all of the loose ends are tied up for the reader.
Steps for Teaching the Plot Element Lesson in the Classroom
1. Discuss the handout on the plot elements.
2. Tell students to choose a book that they read recently.
3. Instruct students to make a list of the following on notebook paper with examples from the book that they chose: exposition, rising action, conflicts, climax, falling action and resolution
4. From this list, tell students to make a poster with the following:
- book title and author
- plot elements with examples from novel
- pictures or decorations that illustrate terms
5. If students do not finish this in a class period, have students finish it for homework.
6. Assess understanding of plot elements. Criteria to grade posters:
- accuracy of examples of plot elements
- neatness
- use of color
