Familiarize students with finding the 5 elements of plot in a literary text.
Literary texts tend to follow a narrative structure that can be described as a formula:
- Something precedes a major event
- Things happen that move that event into focus
- The major event happens
- A result occurs from the event
- The event is resolved
These steps are known as the 5 elements of a plot, and they are used to keep a story moving along so that the viewer can make sense of theauthor’s message.
Make multiple copies of this graphic organizer for everynarrative textyour students read to help them better understand the elements of plot in their reading.
Elements of Plot Graphic Organizer
In this worksheet, students fill in the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution from a literary text.
This graphic organizer can be used as a tool in your:
Plot Elements Worksheet Scaffolding & Extension Tips
Fast finishers can pick their favorite plot element and draw a picture that expresses the events and their contributions to the overall plot.
If students are struggling with the concepts, complete this worksheet with a small reading group and allow students to answer the questions out loud in a discussion format instead of writing down their answers.
Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students
To turn this teaching resource into a sustainable activity, print a few recording sheets on cardstock and slip them into dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a dry-erase marker, then erase and reuse.
Before You Download
Use the drop-down icon on the Download button to choose between the *PDF or Google Slides version of this resource.
*PDF versions include either a scaffolded copy or a no-text worksheet for students to write in each the names of the 5 plot elements to show they know where each happens in a text. Select the scaffolded option if you prefer the 5 elements and their definitions on the page.
Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and worksheets to inspire appreciation for the fascinating world of literature:
teaching resource
Plot Elements Worksheet - "The Gift of Magi"
Using the companion text “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry, students will diagram the narrative structure of the story on the included plot elements worksheet.
teaching resource
Character Development Worksheet
Describe how characters in a story develop in response to major events and challenges with our 3-page Character Development lesson review worksheet.
teaching resource
Literature Task Cards
A set of 30 literature tasks to assist your students with examining and responding to literature.
0 Comments
Write a review to help other teachers and parents like yourself. If you'd like to request a change to this resource, or report an error, select the corresponding tab above.