Comprehension
Narrative Text Structure
C.005
Plotting the Plot
Objective
The student will identify the components of a plot.
Materials
Narrative text
Choose text within students’ instructional-independent reading level range.
Plot cards (Activity Master C.005.AM1)
Laminate.
Plot work board (Activity Master C.005.AM2a - C.005.AM2b)
Copy, align pages, glue sides together, and laminate.
Vis-à-Vis® markers
Activity
Students write plot components and place them on the plot structure.
1. Place plot work board on a flat surface. Place the plot cards face down in a stack.
Provide each student with a copy of the text.
2. Students read or review text and discuss it. Write title and author on work board.
3. Taking turns, student one selects the top plot card from the stack, reads designation
at the bottom aloud, and writes the corresponding information on the card. Hands
card to student two.
4. Student two places the plot card in the appropriate box on the work board.
Explains placement.
5. Continue until all plot cards are placed.
6. Peer evaluation
3
ts
tio
n
g
in
1
Ac
1
E
2
2
Fa
ll
in
g
Ac
tio
n
Ev
en
ts
3
Solution or
Resolution
Plotting the Plot
C.005.AM1b
4-5 Student Center Activities: Comprehension
Introduction
or Exposition
Climax or
Turning Point
Comprehension
Ris
4
n
ve
C.005.AM2b
5
Comprehension
Author:
Plotting the Plot
2007 The Florida Center for Reading Research
Title:
Extensions and Adaptations
Record answers on student sheet (Activity Master C.005.SS).
Write plot components of multiple stories on cards (Activity Master C.005.AM3) and
sort using header cards (Activity Master C.005.AM4).
2007 The Florida Center for Reading Research
4-5 Student Center Activities: Comprehension
Comprehension
C.005.AM1
Plotting the Plot
introduction or exposition
rising action event
rising action event
rising action event
rising action event
rising action event
climax or turning point
falling action event
falling action event
falling action event
solution or resolution
plot cards
4-5 Student Center Activities: Comprehension
2007 The Florida Center for Reading Research
Comprehension
C.005.AM2a
2
2007 The Florida Center for Reading Research
1
Title:
3
Introduction
or Exposition
5
i
Ris
ng
Author:
t
Ac
io
n
e
Ev
nt
s
4
Plotting the Plot
4-5 Student Center Activities: Comprehension
Comprehension
C.005.AM2b
1
3
Fa
llin
g
Ac
tio
n
Ev
en
ts
2
Climax or
Turning Point
Solution or
Resolution
Plotting the Plot
4-5 Student Center Activities: Comprehension
2007 The Florida Center for Reading Research
Name
C.005.SS
3
Solution or Resolution
Plotting the Plot
2
ts
n
g
E
A
4
Climax or Turning Point
Author:
1
llin
Fa
io
ct
n
ve
ts
A
Ri
1
3
5
Introduction or Exposition
sin
g
E
Title:
2
n
ct
io
ve
n
2007 The Florida Center for Reading Research
4-5 Student Center Activities: Comprehension
Comprehension
C.005.AM3
Plotting the Plot
blank cards
4-5 Student Center Activities: Comprehension
2007 The Florida Center for Reading Research
Name
C.005.AM4
Plotting the Plot
introduction
or
exposition
header
climax
or
turning point
header
solution
or
resolution
header
rising action
(multiple events)
header
falling action
(multiple events)
header
conflict
header
header cards
2007 The Florida Center for Reading Research
4-5 Student Center Activities: Comprehension