Mapping the Narrative Text
Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it;
cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the
text. (ELA CCSS Anchor Standard, RL. 1)
Name: _______________________ Date:_________________________________
Title: ______________________________ Author: ___________________________
Copyright date: ______________________
1. Genre: ___Realistic fiction ___Historical fiction ___Fantasy ___Science fiction
___Legend ___ Fable ___ Fairy Tale ____Tall Tale___ Myth___Other:
2. Overarching/Central Idea/Theme, RL. 2
Do not state theme in terms of plot.
Write the underlying message, or theme, of the text.
3. Characters, RL. 3
Major Character(s): The major characters are:
Character Traits are: (record for each)
(What is your evidence from the text to support your selection? Cite your opinion and
include page and passage. The evidence may be inferred)
Minor Characters: The minor characters are:
Character traits: (record for each)
(What is your evidence from the text to support your selection? Cite your opinion and
include page and passage. The evidence may be inferred)
4. Plot Sequence RL. 3 & 5
List the events, episodes or incidents of the text over the course of the text:
a. The story begins with:
b. The conflict develops:
c. The climax (super event/big decision) happens when:
d. The resolution of the main conflict is:
5. Setting RL. 3 & 5
General location/s:
Timeframe or Period/s of time:
Check which BEST describes each setting in the text:
 Backdrop setting (setting not a major factor in the conflict or plot)
 Integral setting (setting is essential to the story)
Explain your selection of backdrop or integral with textual evidence (the evidence
may be inferred):
6. Point of View RL. 6
What is the author’s point of view? The author uses:
 Limited narration
 Omniscient narrator, (knows the thoughts and feeling of all the characters)
 3rd-Person narrator, (uses pronouns such as he/she/they; the narrator is not in
the story). The writer can be much freer with the plot.
 2nd –Person narrator, (the author interjects while that story proceeds)
 1st Person (I, me or we; are the narrators in the story). The writer is limited to
one characters perspective.
Explain your selection of point of view for this text.
7. Problem/Conflict RL. 2 & 3 & 5
Check the overarching conflict/theme presented in this text:
_____ character vs. man
_____ character vs. nature
_____ character vs. society
_____ character vs. self
_____ character vs. fate
Provide a summary of your understanding of the conflict sharing your opinion. Use
evidence from the text as a basis of justifying the elements of the conflict in the text.
8. Solution or resolution/decisions, RL. 3 & 9 (when comparing two or more text.)
1. What is the final resolution or decision in the text?
2. Based on final results/outcome, please provide and analyze how this text relates or
compares to other texts, media or dramas.
Adapted from Emily Kissner, Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Retelling, Portsmouth, NH. Heinemann, 2006, by Laura
Beltchenko, 2013-14