STORY MAP
Purpose: The purpose of this strategy is to provide a basic background of the story with
the setting, the main characters, the main problem, the events, the solution of the problem,
and the main theme of the story.
Grade Levels: Students in grades 11-12 would be the best candidates for this play. The
play consists of graphic scenes, so older students would be best to read the play.
Instructions:
Burr, BYU 2002
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Following the completion of the play, the students complete the
story map individually, or in small groups.
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The students discuss the central problem in the play, and then
determine the most important events that happen in the play.
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The teacher may provide some instruction and discussion to help
students determine the most important events.
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The students need to provide the most important theme in the play
and write a sentence describing it.
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The students need to make sure that the theme they select is not
written in cliché form.
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The completed story map will provide assistance to students in
class discussion or in writing a response essay.
STORY MAP
Setting/Main Characters:
Set in Denmark…Main characters: Hamlet, Claudius,
Gertrude, Laertes, Polonius, Ophelia, Fortinbras
Statement of Problem:
Hamlet goes mad in an attempt to overthrow the man who
killed his father and overtook the throne, his uncle Claudius.
Event #1:
Hamlet’s dead father visits him, and tells him about his
murder.
Event #2:
Hamlet deceives his mother and uncle by acting crazy, so
he can punish his uncle.
Event #3:
Hamlet mistakenly kills Polonius, when he actually thought
he was killing Claudius.
Event #4:
Ophelia commits suicide after she learns of her father’s
death.
Event #5:
A huge fight begins between Laertes and Hamlet. Claudius
and Gertrude arrive on the scene, and all are killed.
Statement of the Solution: Fortinbras declares Hamlet a hero for solving the mystery
behind King Hamlet’s death and saving Denmark from the
evils of Claudius.
Story Themes:
Burr, BYU 2002
Revenge can often take over a person’s mind to the point
that revenge is all a person thinks about and acts upon.
STORY MAP
Setting/Main Characters:
Statement of Problem:
Event #1:
Event #2:
Event #3:
Event #4:
Event #5:
Statement of the Solution:
Story Themes:
Burr, BYU 2002