Activity Overview
Students can create and show a storyboard that captures the concept of a Five or Three Act Structure by creating either a three or six-cell storyboard which contains the major parts of the diagram.
Aristotle’s Three Act Structure
Aristotle believed that every piece of poetry or drama must have a beginning, middle and end. These divisions were developed by the Roman, Aelius Donatus, and called protasis, epitasis, and catastrophe. The three act structure has seen a revival in recent years, as cinema blockbusters and hit TV shows have adopted it. The beginning (protasis) consists of setup, the middle (epitasis) contains conflicts, thwarted protagonist, or complications, and the end (catastrophe) is where fortunes are reversed and the protagonist meets their fate.
Example Oedipus Rex Three Act Structure
Protasis
A terrible plague is upon Thebes and Oedipus sends Creon to oracle at Delphi to get answers. He finds out that they only way to lift the curse is by expelling the former king's murderer.
Epitasis
Wanting to hear the prophecy for himself Oedipus summons the blind prophet, Tiresias, who declares Oedipus himself is the killer. In disbelief, he goes home to question his wife, a messenger, and others to uncover the truth.
Catastrophe
In despair Jocasta and Oedipus both realize that the prophecy is true. Jocasta is, in fact, Oedipus's mother, and he has murdered his father, Laius, long ago. After this realization, Jocasta hangs herself and Oedipus stabs his own eyes out. He leaves Creon in control of Thebes and exiles himself.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that illustrates the three act structure of Oedipus Rex.
- Use he template provided by your teacher.
- Identify the three sections of the play that make up the structure.
- Illustrate each step with a key scene from that section using appropriate characters, scenes, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/2] Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/3] Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/5] Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Create a Storyboard that outlines each of the important parts of the three-act structure plot as we read through the play. For each depiction, you should have a description or quote underneath to support that your chosen scene or character is a match to the plot event being depicted in your art.
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 27 Points | Beginning 22 Points | Try Again 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plot Diagram Points and Three-Act Structure | The different plot diagram points are correctly identified and portrayed from the play according to the act in which they occur. The quotes and/or explanations give context to the scene, and are accurate and appropriate to the events being depicted. | 4-5 plot diagram points are correctly identified and portrayed from the play according to the act in which they occur. The quotes and/or explanations give context to the scene, and are mostly accurate for the events being depicted. | 2-3 plot diagram points are correctly identified and portrayed from the play according to the act in which they occur. The quotes and/or explanations may be minimal or inaccurate for the events being depicted. | 1-2 plot diagram points are correctly identified and portrayed from the play according to the act in which they occur. The quotes/and or explanations may be inaccurate, missing, or too limited to score. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to the play. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas and quotes are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
How To Use Three Act Structure To Write Plays
Introduce the Structure
Introduce the Three Act Structure idea first. Describe each act of a play (Protasis, Epitasis, and Catastrophe) and its intended outcome. Tell the students simply that the three-act structure also means the beginning, middle, and end where the plot of the play is carefully structured and well connected with other components.
Choose a Topic or a Central Idea
Ask the students to give their play a topic or prompt that will act as its basis. This could refer to a general idea, a particular situation, or a cast of characters. Before reaching this step, teachers can make a list of general themes influenced by today’s society so students have a deeper connection with the themes.
Make a Diagram
Before the students start writing the play, ask them to make a diagram or a model of how they will organize the story within the play. Students can take a paper and divide it into three sections for the three structure act. For each section, they can either make a simple structure or segment into further stages to make the story more interesting and detailed.
Analyze Other Works
Encourage the students to analyze the work of other authors. Students can take information from their plays and use similar structures in their own plays. This can also help them understand the connection between historical and cultural context and the themes used by other writers.
Discuss and Reflect
Have a class discussion about the experiences of the students with writing plays using the Three Act Structure. Encourage your students to consider what they have discovered about plot and narrative and use it next time wherever applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Three Act Structure in Oedipus Rex
How does the climax unfold in the play?
The sad conclusion of the play results from the play's climax, which is Oedipus' awareness of the truth. Jocasta dies as a result of it, and Oedipus suffers self-inflicted blindness before being banished from Thebes. The climax is the most suspenseful part where the truth starts to dawn on the audience as well as the characters.
How does "Oedipus Rex"'s three-act structure affect the play overall?
The Three Act Structure offers a framework for comprehending the development of the story and characters in "Oedipus Rex." It is useful to consider how the tragic story is driven by the discovery of Oedipus' true identity and the accomplishment of the prophecy. Students can also apply this simple structure to other works of literature and improve their analyzing skills.
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