Thirteen Reasons Why Plot Diagram
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Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Lesson Plans by Bridget Baudinet
Thirteen Reasons Why tells the story of thirteen people who influenced high schooler Hannah Baker to commit suicide. Told from the point of view of her classmate Clay, who is slowly listening to seven cassette tapes on which Hannah has recorded her story, the novel is a suspenseful revelation of the many forces that combined to demoralize Hannah.
Storyboard Description
13 Reasons Why Summary & Plot Diagram activity | Have students identify the main plot points in Thirteen Reasons Why
Storyboard Text
- EXPOSITION
- XXXX1. xxxx2. xxxx3. xxxx
- CONFLICT
- RISING ACTION
- The faculty and students at Crestmont High School are shocked to see Hannah Baker's empty desk and learn that she has committed suicide. The student body is disturbed, but there is little discussion of the incident, and no one attends her out-of-town funeral.
- CLIMAX
- Clay Jensen, a boy who had a crush on Hannah, discovers a package of cassette tapes at his front door. The tapes contain the story of thirteen reasons (people) for Hannah's suicide. Each of the 13 people who will receive the box of tapes will learn how they contributed to Hannah's decision to take her own life.
- FALLING ACTION
- As Clay listens to the tapes, he learns that Hannah was misrepresented in rumors that spread around school. As a result of these rumors, Hannah struggled to fit in, and was betrayed and abused by many of her peers. Clay worries about his own reason for appearing on the tapes, as he agonizes over the pain Hannah expresses in her story.
- RESOLUTION
- Skye.
- Clay listens to tape #5 and discovers his connection to Hannah's death. She doesn't blame him--she liked him. She describes a party where they talked for the first time. After they kissed, she pushes Clay away. Later, she witnesses a rape and a drunk driving accident. This night is a turning point, eliminating her sense of self-worth and desire to open up to others.
- STOP!
- All but determined to take her own life, Hannah makes one last attempt to reach out for help by talking to Mr. Porter. When he tells her to “move beyond” her troubles, she makes a final decision to kill herself. She records the tapes, mails them, and then commits suicide.
- After listening to the tapes, Clay finally understands why Hannah took her own life. He is filled with grief but learns from her story. The next day at school, he skips class to reach out to Skye Miller, another girl who is showing signs of social avoidance and unhappiness.
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