A common use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a story. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and helps students develop greater understanding of literary structures.
Students can create a storyboard capturing the narrative arc in a work with a six-cell storyboard containing the major parts of the plot diagram. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the story in sequence using: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
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.
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.
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.
Clay listens to tape #5 and discovers his connection to Hannah's death. Hannah doesn't blame him, but explains that she liked him. She describes a party where she and Clay talked for the first time. Due to their similarities and mutual attraction, they had could have become close. But after they kiss, Hannah pushes Clay away. Later, Hannah 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.
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.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a visual plot diagram of Thirteen Reasons Why.
Encourage respectful dialogue by setting clear ground rules and allowing students to share their thoughts in a safe environment. Prepare guiding questions and remind everyone to listen actively to different perspectives.
Review expectations for respectful communication and confidentiality. Explain that empathy and supportive language are essential when discussing challenging content.
Inform students about sensitive themes ahead of time. This helps them emotionally prepare and allows for informed participation or opting out if necessary.
Use thought-provoking prompts such as "How did this character’s actions impact others?" or "What could someone have done differently?" to promote critical thinking and deeper analysis.
Let students know where to find additional help if the discussion brings up strong feelings. Share school counseling contacts or safe online resources so everyone feels supported.
A plot diagram for '13 Reasons Why' visually maps out the major events of the story, including the exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This helps students track the narrative arc and understand how each event leads to the next.
To teach '13 Reasons Why' with a storyboard, have students create a six-cell storyboard representing each part of the plot diagram. Students draw or design scenes for the exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, then write brief descriptions for each.
The main events include Hannah Baker's suicide, Clay Jensen receiving the tapes, the revelations from the tapes about Hannah's struggles, the turning point at the party, Hannah's final attempt to seek help, and Clay's efforts to help another student after listening to the tapes.
Using a plot diagram helps students break down complex narratives, identify key turning points, and better understand literary structure. It encourages analysis of how events and character decisions drive the story forward.
Encourage students to focus on major plot events, use a plot diagram for organization, and write concise descriptions for each story segment. Visual aids like storyboards make summaries more engaging and easier to comprehend.