With Storyboard That, students can diagram a play’s five act structure to show the sequence of events. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of plot, but it reinforces major actions from the play and helps students develop greater understanding for literary structures. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the acts in order: Prologue, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Denouement / Epilogue.
(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 Death of a Salesman.
Start with a character map to help students connect who is involved in each act.
This gives students a clearer understanding of relationships and motivations, making the five act structure easier to follow.
Gather students in small groups to brainstorm which moments best represent each act.
This collaborative step encourages discussion, deeper thinking, and ensures all students are engaged in identifying major plot points.
Assign students specific roles like illustrator, writer, or presenter.
This approach allows students to focus on their strengths and ensures both the images and descriptions in the plot diagram are thoughtfully created.
Organize a peer review session where groups exchange diagrams and provide feedback.
This helps students catch missing details, clarify confusing elements, and learn from each other's interpretations.
Ask students to relate each act's turning point to choices they make in daily life.
This personalizes the lesson, making literary structure more relevant and memorable for your students.
The five act structure in Death of a Salesman divides the play into distinct parts: Prologue/Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Denouement. This framework helps students understand the sequence of key events and how the story develops.
Students can create a plot diagram for Death of a Salesman by identifying and illustrating an important event for each act: Prologue, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Denouement. Adding brief descriptions for each scene helps reinforce comprehension of the play's structure.
Using a five act structure makes it easier for students to break down complex plays, recognize the main plot points, and understand dramatic tension. It also supports learning about literary elements and improves reading comprehension.
The key events are: Prologue/Exposition (Willy Loman's struggles are introduced), Rising Action (family tensions grow), Climax (Willy's confrontation with Biff), Falling Action (aftermath of the confrontation), and Denouement (Willy's fate and its impact on his family).
A simple activity is having students visualize and describe each act of the play using a five act plot diagram. This hands-on approach helps learners connect with the story and understand its structure more clearly.