Creating a plot diagram not only helps students learn the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and helps students develop a greater understanding of literary structures. Students can fill in a digital worksheet to write and illustrate the narrative arc of a story. In this activity, students will create a visual plot diagram of major events in the story. Students should identify major turning points in the novel such as the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
This digital worksheet example uses the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio. (See more activities for Wonder) However, any book can be used, the sky's the limit!
Find more templates to choose from here: Plot Diagram Worksheets. You can add as many templates as you like for students to do more than one digital worksheet if they finish early, or to differentiate to meet the needs of all students.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a visual plot diagram for a book.
Student Instructions:
Encourage students to share their completed plot diagrams with classmates using a digital platform. Peer review helps students see different perspectives and deepens their understanding of story structure.
Provide students with simple, specific criteria for reviewing a peer’s plot diagram—such as checking for correct placement of story elements and clarity of images or text. Clear guidelines keep feedback positive and focused.
Demonstrate what helpful feedback looks like by reviewing a sample plot diagram together. Show both compliments and suggestions for improvement using respectful language.
Organize students into pairs or trios to exchange digital worksheets and give feedback. Smaller groups encourage participation and make sharing less intimidating for students.
Ask students to review the comments they received and make at least one improvement to their plot diagram. This step reinforces the value of feedback and encourages a growth mindset.
A plot diagram is a visual tool that maps out the main parts of a story, such as exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. It helps students grasp story structure and better understand how events connect and build in a narrative.
To use a digital plot diagram worksheet, assign students a story and have them fill out each section—title, exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution—with text and images that represent key events. This interactive activity works for any book and supports visual learning.
The main parts of a plot diagram students should identify are: Exposition (introduction), Rising Action (events building tension), Climax (turning point), Falling Action (events after climax), and Resolution (conclusion).
Yes, a plot diagram worksheet can be used with any book or story. It's a flexible tool for reinforcing narrative structure, making it easy to adapt for different grade levels or reading materials.
To differentiate digital plot diagram activities, offer multiple templates, allow use of text and images, and adjust worksheet complexity. Provide extra support or challenge as needed, so all students engage meaningfully at their own level.