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.
(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 "Hills Like White Elephants".
Encourage students to think critically by posing open-ended questions that prompt interpretation and debate. Well-crafted prompts help students connect with the story's themes and characters.
List questions that challenge students to analyze character motivations, infer meaning from dialogue, and consider multiple perspectives. Empathy-driven questions deepen engagement and understanding.
Divide your class into small groups to discuss specific questions or scenes. This format builds confidence and encourages every student to participate.
After small group work, lead a whole-class conversation where groups share insights. Synthesizing ideas helps students see different viewpoints and solidify their interpretations.
A plot diagram for "Hills Like White Elephants" visually breaks down the story into six main parts: exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This helps students understand the story’s structure and key events.
Students can create a storyboard by dividing the narrative into six cells—one for each plot element. For each cell, they draw a scene from the story and write a brief description, capturing key moments from exposition to resolution.
The major events include the introduction of the couple at the train station (exposition), their tense conversation (conflict), the discussion about a decision (rising action), the peak of their disagreement (climax), the aftermath (falling action), and the unresolved ending (resolution).
Using a plot diagram helps students visualize the story’s structure, reinforces understanding of literary elements, and assists in identifying key moments, making complex stories like Hemingway’s more accessible.
Encourage students to look for the story’s setting and main characters for the exposition, pinpoint the main disagreement for the conflict, and find the story’s turning point for the climax. Asking guiding questions can make the process easier.