Creating a plot diagram not only helps students learn the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and help 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. In this activity, students will create a visual plot diagram of major events in Once. Students should identify major turning points in the novel such as the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Exposition: The story takes place in German occupied Europe during World War II and the Holocaust. Felix is a 10 year old boy in 1942 who flees the orphanage with the hope that he will find his parents. As Felix begins to realize the truth about what’s happening around him, he meets new friends and the man who will help to save his life.
Rising Action: Felix runs away from the orphanage. He meets Zelda when he rescues her after her parents have been killed and her house has been burned. The two children are rescued from a death march by a man named Barney, who hides them and other children in a basement.
Climax: When Felix returns from getting medicine for Zelda, he realizes that the Nazis have discovered their hiding place. Barney and the children are taken and forced into train cars.
Falling Action: While in the train car, Felix notices rotten wood and kicks a hole in the train. Many people jump out, risking being injured or even shot for the chance of freedom
Resolution: Felix and Zelda jump out of the train and survive.
(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 of Once.
Student Instructions:
Encourage students to use their plot diagrams as a framework for writing a concise plot summary in their own words. Explain that this helps them internalize story structure and improve writing skills.
Collaborate with students to draft a brief sentence for each plot part. Demonstrate how to turn diagram notes into clear, connected summary sentences.
Show students how words like first, then, next, and finally make their summaries flow smoothly. This builds stronger narrative skills.
Ask students to write their own summary using the diagram and modeled examples. Encourage peer review or self-checks for clarity and completeness.
Allow students to read their summaries aloud or display them. Highlight effective examples and praise creativity and effort to boost confidence.
The main plot points of 'Once' include the Exposition (Felix in German-occupied Europe during WWII), Rising Action (Felix escapes the orphanage and befriends Zelda), Climax (Nazis discover their hiding place), Falling Action (escape attempt from a train), and Resolution (Felix and Zelda survive after jumping from the train).
Students can create a plot diagram for 'Once' by dividing the story into key sections: Title, Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. They should illustrate and briefly describe a major event for each part using a six-cell storyboard.
The best way is to have students visually map out the plot using a storyboard. This approach helps them identify major events, understand literary structure, and engage with the novel's key moments through images and summaries.
Creating a plot diagram helps students visualize the story’s structure, reinforces comprehension of major events, and supports deeper understanding of how the narrative unfolds in 'Once'.
Major turning points in 'Once' include Felix leaving the orphanage, meeting Zelda, being rescued by Barney, the discovery of their hiding place by Nazis, and Felix and Zelda’s escape from the train.