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 The Book Thief. Students should identify major turning points in the novel such as the Exposition, 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.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a visual plot diagram of The Book Thief.
Student Instructions:
Assign students to small groups to encourage teamwork and diverse perspectives. Collaboration helps students discuss and debate key plot points, deepening their understanding of the novel.
Give each group a specific part of the plot (e.g., Exposition, Climax). This focus allows students to dive deeper into their assigned section and become 'experts' on that portion of the story.
Encourage each group to draw or digitally design a scene that captures key events and emotions from their plot section. Visuals make abstract plot points more concrete and memorable for all students.
Invite each group to share their visual and reasoning for choosing specific events. Presentations build confidence and reinforce comprehension as students teach their peers.
Arrange the completed visuals in sequence on a bulletin board or digital platform. This collective display celebrates student work and provides a valuable reference for future discussions or assessments.
To create a visual plot diagram for The Book Thief, divide the story into key elements: Title, Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. Illustrate each part with relevant scenes and characters, and write a brief description for each to show how the plot develops.
The main parts of a plot diagram for The Book Thief are: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. Each section highlights a different stage in the story’s narrative arc, helping students understand how the plot unfolds.
Making a plot diagram helps students visually organize major events in The Book Thief, reinforces understanding of story structure, and deepens comprehension of literary elements such as conflict, climax, and resolution.
An example of a turning point in The Book Thief is the moment when Liesel discovers Max hiding in the basement. This event dramatically shifts the story and raises the stakes for the characters.
A plot diagram activity on The Book Thief is best suited for students in grades 6-8, aligning with developing to mastery level skills in literary analysis.