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 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. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the story in sequence using: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Hazel knows her lifespan is limited. Hazel's breathing is severely limited due to the cancer in her lungs, and she breathes with the help of a portable oxygen tank and tubes.
Hazel makes friends with a cancer-survivor named Augustus, but does not want to become romantically involved with him to avoid breaking his heart when she dies.
Hazel and Augustus grow closer together through a shared love of the book An Imperial Affliction by Peter Van Houten. They write to Van Houten to find out the details of his unfinished ending, and when he refuses to tell them, they plan a trip to visit him.
Hazel and Augustus are disappointed by Peter Van Houten in Amsterdam, but they grow closer together as a result of the trip. Hazel agrees to begin a romantic relationship with Augustus only to learn that his cancer has returned and cannot be treated.
As Augustus's health deteriorates, Hazel and Gus grow closer together and help each other deal with their physical and emotional pain.
Augustus dies, but Hazel is grateful to have loved him and feels comforted by the eulogy he left behind for her.
(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 The Fault in Our Stars.
Enhance your literature lessons by encouraging students to dive deeper into characters’ motivations and growth throughout the story. Character analysis helps students better understand literary elements and connect with the text.
Select Hazel or Augustus as the focus for your activity. Focusing on one character allows students to observe development over the entire narrative and make more detailed connections.
Guide students to identify three to five personality traits or motivations for the chosen character. Ask them to find specific examples or quotes from the book that support each trait.
Have students design a character map using illustrations, symbols, or images that represent important aspects of the character. Visual mapping makes abstract traits more concrete and memorable.
Ask students to present their character maps to the class or in small groups. Encourage discussion about how the character changes throughout the story and what influences these changes.
A plot diagram for The Fault in Our Stars visually outlines key story events, including the exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. It helps students summarize and understand the novel's narrative structure.
To teach The Fault in Our Stars plot structure, have students create a six-cell storyboard, each cell depicting a major part of the plot diagram—exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This visual approach reinforces comprehension of literary elements.
The main events are: Hazel's struggle with cancer (exposition), meeting Augustus and hesitating to get close (conflict), bonding over a book and planning a trip (rising action), their disappointing meeting with the author and Augustus's relapse (climax), supporting each other as Augustus declines (falling action), and Hazel finding comfort after his death (resolution).
Using a storyboard engages students visually and creatively, making it easier to grasp and remember the structure of a story. It encourages active participation and deeper understanding of narrative arcs in both middle and high school classrooms.
For an effective plot diagram activity, provide clear instructions, use a familiar story, encourage detailed scenes and concise descriptions, and allow for creativity. Group or individual work can be used to promote collaboration or independent analysis.