A common activity for students is to create a plot diagram of the events from a story. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of a plot, but to reinforce major events and help students develop greater understanding of literary structures.
Students can create a storyboard that captures the concept of the narrative arc in a story by creating a six-cell storyboard which contains 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 “The Masque of the Red Death”.
Guide a thoughtful discussion by preparing open-ended questions that connect the story's events to its deeper meanings. Encourage students to consider symbolism, mood, and the author's message about mortality and privilege. Use student responses to steer the conversation and build understanding.
Set the stage by briefly outlining key themes such as death, fate, and isolation. Explain how these ideas appear in the story and invite students to look for examples as they read.
Encourage participation by posing questions like, “What do you think the Red Death represents?” or “How does the setting reflect the story’s tone?” Let students build on each other's answers to deepen the discussion.
Prompt students to reference specific passages when sharing their thoughts. Model how to quote or paraphrase from the text to back up interpretations, making analysis more concrete.
Relate the story’s themes to current events or students’ own lives. Ask questions like, “How do people today try to avoid difficult realities?” to make the story more relevant and meaningful.
The main plot points in "The Masque of the Red Death" are: Exposition (Prince Prospero and nobles hide from the plague), Conflict (the Red Death threatens their safety), Rising Action (a masquerade ball takes place as fear grows), Climax (a mysterious masked figure appears), Falling Action (the guests confront the figure), and Resolution (the Red Death claims everyone inside).
Students can create a plot diagram by dividing the story into six parts: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. For each part, students draw a scene and write a short description to illustrate the key events in sequence.
The best way is to have students visualize the plot structure with a storyboard. Assign each student or pair to illustrate and describe each plot stage, reinforcing their understanding of narrative arcs and key story elements.
A plot diagram helps students break down stories into manageable sections, making it easier to grasp the sequence of events, identify key moments, and analyze literary structure for deeper comprehension.
Each cell should include a scene illustration representing a specific plot part (Exposition, Conflict, etc.) and a brief description explaining the major event or moment depicted in that section of the story.