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 Miracle Worker. Students should identify major turning points in the novel such as the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Exposition: Set in Tuscombia, Alabama, Helen is born a healthy baby, but illness leaves her blind and deaf at just 18 months old. When she is 6 years old, 20 year old Annie Sullivan comes to live with the Keller family, with the hope that she can teach Helen and help the family.
Rising Action: Annie lives with Helen for two weeks in the garden house. They make a great deal of progress.
Climax: Helen discovers what water is and that Annie has been trying to teach her words the whole time.
Falling Action: Helen immediately wants Annie to teach her many new words and gets excited about learning them all.
Resolution: Helen gives Annie the keys that she’s been hiding. This is a symbol of the trust that Helen now has for Annie.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a visual plot diagram of The Miracle Worker.
Student Instructions: