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 a sequence using Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
The story begins when Goodman must say goodbye to his wife, Faith, to go on an errand. Faith tells Brown that she is not comfortable staying by herself and wished he would not go.
Brown leaves without stating the purpose of the journey, yet the reader infers that the reason is related to dark matters. On his way he encounters the devil who attempts to woo him.
Despite numerous persuasive tactics, Brown refuses the devil; until he thinks he hears Faith’s scream. Using the devil’s staff, Brown is transported to the devil's forest ceremony.
At the ceremony the fire lights the faces of good pious people in his community: the Deacon Gookin, Goody Cloyse, and others. Suddenly, he realizes that Faith is among them. As he tells her to resist the devil and look towards the heavens he is transported back through the forest alone.
The next morning, Brown returns to the village unaware if what he experienced was real or a dream. He sees the same members of the community that were at the fire and cries out, defaming them in wickedness.
For the rest of his life, he is changed, trusting no one, especially not his wife, Faith.
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Student Instructions
Create a visual plot diagram of "Young Goodman Brown".
Help students connect plot events to deeper meanings by focusing their attention on recurring ideas and symbols. Identifying themes enhances comprehension and critical thinking as students move beyond basic plot recall.
Clarify that a theme is a big idea or message the author wants readers to think about. Use simple stories or movies students know—like friendship in Charlotte's Web—to show how a theme is different from what happens in the plot.
Have students write down key plot moments from their diagram. Then, prompt them to look for patterns or repeated ideas in these events, such as trust, temptation, or doubt.
Ask students to highlight lines or scenes that support each theme they suggest. Evidence-based thinking strengthens analysis skills and helps students justify their ideas.
Challenge students to write a clear, one-sentence statement about what they think the story says about life or people. This practice helps them articulate complex ideas concisely.
A plot diagram for "Young Goodman Brown" visually breaks down the story into key parts: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. Each section highlights major events and helps students understand the narrative structure and character development in Nathaniel Hawthorne's tale.
To teach the plot structure of "Young Goodman Brown" to high schoolers, have students create a six-cell storyboard illustrating each plot part. Use images and brief descriptions for Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution to reinforce comprehension and storytelling skills.
The main events include Goodman Brown leaving his wife Faith, encountering the devil, the mysterious forest ceremony, recognizing townspeople and Faith at the ritual, his return and distrust of the community, and his lifelong changed perspective. Each event fits into a different part of the plot diagram.
Creating a plot diagram helps students visually organize the story's sequence, understand literary elements, and identify key turning points in "Young Goodman Brown." It also encourages deeper analysis of character motivations and themes.
Start by tracking events on a timeline organizer, then select the most important moments for each plot stage. Use images or symbols for visual impact, and write clear, concise scene descriptions to help students remember key details and sequence.