Activity Overview
A common activity for students is to create a plot diagram of the events from a novel. 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.
Template and Class Instructions
(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 1984.
- Separate the story into the Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
- Create an image that represents an important moment or set of events for each of the story components.
- Write a description of each of the steps in the plot diagram.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 21 Points | Beginning 17 Points | Try Again 13 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Descriptive and Visual Elements | Cells have many descriptive elements, and provide the reader with a vivid representation. | Cells have many descriptive elements, but flow of cells may have been hard to understand. | Cells have few descriptive elements, or have visuals that make the work confusing. | Cells have few or no descriptive elements. |
| Grammar/Spelling | Textables have three or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have four or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have five or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have six or more spelling/grammar errors. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has done both peer and teacher editing. | Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has either teacher or peer editing, but not both. | Student has done neither peer, nor teacher editing. | Work shows no evidence of any effort. |
| Plot | All parts of the plot are included in the diagram. | All parts of the plot are included in the diagram, but one or more is confusing. | Parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot difficult to follow. | Almost all of the parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot very difficult to follow. |
Activity Overview
A common activity for students is to create a plot diagram of the events from a novel. 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.
Template and Class Instructions
(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 1984.
- Separate the story into the Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
- Create an image that represents an important moment or set of events for each of the story components.
- Write a description of each of the steps in the plot diagram.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 21 Points | Beginning 17 Points | Try Again 13 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Descriptive and Visual Elements | Cells have many descriptive elements, and provide the reader with a vivid representation. | Cells have many descriptive elements, but flow of cells may have been hard to understand. | Cells have few descriptive elements, or have visuals that make the work confusing. | Cells have few or no descriptive elements. |
| Grammar/Spelling | Textables have three or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have four or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have five or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have six or more spelling/grammar errors. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has done both peer and teacher editing. | Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has either teacher or peer editing, but not both. | Student has done neither peer, nor teacher editing. | Work shows no evidence of any effort. |
| Plot | All parts of the plot are included in the diagram. | All parts of the plot are included in the diagram, but one or more is confusing. | Parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot difficult to follow. | Almost all of the parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot very difficult to follow. |
How Tos about 1984 Plot Diagram
How to guide students in analyzing character development through a plot diagram
Guide students to track how main characters change from exposition to resolution using their plot diagrams. This helps students connect events to character growth and deepen their understanding of the story.
Encourage students to identify key character traits at each plot stage
Ask students to write down a main character’s traits or emotions in each part of the plot diagram. This highlights how characters evolve in response to events.
Facilitate class discussions comparing character changes
Lead a discussion where students share their character observations from their plot diagrams. Comparing ideas helps students see multiple perspectives on character growth.
Incorporate visual elements to illustrate character development
Encourage students to use colors, symbols, or facial expressions in their storyboards to represent character emotions. This makes abstract changes more visible and engaging.
Connect character arcs to major plot events
Have students draw arrows or notes linking plot events to shifts in character behavior. This reinforces the cause-and-effect relationships in the story.
Frequently Asked Questions about 1984 Plot Diagram
What is a plot diagram for 1984?
A plot diagram for 1984 is a visual representation of the novel's major events, organized into the classic narrative arc: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. It helps students understand key story elements and structure.
How can I teach 1984’s plot structure using a storyboard activity?
To teach 1984’s plot structure, have students create a six-cell storyboard, with each cell representing a different plot part. Students illustrate and describe key events for Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution to reinforce understanding.
What are the major plot points in 1984 that students should include in a diagram?
The major plot points of 1984 to include are: Winston’s life in Oceania (Exposition), his rebellion (Conflict), growing relationship with Julia (Rising Action), capture and torture (Climax), re-education (Falling Action), and Winston’s ultimate fate (Resolution).
Why is creating a plot diagram helpful for understanding 1984?
Creating a plot diagram helps students visually organize events, identify narrative structure, and deepen comprehension of themes and character arcs in 1984.
What are some tips for making an engaging plot diagram lesson for 1984?
Encourage creativity by letting students use images, colors, and short descriptions for each plot part. Allow group or individual work and prompt discussion about how each event shapes the story’s outcome.
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