Activity Overview
With Storyboard That, students can diagram a play’s five act structure to show the sequence of events. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of plot, but it reinforces major actions from the play and helps students develop greater understanding for literary structures. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the acts in order: Prologue, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Denouement / Epilogue.
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 Death of a Salesman.
- Separate the play into the Prologue/Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Denouement.
- Create an image that represents an important moment or set of events for each of the acts.
- 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 | Emerging | Beginning | Try Again | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
With Storyboard That, students can diagram a play’s five act structure to show the sequence of events. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of plot, but it reinforces major actions from the play and helps students develop greater understanding for literary structures. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the acts in order: Prologue, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Denouement / Epilogue.
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 Death of a Salesman.
- Separate the play into the Prologue/Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Denouement.
- Create an image that represents an important moment or set of events for each of the acts.
- 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 | Emerging | Beginning | Try Again | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Death of a Salesman Summary | Five Act Structure
Introduce Character Mapping Before Plot Diagramming
Start with a character map to help students connect who is involved in each act.
This gives students a clearer understanding of relationships and motivations, making the five act structure easier to follow.
Facilitate Group Brainstorming for Key Scenes
Gather students in small groups to brainstorm which moments best represent each act.
This collaborative step encourages discussion, deeper thinking, and ensures all students are engaged in identifying major plot points.
Assign Roles for Visual and Written Elements
Assign students specific roles like illustrator, writer, or presenter.
This approach allows students to focus on their strengths and ensures both the images and descriptions in the plot diagram are thoughtfully created.
Use Peer Review to Refine Diagrams
Organize a peer review session where groups exchange diagrams and provide feedback.
This helps students catch missing details, clarify confusing elements, and learn from each other's interpretations.
Connect Plot Structure to Real-Life Decisions
Ask students to relate each act's turning point to choices they make in daily life.
This personalizes the lesson, making literary structure more relevant and memorable for your students.
Frequently Asked Questions about Death of a Salesman Summary | Five Act Structure
What is the five act structure in Death of a Salesman?
The five act structure in Death of a Salesman divides the play into distinct parts: Prologue/Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Denouement. This framework helps students understand the sequence of key events and how the story develops.
How can students create a plot diagram for Death of a Salesman?
Students can create a plot diagram for Death of a Salesman by identifying and illustrating an important event for each act: Prologue, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Denouement. Adding brief descriptions for each scene helps reinforce comprehension of the play's structure.
Why is it helpful to use a five act structure to teach plays?
Using a five act structure makes it easier for students to break down complex plays, recognize the main plot points, and understand dramatic tension. It also supports learning about literary elements and improves reading comprehension.
What are the key events in each act of Death of a Salesman?
The key events are: Prologue/Exposition (Willy Loman's struggles are introduced), Rising Action (family tensions grow), Climax (Willy's confrontation with Biff), Falling Action (aftermath of the confrontation), and Denouement (Willy's fate and its impact on his family).
What is a simple activity for teaching Death of a Salesman’s plot to high school students?
A simple activity is having students visualize and describe each act of the play using a five act plot diagram. This hands-on approach helps learners connect with the story and understand its structure more clearly.
More Storyboard That Activities
Death of a Salesman
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