Activity Overview
A common use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a story. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and helps 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. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the story in sequence using: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Hades and Persephone Myth Plot Diagram Example
Exposition
Hades, god of the Underworld, abducted Persephone and brought her to his kingdom to be his wife.
Conflict
Persephone's mother, Demeter, goddess of agriculture, was so distraught over the abduction of her daughter that she refused to let anything grow. Plants died and the fields were cold and barren.
Rising Action
Persephone is miserable in the darkness and lifelessness of the Underworld. Very few things grow there, such as cypress trees and pomegranates.
Climax
Zeus appeals to Demeter to allow plants to grow again to avoid great loss of life. She denounces Zeus for his part in their daughter's abduction, and demands that Persephone be returned to her.
Falling Action
Zeus agrees that Persephone can return to her mother, but because she had eaten food from the Underworld, Persephone must spend half of the year with Hades.
Resolution
When Persephone is in the Underworld, Demeter misses her and causes the cold of winter. When she returns above ground, Persephone, goddess of spring, brings warmth and brightness back to the world.
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 one of the Greek Explanation Myths.
- 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 use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a story. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and helps 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. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the story in sequence using: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Hades and Persephone Myth Plot Diagram Example
Exposition
Hades, god of the Underworld, abducted Persephone and brought her to his kingdom to be his wife.
Conflict
Persephone's mother, Demeter, goddess of agriculture, was so distraught over the abduction of her daughter that she refused to let anything grow. Plants died and the fields were cold and barren.
Rising Action
Persephone is miserable in the darkness and lifelessness of the Underworld. Very few things grow there, such as cypress trees and pomegranates.
Climax
Zeus appeals to Demeter to allow plants to grow again to avoid great loss of life. She denounces Zeus for his part in their daughter's abduction, and demands that Persephone be returned to her.
Falling Action
Zeus agrees that Persephone can return to her mother, but because she had eaten food from the Underworld, Persephone must spend half of the year with Hades.
Resolution
When Persephone is in the Underworld, Demeter misses her and causes the cold of winter. When she returns above ground, Persephone, goddess of spring, brings warmth and brightness back to the world.
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 one of the Greek Explanation Myths.
- 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 Explanation Myth Plot Diagram
How to Differentiate Plot Diagram Lessons for Diverse Learners
Adapt your plot diagram activities for students with different learning needs to ensure everyone can participate and succeed. Use visual aids, sentence starters, or graphic organizers for extra support, and offer extension challenges for advanced learners.
Use sentence starters for plot descriptions
Provide students with sentence frames like “At this point in the story...” or “The main problem is...” to help them write plot descriptions confidently. This scaffolding supports struggling writers and builds their narrative skills.
Incorporate visuals for comprehension
Offer sample images or simple illustrations to clarify each stage of the plot diagram. Visual cues help students who learn best with pictures and make abstract story parts more concrete.
Adjust groupings for collaboration
Pair students strategically—matching talkative learners with quieter peers or mixing reading abilities—to promote peer support and deeper understanding of the plot stages.
Challenge advanced learners with creative twists
Encourage students who finish early to create an alternate ending or add a new conflict to the plot diagram. This extension activity keeps advanced learners engaged and sparks creative thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions about Explanation Myth Plot Diagram
What is an explanation myth plot diagram?
An explanation myth plot diagram is a visual organizer that breaks down the key events of a myth—especially those that explain natural phenomena—into parts like Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. This helps students understand how myths are structured and what each part means in the story.
How can I teach the parts of a plot diagram using Greek myths?
To teach plot diagram parts with Greek myths, have students identify and illustrate each stage—Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution—using a familiar myth, such as Hades and Persephone. This approach makes abstract plot concepts more concrete and engaging for students.
What are some easy storyboard activities for teaching myth structure?
Try having students create a six-cell storyboard showing each part of a myth's plot. Assign one cell to each stage of the diagram, and ask students to draw a key scene and write a brief description. This hands-on activity reinforces both comprehension and sequencing skills.
Why is the Hades and Persephone story a good example for a plot diagram lesson?
The Hades and Persephone myth is ideal for plot diagram lessons because it clearly shows each plot stage and illustrates how myths explain natural cycles—like the seasons. Its sequence of events is easy for students to follow and visually represent.
What grade levels is the explanation myth plot diagram activity best for?
This plot diagram activity is best suited for grades 6–12. The content and analysis level are designed to reinforce developing skills in middle and high school students, but can be adjusted for younger or older learners as needed.
More Storyboard That Activities
Greek Mythology: Explanation Stories
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