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.
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 “Harrison Bergeron”.
- 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.
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 “Harrison Bergeron”.
- 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 "Harrison Bergeron" Plot Diagram
How to Facilitate a Class Discussion on 'Harrison Bergeron' Themes
Encourage thoughtful conversation by preparing open-ended questions about the story’s themes of equality, individuality, and freedom. This helps students connect the plot diagram to deeper meanings and real-world issues.
Set clear discussion goals
State your objectives for the discussion, such as exploring character motivations or relating themes to current events. Clear goals help students stay focused and engaged.
Prepare engaging, open-ended questions
Write questions that invite multiple perspectives—for example, “How does the story’s setting affect its message?” or “What might the author be saying about the value of differences?” Open-ended questions spark deeper thinking.
Use visual aids to prompt conversation
Display students’ plot diagrams or key scenes to anchor discussion. Visual references help students recall events and connect them to broader concepts.
Encourage respectful participation
Set ground rules for listening and sharing so all voices are heard. Respectful dialogue builds confidence and classroom community.
Frequently Asked Questions about \"Harrison Bergeron\" Plot Diagram
What is a plot diagram for 'Harrison Bergeron'?
A plot diagram for 'Harrison Bergeron' visually breaks down the story into key elements: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. It helps students understand the structure and main events of Kurt Vonnegut's story.
How can students create a storyboard for 'Harrison Bergeron'?
Students can create a storyboard by dividing the story into six parts: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. For each part, they draw a scene and write a brief description that summarizes the key event or turning point.
Why use a plot diagram in teaching 'Harrison Bergeron'?
Using a plot diagram helps students visualize and retain the sequence of events, reinforce understanding of literary elements, and analyze how the narrative is structured in 'Harrison Bergeron'.
What are the main parts of a plot diagram for literature?
The main parts of a plot diagram are Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. These elements outline the story's structure and help students identify major events.
What are some tips for teaching plot diagrams to high school students?
Use familiar stories, encourage students to create visual storyboards, and have them describe each plot part in their own words. Interactive tools like Storyboard That can make learning more engaging for high school students.
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