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https://www.test.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/hills-like-white-elephants-by-ernest-hemingway/plot-diagram
Activity Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Rubric
Activity Overview Accordion Arrow

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 Accordion Arrow

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 "Hills Like White Elephants".


  1. Separate the story into the Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
  2. Create an image that represents an important moment or set of events for each of the story components.
  3. Write a description of each of the steps in the plot diagram.

Lesson Plan Reference

Switch to: Common CoreArizonaCaliforniaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIowaKansasMarylandMassachusettsNebraskaNew JerseyNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaUtah

Rubric Accordion Arrow

Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)


Plot Diagram Rubric (Grades 9-12)
Create a plot diagram for the story using Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
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 "Hills Like White Elephants".


  1. Separate the story into the Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
  2. Create an image that represents an important moment or set of events for each of the story components.
  3. Write a description of each of the steps in the plot diagram.

Lesson Plan Reference

Switch to: Common CoreArizonaCaliforniaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIowaKansasMarylandMassachusettsNebraskaNew JerseyNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaUtah

Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)


Plot Diagram Rubric (Grades 9-12)
Create a plot diagram for the story using Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
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 \"Hills Like White Elephants\" Summary

1

Engage students with creative discussion prompts about 'Hills Like White Elephants'

Encourage students to think critically by posing open-ended questions that prompt interpretation and debate. Well-crafted prompts help students connect with the story's themes and characters.

2

Prepare discussion questions that promote analysis and empathy

List questions that challenge students to analyze character motivations, infer meaning from dialogue, and consider multiple perspectives. Empathy-driven questions deepen engagement and understanding.

3

Facilitate small group discussions for deeper exploration

Divide your class into small groups to discuss specific questions or scenes. This format builds confidence and encourages every student to participate.

4

Guide whole-class debriefs to synthesize ideas

After small group work, lead a whole-class conversation where groups share insights. Synthesizing ideas helps students see different viewpoints and solidify their interpretations.

Frequently Asked Questions about \"Hills Like White Elephants\" Summary

What is a plot diagram for "Hills Like White Elephants"?

A plot diagram for "Hills Like White Elephants" visually breaks down the story into six main parts: exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This helps students understand the story’s structure and key events.

How can students create a storyboard for "Hills Like White Elephants"?

Students can create a storyboard by dividing the narrative into six cells—one for each plot element. For each cell, they draw a scene from the story and write a brief description, capturing key moments from exposition to resolution.

What are the major events in the plot of "Hills Like White Elephants"?

The major events include the introduction of the couple at the train station (exposition), their tense conversation (conflict), the discussion about a decision (rising action), the peak of their disagreement (climax), the aftermath (falling action), and the unresolved ending (resolution).

Why use a plot diagram to teach "Hills Like White Elephants"?

Using a plot diagram helps students visualize the story’s structure, reinforces understanding of literary elements, and assists in identifying key moments, making complex stories like Hemingway’s more accessible.

What tips help students identify the exposition, conflict, and climax in "Hills Like White Elephants"?

Encourage students to look for the story’s setting and main characters for the exposition, pinpoint the main disagreement for the conflict, and find the story’s turning point for the climax. Asking guiding questions can make the process easier.




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