![The Canterbury Tale - Plot Diagram for "The Knight's Tale"](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-srcsets/kristy-littlehale/-the-knight-s-tale--plot-diagram.png "The Canterbury Tale - Plot Diagram for "The Knight's Tale"")
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 help 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.
Example "The Knight's Tale" Plot Diagram
Exposition
While returning from a victory in battle with his prizes Hippolyta and Emelye, Theseus, the Duke of Athens, is asked to resolve a conflict with Creon, the King of Thebes. He wins two hostages, Palamon and Arcite, and locks them in a tower.
Conflict
Arcite and Palamon see Emelye in the garden outside of their tower, and instantly fall in love with her.
Rising Action
Arcite is set free and Palamon escapes. They both cannot leave Athens for long without being drawn back to Emelye. They challenge each other to a duel and are discovered by Theseus, who plans a final tournament for them a year hence, between each man and their respective armies.
Climax
Both men ask for help from the gods before the battle, which causes a conflict between Mars and Venus. Jupiter, the king of the gods, resolves this by having Arcite win the battle, but being thrown from his horse and gravely injured.
Falling Action
On his deathbed, Arcite tells Emelye that she should marry Palamon, a worthy knight.
Resolution
All of Athens grieves for Arcite’s death, and then Palamon and Emelye are married in a joyous ceremony, which Theseus arranges.
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 Canterbury Tales.
- 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 help 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.
Example "The Knight's Tale" Plot Diagram
Exposition
While returning from a victory in battle with his prizes Hippolyta and Emelye, Theseus, the Duke of Athens, is asked to resolve a conflict with Creon, the King of Thebes. He wins two hostages, Palamon and Arcite, and locks them in a tower.
Conflict
Arcite and Palamon see Emelye in the garden outside of their tower, and instantly fall in love with her.
Rising Action
Arcite is set free and Palamon escapes. They both cannot leave Athens for long without being drawn back to Emelye. They challenge each other to a duel and are discovered by Theseus, who plans a final tournament for them a year hence, between each man and their respective armies.
Climax
Both men ask for help from the gods before the battle, which causes a conflict between Mars and Venus. Jupiter, the king of the gods, resolves this by having Arcite win the battle, but being thrown from his horse and gravely injured.
Falling Action
On his deathbed, Arcite tells Emelye that she should marry Palamon, a worthy knight.
Resolution
All of Athens grieves for Arcite’s death, and then Palamon and Emelye are married in a joyous ceremony, which Theseus arranges.
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 Canterbury Tales.
- 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 "The Knight's Tale" Summary Plot Diagram
How to lead a class discussion on themes in 'The Knight's Tale'
Facilitate a student-centered discussion to explore the story's key themes. Prepare open-ended questions about love, fate, and chivalry to spark critical thinking and personal connections. Encourage students to use evidence from the text and their plot diagrams during the conversation.
Set clear discussion goals
State what you want students to achieve, such as identifying major themes or connecting the tale to their own experiences. Clear objectives keep everyone focused and make the discussion more meaningful.
Prepare open-ended questions
Write questions that invite more than a yes/no answer. For example, ask, “What does the story suggest about the power of fate?” or “How do Palamon and Arcite’s choices shape their destinies?” This encourages deeper thinking and participation.
Encourage every student to contribute
Use strategies like think-pair-share or small group discussions before sharing ideas with the whole class. Inclusive participation helps quieter students build confidence and ensures a range of perspectives.
Connect themes to students’ lives
Ask students how the story’s themes relate to their own experiences or current events. Personal connections make the lesson more relevant and memorable.
Frequently Asked Questions about \"The Knight\'s Tale\" Summary Plot Diagram
What is a plot diagram for 'The Knight's Tale'?
A plot diagram for 'The Knight's Tale' maps out the story's key events using six stages: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. This helps students visualize the narrative structure and better understand the main plot points.
How can I teach students to create a plot diagram for a story?
To teach students to create a plot diagram, have them break the story into six parts: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. Students should draw or select images representing each part and write brief descriptions to reinforce understanding.
Why is using a storyboard helpful for understanding literary structure?
Storyboards visually organize the sequence of events, making it easier for students to grasp how a story unfolds and how each plot stage connects. This method supports comprehension and retention of literary structure.
What are the main events in 'The Knight's Tale' plot diagram?
The main events are: Exposition (Theseus’s return and imprisonment of Palamon and Arcite), Conflict (both fall for Emelye), Rising Action (escape and duel), Climax (tournament and Arcite’s injury), Falling Action (Arcite's dying wish), and Resolution (Palamon and Emelye marry).
What are some tips for helping students identify the climax in a story?
Ask students to look for the moment of greatest tension or turning point in the story. Instruct them to consider which event changes the outcome for the main characters, signaling the shift from rising action to falling action.
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