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.
“The Devil and Tom Walker” Plot Diagram Example
Exposition
Tom Walker and his wife are described as miserly and bitter towards each others. The couple even goes as far as hiding money from each other.
Major Inciting Conflict
Tom Walker is approached by the Devil to make a deal with him. He offers Tom pirate treasure, buried nearby; this will make him very wealthy.
Rising Action
Tom goes home to think about the deal. His wife urges him to do it, and he spites her by refusing. She goes into the woods herself to take the deal and doesn't return. With his wife gone, Tom revisits the Devil's pact and becomes a usurer in Boston.
Climax
Tom becomes very wealthy, but begins to worry about his soul. He regrets the deal and tries to repent by reading the Bible and attending church, but he remains in his nefarious business. While Tom argues with a debtor, there come three loud knocks at his door!
Falling Action
The devil arrives to collect his due: Tom's soul.
Resolution
The people of Boston appointed a board to oversee Tom's estate. However, when they looked for all the money he had made, there was nothing left. Legend remains that to this day, the black horse and a figure in a white cap can be seen on the marsh, "which is doubtless the troubled spirit of the usurer."
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 "The Devil and Tom Walker".
- 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.
“The Devil and Tom Walker” Plot Diagram Example
Exposition
Tom Walker and his wife are described as miserly and bitter towards each others. The couple even goes as far as hiding money from each other.
Major Inciting Conflict
Tom Walker is approached by the Devil to make a deal with him. He offers Tom pirate treasure, buried nearby; this will make him very wealthy.
Rising Action
Tom goes home to think about the deal. His wife urges him to do it, and he spites her by refusing. She goes into the woods herself to take the deal and doesn't return. With his wife gone, Tom revisits the Devil's pact and becomes a usurer in Boston.
Climax
Tom becomes very wealthy, but begins to worry about his soul. He regrets the deal and tries to repent by reading the Bible and attending church, but he remains in his nefarious business. While Tom argues with a debtor, there come three loud knocks at his door!
Falling Action
The devil arrives to collect his due: Tom's soul.
Resolution
The people of Boston appointed a board to oversee Tom's estate. However, when they looked for all the money he had made, there was nothing left. Legend remains that to this day, the black horse and a figure in a white cap can be seen on the marsh, "which is doubtless the troubled spirit of the usurer."
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 "The Devil and Tom Walker".
- 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 Devil and Tom Walker\" Plot Diagram
Engage students with creative character analysis using storyboards
Boost engagement by having students analyze characters visually. Character storyboards help students make deeper connections and enhance comprehension by representing traits, motivations, and changes over time.
Introduce main characters and assign them to students
Assign each student or group a character from “The Devil and Tom Walker”. Encourage students to focus on Tom, his wife, and the Devil for meaningful analysis.
Guide students to research character traits and motivations
Ask students to find direct evidence from the text showing their character’s personality and goals. Prompt them to note quotes, actions, and interactions that define the character.
Have students create a storyboard depicting character growth
Direct students to make at least three storyboard cells for their character: one for the beginning, one for a major change, and one for the end. Students should illustrate and describe each stage using both images and brief captions.
Facilitate a class discussion to compare character journeys
Invite students to share and discuss their storyboards. Encourage thoughtful comparisons about how each character changes and what motivates their decisions throughout the story.
Frequently Asked Questions about \"The Devil and Tom Walker\" Plot Diagram
What is a plot diagram for 'The Devil and Tom Walker'?
A plot diagram for 'The Devil and Tom Walker' visually outlines the key events in the story, typically using six stages: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. This helps students understand how the narrative unfolds and highlights major turning points.
How can students create a plot diagram for 'The Devil and Tom Walker'?
Students can create a plot diagram by dividing the story into six parts—Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution—and illustrating each stage with a scene and description, either by hand or using digital tools like Storyboard That.
What are the main events in 'The Devil and Tom Walker' plot diagram?
The main events include the introduction of Tom and his wife (Exposition), Tom's deal with the Devil (Conflict), his wife's disappearance and Tom's new occupation (Rising Action), Tom's regret and the Devil's arrival (Climax), Tom being taken by the Devil (Falling Action), and the mysterious disappearance of his wealth (Resolution).
Why is using a plot diagram helpful when teaching 'The Devil and Tom Walker'?
Using a plot diagram helps students visualize the structure of the story, understand the sequence of events, and analyze literary elements like conflict and resolution, making the narrative easier to comprehend and discuss.
What are some tips for making an effective plot diagram in the classroom?
Tips for making an effective plot diagram include: using clear illustrations for each plot stage, writing concise descriptions, focusing on key moments, and encouraging creativity with digital tools or art supplies to engage students.
More Storyboard That Activities
Devil and Tom Walker, The
![The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving - "Tom Walker" Vocabulary](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-cells/982054/cell-col-0-row-0-w400.png "The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving - "Tom Walker" Vocabulary")
![The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving - TWIST in "The Devil and Tom Walker"](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-cells/982056/cell-col-2-row-0-w400.png "The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving - TWIST in "The Devil and Tom Walker"")
![The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving - Literary Elements in "The Devil and Tom Walker"](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-cells/982061/cell-col-1-row-0-w400.png "The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving - Literary Elements in "The Devil and Tom Walker"")
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
