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 Fall of the House of Usher Plot Diagram Example
Exposition
The narrator arrives by horseback at the House of Usher. Roderick Usher wrote a letter to the narrator to come and visit him for a short time to help him overcome an agitation of his soul that he has been experiencing. The narrator observes that house seems sickly, and Usher himself is pale and sickly. The state of the house seems to be coinciding with the state of Roderick Usher.
Conflict
Usher reveals that his twin sister Madeline is dying. She passes a few weeks later, and Usher decides to keep her body in a vault in one of the walls while he makes plans for her burial. He also wants to protect her from being studied by the doctors. The narrator notices that Madeline’s cheeks and chest are still flushed. Usher’s appearance and demeanor worsen after Madeline’s death.
Rising Action
Shortly after Madeline was placed in the vault, the narrator begins to hear strange noises in the house. One night, in the middle of a terrible storm, Usher comes to the narrator’s bed chamber and they open the window to a terrifying atmosphere with low-hanging clouds and fog that surround the house. The narrator begins to read to Usher to calm him down.
Climax
As the narrator reads through the story, the sounds he describes in the story begin to echo in the house. When he reaches the point where Ethelred, the hero, slays the dragon, there is a scream in the house. Usher tips over his chair and begins rocking back and forth. Usher whispers that he’s been hearing sounds from his sister’s coffin and he fears he might have buried her alive. The door flies open, and Madeline is standing there, covered in blood.
Falling Action
Madeline leaps upon Roderick and dies. Roderick also dies, likely from shock and fear. The narrator flees the house.
Resolution
As the narrator watches, he sees the house collapse and disappear into the ethereal fog and waters. Eventually, the house is completely gone.
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 Fall of the House of Usher".
- 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 Fall of the House of Usher Plot Diagram Example
Exposition
The narrator arrives by horseback at the House of Usher. Roderick Usher wrote a letter to the narrator to come and visit him for a short time to help him overcome an agitation of his soul that he has been experiencing. The narrator observes that house seems sickly, and Usher himself is pale and sickly. The state of the house seems to be coinciding with the state of Roderick Usher.
Conflict
Usher reveals that his twin sister Madeline is dying. She passes a few weeks later, and Usher decides to keep her body in a vault in one of the walls while he makes plans for her burial. He also wants to protect her from being studied by the doctors. The narrator notices that Madeline’s cheeks and chest are still flushed. Usher’s appearance and demeanor worsen after Madeline’s death.
Rising Action
Shortly after Madeline was placed in the vault, the narrator begins to hear strange noises in the house. One night, in the middle of a terrible storm, Usher comes to the narrator’s bed chamber and they open the window to a terrifying atmosphere with low-hanging clouds and fog that surround the house. The narrator begins to read to Usher to calm him down.
Climax
As the narrator reads through the story, the sounds he describes in the story begin to echo in the house. When he reaches the point where Ethelred, the hero, slays the dragon, there is a scream in the house. Usher tips over his chair and begins rocking back and forth. Usher whispers that he’s been hearing sounds from his sister’s coffin and he fears he might have buried her alive. The door flies open, and Madeline is standing there, covered in blood.
Falling Action
Madeline leaps upon Roderick and dies. Roderick also dies, likely from shock and fear. The narrator flees the house.
Resolution
As the narrator watches, he sees the house collapse and disappear into the ethereal fog and waters. Eventually, the house is completely gone.
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 Fall of the House of Usher".
- 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 Fall of the House of Usher" Summary
Engage Students with Creative Discussion Questions About the Plot
Stimulate student thinking by preparing open-ended questions related to key plot events. Well-crafted questions foster deeper understanding and encourage active participation during class discussions.
Introduce the Plot Diagram with a Visual Anchor
Display a large, clear plot diagram on your board or screen. Visual anchors help students track major story elements and make abstract concepts more concrete.
Guide Students to Identify Key Plot Points Together
Collaborate as a class to pinpoint exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Joint identification builds confidence and solidifies understanding before independent work.
Assign Small Groups to Create Their Own Plot Diagrams
Divide students into small groups and have each group develop a plot diagram using storyboards or graphic organizers. Cooperative learning promotes discussion and multiple perspectives on the story events.
Facilitate a Gallery Walk to Share and Reflect
Organize a classroom gallery walk where groups display their plot diagrams and reflect on similarities and differences. Sharing work allows students to explain their reasoning and learn from peers.
Frequently Asked Questions about \"The Fall of the House of Usher\" Summary
What is a plot diagram for 'The Fall of the House of Usher'?
A plot diagram for 'The Fall of the House of Usher' visually maps out the main story events in order: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. It helps students understand key moments and the structure of Edgar Allan Poe's story.
How can I teach 'The Fall of the House of Usher' plot structure to high school students?
To teach the plot structure, have students create a six-cell storyboard that captures each major event: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. This visual activity reinforces comprehension and literary analysis.
What are the main events in 'The Fall of the House of Usher'?
The main events include the narrator's arrival, Madeline's illness and entombment, strange happenings, the dramatic climax with Madeline's return, the deaths of the twins, and the house's final collapse. Each event fits into a part of the story's plot diagram.
Why is using a storyboard effective for teaching literary structure?
A storyboard helps students visualize scenes, sequence events, and connect plot points, making abstract literary structures more concrete and memorable. It supports diverse learners and encourages deeper understanding.
What steps should students follow to create a plot diagram for 'The Fall of the House of Usher'?
Students should: 1) Read the story, 2) Identify key events for each plot stage, 3) Create images for Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution, and 4) Write short descriptions for each cell in the storyboard.
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