Lesson 7 — Activity 2: Categorizing Plot
Completion requirements
Lesson 7 — Activity 2:
Categorizing Plot
When you read a short story, you are reading about experiences that
might be real (nonfiction) or they might be imaginary (fiction).
Short stories are usually read for enjoyment. The story allows the
reader to have a new experience, meet new people, and travel to new
places
—
all while the reader sits in one place! One way to help you
understand a short story is to put the events on a plot diagram.
A
plot
diagram is a way to organize the events of a
story into a chart.
Remember that charting information is a reading strategy!
When you create a plot diagram, you are using a common reading strategy (making a chart) to help you better understand the events of a story. You have probably worked with plot diagrams in the past, so this might be a review for you.
Remember that charting information is a reading strategy!
When you create a plot diagram, you are using a common reading strategy (making a chart) to help you better understand the events of a story. You have probably worked with plot diagrams in the past, so this might be a review for you.
The parts of a plot diagram are the following:
-
Beginning (also called the Exposition) — setting the scene
-
Rising Action — building the tension
-
Middle (also called the Climax) — the exciting part
-
Falling Action — tidying up loose ends
-
End (also called the Resolution) — ending the story
Courtesy of ADLC
Before you can create your own plot diagram, you need to read a short story.
Click here to read the story called "The Ninny"
by Anton Chekhov. This short story was written in the late 1800s. Look
for evidence of time in history as you read through the story (this is
called looking for clues as you read
—
another reading strategy!).
Remember that reading out loud is a great way to understand the story
clearly. Feel free to read it aloud or have someone read it aloud to
you.