Creating a plot diagram not only helps students learn 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. In this activity, students will create a visual plot diagram of major events in The War That Saved My Life. Students should identify major turning points in the novel such as the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a visual plot diagram for The War That Saved My Life.
Student Instructions:
Introduce students to Storyboard That and show them how it can be used to create plot diagrams and perform many other activities related to several subjects. Teachers can show a tutorial on how students can get started, some samples of plot diagrams and how students can arrange information on the templates.
Explain the framework and structure of a plot diagram to the students in detail. Teachers can work step by step and in sequence to explain all the components of a plot diagram such as starting from the exposition, explaining what it means, and what it includes and ending with an example to move on to the rising action.
Ask the students to read the story carefully once again and highlight all the main points present in the story. All the main points should fit into the framework of the plot diagram so the diagram has more structure and is easier to understand from an outside perspective.
Help the students choose a template from the site that can fit all the information that students want to include in their plot diagrams. Students can also add visual elements and pictures to enhance their plot diagrams and make them more interesting. Ask the students to arrange their cells, organize the information in the cells, and analyze if the turning points fit into the framework.
Encourage the students to proofread and recheck their plot diagrams for mistakes and reflect on all the concepts they have learned so far. Students can save their plot diagrams or print them, out to share with the rest of the class.
Ada, the main character, is a young woman with clubfoot, Ada's younger brother Jamie and their abusive and cruel biological mother “Mam” are also introduced as part of the exposition. Ada and Jamie are taken in by Susan Smith during the evacuation who later plays the role of their caretaker.
Ada strives to develop a positive self-perception and learn to trust Susan. Additionally, she discovers compassion for the first time, learns to walk and ride a horse, and develops a feeling of self-worth.
Ada and Jamie prevail in the court dispute and are granted the right to live permanently with Susan. Together, they start to create a brand-new, devoted family. The newly formed family still has many challenges to face but they find their happiness and comfort in each other.