Analyzing Plot Elements

ELAR-Grade-4 Literary Genres Analyzing Plot Elements
Students examine the five elements of basic plot structure. Next, they read a folktale and identify each plot element in the story. Finally, they analyze the plot elements in a self-selected story.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Teacher Pack

The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.

Here are the teacher pack items for Analyzing Plot Elements:

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Overview

In this experience, students examine the five elements of basic plot structure. Next, they read a folktale and identify each plot element in the story. Finally, they analyze the plot elements in a self-selected story.

Objectives

  • Identify and analyze plot elements.
  • Draw a plot diagram.

Duration

One class period. You may choose to have the students read the short story (provided in the Student Pack) and the self-selected short story at home before beginning the experience.

Vocabulary Words Used in “The Story of the Mouse Merchant”

  • refuge: place to escape danger
  • accounts: business records
  • merchant: someone whose business is buying and selling things
  • loan: money lent by a person or bank
  • interest: money a lender charges a borrower
  • capital: money to start or run a business with
  • gratefully: thankfully
  • obtained: got
  • profit: money gained by doing business


Different people have different tastes in stories. Many people read stories because they like action that sweeps them up and makes them feel they’re taking part in the events. In this experience, you will learn how authors create that feeling.

Objectives

  • Identify and analyze plot elements.
  • Draw a plot diagram.


a rocket taking off out of an open book

What do you usually enjoy most in a story?

A) the action, or plot 
B) the people, or characters
C) the author’s use of words
D) the descriptions of places and things

Briefly discuss students’ responses by asking their reasons for their preferences. Lead into the next scene by saying that they will now look closely at how one of the most important aspects of a story—the plot—works.


If you answered “the action, or plot,” you’re like the many people who read to find out what happens—what the characters do, the problems the characters face, and how the events turn out in the end. The action in a story and the way the author puts events into a certain order, is called the plot. 


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.

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The Complete List of Learning Experiences in Literary Genres Unit.
ELAR-Grade-4 Literary Genres Reading Poetry
Reading Poetry
ELAR-Grade-4 Literary Genres Let’s Read a Story
Let’s Read a Story
ELAR-Grade-4 Literary Genres Book Review (Fiction)
Book Review (Fiction)
ELAR-Grade-4 Literary Genres What’s the Story About?
What’s the Story About?
ELAR-Grade-4 Literary Genres Analyzing the Setting
Analyzing the Setting
ELAR-Grade-4 Literary Genres Analyzing Characters
Analyzing Characters
ELAR-Grade-4 Literary Genres Point of View
Point of View
ELAR-Grade-4 Literary Genres Different Types of Stories
Different Types of Stories
ELAR-Grade-4 Literary Genres Analyzing Plot Elements
Analyzing Plot Elements
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