Beyond Plot Summary Part 1: Critical Thinking and Writing About Plot Development

1. Create a word splash or brain map on the board (or projector, document camera, etc. The website and app Popplet would be a great way to integrate technology.). The word "propel" will be in the middle of the board, and students should be instructed to create the word splash or brain map first on their own paper. Students should write whatever comes to mind when they think of the word "propel." Examples may include the following: propellor, fly, move, plane, helicopter, boat, etc. After about 2-3 minutes of brain storming and creating their own word maps, ask students to Pair and Share their maps with a neighbor. As they pair and share, circulate around the room and select students to go to the board and add an idea to the word map. 

2. After about two minutes to Pair and Share and after all selected students have added their ideas to the board, call the class back to attention and discuss their ideas. Ask questions such as:

• Using what you see on the board, how would you define "propel?" What does a propellor do? For a plane? Boat? Helicopter? (Students' responses might include "move," "guide," etc.)

After a brief discussion of possible meanings of propel, perhaps 2-3 minutes as a class, draw attention to the student outcome for the day: Today we will be discussing how events propel the plot, or move it forward.

3. Teacher mini-lecture:  Every story has a beginning, middle, and an end. Additionally, you know that all stories have an exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. A story cannot progress from beginning to end, or from exposition to resolution, without action or events. It is these events that move a story from beginning to end and make up the plot, in the same way a propeller moves an aircraft, boat, or helicopter in the direction it needs to go. (Lecture notes included in attachment)

During this time you might wish to have students take Cornell Notes with specific examples, elaborations, and text-specific information you determine to include in your mini-lecture. The mini-lecture should last no more than 10 minutes.

4. Explain the plot development "toolkit". Discuss how an effective written response analyzing and explaining plot development will include all of the elements listed in the plot toolkit.

5. Model a sample response to the following prompt using your text of choice: How does the plot develop over the course of (chapter, scene, short story, etc.) from your chosen text? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your analysis (model responses are included in attachments). Using five different color highlighters or markers, identify and label each element of the effective response in a different color.

6. Ask students to use their plot development toolkit and your sample response to identify, label, and/or highlight each element of the effective response in the second model response/exemplar.

7. Have students Pair and Share their highlighted/labeled model responses, explaining to each other why they highlighted or labeled specific parts.

8. Ask volunteers to share responses with the class, perhaps putting a few students' papers on the overhead/document camera, discussing the model responses' labels, and why each addresses the elements of an effective plot development response.