9th Literature Homework Day Two

Homework For Plot Pyramid: Due 08/27/2014


   Name __________________________________ Period _______

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  Freytag’s Pyramid Lesson

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  From Theory to Practice
As Carol Jago explains, “It’s easy to ‘teach’ literary terminology and devise quizzes on the terms, but to make the language of literature useful to readers, students need to practice using academic vocabulary in ways that deepen their understanding of how stories work” (51). Jago proposes using Freytag’s Pyramid to present and explore plot because the graphic organizer “allows readers to visualize key features of stories” (51). This lesson, which is adapted from Jago’s “Stop Pretending and Think about Plot,” asks students to practice using the literary term “in familiar contexts” (51). Through this process, students gain a deeper comprehension of the literary element’s meaning and the ways that it contributes to a writer’s craft.

Further Reading
Jago, Carol. “Stop Pretending and Think about Plot.” Voices from the Middle 11.4 (May 2004): 50-51.

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  The Lesson
For homework, I want you to watch one of your favorite television shows. That’s right, for homework you’re to watch TV! But there’s a catch (there always is)…you must also chart the key events that create the plot of the show.

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  Step 1
Answer the following questions (you may wish to do this as you watch the show):
1.) What did the author need to explain to viewers in the exposition section? What background information was given for this show?

  2.) What inciting event causes the action to begin to “rise”?

  3.) Where does the story peak? Is there a clear climax?

  4.) Which events lead up to the conclusion?

  5.) How is the story resolved?

  Step 2
Fill in the Plot Diagram Worksheet attached.

  Step 3
Be prepared to defend your findings in open discussion groups.