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Story Structure Worksheets
Many stories have a plot structure that we can graph. It looks like a triangle. A conflict is introduced, tension rises, a major change occurs. This major change is called the climax. After the climax the tension falls. The protagonist, or main character, may face a final moment of suspense. Then the story is resolved.
This page features a bunch of little stories that I wrote to help teach students story structure. These are concise little tales that can be read in a few minutes and easily graphed on the story structure triangle. They will give students the ground work to understand how story structure affects momentum and mood. Plot structure can be more complicated than a simple triangle, but these stories are simple. I hope that these free story structure worksheets will help students learn to identify narrative structure.
"The Breakaway"
Here's an activity to help students review plot and story structure. Students will read a motivational story about an athlete who sustains an injury and has to find another way to succeed. Then they will analyze and identify structural elements of the story. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
"When Gertrude Grew Great"
Students read a motivational story and identify the story structure parts: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This activity includes a skill sheet that tests students' understanding of other reading skills as well. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 5-9.
"The Phone Call"
Still looking for more worksheets about story structure and plot? Here's one more! This story is about a young man who overcomes an internal problem created by negligent family member. Students read the story and then complete a reading skill sheet that includes an analysis of the narrative structure. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 3-7.
"Pierce the Spaceman"
Here is another story structure worksheet. This one is about a spaceman who saves his colony. Students will identify story elements and structure. I use the included reading skill sheets with most of the stories in the text book to perform ongoing skill checks. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 5-9.
"An Unexpected Chat"
Here's another worksheet to help students review plot, story structure, and elements of literature. This one features a story about a student who learns to resist peer pressure. Students read the story and complete an activity sheet covering story structure and other reading skills. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
"The Wallet"
Here is yet another worksheet to help students review plot, story structure, and elements of literature. This story is about a young girl who is faced with a difficult decision: she finds a wallet that does not belong to her. After reading the short story, students complete an activity covering story structure and other reading skills. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
"The Way of the World"
Here is one more worksheet to help students review plot, story structure, and elements of literature. This story is about a once successful salesman who has difficulty adjusting to the modern ways of business. Students read the short story, analyze the structure of the story, and review reading skills. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 5-9.
Story Structure Worksheet Template
Use this story structure worksheet template with any applicable story that you and your students are reading. This activity sheet will provide students with a framework to help guide them toward identifying structural elements.
Story Structure Lesson 1
Here is a PowerPoint slideshow on Story Structure. Students read a short story called "Gertrude the Great." Then they are introduced to story structure terms like rising action, climax, resolution.
Story Structure Lesson 2
Here is another slideshow lesson on Story Structure. Students read a short story called "The Breakaway," a motivational story about an athlete who sustains an injury and has to find another way to succeed. Then they will analyze and identify structural elements of the story. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 5-9.
Story Structure Quiz 1 | "Unto Others"
This is a story structure quizzed based on a short story called "Unto Others." Students read the story, which is about acceptance and redemption, and then they answer multiple choice questions about the structure of the story. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 3-7.
Story Structure Quiz 2 | "Blood is Thicker"
This is a story structure quizzed based on a short story called Blood is Thicker. It is about two sisters who are complete opposites. They must learn to work together to achieve their goals. Students read the short story and answer multiple choice questions about the structure of the story. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
Story Structure Quiz 3 | "Time Warriors"
This is a story structure quizzed based on a short story called Time Warriors. Alex is dismayed when his mother forces him to take his little brother with him to a friend's house. He learns to appreciate him by the end of the story. Students read the short story and complete multiple choice questions about the structure of the narrative. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 3-7.
That's not quite what I meant when I said story structure...
Story Structure
Common Core State Standards
Story Structure Anchor Standard
R.5 - Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.RL.2.5 - Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.
RL.3.5 - Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.
RL.4.5 - Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems (e.g., verse, rhythm, meter) and drama (e.g., casts of characters, settings, descriptions, dialogue, stage directions) when writing or speaking about a text.
RL.5.5 - Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.
RL.6.5 - Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot.
RL.7.5 - Analyze how a drama’s or poem’s form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning.
RL.8.5 - Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning and style.
RL.9-10.5 - Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
RL.11-12.5 - Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure specific parts of a text (e.g., the choice of where to begin or end a story, the choice to provide a comedic or tragic resolution) contribute to its overall structure and meaning as well as its aesthetic impact.
Click to VIEW Grade Level Standards for R.5
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Brenda
/ October 22, 2012Thank you and God bless you for doing this!!!
Linda Stearrett
/ October 13, 2012I just got through doing a magazine article with my students and realized they didn’t really understand Text Structures. I went looking for something that I could use. What I have seen so far looks great. I like that it is free. As a teacher, we have NO money for even supplies like red ink pens, much less for educational books or worksheets that we can use. Thanks so much.
Shifan
/ October 8, 2012The students found the stories very interesting and were greatly benifitted.
Thanks a lot.
Kim
/ October 1, 2012Thank you!!!! Thank you!!!! Thank you!!!!
Sharon Harper
/ October 1, 2012Thanks so much for this collection of very useful teaching tools.
Reading Roberts
/ September 26, 2012I just found this website and I am thrilled! The worksheets are exactly what I need and make great templates for similar activities. Thanks for the great work!
Mr. Morton
/ September 27, 2012I’m happy to hear it.
MRS. Daisy
/ September 23, 2012i love this web site i am from belize and it make my teaching much easier.
Mr. Morton
/ September 27, 2012Awesome. Thanks for visiting!
Marsha Wilson
/ September 5, 2012This is such an awesome website!!!! I teach high school and it is right on their level. I am soooooo afraid that this website will not be free for much longer…and rightly so. Thank you for putting out such an awesome product. I would be willing to pay.
Mr. Morton
/ September 5, 2012That’s kind of you to say.
The website will always be free.
Best wishes!
Alisa
/ August 29, 2012You have such essential concepts here. Very well organized and structred with intent for learning and understanding. Your website is a blessing. I am so thankful for your knowledge and willingness to share. I fell the need to save every worksheet, in fear of it being removed. 🙂
Mr. Morton
/ August 30, 2012This site is not going anywhere, and it will always be free.
sharon robinson
/ August 26, 2012What a great resource for teachers! Love it!!
Mary Flowers
/ August 1, 2012We just moved to the Big Blocks model in my district. This website will save me so much time in preparing for the Guided Reading portion of my classes. I can use one worksheet for the Guided Reading and then another one for formative assessment. Way cool!
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6th Grade RLA
Des
/ July 23, 2012I knew some woman in Live Oak Florida before I moved who went and told her doctor she wanted her to give her a cane prescription so she could get disability easier. The doctor worked with her even though she knew that the woman didnt need it to get around. The doctor knew she had anger management problems but didnt want to embarrass her so she stuck with physical disability. Thats how easy it is to get disability. The woman has 2 kids and owns gym equipment in her house she uses. She goes to Disney World and does a bunch of outdoor stuff with her family that requires physical activity. How fair is that to people who really need disability though? Using the fact that you are not as “socially pretty” as other women to get sympathy from people and tell them you hear a lot of negative comments from people all the time to get away with lying? She took her anger out on people in a nursing home taking the door knob off and locking them in their rooms and yelling in their faces because of their physical disabilities. Yeah to say she is an ugly person is not even insulting her looks, its in her heart. She is a very nasty person indeed. But she has no criminal record and proudly talks about that as though she never does anything wrong. She still has to live with her parents because she is a coward. She is going in her 40’s next year. So anything is possible when you are trying to get a free ride from the government. Get in good with your doctor, dont get caught breaking the law, and hide with your parents as long as you can until you get enough money to do something wrong to somebody so you can buy your way out. With money you can get away with murder and walk out of jail like nothing ever happened. Cops only condemn the poor.
Jayati
/ July 1, 2012Thanks a lot. Really effective for the stuents.
Shari
/ June 21, 2012Thanks so much for your worksheets. I teach 4th/5th grade. With just some slight modification, these will be very useful in teaching my students about story structure. The best part is that your stories are very interesting. I know my students will enjoy them, and that will make my job a lot easier.
Mr. Morton
/ August 10, 2012Excellent!
mt
/ June 7, 2012im suspended from school and i still want to learn; this has really helped. Thank you.
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/ May 31, 2012Great website! love to write and this helped a bundle! Thank you for creating it!!! It’s just plain FABULOUS!
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Mr. Morton
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aniad
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Lori
/ March 1, 2012This site is truly amazing! The activities work perfectly for reviewing for the KCA test. I can’t thank you enough for sharing your materials!
Duk Young Chang
/ February 29, 2012I have gone through your site because I needed some materials to help my child. However, the worksheets do not have any age or grade markers. I don’t know if this is the right material to use. You would let me know if there is a grade or age markers for the worksheets provided on your site.
Mr. Morton
/ March 3, 2012I’m sorry, but I just have not designed the site in that way. These are materials that I created for my 7th and 8th grade students. Feel free to open the RTF files and modify the texts in any way to meet your child’s needs.
Yanet
/ February 15, 2012I’ve been looking for activities to use so I can review before Fcat and this Awesome website has everything, THANK YOU!
Bob
/ January 30, 2012no answers?
Mr. Morton
/ January 31, 2012Actually, if you click the links that say “View Answers” or “Answers,” you’ll get your answers. But remember that responses may vary on these activities, and there may be more than one correct response.
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/ January 27, 2012I love this site!
Tracey
/ January 16, 2012I use your site ALL the time. I teach 6-8 and it is difficult to find quality worksheets to incorporate into my lesson plans, but these hit the spot. I don’t always have the time to sit and fill these in, so, I was wondering if you could add the answer keys to these to save just a few more minutes to my hectic schedule? Thanks again for all of your work!!!
Mr. Morton
/ January 31, 2012I’m happy to help. The answer keys are there. It says “View answers” or “answers.” Click there.
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Mr. Morton
/ December 14, 2011Thanks! I’m always trying to add new things. come back soon.
Shannon
/ December 1, 2011Absolutley love the way you break down the concepts on your practices! Do you by chance have the answers to these story structure worksheets? Thanks so much for sharing the wealth you have created…:)
Mr. Morton
/ December 1, 2011Not currently, but I’d love to get some here soon. Thanks for visiting.
Maureen Scott
/ November 14, 2011The teachers I have shared this with think I’m a genious. Really it is you. Thank you for shortening my after-school planning/prep time.
Mr. Morton
/ November 14, 2011You are a genius. Thanks for visiting.
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Mr. Morton
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/ October 30, 2011Truly amazing… You have made my life so much easier. 🙂
sonia
/ October 23, 2011I teach second grade do you have something easier that I can use for story structures and text organization?
Mr. Morton
/ October 30, 2011Sorry… I only have what I have. Much of it is probably not appropriate for second grade students. But, perhaps you can simplify the language and concepts. Download the RTF files and feel free to edit away. Thanks for visiting.
Olivia Felix
/ October 3, 2011This is a fabulous site (even for us “old” teachers) for all educators!
Mr. Morton
/ October 4, 2011Thanks for visiting. The “old” teachers are the best teachers.
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/ September 25, 2011What a service you are providing ! So many times people acknowledge the need, but do nothing to fix the problem. You, on the other hand, have provided teachers with much needed materials to help students and save teachers hours of precious time. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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/ September 20, 2011I love this site! I just found it the other day when looking for point of view supplemental materials. It was absolutely awesome. I appreciate you taking the time to create more materials for teachers. Materials that challenge student thinking in ELA is very hard to find and if you find it, it is so expensive. You are the best!
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nano
/ September 10, 2011Thank you for the wonderful worksheets! My students love the story ” When Gertrude Grew Great”
Mr. Morton
/ September 13, 2011Happy to hear it. I hope to add to this section soon.
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Mr. Morton
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Yolanda Diles
/ June 16, 2011This is a very useful website. It is not easy to find short reading passages to use when teaching genre, narrative point of view and story structure. Thank you very much for making this available.
Jeanne Caputo
/ May 15, 2011I am referring to the story “When Gertrude Grew Great” in a paper I am writing about teaching story structure. Could you tell me the author (I need to cite it for my paper). Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated! This website is terrific!
Mr. Morton
/ May 15, 2011No problem. I wrote that: Don Morton. Thanks for visiting.
Chiro
/ April 23, 2011Thank you very much ….. helpful for new teachers like me ! Love this website !
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Mr. Morton
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Mr. Morton
/ April 7, 2011Well thank you so much for saying so, Ms. Bengtson. I just made this site in December though, so you didn’t miss too much.
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/ March 31, 2011As I preped my students during the final weeks of FCAT, I needed practice worksheet. I came to this site, and was amazed. I loved it. I have used every worksheet to reinforce FCAT concepts. Awesome!!!!!!
Mr. Morton
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