Elements of a Story Worksheets - 15 Worksheets Library - Free Printable

Let’s think about how to fill out this plot diagram.

A story’s plot is like a map of what happens — it starts slow, builds up, hits a big moment, then winds down and ends. The five parts are:

1. Exposition – This is the beginning. We meet the characters, learn where and when the story takes place, and find out what the main problem or goal is.
2. Rising Action – Things start happening! Problems get bigger, challenges come up, and tension builds as the character tries to solve the problem.
3. Climax – This is the most exciting part — the turning point. The main character faces the biggest challenge or makes a huge decision. Everything changes here.
4. Falling Action – After the climax, things start to settle. The consequences of the climax play out, and loose ends begin to tie up.
5. Resolution – The end! The problem is solved (or not), and we see how life looks now for the characters. It wraps everything up.

Since you’re supposed to complete this for an assigned story, I’ll give you a general example using a made-up story so you can see how to do it. Then you can apply the same thinking to your actual story.

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Imagine the story is: *A boy named Leo wants to win the school talent show but is scared to sing in front of people.*

- Exposition: Leo loves singing but gets nervous performing. He signs up for the talent show anyway because his friend encourages him.
- Rising Action: Leo practices every day. He has a bad rehearsal and almost quits. His teacher helps him gain confidence. He writes his own song.
- Climax: On stage during the talent show, Leo freezes at first — then he takes a deep breath and sings his heart out. The crowd goes wild!
- Falling Action: Leo feels proud and relieved. Judges announce he won second place. His friends cheer for him.
- Resolution: Leo realizes he’s braver than he thought. He decides to join the choir and isn’t afraid to perform anymore.

You can use this structure for any story — just ask yourself:
- What’s the setup? → Exposition
- What problems happen before the big moment? → Rising Action
- What’s the most intense or important scene? → Climax
- What happens right after that big moment? → Falling Action
- How does it all end? → Resolution

Now go back to your assigned story and fill in each box with 1–2 short sentences describing what happens at each stage.

Final Answer:
Use the five plot elements — Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution — to summarize key events from your assigned story in order. Start with the setup, build to the most exciting moment, then show how things wrap up.