Storytelling Arc - Thank You Mam by Langston Hughes worksheet ... - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: Storytelling Arc - Thank You Mam by Langston Hughes worksheet ...
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Storytelling Arc - Thank You Mam by Langston Hughes worksheet ...
Let’s go step by step to fill out this plot diagram for the short story “Thank You M’am” by Langston Hughes.
We’ll follow the 5 parts of the plot: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. I’ll help you fill in each section with clear, simple answers based on what happens in the story.
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Step 1: Exposition (Introduction)
This is where we learn who the characters are, when and where the story takes place, and what the mood feels like.
- Setting – Time: The story happens at night — specifically around 11 p.m.
- Setting – Place: On a city street, outside a shop, then later inside Mrs. Jones’ apartment.
- Characters – Main: Roger (a young boy) and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones (an older woman).
- Mood: At first, it feels tense and scary — but then becomes warm and caring.
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Step 2: Rising Action (Conflict and Complications)
These are the events that build up tension leading to the climax.
- Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones’ purse.
- She catches him easily because he’s small and weak.
- Instead of calling police or yelling, she drags him to her home.
- She makes him wash his face and feeds him dinner.
- She talks to him kindly and shares her own past mistakes.
- Roger starts to feel ashamed and wants to earn her trust.
---
Step 3: Climax (Moment of Greatest Tension)
This is the turning point — the most intense moment.
- Mrs. Jones leaves Roger alone in her room with her purse nearby while she goes to cook.
- Roger could run away or steal again — but he chooses NOT to.
- He sits quietly, waiting for her to come back.
- This shows he has changed — he now respects her.
---
Step 4: Falling Action (Events Directly After the Climax)
- Mrs. Jones comes back and they eat together.
- She gives him $10 to buy the blue suede shoes he wanted.
- She walks him to the door and tells him to behave.
- Roger is too shocked to say more than “Thank you.”
---
Step 5: Resolution (Final Part of the Story)
- Roger never sees Mrs. Jones again.
- But he will always remember her kindness.
- The story ends with a feeling of hope — one good act can change someone’s life.
---
Now let’s write all this neatly into the worksheet sections.
──────────────────────────────────────
Final Answer:
(1) Exposition
- Setting
- Time: Around 11 p.m. at night
- Place: City street → Mrs. Jones’ apartment
- Characters
- Main: Roger (boy), Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones (woman)
- Mood: Starts tense/scary → becomes warm/kind
(2) Rising Action
- Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones’ purse.
- She catches him and takes him to her home.
- She makes him clean up and feeds him.
- She talks about her own youth and mistakes.
- Roger begins to feel guilty and wants to do better.
(3) Climax
- Mrs. Jones leaves Roger alone with her purse.
- He has the chance to run or steal — but he stays put.
- His choice shows he’s changed and trusts her.
(4) Falling Action
- They eat dinner together.
- She gives him $10 for shoes.
- She walks him to the door and says goodbye.
- Roger is speechless — only says “Thank you.”
(5) Resolution
- Roger never sees Mrs. Jones again.
- But he remembers her forever.
- Her kindness changed his life — even if just for one night.
We’ll follow the 5 parts of the plot: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. I’ll help you fill in each section with clear, simple answers based on what happens in the story.
---
Step 1: Exposition (Introduction)
This is where we learn who the characters are, when and where the story takes place, and what the mood feels like.
- Setting – Time: The story happens at night — specifically around 11 p.m.
- Setting – Place: On a city street, outside a shop, then later inside Mrs. Jones’ apartment.
- Characters – Main: Roger (a young boy) and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones (an older woman).
- Mood: At first, it feels tense and scary — but then becomes warm and caring.
---
Step 2: Rising Action (Conflict and Complications)
These are the events that build up tension leading to the climax.
- Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones’ purse.
- She catches him easily because he’s small and weak.
- Instead of calling police or yelling, she drags him to her home.
- She makes him wash his face and feeds him dinner.
- She talks to him kindly and shares her own past mistakes.
- Roger starts to feel ashamed and wants to earn her trust.
---
Step 3: Climax (Moment of Greatest Tension)
This is the turning point — the most intense moment.
- Mrs. Jones leaves Roger alone in her room with her purse nearby while she goes to cook.
- Roger could run away or steal again — but he chooses NOT to.
- He sits quietly, waiting for her to come back.
- This shows he has changed — he now respects her.
---
Step 4: Falling Action (Events Directly After the Climax)
- Mrs. Jones comes back and they eat together.
- She gives him $10 to buy the blue suede shoes he wanted.
- She walks him to the door and tells him to behave.
- Roger is too shocked to say more than “Thank you.”
---
Step 5: Resolution (Final Part of the Story)
- Roger never sees Mrs. Jones again.
- But he will always remember her kindness.
- The story ends with a feeling of hope — one good act can change someone’s life.
---
Now let’s write all this neatly into the worksheet sections.
──────────────────────────────────────
Final Answer:
(1) Exposition
- Setting
- Time: Around 11 p.m. at night
- Place: City street → Mrs. Jones’ apartment
- Characters
- Main: Roger (boy), Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones (woman)
- Mood: Starts tense/scary → becomes warm/kind
(2) Rising Action
- Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones’ purse.
- She catches him and takes him to her home.
- She makes him clean up and feeds him.
- She talks about her own youth and mistakes.
- Roger begins to feel guilty and wants to do better.
(3) Climax
- Mrs. Jones leaves Roger alone with her purse.
- He has the chance to run or steal — but he stays put.
- His choice shows he’s changed and trusts her.
(4) Falling Action
- They eat dinner together.
- She gives him $10 for shoes.
- She walks him to the door and says goodbye.
- Roger is speechless — only says “Thank you.”
(5) Resolution
- Roger never sees Mrs. Jones again.
- But he remembers her forever.
- Her kindness changed his life — even if just for one night.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of story arc worksheet.
