Plot Mountain Breakdown Worksheet
Narrative Structure Lab
Plot Mountain Breakdown
Name:
Date:
Period:
1. Exposition Characters, setting, start
→
2. Rising Action Problem starts and grows
→
3. Climax Turning point, peak moment
→
4. Falling Action Things begin to get solved
→
5. Resolution The story wraps up
Passage 1
The Keeper of Rocky Point
Adventure
Fourteen-year-old Leo helped his grandfather run the tall lighthouse on Rocky Point. One stormy night, lightning struck the power wires, and the big lighthouse lamp went black. Out in the foggy waves, a lost fishing boat honked its horn for help, heading straight toward the sharp rocks. Leo grabbed two bright emergency lanterns and raced up the long spiral stairs. Standing in the howling wind on the balcony, he locked the lights into place and switched them on just seconds before the boat crashed. Guided by the bright yellow beam, the boat steered safely into the harbor. The next morning, grandfather smiled proudly and gave Leo his own silver lighthouse keeper's badge.
Story 1 Plot Diagram Map
Write 1–2 complete sentences for each part
1. Exposition Start
Who is in the story and where are they?
2. Rising Action Build
What problem starts and what does Leo do?
3. Climax Peak
The most exciting turning point:
4. Falling Action Descent
What happens right after the lights turn on?
5. Resolution Finish
How does the story end the next morning?
Tip: Look for the moment of greatest action or danger to find the climax. Page 1 of 2
Narrative Structure Lab
Independent Practice: Short Stories
Name:
Passage 2
The Toy Maker's Secret
Mystery
Tessa worked as a helper in an old clock shop. One evening, she heard a soft ticking sound inside an antique toy bird made of brass. When Tessa turned its silver key, the bird’s chest popped open to reveal a secret rolled-up map! Just then, a thief kicked open the back door and yelled for the toy. Trapped against the counter, Tessa grabbed a jar of white powder and tossed it over her candle, making a giant puff of smoke that blinded the thief. She quickly slipped out the window and ran to the police station. Soon, the police caught the thief, and the shopkeeper rewarded Tessa with her very own set of builder tools.
Story 2 Plot Elements
1. Exposition
Character & Setting
2. Rising Action
Secret map & thief
3. Climax
Puff of smoke trick
4. Falling Action
Escape & police help
5. Resolution
Thief caught & reward
Passage 3
Lost on Crater Rim
Space Adventure
Astronaut Chen explored a deep crater on the Moon to collect blue crystal rocks. He only had thirty minutes of air left in his tank. Suddenly, the ground shook, and the rocky ledge broke under his boots. Chen fell into a deep ditch, and his suit's radio snapped in half! With his air ticking down, Chen spotted an old broken robot half-buried in the dust. Thinking fast, he plugged the robot's antenna wires into his suit's rescue light to flash an SOS signal into the dark sky. The base station saw the flashing light and sent a rescue rover right away. Chen was lifted to safety, holding his rare Moon rock tightly.
Story 3 Plot Elements
1. Exposition
Astronaut on Moon
2. Rising Action
Ledge falls & radio breaks
3. Climax
Wires flash SOS light
4. Falling Action
Base sees light & sends rover
5. Resolution
Chen is safe with rock
Quick Check: Finding the Climax
Choose either Passage 2 or Passage 3. How did you know which sentence was the climax (the big turning point) instead of just part of the rising action?
Self-Check: Did you explain how the main character solved their biggest problem? Page 2 of 2
