Plot Pathfinders Slides Plot Pathfinders
Mapping the Narrative Maze
Warm-up: Quick-Write
"What makes a story exciting? What makes it boring?"
Take 5 minutes to record your thoughts on your worksheet. Think about your favorite books, movies, or games!
The Maze of Plot
Embedded media
Watch closely for the definitions of the six plot elements!
The Narrative Structure
1
Exposition
2
Inciting Incident
3
Rising Action
4
Climax
5
Falling Action
6
Resolution
Write these definitions on your worksheet as we watch!
Challenge: Unjumble the Path!
Work in your small groups.
Use the printed text strips from the video.
Sequence the story correctly and match each part to a plot element.
Wait for the video to reveal the answers!
Activity: The King's Sword
Analyze the myth of Arthur and the Sword in the Stone with your partner.
Exposition
Inciting Incident
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution
"Highlight the text using your 6 colors. Label each highlighted section in the margin."
Quest Complete
Discussion Share-Out:
"Which element was the hardest to find in the myth? Why?"
Extension: Rewrite History
Imagine Arthur fails to pull the sword. Rewrite the Resolution of the story on your worksheet.
Plot Pathfinders Worksheet Plot Pathfinders
Official Field Guide
NAME:
DATE:
Quick-Write: Story Sparks
What makes a story exciting? What makes it boring? Reflect on your favorite stories (books, movies, games).
The Six Elements of Plot
Fill in the definitions as you watch the "Maze of Plot" video.
1. Exposition
2. Inciting Incident
3. Rising Action
4. Climax
5. Falling Action
6. Resolution
Unjumbling the Maze
Match the story segment letters (A-F) to their correct place on the plot diagram. Briefly explain your choice for each.
Exposition
Inciting Incident
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution
Extension: Path Diverged
What if Arthur could not pull the sword? Rewrite the final Resolution of the story. How would the conflict conclude differently?
Jumbled Story Strips Maze of Plot: Story Segments
Cut along the dashed lines to separate the story sections. In your groups, unjumble the story and match each letter to its correct plot element!
A
"Wait, this isn't just a map," Sarah whispered, her fingers trembling as she pulled a weathered diary from a hidden compartment in the cave wall. Suddenly, the entrance behind them rumbled and collapsed. Dust filled the air. They were trapped, but in the center of the chamber stood the chest they had seen on the map—the Artifact of Echoes. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a blade.
B
Armed with only a flashlight and the map, the two friends trekked deep into the Whispering Woods. They crossed the Stone Bridge and avoided the quicksand near the Twisted Willow. Each step took them further into the unknown, and Sarah couldn't help but feel that someone—or something—was watching them from the shadows. The forest seemed to grow darker and colder with every mile.
C
Sarah and Leo had been best friends since kindergarten, living in the quiet, dusty town of Oakhaven. On a rainy Saturday afternoon, they decided to explore Sarah's grandfather’s attic, a place filled with old trunks and forgotten antiques. The air smelled of cedar and aged paper as they sifted through the relics of the past, looking for something to cure their boredom.
D
Back in Oakhaven, as the sun began to set, Sarah and Leo sat on the porch steps, the Artifact of Echoes safely tucked away. They realized that the greatest treasure wasn't the golden chest, but the trust they had built during their journey. They looked at the map one last time before folding it away, knowing that their friendship was now stronger than any mystery they might face.
E
After using Leo's multi-tool to pry open a side passage, the friends finally emerged into the moonlight, breathless but safe. The terrifying roar of the collapsing cave faded into the distance. They walked slowly back through the Whispering Woods, their hearts still racing. The map was tattered, and their clothes were covered in soot, but the danger had passed.
F
At the bottom of a heavy oak chest, Leo discovered a small, intricately carved music box. When he wound the silver key, the lid didn't just play a tune—it popped open to reveal a false bottom. Tucked inside was a yellowed piece of parchment with the words "The Path to the Crystal Quill" written in elegant, fading ink. Their quiet afternoon was officially over.
Exposition
Inciting Incident
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution
The King's Sword Analysis The King's Sword
Narrative Analysis Activity
PARTNER 1
PARTNER 2
MISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Read the myth below. With your partner, identify the six elements of plot. Use highlighters to color-code the text according to the key. After highlighting, label the specific plot element in the margin next to your color.
EXPOSITION
INCITING INCIDENT
RISING ACTION
CLIMAX
FALLING ACTION
RESOLUTION
In the ancient days of Britain, the land was without a leader. King Uther Pendragon had died without an heir, and the great lords fought amongst themselves for the throne. The city of London was a place of iron and mist, where knights practiced their skills and citizens lived in constant fear of the next civil war. Among them lived a young, humble squire named Arthur, who served his foster brother, Sir Kay.
Everything changed on Christmas Eve when a mysterious block of white marble appeared in the churchyard. Sunk deep into the stone was a magnificent sword, and engraved in letters of gold were the words: "Whoso pulleth out this sword from this stone and anvil, is rightwise King born of all England."
The greatest knights from across the kingdom traveled to London to test their strength. One by one, they gripped the golden hilt and pulled with all their might, but the blade would not budge. Meanwhile, Arthur and Kay arrived for a great tournament. Just as Kay was about to enter the field, he realized he had left his sword at their lodging. Frantic, he sent Arthur back to fetch it.
Finding the lodging locked, Arthur panicked. He couldn't let his brother miss the tournament. He remembered seeing a sword in the nearby churchyard. He ran to the stone, gripped the hilt, and without even reading the inscription, pulled. The sword slid out of the stone as easily as if it were sliding out of a silk scabbard.
Arthur ran back and handed the blade to Kay. Kay recognized the sword immediately and showed it to their father, Sir Ector. Ector’s face went pale. He led the boys back to the churchyard and demanded that Arthur put the sword back and pull it once more. Arthur obeyed, and again, the sword yielded only to him. Word spread like wildfire through the streets of London.
The lords and knights gathered to witness the miracle. Though some were angry that a mere squire had been chosen, they could not deny the sign. On the day of Pentecost, with the Archbishop’s blessing, Arthur was crowned. He swore a solemn oath to be a true king and to stand for justice, finally bringing peace to the fractured kingdom of Britain.
Notes & Observations
Which element was the most difficult to identify?
Plot Pathfinders Teacher Guide Plot Pathfinders: Teacher Guide
Instructional Support & Answer Keys
Lesson Objectives
Define the six elements of plot: Exposition, Inciting Incident, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Analyze a short story to identify and sequence narrative elements.
Apply plot structure knowledge to a classic myth through collaborative color-coding.
Materials Checklist
Plot Pathfinders Slides
Plot Pathfinders Worksheet
Jumbled Story Strips (Pre-cut)
The King's Sword Analysis
6 Colors of Highlighters
Answer Key: Jumbled Story (Sarah & Leo)
Plot Element ID Key Evidence / Reasoning Exposition C Introduces Sarah/Leo, Oakhaven setting, and the attic exploration. Inciting Incident F The discovery of the music box and the hidden map within it. Rising Action B The journey through Whispering Woods and the obstacles encountered. Climax A Emotional peak: Finding the artifact and getting trapped in the cave. Falling Action E Escaping the cave and the return journey home as tension decreases. Resolution D Reflecting on the journey; the "moral" or lasting message about friendship.
Answer Key: The King's Sword (Arthur)
Exposition:
Paragraph 1: Ancient Britain, King Uther's death, London in turmoil, introducing Arthur as a humble squire.
Inciting Incident:
Paragraph 2: The appearance of the sword in the stone on Christmas Eve and the golden inscription.
Rising Action:
Paragraph 3: Knights failing the test; the tournament starting; Arthur forgetting Kay's sword and searching for another.
Climax:
Paragraph 4: Arthur pulling the sword from the stone easily. (This is the pivotal turning point where the mystery of the heir is solved).
Falling Action:
Paragraph 5: Giving the sword to Kay; Sir Ector's realization; the second test in the churchyard to prove the miracle.
Resolution:
Paragraph 6: Arthur is crowned King, bringing peace and justice to the kingdom.
Teaching Tips
