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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.
This is a preview image of "The Breakaway". Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
"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.
This is a preview image of "When Gertrude Grew Great". Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
"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.
This is a preview image of "The Phone Call". Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
"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.
This is a preview image of "Pierce the Spaceman". Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
"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.
This is a preview image of "An Unexpected Chat". Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
"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.
This is a preview image of "The Wallet". Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
"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.
This is a preview image of "The Way of the World". Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
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.
This is a preview image of Story Structure Worksheet Template. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
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.
This is a preview image of Story Structure Lesson 1. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
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.
This is a preview image of Story Structure Lesson 2. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
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.
This is a preview image of "Unto Others". Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
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.
This is a preview image of "Blood is Thicker". Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
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.
This is a preview image of "Time Warriors". Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
This is a photograph of a stack of books arranged like a house.
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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169 Comments

  1. Brenda

     /  October 22, 2012

    Thank you and God bless you for doing this!!!

    Reply
  2. Linda Stearrett

     /  October 13, 2012

    I 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.

    Reply
  3. Shifan

     /  October 8, 2012

    The students found the stories very interesting and were greatly benifitted.

    Thanks a lot.

    Reply
  4. Kim

     /  October 1, 2012

    Thank you!!!! Thank you!!!! Thank you!!!!

    Reply
  5. Sharon Harper

     /  October 1, 2012

    Thanks so much for this collection of very useful teaching tools.

    Reply
  6. Reading Roberts

     /  September 26, 2012

    I 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!

    Reply
  7. MRS. Daisy

     /  September 23, 2012

    i love this web site i am from belize and it make my teaching much easier.

    Reply
  8. Marsha Wilson

     /  September 5, 2012

    This 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.

    Reply
  9. Alisa

     /  August 29, 2012

    You 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. 🙂

    Reply
  10. What a great resource for teachers! Love it!!

    Reply
  11. Mary Flowers

     /  August 1, 2012

    We 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!
    Mary Flowers
    6th Grade RLA

    Reply
  12. Des

     /  July 23, 2012

    I 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.

    Reply
  13. Jayati

     /  July 1, 2012

    Thanks a lot. Really effective for the stuents.

    Reply
  14. Shari

     /  June 21, 2012

    Thanks 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.

    Reply
  15. mt

     /  June 7, 2012

    im suspended from school and i still want to learn; this has really helped. Thank you.

    Reply
  16. Great website! love to write and this helped a bundle! Thank you for creating it!!! It’s just plain FABULOUS!

    Reply
  17. Pam

     /  May 11, 2012

    LOVE THIS SITE!!! 🙂

    Reply
  18. Ann Louise

     /  May 10, 2012

    I’m handling summer enrichment classes and have been on the track of finding worksheets that would target reading skills. It’s amazing to know this website! This has been a lot of help. 🙂

    Reply
  19. Very useful..Thanks alot..expects more for IGCSE comprehension practice

    Reply
  20. Charlee

     /  May 1, 2012

    Thanks for this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  21. aniad

     /  March 3, 2012

    very helpfull site. Thanks a million

    Reply
  22. Lori

     /  March 1, 2012

    This site is truly amazing! The activities work perfectly for reviewing for the KCA test. I can’t thank you enough for sharing your materials!

    Reply
  23. Duk Young Chang

     /  February 29, 2012

    I 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.

    Reply
    • I’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.

      Reply
  24. Yanet

     /  February 15, 2012

    I’ve been looking for activities to use so I can review before Fcat and this Awesome website has everything, THANK YOU!

    Reply
  25. no answers?

    Reply
    • Actually, 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.

      Reply
  26. Tamira

     /  January 27, 2012

    I love this site!

    Reply
  27. Tracey

     /  January 16, 2012

    I 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!!!

    Reply
  28. Christine

     /  January 12, 2012

    This website is a lifesaver for me! Thank you so much!

    Reply
  29. C.Haynes

     /  December 7, 2011

    I was looking for worksheets on figurative language and ran across this one. I love this website!!!! The material is rigorous and interesting!

    Reply
  30. Shannon

     /  December 1, 2011

    Absolutley 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…:)

    Reply
    • Mr. Morton

       /  December 1, 2011

      Not currently, but I’d love to get some here soon. Thanks for visiting.

      Reply
  31. Maureen Scott

     /  November 14, 2011

    The 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.

    Reply
  32. David Weber

     /  October 30, 2011

    i have been looking for this type of e text for 10 years!! Thank you. Let’s talk please

    Reply
  33. Ms. Nena

     /  October 30, 2011

    Truly amazing… You have made my life so much easier. 🙂

    Reply
  34. sonia

     /  October 23, 2011

    I teach second grade do you have something easier that I can use for story structures and text organization?

    Reply
    • Mr. Morton

       /  October 30, 2011

      Sorry… 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.

      Reply
  35. Olivia Felix

     /  October 3, 2011

    This is a fabulous site (even for us “old” teachers) for all educators!

    Reply
    • Mr. Morton

       /  October 4, 2011

      Thanks for visiting. The “old” teachers are the best teachers.

      Reply
  36. Sarah

     /  September 25, 2011

    What 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.

    Reply
  37. Mrs. Lloyd

     /  September 20, 2011

    I 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!

    Reply
  38. Gayatri

     /  September 12, 2011

    It is just what I need to support my classes.

    Reply
  39. nano

     /  September 10, 2011

    Thank you for the wonderful worksheets! My students love the story ” When Gertrude Grew Great”

    Reply
  40. rebecca

     /  August 31, 2011

    Thanks for sharing. It makes it much easier to teach when I can find a great source like this.

    Reply
  41. Susan

     /  August 18, 2011

    So glad I found this site!

    Reply
  42. Grace

     /  August 15, 2011

    Resources like this are wonderful, and I am delighted to find this site. I tutor adults in reading and basic education. The services are free. I often need extra materials for review and teaching. I especially like the ppts. Thank you, and I hope you keep up the fine work.

    Reply
  43. This 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.

    Reply
  44. Jeanne Caputo

     /  May 15, 2011

    I 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!

    Reply
    • Mr. Morton

       /  May 15, 2011

      No problem. I wrote that: Don Morton. Thanks for visiting.

      Reply
  45. Chiro

     /  April 23, 2011

    Thank you very much ….. helpful for new teachers like me ! Love this website !
    🙂

    Reply
  46. Mrs. Coats

     /  April 9, 2011

    Love the website. Thank you for putting together a lot of useful information. I am using the information to prepare my students for the OCCT tests in a few weeks. I will definitely use the site for lessons for next year.

    Reply
    • Mr. Morton

       /  April 12, 2011

      Thanks for visiting, Mrs. Coats. Your feedback is appreciated.

      Reply
  47. Carol Bengtson

     /  April 6, 2011

    Thank you, this is a very helpful site. I wish I had found it earlier in the school year. I’m taking advantage of all the wonderful information now and look forward to using it next school year.

    Reply
    • Mr. Morton

       /  April 7, 2011

      Well thank you so much for saying so, Ms. Bengtson. I just made this site in December though, so you didn’t miss too much.

      Reply
  48. Kim

     /  April 5, 2011

    THANK YOU!

    Reply
  49. As 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!!!!!!

    Reply
  50. Cassidy Bolton

     /  March 15, 2011

    LOVE THIS WEBSITE!!!

    Reply

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