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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. MUNA

     /  December 12, 2022

    I really appreciate your hard work, Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Jo lily

     /  August 23, 2022

    Dear Mr.Morton,

    Thank you so much Mr. Morton because your worksheet help me a lot to teach my student.I really appreciate your hardworking.Thanks.

    Reply
  3. Talbot

     /  August 16, 2022

    These worksheets are a wonder for my high school filmmaking class! Learning story structure is so vital to crafting the next generation of filmmakers. Thank you for these!

    Reply
  4. Unknown

     /  July 21, 2022

    Bro im getting a 98 percent cause of this website in English

    Reply
  5. Indra Thomas

     /  May 9, 2022

    Thank you so much for these worksheets. Very helpful

    Regards
    Indra Thomas

    Reply
  6. Madhu

     /  September 3, 2021

    Dear Mr. Morton,

    Thank you so much! Your worksheets helped me a lot.

    Best Regards!
    Madhu

    Reply
  7. Nanker

     /  September 2, 2021

    Great homeschool resource. We really appreciate what you have done and offer here. Just a note to mention that the link for the PPT slide for Lesson 1 does not open a PPT but a webpage.

    Reply
  8. Diane Priddy

     /  April 24, 2021

    Thank you-just what I was looking for! God Bless

    Reply
  9. Nie

     /  October 16, 2020

    Dear Mr. Morton,

    Thank you so much! Your worksheets helped me a lot. Best Regards!

    Reply
  10. Kay

     /  June 10, 2020

    you saved my day so many times. Thank you for all you do

    Reply
  11. Kamaldaye Samlal

     /  May 19, 2020

    I really appreciate the materials that you are offering to teachers. Thank you so much.

    Reply
  12. Heera Salim

     /  September 30, 2019

    Hi Mr. Morton
    Thank you so very much for providing us such wonderful material. These study materials have been such a lot of help. These worksheets have helped me in teaching my students so much better.

    Regards
    Heera

    Reply
  13. Rhonda Adams

     /  September 11, 2019

    Great lessons and worksheets. I am using them for my ESL and GED students. Thanks!

    Reply
  14. Tracy Rockas

     /  May 28, 2019

    Thank you so much for the hard work you put into these worksheets. They make my job as an “at-risk” English teacher so much easier.

    Reply
  15. ahmed

     /  October 31, 2018

    can you add more story structures sheets

    Reply
  16. Amrita Jain

     /  October 6, 2018

    Dear Morton
    Your worksheets are perfect instruments to achieve the most essential, crucial and vast reading skills. Being teacher I cant thank you enough for the way it eases and enhances my teaching objectives, outcomes and overall journey.

    Reply
    • That’s really nice of you to say. I’m going to keep working on stuff. Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.

      Reply
  17. Lanniece L Lewis

     /  October 1, 2018

    Your worksheets worked perfectly for demonstration and practice in our 7th grade classroom. Thanks so much!

    Mrs. Lewis

    Reply
  18. Nicole

     /  September 4, 2018

    This website is amazing. Thank you for your help.

    Reply
  19. Lembani Kokai

     /  July 22, 2018

    Great!

    Reply
  20. Shannon HP

     /  March 21, 2018

    Thank you so much for the wonderful resources! I have made “exit tickets” for each of the grammar games you have created so my student can show mastery. They provide a high interest activity for subjects that the kids wouldn’t normally be interested in learning. The worksheets are excellent for practicing and for introducing topics in small groups!!

    Reply
  21. Suzanne

     /  March 18, 2018

    I think these worksheets are such a good resource for struggling and good reading. The stories are very captivating and such a good teaching tool. Please keep doing this. Its such a gift.

    Suzanne carlson

    Reply
  22. Sheldon Wright

     /  March 6, 2018

    Really appreciate the content, thanks for your work. It is really helpful. All the success.

    Reply
  23. Christie Harp

     /  January 17, 2018

    Thank you does not begin to cover the gratitude I have for these free resources. I’m using them for multiple grades and for intervention groups. THANK YOU!

    Reply
  24. Suhair AbuZaid

     /  September 27, 2017

    Dear Sir,

    I really appreciate your generous approach in supplying us – teachers of English- with such worthwhile worksheets that made our teaching mission easy and facilitated our search for various language skills activities.

    Regards,

    Suhair Abu Zaid

    Reply

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