Elements of a Fiction Graphic Organizer
Literature teachers use graphic organizers to teach the elements of fiction. These organizers help students understand the structure of fiction and to enhance the ability to remember concepts. They improve comprehension of interrelationships and ideas by making abstract concepts more concrete. Use organizers to focus on the key elements of fiction for post-reading and pre-writing activities.
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Characters
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Graphic organizers play an important role in helping readers understand characters. Evaluate them in several different ways. Use a character graphic organizer to name a character, describe him, list his friends and enemies and tell about some of the things he did. If the story has several important characters, complete a character organizer for each one. Use another organizer to do a character biography listing his accomplishments, some personal information about him and other pertinent facts. Another activity using an organizer is to list character traits and clues in the story that show these traits.
Setting
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Graphic organizers help explain the setting of a story in a more visual way. Settings are important as they set time and place. For example, the farm in "Charlotte's Web" is the backdrop for most of the action. Use a simple graphic organizer that shows where the story takes place along with details, details of when the story happens and a detailed account of any changes in the setting throughout the story.
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Plot
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A graphic organizer explains the plot in a concrete way that helps students understand. Plots dictate the way things happen in a story. There are several types of basic plots, but each must include conflict and tension to make a good story. Use a plot diagram type of graphic organizer to show the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution in the story.
Theme
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Consider a theme the primary lesson of a story. Students sometimes have a difficult time recognizing and grasping a theme, but graphic organizers help with this concept. Discuss some of the possible themes such as friendship in "Charlotte's Web." List details associated with friendship. Explain the friendship between Wilbur and Charlotte with examples. Use a Main Idea Map graphic organizer to name the main idea and give supporting details that back up the theme. For example, list words associated with friendship such as caring, loving and supporting and then list examples of each from the story.
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References
Resources
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