FREE: The FIVE Elements of a Story Graphic Organizers

This is a FREE sample of our Graphic Organizers Series: The FIVE Elements of a Story. In this sample, you can enjoy a selection of 10 custom graphic organizers for Character, Setting, Plot, Theme, and Conflict. These graphic organizers can be used in any classroom, for any grade, and with any student.

Use these graphic organizers to help students gain an understanding of the five elements of a story. Each graphic organizer comes with instructions on how to use them.

Character Graphic Organizers:

Character Map - Write the name of the character in the middle circle. Then, describe the character’s actions in the top left square; what the character says and how they speak in the top right square; the character’s feelings in the bottom left square; and what the character looks like in the bottom right square.

Character Comparison - Use the Venn Diagram to compare two characters from the story. Write the names of each character in the overlapping circles. Write any differences the characters have with one another in the outside circles. Write any similarities the characters have in the middle of both circles.

Setting Graphic Organizers:

Setting Stage - Draw the setting that the story takes place in on the stage in this graphic organizer. Be sure to illustrate the time and place that the story takes place in. Also include the environment of the story, and try to show the tone or mood that the setting creates for the story.

Elements of Setting - Place + Time + Environment + Mood = Setting in this Graphic Organizer. Describe the Place that the story takes place in the top left box. Then, describe the Time in the top right box. Then, describe the Environment in the bottom left box. Finally, describe the Mood in the bottom right box.

Plot Graphic Organizers:

Plot Pyramid – Complete this classic Plot Pyramid graphic organizer by writing the Introduction of the story in the bottom left box. Then, describe the Rising Action, followed by the Climax of the story. Finish up with the Falling Action and the Resolution or Conclusion of the story.

Storyboard – Illustrate the plot or an event from the story. Draw or describe in detail each stage in the plot or in an event that takes place in the story. Remember, the order of plot development is: Introduction, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution/Conclusion.

Theme Graphic Organizers:

Theme Chart – First identify the main characters, main conflict, and theme of the story. Then, breakdown the theme of the story by first writing down the beginning of the theme. Follow this by writing the development of the theme, then the climax of the theme. Finish off with the resolution of the theme.

Theme Identifier – Get help identifying the Theme of a story by answering the questions. Start off by describing what happens in the story. Then, identify the most important event in the story. Explore the characters by identifying how they change and what they learn. Finally, determine what the author is trying to tell you.

Conflict Graphic Organizers:

Conflict Dissection – Complete this graphic organizer by filling in each quadrant. In the first box, identify the characters of the story. In the next box, identify the time and place of the story. In the third box, identify the problem that takes place in the story. In the last box, identify the solution to the problem.

Conflict Type Chart – In the first column, find examples from the story that shows Character against Character. In the second column, find examples of Character against Nature. In the third column, find examples of Character against Self. And finally, in the fourth column, find examples of Character against Society.