Grade Level: 9-10

Difficulty Level: 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment: Individual or Group

Type of Activity: The Five Act Play (Dramatic Structure)

Common Core Standards:

[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/2] Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its
development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by
specific details; provide an objective summary of the text

[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/3] Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or

conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and
advance the plot or develop the theme

[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/5] Analyze how an authors 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

Students can create and show a storyboard that captures the concept of a Five Act Structure by making
a six cell storyboard, like the one below. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the acts
in order: Prologue, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Denouement.

For The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, the Exposition or Prologue is created in the first cell. Like a
modern day movie trailer, the prologue for The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet gives the audience a
preview of events to come, and give us insight into the characters, setting, and background.

Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge
break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these
two foes A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Do with
their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, And the
continuance of their parents' rage, Which, but their children's end, nought could remove, Is now the two
hours' traffic of our stage; The which if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall
strive to mend.

William Shakespeare The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

Cell two details the Conflict: the two lovers cannot be together because of their families' long feud.

The Rising Action introduces the secret marriage of the two lovers, as well as the arranged marriage of
Juliet to Paris, and the death of Mercutio and Tybalt. It also includes the fake death of Juliet, and the
banishment of Romeo.

The Climax begins when Juliet and Friar Lawrence's plan goes awry. The banished Romeo is supposed
to get a letter telling him Juliet is only feigning her death. However, the outbreak of a plague stops the
letter's delivery. Instead, Romeo gets word that Juliet is dead. On impulse, he seeks out an apothecary,
buys poison, and heads to Juliet's family tomb. Romeo plans to commit suicide beside her body.

The Falling Action includes Romeo's visit to the tomb and his duel with Paris. After killing Paris,
Romeo continues to Juliet's grave, and takes his life. Moments later that Juliet awakes. Consumed with
grief, she takes her own life as well.
The Denouement or Conclusion of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet culminates with the Friar's
version of the lovers' story. Friar Lawrence and the Nurse expound the truth to the Prince, the Capulets,
and to the Montagues. In the resolution, the sad tone and moral of the story is evident as the two
families agree to reconcile and erect monuments in the lovers' honor.

Grade Level: 9-10

Difficulty Level: 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment: Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Character Map

Common Core Standards:

[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/3] Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or

conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and
advance the plot or develop the theme

[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/6] Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in

a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world
literature

[ELA-Literacy/W/9-10/6] Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and

update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technologys capacity to link
to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically

As students read, a storyboard can serves as a helpful character reference log. This log (also called a
character map) allows students to recall relevant information about important characters. When reading
a play, small attributes and details frequently become important as the plot progresses. With character
mapping, students will record this information, helping them follow along and catch the subtleties
which make reading more enjoyable!

Using a character map for Shakespeare is often even more beneficial. It also allows students to record
the nuances of characteristics which create "foil" characters. The information that they record will help
them to return and review personalities that contrast. The ability to visually see this helps students
create connections and makes understanding concepts easier.

You can click on this map and create a copy on your teacher account. Feel free to use it as is, or to edit
it for the level of your class. Printing it as worksheets, for your students to complete while reading, is
an fast and easy way to incorporate this character map into your classroom.