Red Death Plot Diagram: Storyboard That Lesson (2025)

Q: What are the main plot points in "The Masque of the Red Death"?

The main plot points in "The Masque of the Red Death" are: Exposition (Prince Prospero and nobles hide from the plague), Conflict (the Red Death threatens their safety), Rising Action (a masquerade ball takes place as fear grows), Climax (a mysterious masked figure appears), Falling Action (the guests confront the figure), and Resolution (the Red Death claims everyone inside).

Q: How can students create a plot diagram for "The Masque of the Red Death"?

Students can create a plot diagram by dividing the story into six parts: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. For each part, students draw a scene and write a short description to illustrate the key events in sequence.

Q: What is the best way to teach plot structure using "The Masque of the Red Death"?

The best way is to have students visualize the plot structure with a storyboard. Assign each student or pair to illustrate and describe each plot stage, reinforcing their understanding of narrative arcs and key story elements.

Q: Why is a plot diagram helpful for understanding literature?

A plot diagram helps students break down stories into manageable sections, making it easier to grasp the sequence of events, identify key moments, and analyze literary structure for deeper comprehension.

Q: What should each cell in a "Masque of the Red Death" storyboard include?

Each cell should include a scene illustration representing a specific plot part (Exposition, Conflict, etc.) and a brief description explaining the major event or moment depicted in that section of the story.

The Masque of the Red Death Plot Diagram

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Lesson Plan Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Student Rubric

Lesson Plan Overview

A common activity for students is to create a plot diagram of the events from a story. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of a plot, but to reinforce major events and help students develop greater understanding of literary structures.

Students can create a storyboard that captures the concept of the narrative arc in a story by creating a six-cell storyboard which contains the major parts of the plot diagram. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the story in sequence using Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.

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Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Create a visual plot diagram of “The Masque of the Red Death”.

Separate the story into the Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Create an image that represents an important moment or set of events for each of the story components.
Write a description of each of the steps in the plot diagram.

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-12

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Plot Diagrams and Narrative Arcs

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Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Plot Diagram Rubric (Grades 9-12)

Create a plot diagram for the story using Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.

	Proficient 25 Points	Emerging 21 Points	Beginning 17 Points	Try Again 13 Points
Descriptive and Visual Elements	Cells have many descriptive elements, and provide the reader with a vivid representation.	Cells have many descriptive elements, but flow of cells may have been hard to understand.	Cells have few descriptive elements, or have visuals that make the work confusing.	Cells have few or no descriptive elements.
Grammar/Spelling	Textables have three or fewer spelling/grammar errors.	Textables have four or fewer spelling/grammar errors.	Textables have five or fewer spelling/grammar errors.	Textables have six or more spelling/grammar errors.
Evidence of Effort	Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has done both peer and teacher editing.	Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has either teacher or peer editing, but not both.	Student has done neither peer, nor teacher editing.	Work shows no evidence of any effort.
Plot	All parts of the plot are included in the diagram.	All parts of the plot are included in the diagram, but one or more is confusing.	Parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot difficult to follow.	Almost all of the parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot very difficult to follow.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Copy Activity

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Create a visual plot diagram of “The Masque of the Red Death”.

Separate the story into the Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Create an image that represents an important moment or set of events for each of the story components.
Write a description of each of the steps in the plot diagram.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-12

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Plot Diagrams and Narrative Arcs

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Plot Diagram Rubric (Grades 9-12)

Create a plot diagram for the story using Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.

	Proficient 25 Points	Emerging 21 Points	Beginning 17 Points	Try Again 13 Points
Descriptive and Visual Elements	Cells have many descriptive elements, and provide the reader with a vivid representation.	Cells have many descriptive elements, but flow of cells may have been hard to understand.	Cells have few descriptive elements, or have visuals that make the work confusing.	Cells have few or no descriptive elements.
Grammar/Spelling	Textables have three or fewer spelling/grammar errors.	Textables have four or fewer spelling/grammar errors.	Textables have five or fewer spelling/grammar errors.	Textables have six or more spelling/grammar errors.
Evidence of Effort	Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has done both peer and teacher editing.	Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has either teacher or peer editing, but not both.	Student has done neither peer, nor teacher editing.	Work shows no evidence of any effort.
Plot	All parts of the plot are included in the diagram.	All parts of the plot are included in the diagram, but one or more is confusing.	Parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot difficult to follow.	Almost all of the parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot very difficult to follow.

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How Tos about \"The Masque of the Red Death\" Summary

How to lead a classroom discussion on the themes of 'The Masque of the Red Death'

Guide a thoughtful discussion by preparing open-ended questions that connect the story's events to its deeper meanings. Encourage students to consider symbolism, mood, and the author's message about mortality and privilege. Use student responses to steer the conversation and build understanding.

Introduce the main themes before reading

Set the stage by briefly outlining key themes such as death, fate, and isolation. Explain how these ideas appear in the story and invite students to look for examples as they read.

Ask open-ended questions to spark engagement

Encourage participation by posing questions like, “What do you think the Red Death represents?” or “How does the setting reflect the story’s tone?” Let students build on each other's answers to deepen the discussion.

Use textual evidence to support ideas

Prompt students to reference specific passages when sharing their thoughts. Model how to quote or paraphrase from the text to back up interpretations, making analysis more concrete.

Connect themes to real-life experiences

Relate the story’s themes to current events or students’ own lives. Ask questions like, “How do people today try to avoid difficult realities?” to make the story more relevant and meaningful.

Frequently Asked Questions about \"The Masque of the Red Death\" Summary

What are the main plot points in "The Masque of the Red Death"?

The main plot points in "The Masque of the Red Death" are: Exposition (Prince Prospero and nobles hide from the plague), Conflict (the Red Death threatens their safety), Rising Action (a masquerade ball takes place as fear grows), Climax (a mysterious masked figure appears), Falling Action (the guests confront the figure), and Resolution (the Red Death claims everyone inside).

How can students create a plot diagram for "The Masque of the Red Death"?

Students can create a plot diagram by dividing the story into six parts: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. For each part, students draw a scene and write a short description to illustrate the key events in sequence.

What is the best way to teach plot structure using "The Masque of the Red Death"?

The best way is to have students visualize the plot structure with a storyboard. Assign each student or pair to illustrate and describe each plot stage, reinforcing their understanding of narrative arcs and key story elements.

Why is a plot diagram helpful for understanding literature?

A plot diagram helps students break down stories into manageable sections, making it easier to grasp the sequence of events, identify key moments, and analyze literary structure for deeper comprehension.

What should each cell in a "Masque of the Red Death" storyboard include?

Each cell should include a scene illustration representing a specific plot part (Exposition, Conflict, etc.) and a brief description explaining the major event or moment depicted in that section of the story.