1. Breaking Down a
Shakespearean Play with
Storyboards
Presented By:
Rebecca Ray, Resident Teacher at Storyboard That
and Aaron Sherman, Creator of Storyboard That

2. Agenda
• Digital Storytelling with the Five Act Structure [10-15 Minutes]
• Incorporated elements of using StoryboardThat.com
• Storyboarding Essentials of Characterization [10-15 Minutes]
• Three pre-made examples of how to enhance the importance of characters to a plot
• Exploring Shakespearean play genres. Using storyboarding to depict elements of a
tragedy [10-15 Minutes]
• Examples from my own classroom of Digital storytelling 50 lines at a time [Time
Permitting 5 Minutes]
• Wrap up- Question and Answers with Rebecca and Aaron [10 Minutes]

3. The Five Act Structure aka Plot Diagram
• The five act structure can be
overlaid on a traditional “Plot
Diagram”
• After Presenting this it is a natural
flow into creating a 6 cell
summary of a book or play
• Read More at
http://www.storyboardthat.com/arti
cles/education/plot-diagram

4. Creating a Six Cell Summary
• After introducing the plot
diagram show a 6 cell template
• It also helps to model a
completed storyboard so that
students can visually see what is
expected of them
• You can customize the
templates any way you like. I
prefer to give them the
exposition because they are all
going to be the same. However,
each of them may have differing
conflicts, rising action, climax,
and falling action

5. Storyboarding Essentials of
Characterization
• Enhance students deeper
understanding of the importance
of characters to a plot!
1.Character traits/explanations- As
a Worksheet!
2.Tragic/Antihero/Hero
3.Foil Characters
Essential Questions
•Why is Characterization Important?
•Why are Characters Important to a
work of Literature?
•Why do we study characters?
•What can we learn from
characters?

6. •Character
Explanation Map
• Teachers can create their
own work sheet for
characters and pass the out
before starting the text.
• Students can fill these out
continuously as part of a
reading strategy.
• Having character images

7. Understanding the Hero /
Antihero/ or Tragic Hero
• Using a template such as this, a
teacher can develop students
understanding of the protagonist
as:
• Hero
• Antihero
• Tragic Hero
• During the introduction to the unit
it is helpful to frontload these
terms so students can familiarize
themselves before starting this
activity.

8. Shakespearean Play are full of Foils…!
• Common Core Standards:
• Interpret a literary work by analyzing how the author uses literary elements (e.g., mood, tone,
point of view, personification, symbol).
• Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text (e.g., how ideas
influence individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events)
• 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.

9. Exploring Shakespearean Play Genres
Using storyboarding to depict elements of a tragedy.
• Read more at
• http://www.storyboardthat.com/articles/education/literature/types-of-shakespearian-plays
• http://www.sharemylesson.com/teaching-resource/Shakespearian-Plays-Tragedies-Comedies-and-
50018326

10. Showing the Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
Before:
Again, using a template to set the students up for
success. Allows them to use their own creativity but
still find and explain the necessary elements to
convey comprehension.
After:
Finished products will vary! It is truly amazing
watching the transformation of a blank canvas
into a meaningful and educational lesson.

11. My Favorite Lesson – 50 Lines of
Shakespeare!
After each act of a play I assign my students 50 consecutive lines; each students getting a random line
card.
• Requirements for Creating their Master
Pieces
• They must come up with a witty, unique, and true Title for
their storyboard
• Storyboards must be between 3-6 cells
• The Storyboard must contain at least 2 direct quotes,
other than that students may paraphrase, use thought
bubbles to express a character's inner dialogue, use
modern language, or employ other means of expression
as long as it stays true to the scenes meaning and tone.
• Students must also use boxes for explanation (I use one
for every cell however students are allowed to use their
best judgment).
Requirements for Presenting Their Master
Pieces
•Students will present at the end using the interactive
whiteboard, and follow the directions:
•Start by stating a twitter summary of your 50 lines (140
characters or less)
•Read the direct quotes and explain each cell
•Pick an artistic element or something new that you learned
about StoryboardThat and share with the class
•Explain if you liked or disliked the activity and back it up
with a reason why

12. Caesar in the Classroom
• My bulletin board is the wall of
fame! Each week I pick through
the best storyboards and present
them under the act we finished.
• The students, staff, and
administrators love to see the
students’ art work!
• I love it because it looks like a
million bucks and my bulletin
board is the envy of the hall!

13. Student Example: Severed Cinna
• The value of Storyboarding!
• Reinforcing ideas that have already been learned
• Developing strength and pride in students during presentations of storyboards
• Visual aids are best practices for all students
• Activity that can accommodate multiple intelligences
• A proven fact is that art improves motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork
• It is a form of expression that is great for everyone
• IT’S FUN

14. Questions?
• Thank you!!!
• You can contact us at
• Rebecca: RebeccaRay@storyboardthat.com
• Aaron: aaron@storyboardthat.com

15. Appendix

16. Complete Romeo and Juliet Five Act
Structure

17. Complete Romeo and Juliet As a Tragedy