American Literature A: LAP 4: Reading Chart—Use Pencil!
Directions: complete all boxes to the best of your ability.
Main character(s): this is the character or
characters around whom the plot revolves. The
reader is most interested in these characters
because they have the conflict.
Conflict style: this is the type of conflict that a
character has, represented by
person versus _____________, such as
person versus person or person vs. nature.
Story name,
author,
literary time
period
“The
Crucible”
Main
character(s)
Main
conflict(s)
(don’t just list
everyone; who
is the “main”)
Explain briefly &
draw arrows to
match character
and conflict.
_________________________________________ :Name / Homeroom
Conflict: this is the struggle that the main
character(s) have. This conflict drives the story as
the character(s) attempt to get what they want.
Usually one conflict is primary.
Climax: this is the part of plot in which the
character(s) fate is most at risk. This part of plot
usually has the highest emotional energy of the
story. At this part of the plot, the character(s) life
could go in very different directions, depending on
success or failure.
Complication: this is an obstacle, a difficulty, a
personality trait, or another situation that gets in
the way of the main character(s) getting what they
want.
Resolution: this is the plart of plot in which the
reader learns what will be the likely future for the
main character(s). This part could be referred to as
“the rest of the story” of the character’s life.
Usually, this part has only hints or clues about the
likely future.
Conflict style
Main plot
Complications
Climax
Resolution
Theme
Person vs person
Person vs self
Person vs nature
Person vs society
Person vs _______
Explain briefly in
ten words or
less
List at least one
complication for
the main
character(s)
Describe the
part of plot
where this
occurs.
Describe the
part of plot
where this
occurs. NOTE:
may not be one
Remember,
can’t be one
word, must be a
statement
American Literature A: LAP 4: Reading Chart—Use Pencil!
Story name,
author,
literary time
period
“The Pit &
the
Pendulum”
“The
Outcasts of
Poker Flat”
Main
character(s)
Main
conflict(s)
(don’t just list
everyone; who
is the “main”)
Explain briefly &
draw arrows to
match character
and conflict.
Conflict style
Main plot
Complications
Climax
Resolution
Theme
Person vs person
Person vs self
Person vs nature
Person vs society
Person vs _______
Explain briefly in
ten words or
less
List at least one
complication for
the main
character(s)
Describe the
part of plot
where this
occurs.
Describe the
part of plot
where this
occurs. NOTE:
may not be one
Remember,
can’t be one
word, must be a
statement
American Literature A: LAP 4: Reading Chart—Use Pencil!
Story name,
author,
literary time
period
“Ambush”
“Snow”
Main
character(s)
Main
conflict(s)
(don’t just list
everyone; who
is the “main”)
Explain briefly &
draw arrows to
match character
and conflict.
Conflict style
Main plot
Complications
Climax
Resolution
Theme
Person vs person
Person vs self
Person vs nature
Person vs society
Person vs _______
Explain briefly in
ten words or
less
List at least one
complication for
the main
character(s)
Describe the
part of plot
where this
occurs.
Describe the
part of plot
where this
occurs. NOTE:
may not be one
Remember,
can’t be one
word, must be a
statement
American Literature A: LAP 4: Reading Chart—Use Pencil!
Story name,
author,
literary time
period
“This is
What it
Means to
Say Phoenix,
Arizona”
Main
character(s)
Main
conflict(s)
(don’t just list
everyone; who
is the “main”)
Explain briefly &
draw arrows to
match character
and conflict.
Conflict style
Main plot
Complications
Climax
Resolution
Theme
Person vs person
Person vs self
Person vs nature
Person vs society
Person vs _______
Explain briefly in
ten words or
less
List at least one
complication for
the main
character(s)
Describe the
part of plot
where this
occurs.
Describe the
part of plot
where this
occurs. NOTE:
may not be one
Remember,
can’t be one
word, must be a
statement