Free Printable Story Map

A blank story map that walks students through the parts of a story — setting, characters, problem, the beginning-middle-end of the plot, and the solution.

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Type to fill them in, or leave blank to print an empty template to write on by hand.

Free · US Letter · no sign-up

About the story map

A story map helps students identify and organize the key elements of a narrative: the setting, characters, the central problem, the sequence of events, and the solution. Mapping a story this way builds reading comprehension and gives writers a plan before they draft.

This one-page template lays out labeled boxes for each element, with room to write, and prints on standard US Letter paper. It is free with no watermark or sign-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

A story map is a graphic organizer that breaks a narrative into its parts — setting, characters, problem, plot events, and solution. It helps readers understand structure and helps writers plan a story.
Story maps work from early elementary through middle school. Younger students use them to retell a story; older students use them to analyze plot structure or plan their own writing.