Plot Twist Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RL.6-8.3

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

When an author makes a radical shift in direction or outcome of a fictional story, we call that a plot twist. Some of the best written works of all time include some form plot twist. These twists can be presented by the author at any point in the story. The goal of any well-formed twist is to immerse the audience in the story and help them form a strong emotional connection to a fictional story. These worksheets will help students become more comfortable with recognizing this technique in an author's work. We will subtly walk them through the development of writing a plot twist of their own work.

Plot Twist Worksheets To Print:

Twist vs. Point - What are the differences between these two aspects of a story?

Holes - We explore the work of Louis Sachar in this young adult novel.

Shocking Sentences - Choose a word from the box to complete each sentence.

vs. Turning Point - We look at another term that students often confuse with this concept.

Eucatastrophe - This is where things look to be very bleek and then a serious turn in right direction occurs.

All Mediums - We explore this very popular narrative technique in books, television, and film.

Analysis - This is to be used to help you break apart a novel and make sense of it.

Fight Club - Some people swear they saw this one coming a mile away because of how the work presents itself.

Pinpoint It - At exactly what page do you see these turns come about?

The Best Ever! - Think back to every story you have read. What really blew your mind?

Piece it In - See if you can add this technique into a work that you have previously completed.

Brainstorming - This walks you through the steps to take to come up with ideas.

Writing Them - This helps you determine where adding this technique would bring the most desired effect for your audience.

The Red Herring - A red herring is something used to distract someone from something that is relevant or important. In literature and film, a red herring typically takes the form of misinformation or false clues.

The Basics - This is for teachers who just want to brush over the concept with their students.

How To Create A Plot Twist When Writing


When you pick up a mystery book, you expect a delightful, bone-chilling plot twist that will blow your mind. As readers, we are just happy to read and wait for plot twists, but the task is very difficult for writers. Coming u>p with unexpected scenarios requires stealth and creative thinking to make the reader go, "I did not see that coming!"

Writing these changes in direction are hard, but not impossible. We will discuss how to write begin to add these to your own work with simple tips and tricks. Let's get started!

 

What is a Plot Twist?

Plot twists are planned-out changes in a novel or show that subvert expectations. They are usually added in the story's climax but can be used throughout the book. These narratives help build interest and engagement with the story and entice readers to continue. There are multiple ways that an author can achieve this, such as introducing a new character, an unforeseen turn of events, flashback, and good guy turn bad guy, etc. Let's see how you can write a plot twist.


Don't Be Obvious

The first tip for writing a plot twist is to don't be too obvious. Your readers should not be able to see the plot twist coming. It should hit them in the face and make them fall out of their chairs. At least that's what we expect as readers. Leaving subtle signs throughout the story is a good way to build up the anticipation, but giving away too much kills the excitement.

 

Kill a Major Character

The best way to engage your readers and give them a shock of their lifetime is to kill an important character. Start your book off by making a character seem very important to the story and then kill them off by the first half of the book.

 

Use Subtle Foreshadowing

To make your plot twists believable and plausible, you need to leave small crumbs throughout the book. Also known as subtle foreshadowing, this process involves leaving tiny hints throughout the book that readers don't catch on to or deem important. But as soon as the plot twist is revealed, they can go back and say, "how did I miss that?"

 

Don't Go Overboard

Everyone loves a plot twist, but too much of them in a single book is a buzzkill. If your readers are constantly attacked with a series of plot twists, they will be confused and won't trust the developing story.

 

Place the Plot Twist at the End

As stated above, plot twists can be used and placed throughout the story. But what frustrates a reader and makes them read the next book or watch the next season is using a plot twist as a cliffhanger. This might be a cliche, but it always works.

 

Keep Readers on Edge

Lastly, make sure the plot twist is earned. Use subtle foreshadowing, unexpected clues, and more to keep your readers on edge, so they know something will happen but not sure what.

Writing a plot twist requires creative imagination, pure brutality, and the desire to make readers cry. If you are up for the task, check out these tips for writing a plot twist.