Show a Story in a Still Picture
Show a story action with a still picture.
About 15 minutes, plus any extended practice
Supplied materials
- Paper and a pencil, or typed notes. Draw or arrange paper figures for a still scene; a comfortable seated pose is optional.
- Example: A silent frozen-picture plan should show waiting for rain. Which choice helps show that idea? Choices: (A) A blank page with no figure or object (B) A figure facing away from every relevant object (C) A written claim that all viewers must feel identical emotions (D) look upward; hands cupped.
- Try this: A silent frozen-picture plan should show finding a lost item. Which choice helps show that idea? Choices: (A) A blank page with no figure or object (B) A figure facing away from every relevant object (C) A written claim that all viewers must feel identical emotions (D) look down; hand points at floor.
Learn the idea
A tableau is a still scene picture. A figure’s direction, hand gesture, or nearby object can help show what is happening. You can draw the whole scene on paper.
Look at the example. In this plan, the figure looks upward and cups its hands. The direction or gesture helps show the story idea. You can draw the scene or use a comfortable seated pose.
People may understand a picture in different ways. Explain how the figure or object helps show your idea.
- Look at the example about waiting for rain. Find the choice that shows a useful direction or hand gesture.
- Compare looking upward with cupped hands to a blank page. Explain which helps show the story.
- Try the check question and the three practice questions. Then read the feedback.
- Make a paper tableau of someone finding a small object; show the figure’s attention and the object.
- Check your work. The object is visible, and the figure’s direction or gesture points toward the discovery.
See the method in action
A silent frozen-picture plan should show waiting for rain. Which choice helps show that idea? Choices: (A) A blank page with no figure or object (B) A figure facing away from every relevant object (C) A written claim that all viewers must feel identical emotions (D) look upward; hands cupped. Answer: look upward; hands cupped. In this plan, the figure looks upward and cups its hands. The direction or gesture helps show the story idea. You can draw the scene or use a comfortable seated pose.
Check your reasoning
Your answer is temporary and is not saved to an account. Download your current answer before leaving or reloading. Written work on paper or in another app stays in your own file.
Helpful tips
- A tableau is a held scene image.
- A scene may support several interpretations.
See the answer and explanation
look down; hand points at floor
In this plan, the figure looks down and points at the floor. The direction or gesture helps show the story idea. You can draw the scene or use a comfortable seated pose.
Take it further
Try a new example: A silent frozen-picture plan should show watching a boat leave. Which choice helps show that idea? Choices: (A) A blank page with no figure or object (B) A figure facing away from every relevant object (C) A written claim that all viewers must feel identical emotions (D) figure faces a boat drawn farther away. Answer: figure faces a boat drawn farther away. In this plan, the figure faces a boat drawn farther away. The direction or gesture helps show the story idea. You can draw the scene or use a comfortable seated pose. Make your own: Make a paper tableau of someone finding a small object; show the figure’s attention and the object. Check your work: The object is visible, and the figure’s direction or gesture points toward the discovery.
Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. The answer download includes your current choice and any checked feedback. It does not include choices from the separate More practice section. Download that section separately.
More practice: try new cases
Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.
Your choices are temporary. Feedback appears after you check all the answers.
Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. Keep your own notes or download them before leaving. The score describes these questions; it does not certify subject mastery.
Check the subject sources
- Carnegie Hall: Musical Explorers Rhythm Training School
- National Core Arts Standards: framework and artistic processes
These LifeStarter passages, scenarios and exercises are authored for this Academy with AI assistance and review. External resources keep their publishers’ terms. A grade label suggests a starting level; it does not establish alignment with your school’s complete requirements.