How do story maps function in reading comprehension?

Story maps play a crucial role in enhancing reading comprehension by visually representing important story elements. They typically include components such as characters, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution. By organizing these elements visually, story maps help students to understand the structure of the narrative and make connections between different parts of the story. This visual representation aids in retaining information and facilitates discussions about the text, allowing readers to better analyze and interpret the story.

In contrast, summarizing vocabulary focuses primarily on understanding and learning specific words rather than on the overall comprehension of the story. Providing assessments for comprehension typically involves testing or evaluation methods that might not clarify how story elements interact within the narrative. Listing all characters does not provide a comprehensive understanding of how each character relates to the overall structure and themes of the story. Therefore, the function of story maps is specifically tied to their ability to visually organize and clarify the critical elements of a narrative, thereby enhancing the reading comprehension process.