To help students achieve a better understanding of narrative prose, yet still keep the benefits of semantic mapping, the traditional form of the semantic map is modified by incorporating the elements of story structure as part of the map. This format is called episodic mapping. Episodic mapping is based on the idea that most well-developed stories contain the same basic elements of structure. The five elements of episodic mapping include: setting, problem/goal, major episodes, theme, and resolution. This method helps children put story abstractions into the concrete, giving the children something more tangible with which to work. The visual nature of the episodic map also helps the children better understand the interrelatedness of the various parts of the story. This method has a lot of potential for the reading teacher who is trying to teach and encourage interest in narrative prose. It can also be used to reinforce or teach many of the specific skills necessary for reading comprehension. When practicing or assessing comprehension skills, classroom activities related to the following skills are especially useful: interpreting story events, drawing conclusions, finding the main idea or theme, sequencing events, comparing or contrasting, finding cause and effect, developing a sense of inference, and locating information. (One diagram is included.) (MG)