A turning point is needed to advance the plot in a work of literature, such as a screenplay or novel. A literature or creative writing teacher may ask students to identify key turning points in the story and develop endings that reflect the way the story would have unfolded if the turning point had not occurred. Ask students to consider the ending of "Romeo and Juliet" had Romeo received the letter from Juliet to say that she was faking her death. In another lesson, ask students to identify the turning points in their stories. The students can write alternate courses of personal histories that imagines lives had those turning points not occurred.
The booms and busts in the national and global economies fluctuate according to a business cycle, which experiences periods of growth and decline in four phases. Students may evaluate turning points in business cycles where past recessions turned into recoveries, recoveries turned into growth and growth shifted into declines. Teachers can highlight the many factors addressed in these turning points to demonstrate how economies function as a system.
History provides several opportunities to study turning points. An instructor may use the turning point of a war, such as the Battle of Midway in the Pacific front of World War II or the Battle of Vicksburg during the Civil War. Individuals have always led the tides of change in the course of history. Select a few notable, historic figures and highlight how the actions they took influenced the way Americans live and think today.
Success in sports relies as much on a player's physical ability and skill as his mindset. Review sports games where significant losses were incurred or wins were obtained. Analyze the players actions. Try to assume the mindset of players whose actions contributed to the turning point of the game. Note how the player's physical ability responds to setbacks or increased pressure in the game. Assess what lessons can be learned from the negative turn in the player's mindset that negatively affected the game.