English 9

1
English – Grade 9
Quarter 3 – Module 17: Literary Devices and Techniques in Writing a Play
Synopsis
First Edition, 2020

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in
any work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the
government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for
exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things,
impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand

names, trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective
copyright holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use
these materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors
do not represent nor claim ownership over them.

Published by the Department of Education Division of Pasig City

Development Team of the Self-Learning Module

Writer: Leonida S. Cardenas
Editor: Rebecca T. Litdog
Reviewers: Lorna C. Rodriguez, Rowena D. Roxas
Illustrator: Edison P. Clet

Management Team: Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin

OIC-Schools Division Superintendent
Carolina T. Rivera, CESE
OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Manuel A. Laguerta EdD
Chief Curriculum Implementation Division
Victor M. Javena, EdD
Chief - School Governance and Operations Division

Education Program Supervisors

Librada L. Agon EdD (EPP/TLE/TVL/TVE)

Liza A. Alvarez (Science/STEM/SSP)
Bernard R. Balitao (AP/HUMSS)
Joselito E. Calios (English/SPFL/GAS)
Norlyn D. Conde EdD (MAPEH/SPA/SPS/HOPE/A&D/Sports)
Wilma Q. Del Rosario (LRMS/ADM)

Ma. Teresita E. Herrera EdD (Filipino/GAS/Piling Larang)

Perlita M. Ignacio
Printed in the Philippines PhD (EsP)
by Department of Education-Schools Division of
Pasig City Dulce O. Santos PhD (Kindergarten/MTB-MLE)
Teresita P. Tagulao EdD (Mathematics/ABM)

2
 English 9
Quarter 3
Self-Learning Module 17
Literary Devices and Techniques in Writing a
Play Synopsis

3
Introductory Message

For the facilitator:

Welcome to the English 9 Self-Learning Module on: Literary Devices and Techniques
in Writing a Play Synopsis!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators from
Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its Officer-In-Charge Schools Division
Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin in partnership with the Local
Government of Pasig through its mayor, Honorable Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto.
The writers utilized the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum using the Most
Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) while overcoming their personal, social,
and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills especially the 5 Cs namely: Communication,
Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking and Character while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage
their own learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners
as they do the tasks included in the module.

4
For the learner:

Welcome to the English 9 Self-Learning Module on: Literary Devices and Techniques
in Writing a Play Synopsis!

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a learner
is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant competencies and
skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to
process the contents of the learning material while being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

Expectation - These are what you will be able to know after

completing the lessons in the module

Pre-test - This will measure your prior knowledge and the

concepts to be mastered throughout the lesson.

Recap - This section will measure what learnings and skills

that you understand from the previous lesson.

Lesson- This section will discuss the topic for this module.

Activities - This is a set of activities you will perform.

Wrap Up- This section summarizes the concepts and

applications of the lessons.
Valuing-this part will check the integration of values in the
learning competency.

Post-test - This will measure how much you have learned from
the entire module.

5
 EXPECTATION

This is your self-instructional learner module in English 9. All the

activities provided in this lesson will help you learn and understand: Literary
Devices and Techniques in Writing a Play Synopsis.

Specifically, you will learn about the following:

1. Define Literary Devices and Techeniques

2. Identify the different Literary Devices and Techniques
3. Summarize the content of the material viewed

PRE–TEST

Directions: Write the letter of the correct answer.

1. This is the use of a situation or element to represent a larger message, idea,

or concept.

A. Simile B. Hyperbole C. Colloquialism D. Symbolism

2. It means placing contrasting elements next to one another in order to

emphasize one or both, including words, scenes, or themes.

A. Personification B. Juxtaposition C. Metaphor D. Imaginary

3. "If I do not eat my daily apple, I will surely die."

A. Hyperbole B. Simile C. Metaphor D. Symbolism
4. It refers to the time and place in which a story takes place.
A. Antagonist B. Plot C. Protagonist D. Setting
5. Things to consider on how to write synopsis EXCEPT one.
A. Write Clearly C. Unique Point of View
B. Mentioning too many characters or events. D. Use Active Voice

6
 RECAP

We have learned that Play is a literary form of writing for theatre,

which narrates a story with elements of conflicts, tensions, and actions
through dialogues of characters. The writers present their feelings, emotions,
and ideas through their characters and make them speak. On the other hand,
synopsis is a summary of a longer piece of writing or work.

LESSON

Literary Devices and Techniques in Writing a Play Synopsis.

Literary Devices are techniques that writers use to create a special and
pointed effect in writing, to convey information, or to help readers understand
their writing on a deeper level. Literary devices have two aspects, Literary
Elements or Literary Techniques.
Literary Elements refers to components of literary works. Here are the
common Literary Elements from the play “Romeo and Juliet” by William
Shakespeare.
1. Characters are as any person, animal, or figure represented in a literary
work. There are common types of characters.
Protagonist: It is the main character of story, novel or a play. For example
Rome, the son and heir of Montague and Lady Montague. A young man of
about sixteen, Romeo is handsome, intelligent, and sensitive. He secretly
marries Juliet, the daughter of his father’s worst enemy.
Antagonist: It is the character in conflict with the Protagonist. The antagonist
in the play would be The Capulet Family or the Montague family since they
would not let Romeo and Juliet be married since the ancient feud and that's
why they had to get married without their families knowing.
2. Setting refers to the time and place in which a story takes place. -The play
is set in the thirteenth or fourteenth century in Italy in Verona and Mantua.
3. Plot is the logical sequence of events that develops a story. -It is a tragic
love story where the two main characters, Romeo and Juliet, are supposed to
be sworn enemies but fall in love. Due to their families' ongoing conflict, they

7
cannot be together, so they take away their lives because they cannot cope
with being separated from one another.
4. Conflict is an issue in a narrative around which the whole story revolves.
-Romeo and Juliet are lovers whose lives are ruined by a conflict that has
been going on between their families, the Montagues and the Capulets, for
many years.
5. Mood is a general atmosphere of a story -The mood created by the love
between Romeo and Juliet is bright, happy, and romantic. The prevailing
mood of Verona is ugly, harsh, and cruel, as evidenced in the needless conflict
between the Capulets and Montagues and the action of those touched by the
conflict.
6. Theme is central idea or concept of a story. -For example, the main theme
in the play “Romeo and Juliet” is love, with smaller themes of sacrifice,
tragedy, struggle, hardship, devotion and so on.
Literary Techniques are specific, deliberate constructions of language
which an author uses to convey meaning. An author’s use of a literary
technique usually occurs with a single word or phrase, or a particular group
of words or phrases, at one single point in a text. Some common literary
techniques:
1. Colloquialism is an expressions, words, and phrases that are used in
informal, everyday speech, including slang. For example Gonna – going to, Da
bomb – the best
2. Euphemism is a polite expression used in place of words or phrases that
might otherwise be considered harsh or unpleasant. Here are some examples:
“Passed away instead of died”. Another example is “Between jobs instead of
unemployed”.
3. Flashback is a literary device wherein the author depicts the occurrence of
specific events to the reader, which have taken place before the present time
the narration is following, or events that have happened before the events that
are currently unfolding in the story. For example: Back in the day when Sarah
was a young girl…This means it is common in movies for there to be a
flashback that gives the viewer a look into the characters life when they were
younger, or when they have done something previously. This is done to help
the viewer better understand the present situation.
4. Hyperbole is deliberate exaggeration of actions and ideas for the sake of
emphasis. For example: That suitcase weighed a ton! - This is to emphasize
that the suitcase feels very heavy. Another example is “I haven’t seen you in
a million years!”- This is to emphasize how long a period of time feels.
5. Imagery is the use to create visual representations of actions, objects and
ideas in our mind in such a way that they appeal to our physical senses. Here
some examples: The room was dark and gloomy. -The words “dark” and
8
“gloomy” are visual images. Another one is, The river was roaring in the
mountains.-The word “roaring” appeals to our sense of hearing.
6. Juxtaposition means placing contrasting elements next to one another in
order to emphasize one or both, including words, scenes, or themes. For
example: “I hate loving you”. “You will soon be asked to do great violence in
the cause of good”.
7. Personification gives a thing, an idea or an animal human qualities. For
example: The stars winked in the night sky. - Stars, having no eyes, cannot
wink. But when you see this phrase, you know that they’re twinkling. Another
example, The cave mouth yawned. - A mouth can yawn, but a cave mouth
cannot. Still, we get the mental image of the cave mouth stretched wide.
8. Symbolism is literary device is the use of a situation or element to
represent a larger message, idea, or concept. For example: The color purple
symbolizes royalty. Another example: Crows are used to symbolize a bad
omen, like death.
9. Simile compares two distinct objects and draws similarity between them.
Here are some examples of Simile: Our soldiers are as brave as lions. The
soldiers were compared to brave lions by using “AS”. Same thing with this
example “Her cheeks are red like a rose”, her cheeks were compared to a red
rose by using the word “LIKE”.
10. Metaphor is the opposite of Simile, it compares without the using AS and
LIKE. And now let’s have some examples of Metaphor, The classroom was a
zoo, Life is a rollercoaster.
Techniques in Writing a Synopsis
1. Narrative Arc. A synopsis conveys the narrative arc, an explanation of the
problem or plot, the characters, and how story ends. It ensures character
actions and motivations are realistic and make sense. It summarizes what
happens and who changes from beginning to end of the story. It gives agents
a good and reliable preview of your writing skills.
2. Active Voice. In writing the synopsis use active voice and third person.
Good writing skill is needed.
3. Unique Point of View. In writing synopsis ideas should have fresh and
unique elements. Have elements that set your story apart from other things
they have seen.
4. Story Advancement. A synopsis should include the characters' feelings
and emotions. Use these elements to advance your plot and story.
5. Write Clearly. Focus on clarity in your writing and avoid wordiness.
Remember, less is more.

9
 Things to avoid in Writing a Synopsis
1. Mentioning too many characters or events.
2. Including too much detail about plot twists and turns. You don't want to
tell the entire story. What you want to do is write a book summary with
enough detail about the plot to intrigue the reader.
3. Unnecessary detail, description, or explanation. Make each word in your
synopsis count.
Example synopsis: “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet fall in love at a party. But they come from families
which hate each other. They are sure they will not be allowed to marry.
Nevertheless, helped by Friar Laurence, they marry in secret instead.
Unfortunately, before their wedding night Romeo kills Juliet's cousin in a
duel, and in the morning he is forced to leave her. If he ever returns to the
city, he will be put to death.
Juliet's parents told her she must marry Paris. Her parents do not know
she is already married. She refuses in the beginning, but later agrees because
she plans to fake her death and escape to be with Romeo forever; again with
the help of Friar Laurence.
Frair Laurence designs the plan. He gives Juliet a sleeping potion. She
appears to be dead and was put in a tomb. However, Romeo does not know
about the plan, visits her grave, thinks she is dead, and kills himself. When
Juliet finally wakes up, she discovers that Romeo is dead and then kills
herself.

ACTIVITY

Activity 1

Identify the literary device by choosing the correct answer from the box
below.
Euphemism Personification Symbolism

Hyperbole Juxtaposition Metaphor

1.____________ Rita heard the last piece of pie calling her name.
2.____________ The stars are sparkling diamonds.
3.____________ Powder your nose instead of go to the toilet.
4.____________ You can’t teach an old dog a new tricks.
5.____________ The shopping cost me a million dollars.

10
Activity 2
Complete the crossword by filling in a word that fits each clue.

Down
1. The main character in a play.
Across
1. It is the logical sequence of a play.
2. It is the general atmosphere of a
play.
3. It is an earlier moment portrayed
in a play when a part experience is
remembered.
4. It uses “as” and “like”.

Activity 3

Read the synopsis of the story “The Gift of Magi” by O. Henry. Then,
rearrange the sequence of the comic strips by writing numbers 1 to 5.
Afterwards, write a simple description of each pictures on the box provided
below.
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

Della Dillingham Young has to buy a present for her beloved husband, Jim. And
the next day is Christmas. Faced with such a situation, Della promptly bursts into tears
on the couch, wherein they live in a shabby flat. But they love each other.

Once Della's recovered herself, she goes to a mirror to let down her hair and
examine it. Della's beautiful, brown, knee-length hair is one of the two great treasures of
the poor couple. The other is Jim's gold watch. Her hair examined, Della puts it back up,
sheds a tear, and bundles up to head out into the cold. She leaves the flat and walks to
Madame Sofronie's hair goods shop, where she sells her hair for twenty bucks. Now she
has $21.87 cents. With her new funds, Della is able to find Jim the perfect present: an
elegant platinum watch chain for his watch. It's $21, and she buys it. Excited by her gift,
Della returns home and tries to make her now-short hair presentable (with a curling iron).
She's not convinced Jim will approve, but she did what she had to do to get him a good
present. When she finishes with her hair, she gets to work preparing coffee and dinner.

Jim arrives at 7pm to find Della waiting by the door and stares fixedly at her, not
able to understand that Della's hair is gone. Della can't understand quite what his
reaction means. After a little while, Jim snaps out of it and gives Della her present,
explaining that his reaction will make sense when she opens it. Della opens it and cries
out in joy, only to burst into tears immediately afterward. Jim has given her the set of
fancy combs she's wanted for ages, only now she has no hair for them. Jim nurses Della
out of her sobs. Once she's recovered, she gives Jim his present, holding out the watch
chain. Jim smiles, falling back on the couch. He sold his watch to buy Della's combs, he
explains. He recommends they put away their presents and have dinner. As they do so,
the narrator brings the story to a close by pronouncing that Della and Jim are the wisest
of everyone who gives gifts. They are the magi.

11
 (https://www.storyboardthat.com/fr/storyboards/chloelille/the-gift-of-maji-storyboard)

WRAP–UP

Write a phrase from the word DEVICE to summarize the lessons

you learned today.
D- ________________________________________________________
E- ________________________________________________________
V- ________________________________________________________
I- _________________________________________________________
C- ________________________________________________________
E- ________________________________________________________

VALUING

Ephesians 6:1

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. This means
it is the duty of all children to honor and obey their parents, in the Lord, for
this is not only right and proper, but it is also God’s will. Like in “Romeo and

12
Juliet” they followed their own decisions and neglected their parents’ advice.
So they ended up in a tragic situation.

POST-TEST

Choose the correct answer.

1."The sun was like a large ball of butter"
A. Hyperbole B. Simile C. Oxymoron D. Metaphor
2. "The wall stared at me silently"
A. Metaphor B. Colloquialism C. Personification D. Hyperbole
3. "Buzz off = Go away"
A. Symbolism B. Colloquialism C. Hyperbole D. Simile
4. "Flaming ice"
A. Simile B. Symbolism C. Hyperbole D. Oxymoron
5. Things to avoid on how to write synopsis EXCEPT one.

A. Mentioning characters or events.

B. Including too much detail about plot twists and turns.

C. Unnecessary detail, description, or explanation.

D. Editorializing your story.

13
 KEY TO CORRECTION

R E F E R E N CE S

Play - Examples and Definition of Play

https://literarydevices.net/play/

Synopsis definition and meaning: Collins English Dictionary

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/synopsis

http://pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/romeo3.asp
Literary Devices: 15 Literary Elements with Examples & Tips to Use
Them (Pope)
https://self-publishingschool.com/literary-devices/

The 31 Literary Devices You Must Know (Muniz)

https://blog.prepscholar.com/list-of-literary-devices-techniques

https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/ephesians-6-1
https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-euphemism.html
https://www.storyboardthat.com/fr/storyboards/chloelille/the-gift-of-
maji-storyboard
Learn How to Write a Synopsis Like a Pro
https://www.writersdigest.com/improve-my-writing/learn-how-to-write-
a-synopsis

14