21st Century Literature

from the Philippines

and the World
Quarter 4 – Module 9
Flash Fiction: The Plot
 What I Need to Know

Most Essential Learning Competency

Do self- and/or peer assessment of the creative adaption of a literary text, based
on rationalized criteria, prior to presentation.

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the sequence of events in a story. The scope of this module permits it to be
used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the
diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the
standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be
changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

This module also aims to engage you in appreciation and critical study of 21st
Century Literature from the Philippines and the World, encompassing their
various dimensions, genres, elements, structures, contexts, and traditions. This
module allows you to embark on a journey from Philippine regions to the different
parts of the world through various literary encounters.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. describe a flash fiction and plot of a story;
2. create a digital picture story;
3. perform a self or peer-assessment in evaluating one’s work; and
4. realize the importance of friendship.

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 What I Know

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the chosen letter
on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What is considered as the most significant element of a story for it presents the
series of events and characters’ actions in the story?
A. plot C. point of view
B. setting D. conflict
2. What is also referred to as a short-short story?
A. fable C. flash fiction
B. novel D. parable
3. Which of the following refers to the time and place the story takes place?
A. conflict C. climax
B. plot D. setting
4. What do you call a short story with less than 1000 words?
A. novel C. flash fiction
B. proverbs D. parables
5. What emotion is felt with the loss of a loved one?
A. gaiety C. elation
B. melancholy D. pique
6. What does the word melancholy mean?
A. reverence C. shyness
B. stillness D. sadness
7. What does the phrase ‘mask one’s sorrow’ mean?
A. Pretend to be sad. C. Pretend to be happy.
B. Paint his sorrow. D. Wear a mask.
8. What does etched in his heart mean?
A. to be written in his heart C. to be always remembered
B. to be seen in his heart D. to be always heard
9. What term is also used to refer to the plot structure?
A. narrative arc C. plot arc
B. narrative ark D. narrative structure
10.What plot structure component is also known as an inciting incident?
A. rising action C. climax
B. falling action D. exposition
11.What component of the plot structure is always written at the end of a story?
A. falling action C. resolution
B. rising action D. exposition
12.The words ‘dogs are man’s best friend’ is an example of a/an .
A. proverbs C. counsel
B. adage D. Bible verse
13.What plot structure component is considered as the most exciting part of a
story?
A. exposition C. falling action
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 B. climax D. resolution
14. What do you call the plot structure component when the excitement becomes
less and less as the conflict is resolved?
A. exposition C. falling action
B. climax D. resolution
15. What is also known as the plot complication?
A. exposition C. falling action
B. climax D. resolution

Lesson

1 Flash Fiction and Story Plot

This lesson focuses on flash fiction and story plot. A flash fiction, one of the
genres of fiction, is a short story with much lesser words. Typically, a flash fiction
story has no longer than 1000 words in length. Some literary writers find writing a
flash fiction extremely difficult because they have to cover the beginning, rising
action, climax, and conclusion of the story with very few words. Despite this
challenge, many flash fiction stories still possess those elements, all within the
strict word count. The word limit provides a very creative challenge.

Story plot, an important element of a story, is also present in flash fiction.

Plot tells the reader how the story goes. It is basically the sequence of the events
in the story. It is important to remember that the plot is what carries the readers
thoughout the story. Therefore, the plot should be related in sequence and every
event must be connected to the previous or the next one.

At the end of this lesson, you are expected to do a self- and/or peer
assessment of the creative adaptation of a literary text based on rationalized
criteria.

What’s In

Studying literature can be very easy with the right amount of knowledge
gained from your studies in the past. Can you still recall module 5? What are the
elements of a story discussed in that module? What are the two types of
character? How does setting differ from plot and point of view? What short story
was used in the module? For this next lesson, you will be acquainted with another
literary tool shorter than a short story wherein the plot, being referred to as the
paramount of all the elements, is given emphasis. This will surely make your

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learning experience more exciting.

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 What’s New

In this module, you will learn more about the narrative arc or the plot structure of
a story. You will be reading a flash fiction entitled “Jake” by Jim Bartlett, who has
written a number of stories from flash to novella which are all featured in Fiction
on different platforms such as The Web, CriemSpree Magazine, Short-Storyme,
Fairlight Books and other publications. As a flash fiction story goes, the author
tells a loving, gentle story of love, loss and longing with an unexpected ending.
Read and learn more about the story and try to identify the components of a plot
structure.

JAKE
by Jim Bartlett

Jake’s eyes snap open, and he quickly turns to the side. But like his aching
heart, the spot where Max always sat on the couch remains empty. He takes in a
long, deep breath – really more of a sigh – and squeezes his eyes closed, hoping
that by slipping into the darkness of a nap, he will temporarily mask his sorrow.

For fifteen years they were inseparable.

Always side by side. The walks on the
beach with the gentle waves calling, the
seagulls cawing. All those hikes on the
trail where the trees canopied over like
arches, wrapping them in a soft cool
shade on a hot sunny day. Even just a
ride to the grocery store for something
Martha may have forgotten, they always
went together.

Though he knows that in some ways he

should be thankful for just having their
time together – those moments forever
etched in his heart – and that the sickness took Max quickly rather than dragging
out the pain for weeks, maybe even months, he still feels cheated. That somehow
he is missing years that could have been.

Unable to sleep, he looks around the all too empty room, letting his gaze fall upon
the leash, which still hangs from the peg by the door. It seems to wait patiently,
ever ready for that next big adventure. As his eyes well up, he realizes for the first
time how much his grief weighs, how hard it is to even rise with such a heaviness
inside.

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 It is then he hears a shuffle from behind and
turns to see Martha standing in the doorway,
her shoulder resting against the frame.

“I thought you might be in here,” she says.

She looks down at him for only a moment
before her stare drifts to the couch. “I miss
him, too, Jake. More than you’ll ever know.”

There’s a faraway melancholy tone to her

voice, but he knows that her heart, like his,
has a hole too big to fill. His head drops and
he gives off another long sigh, which seems to
prompt her to come over and kneel down onto
the carpet beside him. She slides a hand under his chin and lifts it up, then tucks
back his long, floppy ears, such that their teary eyes can meet.

“I guess you do know, don’t you, Jake.”

Directions: Reflect on and answer the questions below. Write your answer on
a separate sheet of paper.
1. What did you feel after reading the story? Expound your answer.
2. Based on the story, who is Jake and why is he in a state of loneliness?

3. What words were used to help you figure out Jake’s identity?

4. Who was Max and what happened to him?

5. Do you believe in the adage, ‘A dog is man’s best friend’? Elaborate on your
answer.

What is It

FLASH FICTION
The story you read is an example of a flash fiction. A flash fiction, also
known as short-short story, typically contains less than 1000 words which is most
often used to describe short casual written works. Although a flash fiction may be
written in any genre, the most famous ones are in romance, thriller, horror and
sci-fi. Even with only a number of words, a flash fiction also bears the essential
elements of a short story. The paramount of all the elements for this type of

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literature is the plot.

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 A flash fiction is similar to a short story is some ways. Both tell a complete
story with a beginning, middle and end with the elements of storytelling in place.
However, they, too, have differences.

Flash Fiction Vs. Short Story

Short Story
is significantly shorter than a novel
consists of 1000-10, 000 words in
length
has a fleshed-out plot, well-rounded
characters, and a developed setting
and theme.
has one or a few characters and one or
a few settings (limited in place and
time, such as a day or a couple of
weeks) and expresses a single theme,
or message.
generally is more flexible. There is
more space to develop ideas, plot,
character and theme; there is at most,
one plot and a small subplot or a plot
and a half.
Flash Fiction
is a much shorter version of a short
story
composed of 100-1000 words in length
has a well thought out plot and great
characters, but they don’t necessarily
need to be fully developed
shouldn’t be more than one plot and
one theme.
is punchy and to the point, a story of
extreme brevity with the plot pared
down to the core of the story. Every
detail, every character gesture, every
description counts; each word has its
place. Take one word away and the
meaning is lost.

Characteristics of Flash Fiction

When writing a flash fiction story, it is important to know how they are
similar and different to longer stories. Flash fiction is shorter, but it should not
feel too short. Here are some traits of strong flash fiction stories.

1. Story Structure: A flash fiction story is not the shortened version of a longer
story; it still follows the elements of plot, including a beginning, middle and end,
as well as a conflict and satisfying resolution.

2. Setting: Most flash fiction stories take place in one setting, as moving between
locations uses up too much space. It allows the writer and reader to focus on the
plot.

3. Characters and Backstory: Flash fiction pieces are plot-driven and include no
more than three or four characters. They may include some character
development, but too much backstory can use valuable space.

4. Description: One may think that flash fiction stories are short on description
to save space. However, a strong piece can balance vivid descriptions with a quick-
moving plot. Stories that lack description are not satisfying to read, and a flash
fiction piece should feel complete.

The PLOT
Every written story has a plot- the series of events and characters’ actions
that includes a beginning, a middle and an end. Also, every written story has a
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plot structure or a narrative arc. Although it is important for a story to have all its
essential elements, the plot is the major element of all as it is what the story is all
about. The plot is the actual story. Without it, a writer has not penned anything.

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 Two types of plot
A writer can create a story using one of the two types of plot- a unified plot
or an episodic plot. A unified plot has a story that is realistic with a central
character and action and the story happens in one place during a short span of
time- a day, several hours or even just for an hour. An episodic plot, on the other
hand, has a story that happens in a much extended period of time. A writer who
employs the episodic plot frequently uses the technique of ‘flashback’ to lay out
background details of the story. But similar to the unified plot, an episodic plot
also has a central character, setting and action.

There are three other ways to write a plot. A plot may be written as a
movement in casualty, a movement in time and a movement in dramatic tension.

PLOT – a movement in time

The plot is a movement in time when the story transpires on a particular period of
time such as an hour, a day, a week, a month or even a year.

PLOT - movement in casualty

The plot is a movement in casualty when the story is established on a series of

casual events that happen one after another. Here, the writer is to create a story
based on the principle of cause and effect that is, the first event sets off the
second and the second event sets off the third and so on. Hence, every new event
has a casual relationship to the old ones.

PLOT - a movement in dramatic tension

The plot is a movement in dramatic tension when the story has dialogue, action,
details, descriptions and scenes that amplify the tension and persuade the reader
to turn the page and continue reading. The techniques of foreshadowing,
flashback and epiphany are oftentimes employed in this type of plot.

The following are the components of a plot structure or parts of the narrative.
a. Exposition – This is the beginning of the story, also known as the inciting
incident. This is where the author introduces the characters, identifies where the
story is happening, and establishes the main conflict. This includes events,
actions or even decisions that build conflict, pressure or disturbance to the main
character.
b. Rising Action – This is also known as the plot complication where the
writer fully introduces the conflict or the obstacle that will prevent the main
character, the protagonist, to achieve his goal.
c. Climax – This part is considered as the most exciting part of a story. This
part has the most tension or most exciting event compared to all other events in
the story. Also, this is where important decisions are made or important things are
discovered.
d. Falling Action – This point occurs after the climax as the problems in the
story start to work themselves out. The excitement becomes less and less as the
conflict is resolved.

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 e. Resolution/End – This is the solution to the problem in a story. When a
writer brings resolution to end the story, he can end the story with either an open
or closed ending. When a writer uses a closed ending, the resolution is done by
answering all unanswered questions that were implied or explicitly stated. A death
is an example of a closed ending. When a writer uses an open ending, he leaves
the reader to think, wonder or speculate what happens after the story has ended.

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 What’s More

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the chosen letter
on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What plot structure component is known as the inciting incident where the
author introduces the characters, identifies where the story is happening, and
establishes the main conflict?
A. exposition C. falling action
B. climax D. rising action

2. What plot structure component is considered as the solution to the problem in

a story?
A. exposition C. falling action
B. climax D. resolution

3. What is the other term for plot structure?

A. plot arc C. narrative arc
B. narrative plot D. narrative structure

4. What writing technique is used for an episodic plot?

A. flashleft C. foreshadowing
B. flashback D. epiphany

5. What plot movement uses techniques such as flashback, foreshadowing and

epiphany?
A. time C. casualty
B. dramatic tension D. space

6. When the story transpires on a particular period of time such as an hour, a

day, a week, a month or even a year, it is a plot movement in
A. time C. casualty
B. dramatic tension D. Space

7. When the story has dialogue, action, details, descriptions and scenes that
amplify the tension, it is a plot movement in
A. time C. space
B. casualty D. dramatic tension

8. When the story is established on a series of casual events that happen one after
another, it is a plot movement in
A. time C. space
B. casualty D. dramatic tension

9. What type of plot has a story that is realistic with a central character and
action and the story happens in one place during a short span of time?
A. casual C. periodic
B. unified D. episodic

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10. What type of plot has a story that happens in a much extended period of time?
A. methodic C. periodic
B. unified D. episodic

What I Have Learned

Directions: Fill out the story grammar below. Base your answer from the story
that you have just read.
Title:
Character/s:
Setting:
Plot:

Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

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 What I Can Do

Directions: Make a digital picture story of Jake. Follow the steps in creating
a digital picture story. Then, assess your work using the rubric below.

Steps in Creating a Digital Picture

Story

1. Go back to the story, “Jake”.

2. Identify the sequence of the story that you will use in your digital picture
story.
3. Import images and music.
4. Apply appropriate lighting.
5. Record a voice-over.
6. Add transitions.
7. Adjust the timeline.

DIGITAL PICTURE STORY ASSESSMENT RUBRIC

Needs Needs Needs Needs

Total Major Minor No
Revision Revision Revision Revision

1. VIDEO CLARITY AND

LIGHTING
A. Camera movements are
smooth and of
appropriate speed.
B. All shots have appropriate
lighting.
2. AUDIO
A. Audio is balanced between
music and voice-over.
B. Audio is clear all throughout
the video.
3. PACING
A. Clip durations are
appropriate; with elements of
excitements and surprise.
B. The sequence of the story is
easy to comprehend.

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 Assessment

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Base your answer from the
flash fiction, “Jake”. Write your chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What plot structure component shows when excitement decreases as the

conflict is resolved?
A. exposition C. falling action
B. climax D. rising action

2. What is also known as the plot complication?

A. exposition C. falling action
B. climax D. rising action

3. What type of resolution is achieved by answering unanswered questions that

were implied or explicitly stated in the story?
A. inside C. within
B. open D. closed

4. What type of resolution leaves the readers to think, wonder or speculate what
happens after the story has ended?
A. inside C. within
B. open D. closed

5. What plot structure component has the most tension and also the most exciting
event?
A. exposition C. falling action
B. climax D. rising action

6. What does the word melancholy in the story mean?

A. reverence C. shyness
B. stillness D. sadness

7. What type of plot was used in the story?

A. episodic C. unified
B. dramatic D. casual

8. What plot movement was used in the story?

A. time C. dramatic tension
B. casualty D. episodic

9. What is also termed as the inciting incidents?

A. rising action C. exposition
B. resolution D. climax

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 10. What plot structure component is presented at the final part of the story?
A. resolution C. exposition
B. theme D. climax

11. What type of resolution is used in the story?

A. open C. closed
B. closing D. climax

12. What element creates the tone, presents the characters and other important
facts to introduce the story?
A. setting C. exposition
B. theme D. climax

13. From the phrase “memories forever etched in his heart”, what does etched in
his heart mean?
A. always written C. always remembered
B. always seen D. always heard

14. Based on the text, what does the phrase ‘mask his sorrow’ mean?
A. pretend to be sad C. pretend to be happy
B. paint his sorrow D. wear a mask

15. It is a genre of fiction that is basically a short story with much lesser words.
A. novel C. parable
B. flash fiction D. fable

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 Additional Activities

Directions: Answer these questions with five to ten complete sentences.

If you had a pet dog, what type of treatment would you give it?

Do you believe that animals have human-like feelings and emotions? Expound
your answer.

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