ENGLISH 9

THIRD QUARTER
MODULE NO. 3
TOPIC: Composing a Play Synopsis

I. INTRODUCTION
When we finished reading a story or watching a movie, you probably
thought about our family, friends or generally the people around us. We tend
to reflect what are the connections can we make between the selection and
what is happening to the world?
This module will help you compose a play synopsis using the general
guidelines in writing it.

II. OBJECTIVE/S
At the end of this module, you are expected to determine the truthfulness and
relevance of the ideas presented in the material viewed.

III. CONCEPT SUMMARY

• A plot synopsis conveys a narrative arc, an explanation of the problem
or plot, the characters and how the book or story ends.
• A plot synopsis ensures that the characters’ actions and motivations are
realistic and make sense.
• Plot Synopsis summarizes what happens and who changes from
beginning to end of a story.
• The steps to create a plot synopsis are the following: start with a hook,
introduce the characters. Construct the body of your synopsis, use three
or four paragraphs to write the crisis and resolution and lastly, rewrite.

IV. BRIEF DISCUSSION

1. Concept Development
A plot synopsis conveys a narrative arc, an explanation of the problem or
plot, the characters and how the book or story ends. Composing a synopsis
is essential as it will demonstrate your understanding of the story or play.

Learn more about synopsis thru the link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga7LeoQ8U80 or by
scanning the QR code

English 9 – Module 3 - Third Quarter - Page 1 of 9

 Quick Check: To what story the synopsis refers?

A cynical, neurotic big-city comedian falls in love with a small-town girl

whose traditional values grate on his nerves. Can the two overcome
their differences, or was their romance ill-fated from the start?
A. Annie Hall B. A Comedy of Errors C. Pygmalion
D. An American Tragedy E. The Sound of Music

Here are the steps that will help you craft a good synopsis.
1. Start with a hook.
Each introduction should possess a catchy and interesting beginning
to persuade readers to read the entire content of your synopsis. You
may use a remarkable line from one of the characters in the story,
the most intense part of the story, or description of the setting or
your selected scenario.

2. Introduce the characters of the story.

3. Construct the body of your synopsis

Write the high points of your story in a chronological order. Keep
these paragraphs tight and do not give every little detail right away.
Each scene should include action, reaction, and a decision.

4. Use three or four paragraphs to write or inscribe the crisis and

the resolution
Keep this simple, but make sure you show your main character’s
reactions. Your synopsis must include the resolution-how the story
resolved.

5. Rewrite
Rewrite until each sentence is polished to the point of perfection.
Use strong adjectives and verbs, and always write in PRESENT
TENSE.

English 9 – Module 3 - Third Quarter - Page 2 of 9

 Guidelines in Writing a Plot Synopsis
1. The time and place should be indicated at the beginning of
the synopsis.
2. A brief description of the main characters should be given
as they appear in the story.
3. The synopsis should begin at the opening of the story and
told in the same order as the play, and end at the play’s
conclusion.
4. Dramatic Scenes that propel the story forward, including climactic
scenes should be described within the synopsis.
5. The synopsis must be no longer than 250 words long.
6. The story must be told in the PRESENT TENSE and in the THIRD
PERSON POINT OF VIEW.

Furthermore, Jane Friedman of the Writers’ Digest gives some of the best
tips for formatting a synopsis. She recommends to begin with a strong paragraph
that also identifies the protagonist, problem or conflict, and setting. The next
paragraph should convey any major plot turns or conflicts necessary and any
characters that should be mentioned in order for the book summary to make sense
to whomever is reading it. Lastly, she recommends indicating how major conflicts
are resolved in the last paragraph. This ensures a clear presentation of your book
or novel and doesn't leave the reader confused.

Let’s Practice!
A. Directions: Work on the graphic organizer and explain the major
elements of the play.
Title of the Play:
___________________________________________

CHARACTERS POINT OF VIEW

THEME

English 9 – Module 3 - Third Quarter - Page 3 of 9

 Climax

Rising Action Falling Action

Exposition Resolution

Setting/Staging

2. Broadening of Concept
• Why is it important to follow the guidelines in everything we do?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

• How does language influence the way we think, act and perceive the
world?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

• What will happen if you failed to elaborate the elements needed in

synopsis?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

English 9 – Module 3 - Third Quarter - Page 4 of 9

 • What might be the outcome if one of the most important scenarios in
the story will not be written in the synopsis? In the context of
broadcasting, what will happen if one important support of the news will
not be reported?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

3. Integration
There are times that a person reflects on what happened to him/her in the
past then recalled the people he went with, the places he/she once were
and most importantly, the decisions he/she made. If you were to look back
four years ago, what changes would you like to make in your own play of
life? Elaborate your answer.

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

English 9 – Module 3 - Third Quarter - Page 5 of 9

V. EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT
A. Directions: Using the graphic organizer from the practice exercise,
elaborate and write your own plot synopsis. Your output will be graded
based on the rubric presented in the next page.

English 9 – Module 3 - Third Quarter - Page 6 of 9

 CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
The story is a The story is The story is a Ideas and
very well- circular. One little hard to scenes seem to
organized idea or scene follow. The be randomly
Circle Plot circular story. may seem out transitions are arranged. The
Organization One idea or of place, but sometimes not story is not a
scene follows the story does clear; however, circular story. It
another a return to the the story does does not return
logical beginning begin and end to its beginning
sequence with point. Clear in the same point.
clear transitions are place
transitions, used.
returning to the
beginning
point.
Creativity The story’s plot The story’s plot The story’s plot There is little
focuses on a contains a few contains a few evidence of
creative series creative events creative events, creativity in the
of events that that contribute but they story. The
contributes to to the reader’s distract from author does not
the reader’s enjoyment. The the story. The seem to have
enjoyment. The author used his author has tried used much
author has or her to use his or imagination.
really used his imagination her
or her imagination.
imagination.
Sentence The sentence The sentence Some Sentences do
Structure structure uses structure uses sentences use not use
matching or matching or matching or matching or
similar words, similar words, similar words, similar words.
that establish a that establish a but the pattern The sentence
clear, clear pattern is not structure
consistent that is maintained distracts from
pattern that is maintained throughout the the story’s
maintained throughout the entire story. circular plot.
throughout the entire story.
entire story
Spelling, There are no There is one There are 2 to 3 The final draft
Punctuation spelling, spelling, spelling, has more than
and Grammar punctuation, or punctuation, or punctuation, or 3 spelling,
grammar errors grammar errors grammar errors punctuation, or
in the final in the final in the final grammar
draft. draft. draft. errors.

English 9 – Module 3 - Third Quarter - Page 7 of 9

VI. CLOSURE/SYNTHESIS
3, 2, 1 and EXIT!
Directions: As you have learned the different concepts that we have discussed for
today, fill-in the chart by assessing your learning experience for today.

>>> What are the three things that you have discovered for today?

>>> What are the two things that you are going to continue working on or discovering on?

>>> What is the one thing that you still have question about?

VII. REFERENCES

Jericho Writers. How To Write a Great Novel Synopsis for a Literary Agent.
Video [Youtube]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga7LeoQ8U80

Learn How to Write a Synopsis Like a Pron. (n.d). Retrieved from

https://www.writersdigest.com/improve-my-writing/learn-how-to-write-
a-synopsis-like-a-pro

Sedillo, A. (n.d.) Persuasive text. Retrieved on December 17, 2020, from

https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-persuasive-text-definition-
examples.html

Writing a Synopsis. (n.d). Retrieved from

https://literaryconsultancy.co.uk/media/press-publicity/how-to-write-a-
synopsis/

English 9 – Module 3 - Third Quarter - Page 8 of 9

 MY LEARNING PERFORMANCE

COMPETENCY/SKILL ASSESSMENT Score WHAT I NEED TO

(Formative and Summative) DO

Let’s Practice in Module 3

Determine the
truthfulness and
relevance of the
ideas presented in
the material viewed
Evaluation Part in Module 3

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