10

English
Quarter 1 – Module 3:
Appraising the Unity of
Plot, Setting, and
Characterization in Material
Viewed to Achieve Writer’s
Purpose
 What I Need to Know
We as humans have by far existed and continue to do so with the
qualities that helped shape us as such: abilities and drawbacks. Through
these blends of opposite sides of progress, we learned to deal with our
everyday lives as smoothly as we wanted it to be. Learning to combat our
drawbacks and bringing forth the power from our abilities, we efficiently
plowed through the hedges and mountains of the gift that God gave us: life.
Hence, by participating in the activities herein and drawing from your
meaningful experiences, you can be assured that you are geared towards
facing your weaknesses and empowering your strengths!
Most Essential Learning Competency: Appraising the Unity of Plot,
Setting, and Characterization in a Material Viewed to Achieve Writer’s
Purpose (EN10VC-Ivd-29)
The module is divided into four lessons, namely:
• Lesson 1 – Characteristics of a Person in Overcoming Conflicts,
Connotation and Denotation
• Lesson 2 – Key Events of a Story
• Lesson 3 – Characterization and Author’s Purpose
• Lesson 4 – Simple Narrative Writing
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. differentiate features of characterization, plot, setting, and author’s
purpose;
2. identify the relationship among characterization, plot, setting, and author’s
purpose;
3. express opinions about the material viewed and read; and
4. compose a simple narrative by applying characterization, plot, setting,
and author’s purpose.
What I Know
Let us check your prior knowledge about The Elements of a
Story by answering the questions below.
Reading and Literature:
Directions: Read each of the following short passage carefully and write the
letter of your choice.

Exploring the Sea of Goodness (Excerpt)

Lee Emm
1.) Do you believe that the sea of goodness is possible in this world? 2.) I
always believe it is possible. 3.) Doing something good, no matter what the
consequences are, will always make me contented and secure.
4.) There are a lot of ways I can do such, especially in doing something
“good” for others. 5.) The steps are easy but zealousness, humility, and
consistency are the subtle ways. Here are the simple ones:
6.) The first one I imagine that I am in the place of the other person I’ll do
good to. 7.) Next, I’ll imagine how she’ll feel and react. 8.) That way, I’ll think
doing good to others will make me at least a better person. 9.) That will make me
grateful that I have done something good.
10.)
With these simple but notable ways I can prove to myself, to others, and to
God that I can explore the sea of goodness in this ever-changing world.
11.)
How about you, can you explore it also? 12.) I bet you can!

Source: Celebrating Diversity through World Literature, pg. 3

_____1. The main point of the article is best expressed in the sentence no. __.
a. 3 b. 3 c. 10 d. 12
______2. Exploring the sea of goodness, means you are practicing ________.
a. conscientiousness b. humility c. kindness d. sympathy
______ 3. The word subtle is sentence no. 5 means ___________.
a. clear b. practical c. refined d. strained
______ 4. The kind of evidence used by the writer to support her stand is
through _.
a. anecdotes b. examples c. statistics d. video
______ 5. The generalization or statement about the passage on life or human
experience is to ___.
a. bring out the best in you c. struggle against the odds
b. stand up for one’s belief d. take strength to bear up the odds.
______6. In which part of the key elements of a short story reveals the
problem of the characters
a. exposition b. characterization c. theme d. conflict
______ 7. Which of these is the term for the “turning point of the story”?
a. exposition b. characterization c. climax d. conflict
______ 8. When the author gives some background or needed details to the
story this is known as what term?
a. characterization b. exposition c. foreshadowing d. point of view
______ 9. The problem of the story also known as which story element?
a. character b. conflict c. exposition d. resolution
______ 10. Which details the solution for the conflict of the story?
a. climax b. falling action c. resolution d. rising action
______ 11. What type of conflict is best shown here?
a. character vs. character c. character vs. self
b. character vs. nature d. character vs. society
______ 12. Who is the person with which the main character has conflict?
a. antagonist b. bad guy c. principal d. protagonist
______ 13. What is the time and location in which a story takes place?
a. conflict b. plot c. point of view d. setting
______14. The central, main character of the story is called____.
a. antagonist b. investigator c. instigator d. protagonist
______ 15. What is a person or animal which takes part in the action of the
story? a. character b. Plot c. resolution d. setting

Lesson Personal Characteristics, Connotation and

1 Denotation
Remember: Please wash your hands with soap for twenty (20) seconds before
and after handling your module and worksheets.
None of us is created perfect. All of us are endowed with strengths. At
the same time, we also have weaknesses. Being positive allows us to be better
persons as we capitalize on our strengths and as we address our weaknesses
to improve ourselves.
This lesson allows you to discover how to make the most of your
strengths and improve your weaknesses. How far would you go to know the
real you? What risks are you willing to take to successfully overcome the
hurdles of life?
At the end of this lesson you are expected to:
 1. provide different positive characteristics of a person in dealing with a
conflict presented; and
2. distinguish the use of denotation and connotation.

What’s In
What are the prejudices that Daedalus experienced and how
did he overcome each?

What’s New
 What are the positive characteristics that your classmates find in
you?
 What do you think are the things that you have difficulty in
doing?

What is It
There are times in which what the characters say are
entirely different from the literal sense. For example:
Cardo, act out the role of a Filipino hero. There could be two
things that Cardo would do should he be asked to act it out.
He might be inside the classroom and pretend to be Jose
Rizal (as what the teacher expects him to do) or he could be
literally outside the classroom doing the same action. This is
the difference between our lesson.
Today, you are going to discover the strengths and weaknesses
of characters in a given situation. On this part of the module we will
also discuss connotation and denotation. Find out the difference and
spot them from the story Orpheus.

DENOTATION
principal CONNOTATION
dictionary emotional
methods of
definition describing meanings
literal meaningthe meaning of a word
of the word of words with cultural
implications
or social overtones

Taina Taina. (2020). Copy of Denotation and Connotation Venn

Diagram. Denotation and Connotation Venn Diagram.
Accessed June 11, 2020.

What’s More?
Activity 1.1
Directions: Read each activity carefully and write your answers
below.
Joaquin and Cristina are trapped in an abandoned well. They want to
be free! Using the chart below, list down the three individual strengths that
Joaquin and Cristina could use to free themselves from the well.
 JOAQUIN CRISTINA

1. In what way could these qualities help them escape from the
well?
2. Do you think we could interchange the qualities of Joaquin and
Cristina?
What would happen if they interchange their qualities?
What I Have Learned
Activity 1.2
Knowing the following words will help you as you read
“Orpheus.” Remember how these words are defined.
1.inspiration a) something that brings on creative activity
b) motivation
2.lyre a) a small stringed musical instrument
b) similar to harp
3.entranced a) to put somebody into trance
b) charmed
4.condemne a) to express an unfavorable or adverse
d judgment
b) doomed
5.summone a) sent for
d b) called forth
Activity 1.3
Answer the following questions in 1-2 sentences only.
1. What did you notice in the way these words are defined?
2. How do you differentiate A from B?
3. Which is a better way to define a word?

What I Can Do
Activity 1.4
Directions: Use the answers from the previous activity to provide solution to
the given situations.
Situation Answer
1.Juancho has a stage fright but he is an excellent singer.

2.Badiday is a cookery student but she could not provide for the
ingredients needed for their cook out. Day by day she is
losing hope.
Activity 1.5
Direction: Below is a word bank that contains words that describe
strengths and weaknesses. Categorize these words whether they belong to
strengths or weaknesses:

pillar power building

ability withering muscle
 limitations debris flaws
crack
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

Lesson
Observing the Key Events of the Story
2
In the previous lesson, you have learned your strengths and
weaknesses as well the two methods of describing the meanings of words
(connotation and denotation).
In this lesson, you will become familiar with the plot parts. A story has
parts that keep it interesting or alive. These are generally named into five
elements of the plot.
To prepare you to the next lesson, how do you think stories are
usually structured?
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:
1. watch a video observing key events of the story;
2. scan the story for specific information; and
3. arrange the order of the parts of the plot from the story
Orpheus.
Activity 2.1
Arrange the following parts of the plot in order. On the right side, the
meanings of each part are clues to what comes first.

1. resolution 1. introduces characters and setting

2. exposition 2. introduces problem of the story
3. falling action 3. excites the story
4. climax
4. provides solution to the problem
5. rising action
5. ends the story

What’s In
 Do you remember the vocabularies we have tackled in the previous
lesson?
 These words are found in the following text.
 Find out how these words are used in the selection and what part of the
plot does each belong.
What’s New

Activity 2.2
Directions: Read carefully the story entitled “Orpheus” by Alice Low.
Answer the following processing questions below.

ORPHEUS
retold by Alice Low
There were nine goddesses called Muses. Born out of Zeus and Titaness
named Mnemosyne, each muse presided over a different art of science.

Calliope, one of these sisters, was the inspiration of poets and musicians.
She was the mother of Orpheus (a mortal because his father was one) and
gave to her son a remarkable talent for music.

Orpheus played his lyre so sweetly that he charmed all things on earth.
Men and women forgot their cares when gathered around him to listen.
Wild beasts lay down as they gathered around him as if they were tame,
entranced by his soothing notes. Even rocks and trees followed him, and
the rivers changed their direction to hear him play.

Orpheus loved a young woman named Eurydice, and when they were
married, they looked forward to many years of happiness together. But soon
after, Eurydice stepped on a poisonous snake and died.

Orpheus roamed the earth, singing sad melodies to try to overcome his
grief. But it was no use. He longed for Eurydice so deeply that he decided to
follow her to the underworld. He said to himself, “No mortal has ever been
there before, but I must try to bring back my beloved Eurydice. I will charm
Persephone and Hades with my music and win Eurydice’s release.”

He climbed into a cave and through a dark passage that led to the
underworld. When he reached the river Styx, he plucked his lyre again, and
Cerberus, the fierce three-headed dog who guarded the gates, heard the
sweet music and lay still to let him pass.

Orpheus continued to play his lyre tenderly as he made his way

through the gloomy underworld. The ghosts cried when they heard his sad
music. Sisyphus, who had been condemned to roll a rock uphill forever,
stopped his fruitless work to listen. Tantalus, who had been sentenced to
stand in a pool of receding water, stopped trying to quench his thirst. And
even the wheel to which Ixion was tied as punishment stopped turning for
one moment.

At last Orpheus came to the palace of Hades and Persephone, King and
Queen of the underworld. Before they could offer him to leave, he began his
gentle song, pleading for Eurydice.

When stern Hades heard Orpheus’ song, he began to weep. Cold

Persephone was so moved that, for the first time in all her months in the
underworld, her heart melted.

“Oh, please, my husband,” she said to Hades, “let Eurydice be reunited

with Orpheus.” They summoned Eurydice, and the two lovers clasped each
other and turned to leave.

“Wait!” said Hades to Orpheus. “Eurydice is yours to take back to earth

on one condition.”

What is that?” asked Orpheus

 “She must follow you, and you must not look back at her until you
are on earth again.”

“I understand,” said Orpheus, and “and I am forever grateful.”

Orpheus and Eurydice left the underworld and made their way
through the dark passage that led to the upper world. At last they reached
the cave through which Orpheus had descended.

“I can see daylight ahead” called Orpheus to Eurydice. “We are

almost there.”
But Eurydice had not heard him, and so she did not answer.

Orpheus turned to make sure that she was still following him. He
caught one last glimpse of her arms stretched out to him. And then she
disappeared, swallowed by darkness.

“Farewell,” he heard her cry as she was carried back to the

underworld.
Orpheus tried to follow her, but this time the gods would not allow it.
And so he wandered the earth alone. He sang his sad songs to the trees and
longed for the time when he, too, would die and be reunited with his
beloved Eurydice in the underworld.

Almonte, Liza R., Flandez, Lerma L., Hermosa, Angelina Lourdes A.,
Lagustan, Nedia, Mangaluz, Liberty A., Miranda, Elenita R., Mendoza, Paul
Anthony B, et al. “Grade 10 English Learner’s Material: Celebrating
Diversity through World Literature.” 1st ed. Pasig City: Department of
Education, 2015. pg. 55

What is It

Activity 2.3
Directions: In two to four sentences answer the following questions
below.
 What lesson did you get from the story?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Does the story follow the parts of the plot?
_____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

What’s More
Activity 2.4
Directions: Read and answer each question carefully.
1. What was the greatest strength of Orpheus? What was his weakness?
2. What effect did Orpheus’ music have on people and gods? Cite two
examples of this.
3. Why did Orpheus decide to rescue his wife from the underworld?
4. Why did Orpheus look back to see if Eurydice was following him?
5. What reasons might the gods have for allowing Orpheus and Eurydice
to be reunited?
 6. Explain why the gods gave a condition to Orpheus and to his bride to
return to earth.
7. What main characteristic of this text makes it a myth?

8. To whom does Orpheus owe his talent? Why was he able to win the
sympathy of the gods?
9. In what situations where the gods willing to help humans?
10. Does the story reveal certain realities about the Greeks? What are
these?
11. What does the story reveal about the concept of gods in Greek
mythology?

What I Have Learned

Activity 2.5
Directions: Study the chart below. Supply each corresponding box
with the given the plot of the story “Orpheus.”
ORPHEUS
Column A Column B
1.EXPOSITION
2.RISING ACTION
3.CLIMAX
4.FALLING ACTION
5.RESOLUTION
Sentence Box:
A. Orpheus is a legendary musician, poet, and prophet in ancient Greek
religion and myth. He has the ability to charm all living things and even
stones with his music.
B. Orpheus met and wooed the maiden, Eurydice. They were married.
Directly after their wedding, as the bride walks in the meadow with her
bridesmaid, a viper bit her and caused to death.
C. Orpheus went to the underworld and successfully convinced Hades and
Persephone to give his wife in a condition that he should not turn a
glimpse to her until they reach the world of the living. They pass the great
doors of Hades to the path that which would take them out of the
darkness. Climbing up and up. But when they almost there, and he
turned to her. It was too soon in the cavern. He saw her in the dim light
and held out his arms to clasp her, but on the instant, she was gone.
D. Desperately, he tried to rush after her and follow her down, but he is not
allowed. The Gods did not allow him to go down to land of the dead the
second time, while he is alive.
E. He wandered through the wild solitude of Thrace, comfortless except for
his lyre, playing, always playing, the rocks and the rivers and the trees
him gladly, his only companions.

What I Can Do
Activity 2.6
 How can you relate to Orpheus’s experiences? Answer in two to five
sentences.
Activity 2.7
This activity further tests your familiarity of the parts of the plot.
Directions: Match parts of the plot in column A with their appropriate
meanings in column B.
Column A (Parts of Column B (Meanings/Descriptions)
the
Plot)
____1.EXPOSITION a.This is the most exciting part of the story.
____2.RISING ACTION b.This part of the story introduces the conflict.
____3.CLIMAX c.This answers when and where the story takes
place.
____4.FALLING d. This is when the problem starts to have a
ACTION solution.
____5.RESOLUTION e.This is also known as the ending of the story.
Activity 2.8
 Provide at least five (5) descriptions of Orpheus according to the story.
 How is the story presented by the author? Is it narrative, persuasive,
descriptive, or informative, and why?

Lesson
Characterization and Author’s Purpose
3
Today you are going to learn how a writer describes the characters
and his or her reason for writing.
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:
1. distinguish various characterization used in the story;
2. identify the writing purpose of the author; and
3. plot a simple personal experience using a diagram.
Activity 3.1
Directions: Tell us what you know about the following words from Column A
and write your answers to Column B.
Column A Column B
Terminologies My Ideas
1.narrator
2.author
3.characters
4.writing style

What’s In
Task 3.2.
Directions: Before you answer, kindly read again the story of Orpheus.
Read and answer the following questions below.
1.Enumerate as many characters in the
story.
2.In one sentence, give your idea about the following words:
a. narrative
b. persuasive
 c. descriptive
d. informative

What’s New
The following are terms important in understanding further what
characterization is.
How a character is described by… What to look for…
Himself/Herself The use of first person point of view
“I”, “My”, “Mine”, and “Myself”
The Author The use of third person point of
view. Usually the words of the
narrator.
Other Characters Use of description by other
characters in the story.
You as a Reader Use of your own understanding and
feelings about the character.
The next short reading is all about the reasons of an author in writing a
certain story or text.
An author’s purpose is his reason for or intent in writing.
An author’s purpose may be to amuse the reader, to persuade the
reader, to inform the reader, or to satirize a condition.
An author writes with one of four general purposes in mind:
1. To relate a story or to recount events, an author uses narrative
writing.
2. To tell what something looks like, sounds like, or feels like, the
author uses descriptive writing
3. To convince a reader to believe an idea or to take a course of
action, the author uses persuasive writing.
4. To inform or teach the reader, the author uses expository
writing.
An author’s purpose is reflected in the way he writes about a topic. For
instance, if his purpose is to amuse, he will use jokes or anecdotes in his
writing.
Clues to an author’s purpose may be found in titles, prefaces, and the
author’s background.
Miami Dade College. “READING—Author’s Purpose.” Accessed June 12,
2020.

What is It
Activity 3.3
A. Directions: Please choose and write any three of the following that you
have observed from the story.
 Orpheus described himself as a good musician.
 Hades said that Orpheus was sad.
 At the end of the story, the persona narrated Orpheus as impatient and
suspicious.
In one sentence, answer based from your observation and opinion.
As a reader, describe Orpheus. _____________________________________
B. Writer’s Purpose! Below are four statements. Write the best that describes
 Alice Low’s reason for writing the story.

 Alice Low narrates the events of Orpheus’ rescue of Eurydice from the
Underworld.
 Alice Low wants to describe the setting of the story colorfully.
 Alice Low’s main purpose in writing the story is to convince that life full of
regrets.
 Alice Low hopes to provide scientific information about the story.

What’s More
Activity 3.4
Directions: In two to five sentences, write your takeaways of the story
being read.

What I Have Learned

Activity 3.5
Directions: Please provide your own understanding of the following
based on the story “Orpheus.”
1.Your idea about the character

1.a Physical Characteristics

1.b Behaviour/Attitude

2.Author’s Purpose in writing

“Orpheus”
What I Can Do
Activity 3.6
Instructions: Complete the Plot Pyramid substantially and concisely.
Imagine a very short story where you are the main character. Now, tell us
what happened in your interesting story through filling in scenarios (1 to 2
sentences).

THEME:
 Schermerhon, Courtney.”Plot Structure.” Accessed June 11,
2020.

Lesson
Simple Narrative Writing
4
An author has his/her own reasons for writing to relate a story or to
recount events; an author uses narrative writing; tell what something looks
like, sounds like, or feels like, the author uses descriptive writing; convince a
reader to believe an idea or to take a course of action, the author uses
persuasive writing; and inform or teach the reader, the author uses
expository writing.
 Characterization is the development of the characters based on
description.
 What is your reason for writing your own story based on your answer
on the previous lesson in the additional activity?
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:
1. create a more detailed characterization of a personal experience;
2. arrange details of the personal experience chronologically; and
3. express opinion about how plot, setting, and characterization help
to understand the writer’s purpose.

What’s In
Last session, you already know about the author’s purpose
and the characterization. Are you ready to make your own
story?
Remember to follow the sequence of the parts of the plot, develop
characterization, and state your purpose for writing.
What’s New
Have you listened to or read a story? What made you stay
attentive and motivated to finish the story? What do you think
are the interesting words used by the storyteller? A gripping
story is something that utilizes the previously discussed
lessons.

What is It
Characterization details who the characters are based on the
statements or description of the characters themselves, other
characters, the author, and even you being the reader of the
story. In this lesson, you are going to write in a narrative
manner where you tell the readers of your interesting story.

What’s More
In making your own story make sure to follow the three elements
of a short story.
1. Parts of the plot
  Exposition
 Rising action
 Climax
 Falling action Resolution
2. Characterization- the development of the characters based on the
description.
3. Author’s Purpose- is his reason for or intent in writing. An author’s
purpose may be to amuse, to persuade, to inform a reader or even
to satirize a condition.

What I Have Learned

Activity 4.1
Direction: Reviewing the story Orpheus, please supply your answer in the
given questions using your own words.
1.In paragraph one, state the setting in the story.
2.How do you find the mercy given by the gods to Orpheus? Was it fair
or not? Why?
3.What is the author’s purpose in writing the story Orpheus?

What I Can Do

PREWRITING: Planning Your Short Story

There are a number of ways to begin planning a short story. You
may start with a conflict you want to explore, with a plot you wish to develop,
or with one or more characters you want to describe, or even with a setting.
Plan a short story by assembling details about characters, conflict,
and setting and making them work within a general plot outline.
You may find it easiest to begin with a character that interests you.
Brainstorm for ideas by asking yourself a series of questions about your
character. The following list of questions may help you to focus your ideas.
Activity 4.2
Read the following questions and choose the letter that best represents the
correct answer.
A. characterization C. author’s Purpose
B. author D. narrative E. first-person
point of view

________1. This refers to the use “I”, “My”, “Mine”, and “Myself” in describing
characters.
________2. This refers to the writer of the story.
________3. This pertains to the reason of writing the story.
________4. This is a development of a character based from the details in the
story. ________5. This reason for writing is focused on telling a story.

Assessment
To cap off the lesson for the week, answer the following
questions.
Directions: Read the questions below and choose the letter that represents
the best answer.
_____1. When the author gives some background or needed details to the
story, this is known as what term?
a. characterization b. exposition c. foreshadowing d. point of view
_____2. What is the problem of the story which is also known as which story
element?
a. character b. conflict c. exposition d. resolution
_____3. Which is the correct term for what could be described as the “turning
point” of the story?
a. climax b. falling action c. resolution d. rising action
_____4. What type of conflict is best shown when a character struggles with
the people around him? Character versus ___.
a. character b. nature c. self d. society
_____5. Who is the person with which the main character has conflict with?
a. antagonist b. neighbor c. classmate d. protagonist
_____6. The time and location in which the story takes place is called ___.
a. conflict b. plot c. point of view d. setting
_____7. The central or main character of the story is called____.
a. antagonist b. narrator c. author d. protagonist
_____8. What is a person, animal or even and object that takes part in the
action of the story?
a. character b. plot c. resolution d. setting
_____9. What is the sequence of events involving characters and a central
conflict called?
a. character b. conflict c. plot d. setting
_____10. What type of story element concludes a story?
a. climax b. falling action c. resolution d. rising action
_____11. This is an angle from which a particular story is told.
a. camera view b. character view c. point of view d. none of the above
_____12. The opposition of forces essential to the plot is called___.
a. character b. climax c. conflict d. setting
_____13. Which of the following show the elements of plot in a usual order?
I. climax II. rising action III. exposition IV. falling action V. resolution
a. I,II,III,IV,V b. III,I,II,IV,V c. III,II,I,IV,V d. V,II,I,IV,III
_____14. If you are told a story takes place in a jungle on a mysterious island
sometime in the 1940s involving an eccentric hunter, you would be
describing what aspect of a story?
a. conflict b. point of view c. resolution d. setting
_____15. The most exciting part of the story is called____.
a. climax b. exposition c. rising action d. setting

Additional Activities
Write your own short story.
Use the following questions to guide you in detailing your story.
QUESTIONS FOR DEVELOPING A CHARACTER
1. What is the identity of the character (name, age, sex, nationality, era,
and so on)?
2. What does the character look like? How does the character talk and
move?
3. What are the character’s outstanding personality traits? What are his
or her strengths and weaknesses?
4. What are the character’s family and friends like? Should they be
brought in to clarify the main character?
5. What dominant impression should the character create?

QUESTIONS FOR DEVELOPING THE PLOT

1. Who are the characters, besides you as the main one?
2. Where and when did that interesting story happen?
3. What was the problem that you have encountered in that
experience?
4. How did the story turn out to be very exciting?
5. How was the problem given solution? Was it successful or not?
6. Are there any related ideas that you can share about the story?
7. What lesson have you learned from the experience?

QUESTIONS FOR DEVELOPING THE NARRATIVE

1. Did you write the events in order of occurrence?
2. What words should you use to make your story telling more alive or
interesting to your readers?
3. Did you write a lot of details or are these details distracting or
unrelated to the story? If not, try simplifying your story even further.