English 6

English – Grade 6
Quarter 1 – Module 17: Evaluating Story Elements: Plot (Chronological
Sequential, En Medias Res, and Flashback)
Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education - Schools Division of Pasig City

Development Team of the Self-Learning Module

Writer: Bonifacio A. Matondo Jr.

Editors: Michelle L. Mercado and Anna Lissa B. Cuison
Reviewer: Michelle L. Mercado
Illustrator: Edison P Clet
Layout Artist: Marisol Aspuria Baguisi
Management Team: Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin
OIC-Schools Division Superintendent
Aurelio G. Alfonso EdD
OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Victor M. Javeña EdD
Chief, School Governance and Operations Division and
OIC-Chief, Curriculum Implementation 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 PhD (EsP)
Dulce O. Santos PhD (Kindergarten/MTB-MLE)
Teresita P. Tagulao EdD (Mathematics/ABM)

Printed in the Philippines by the Department of Education – Schools Division of Pasig City
 English 6
Quarter 1
Self-Learning Module 17
Evaluating Story Elements: Plot (Chronological
Sequential, En Medias Res, and Flashback)
Introductory Message

For the Facilitator:

Welcome to the English 6 Self-Learning Module on Evaluating Story

Elements: Plot (Chronological Sequential, En Medias Res, and Flashback).

This Self-Learning Module was collaboratively designed, developed, and

reviewed by educators from the Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its
Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A.
Agustin, in partnership with the City 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) in
developing this instructional resource.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners in 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 learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
For the learner:

Welcome to the English 6 Self-Learning Module on Evaluating Story

Elements: Plot (Chronological Sequential, En Medias Res, and Flashback).

The hand is one of the most symbolized parts 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:

Expectations - This points to the set of knowledge and skills

that you will learn after completing the module.

Pretest - This measures your prior knowledge about the

lesson at hand.

Recap - This part of the module provides a review of concepts

and skills that you already know about a previous lesson.

Lesson - This section discusses the topic in the module.

Activities - This is a set of activities that you need to perform.

Wrap-Up - This section summarizes the concepts and

application of the lesson.

Valuing - This part integrates a desirable moral value in the

lesson.

Posttest - This measures how much you have learned from

the entire module.
 EXPECTATIONS

This is your self-instructional learner module in English 6. All the

activities provided in this lesson will help you learn and understand:
Evaluating Story Elements: Plot (Chronological Sequential, En Medias
Res, and Flashback).

PRETEST

Directions: Tell the kind of narrative technique used in the statement. Write
CS for chronological sequence, EMR for en medias res, and FB for a
flashback on the blank provided before each number.

_________1. At one moment, Lito talks about his dead brother while playing
cards with Lando, as they recalled their happy moments.

_________2. Wash the vegetable first, and after that, put it on the pan to
drain, then ready to cook.

_________3. So, I was once myself a swinger of birches, and so I dreamed of

going back to be.

_________4. In the middle of this pandemic situation, there gone to talk more
than action to cure the ill individuals. The case was worst, which
makes others be dismayed of it.

_________5. Tomorrow is Monday. Bong will go to school. He will prepare his

things to bring, and he will make sure that everything is ready.
 RECAP

We have learned that understanding reading narratives is easier to

comprehend if we know its elements. The plot is one of the elements of
short stories. There are different kinds of narrative techniques used to
develop the plot of a story, such as chronological sequential, en medias
res, and flashback. Authors use these different narrative techniques for the
readers to be hooked or surprised by the sequence of events in the story.

LESSON

Good narratives encourage readers to read it thoroughly. It’s like we

were just telling a story while reading. We can learn a lot in the art of
reading. As we go along, understanding the narrative is much more
interesting if the reader knows the elements of the story, one of which is
the plot.

Today, let us talk about the plot according to its applied narrative
techniques, the chronological sequential, the en medias res, and
the flashback.

“In a narrative or creative writing, a plot is the sequence of events that

make up a story, whether it's told, written, filmed, or sung”. The plot is the
story, and more specifically, how the story develops, unfolds, and moves in
time, that makes up the story. It gives the story character development,
suspense, energy, and emotional release. Wherein, a plot in a narrative can
apply the following narrative techniques such as; chronological sequential, en
medias res, and flashback. Thus, allows an author to develop themes and,
most importantly, a conflict that makes a story emotionally engaging.
 Chronological-sequential – a narrative technique that has a
beginning, middle, and end.

Figure 1. Parts of pl ot i n chronological sequential.

Nena and the

puppy go to the
park in the At dinner time,
afternoon. Nena and the
puppy stayed at
home.
Nena goes to
work in the
morning.
Figur e 2. Example of chronol ogical sequential technique.

Nena enjoyed every

moment with the puppy
as both of them stayed
together.

Nena takes good Nena realized that she

care of the puppy is not the owner of the
by feeding and puppy.
giving shelter.

Nena returned the puppy to

Nena saved the puppy. the owner with happiness
and joy in her heart.

Fi gure 3. An example of plot using chronological sequential

technique.
 En Medias Res – “in the middle of things” story starts in the middle
without exposition.

Fi gure 4. An example of plot applying en medias res.

1 When Nena woke up, she remembered how happy she was
with the puppy. They both shared the joyful moment going to
the park and went jogging in the morning as well as rolling on
the grass. A memory that she found out will never last when
she noticed that the puppy has a real owner.

2 She wished to own the puppy as she faced the real owner.
However, as she looked on the face of it, she knew the
happiness been that has been drawn on the owner’s face and
the puppy. Nena asked the owner a favor of having a moment
at least a day with the puppy before returning it to him.

Fi gure 5. Examples of plot using en medias res.

Aw! Aw! Aw! Aw! A dog is barking

nearby the garage. So, I think of my
puppy again. He was always barking
when I come home from work. That his
yapping and rumbling happily. It was a

Fi gure 6. Example of plot using flashback.

  Flashback – interruption of the current story to show a scene from
the past.

Every time I saw the park. I think

about that day I’m with a puppy.
It all begun one Sunday, when I
saw a white puppy under the
bench at that park. I am so happy
that day. And everything has gone
through memories.

Fi gure 7. Example of plot using flashback.

Remember that knowing first what reading material you are to read is
important in reading narratives. It is also significant that we understand
how to find the plot of the story. Next to it is, how did the author attack the
flow of the story? This is the time that we need to identify what narrative
technique did the author use.

Guided Practice
Read and understand the story below:

My Ultimate Dream
by BMJ

It was late in the morning of Sunday when Lito awakened. He sat first on the sofa
to remember his schedule for the day. As he just kept it in a minute, he stood up. “I will go
to church with my family.” They prepared together and rode up on going to church. It was
also their family day. The whole day for them was so enjoyable and they also went to the
amusement park. Late in the afternoon, they went home. Lito and his family enjoyed the
day. Lito slept too early after he watched his favorite television program.
“Come with me this coming Tuesday, Lito, and I will teach you how to play guitar.”
“Yes, Mr. Cruz! I will go with you. I wanted to learn how to play guitar.”
This is one of Lito’s dreams – playing guitar aside from playing basketball – he
knows how to sing and dance, too. That’s the reason why Lito was so popular in their
school.
“You know Lito, you must join the theater club in our school or the music club
because you have the talent,” said Mr. Cruz to Lito.
“I’ll try, Mr. Cruz!”
“Ok! Bye for now, Lito! See you on Tuesday at the music room in our school.”
“Yeheeeyyyyyyy! Yeheeeyyyyyyy! Yeheeeyyyyyyy!”
“Huh! Who’s that shouting?”, Lito’s mother asked his father while eating breakfast
down in the kitchen.
“I think it’s Lito. The sound was coming from his room.” The two run quickly
going to Lito’s room.
“Lito, wake up! Lito, wake up!” Lito’s mother shouted.
“Hey, Mom! What’s happening?”
“I should be the one asking you why you are shouting. It seems that you are
dreaming and you are so happy.” Lito’s mother said.
“Oh! My God, Mom! What time is it?” Lito asked his mother.
“It’s already 6:30 in the morning. Why?”
“I think I need to get-up now and prepare for school because it’s my first day of
practice playing guitar with Mr. Cruz.”
“Now I know why you are so happy in your dream.” Lito’s father said.
“Mom! What time is it now?”, Lito asks her Mother.
“It’s already 6:35 in the morning”, answered his mother.
Lito immediately grabbed his towel and went to the toilet to take a bath. After five
minutes of taking a shower, he went to the kitchen and ate breakfast before going to school.
He doesn’t want to be late for his training.
Lito was so excited because he wanted to learn how to play the guitar. His dream
was a mirror of what happened last week when Mr. Cruz approached him and invited him
for a training on how to play guitar. It was a day for Lito because he is now starting to
reach his ultimate dream. He also knew that he would enjoy his training on how to play the
guitar – knowing that Mr. Cruz is a knowledgeable and kind coach and very patient in
teaching how to play a musical instrument like violin and guitar.

Let’s try to figure out some statements in the story “My Ultimate Dream”
written by BMJ. Just do one (1) clap if the sentence is using chronological
sequential, two (2) claps if it is using en medias res and three (3) claps for
a flashback.

1. It was late Sunday morning when Lito was awakened. He sat first on the
sofa just to remember his schedule for the day. As he just kept it in a
minute, he stood up and said. “I will go to church with my family.”

Response: en medias res (two claps)

Very good! It’s correct! The statements used en medias res as the author
of the story stated scenario that should be taken in the middle of the
passage.

2. Lito was so excited because he wanted to learn how to play guitar. His
dream was a mirror of what happened last week when Mr. Cruz
approached him and invited him for a training on how to play the guitar.

Response: flashback (three claps)

Excellent! You guys got it correctly! The author used flashbacks wherein
he stated it through a situation that already happened and was again
recalled or remembered.

3. Lito immediately grabbed his towel and went to the toilet to take a bath.
After five minutes, Lito was done already. He went to the kitchen and ate
his breakfast before going to school.

Response: chronological sequential (one clap)

Great! You did it, guys! The narrative technique used by the author was
chronological sequential. The author stated the scenario step-by-step or
in sequential form.
 ACTIVITIES

Activity 1
Choose the correct phrase/s in the box to complete the thought of the
sentence/s in the passage. The passage is using the narrative technique
chronological sequential. Write the answer on the blank.

the class president recycling

oriented is collecting used
do something
He explained to also posted
the class things to do

I know of a town with a big garbage problem. There was too much
garbage and not enough place to dump it in. The sixth graders of a certain
school decided to (1) __________ about it. The class learned about
recycling. At first, (2) __________ his classmates about the problem in the
garbage of that area. (3) __________ the significant of doing recycling.
Wherein he emphasized that (4) __________ battles, cans, and papers.
Those are to be used again or to be made into new items. Then the class
set up big bins. These were placed in the classroom. They (5) __________
about recycling as reminders to all. Everybody cooperated and this project
became a success.

Activity 2
Choose the letter of the correct answer to complete each sentence. The
sentences are using a flashback. Write the letter of the correct answer on
the blank provided for each number.

A. I had experienced before D. memory comes back

B. at the canteen every recess E. one beautiful sunny day
C. very happy that time
1. Every time I see that kind of car, the __________ of the things that
happened to my Mom.
2. Riding on the motorcycle is one of the fastest modes of traveling that a
passenger could take. Apparently, not on me based on what __________.
3. It all begun __________ that I’ve met her at the restaurant. I was ready to
talk to her and ask her for a date.
4. We used to go__________. We always buy baked macaroni as our snack.
5. I remember when my mother bought this watch for me. It was my 11th
birthday. I am __________.

Activity 3
Write YES if the statement is using narrative technique en medias res, NO if
it is not. Write the answer on the blank before each number.

______1. She baked a cake for her young sister and it tastes so good. Many
of the guests wanted to order from her.

______2. She prepares the ingredients in baking, washed the pan, then
check the oven if it is working then ready to bake a cake.

______3. The young girl was caught in her place when she knew the guests
at her party are already around.

______4. She has grown up to be a beautiful girl and now celebrating her
natal day. She was with her friends enjoying the birthday party.

______5. He remembers the time that she was with her friends, walking and
yelling under the rain.
 WRAP-UP

Fill in the blanks with the right word/s to complete the thought of the
statement. Choose your answer in the box.

En Medias Res Chronological sequential

Plot Flashback

1. __________ is the sequence of events that make up a story, whether it is

told, written, filmed, or sung and it is the story, and more specifically,
how the story develops, unfolds, and moves in time, it gives the story
character development, suspense, energy, and emotional release.
2. __________ is an interruption of the current story to show a scene from
the past.
3. __________ is a narrative technique which has a beginning, middle, and
end.
4. __________ “in the middle of things” story starts in the middle without
exposition.

VALUING
These days’ education has shifted to online or modular instruction
due to pandemic. Face to face instruction poses threat to one’s health
because of the invisible enemy. Dependence on teachers for instruction
seems limited. So the best way to help ourselves is to keep on reading. It is
through reading where we can abreast ourselves and learn new skills to
combat the trials of this pandemic. As Dr. Seuss once said, “the more that
you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learned, the more
places you’ll go.” through dreams at this time. Pandemic is just one of the
trials. Like any other trials, it increases our patience and hope and proves
our faith.
 POST TEST

Directions: Tell the kind of narrative technique that is used in the

statement. Write CS for chronological sequence, EMR for en medias res, and
FB for a flashback. Write the answer on the blank before each number.

_________1. “I will go to church with my family.” They prepared together and

rode up going to church.

_________2. This is one of Lito’s dreams; how to play guitar aside from
playing basketball; he knows how to sing and dance, that is the
reason why Lito was so popular in their school.

_________3. It was a day for Lito because he is now starting to reach his
ultimate dream. He also knew that he would enjoy his training
on how to play guitar.

_________4. Lito immediately grabbed his towel and went to the toilet to take
a shower. After five minutes of shower, he went to the kitchen to
have his breakfast.

_________5. Lito remembered the past days when he was walking along the
corridor of the school.
 KEY TO CORRECTION

things to do
5. also posted
collecting used
4. recycling is
NO 5. C the class 5.
Res
YES 4. B 3. He explains to 4.
5. FB 4. En Medias 5. FB
YES 3. E president oriented 3.
4. CS Sequential 4. EMR
NO 2. A 2. the class 2.
3. FB 3. Chronological 3. EMR
YES 1. D 1. do something 1.
2. EMR 2. Flashback 2. CS
3 1 2
1. EMR 1. Plot 1. FB
Posttest Wrap-Up Activity Pretest

References

Mark Gleen M. Cidro, Pacita M. Gohol, Eugenia R. Gorgon ACROSS BORDERS,

THROUGH LANGUAGE. Vibal Publishing House Inc. Manila: 1253 G. Araneta
Avenue, Quezon City, 2015, K to 12 Edition
Maria Fe Garcia – Eusebio, Perla A. Zotomayor, Ed. D., Rebecca de Lemos-
Mendoza, Ed D. ESSENTIAL ENGLISH, WORKTEXT IN LANGUAGE AND READING
6, REX Book Store, 856 Nicanor Reyes, Sr. St. 2017 Edition, Enhanced Version
https://literaryterms.net/plot/2020/06/15/#:~:text=In%20a%20narrative%20or%
20creative,unfolds%2C%20and%20moves%20in%20time.