SHS CREATIVE WRITING MODULE

Quarter 2 – Module 7.1: A Prophet’s Warning

Define and Explain the Context of Drama and Writing Drama

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 book 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.

Regional Director: GILBERT T. SADSAD

Assistant Regional Director: JESSIE L. AMIN

Development Team of the Module

Author: KATHERINE T. KYAMKO

Editor: MARIVIC RAGUAL
Reviewers: JOE-BREN L. CONSUELO and SDO CAMARINES NORTE
(headed by EMMA V. DASCO)
Illustrators: JOHN LEONARD P. CUIZON
KENNETH OCAMPO
Layout Artist: CRIZ T. NUYLES
Introductory Message

For the teacher:

Welcome to the SHS CREATIVE WRITING MODULE!
This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators from
public institutions in Department of Education Region V (Bicol) to assist you, the teacher in
helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their
personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.
This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration their needs and
circumstances.
As a teacher, 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. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as they do the
tasks included in the module.

For the learner:

Welcome to the SHS CREATIVE WRITING MODULE!
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 resource while being an active learner and at the same time an
adventurer. Diego your learning companion is with you as you embark in this learning
journey. You will transport in the different realms to learn and perform noteworthy tasks.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate
to consult your teacher. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain
a deep understanding of the relevant competencies. More so, use your notebook or a separate
sheet of paper in noting significant details and pieces of information in the different modules
and even in accomplishing the tasks given to you. You can do it!

ii
ii
 The ancient era has built a mighty fortress of majestic stories that made literature
appealing to all ages, forms, and cultures. Your journey in the previous module was such a
heroic adventure—having met monsters and beasts. But now, you are in another ancient
dimension. Don’t get disturbed, for there are no longer strange creatures around this page.
Stretch out buddy, Diego is still here! We are now on the stage of the ancient Greeks.
Get up before these gigantic prop-mascots trample us! Hide behind the curtains buddy!
So you see, we are on the ancient Greek stage where drama both tragic and comic, had
been very popular. People gather around the dome and are amused by huge mascots and
props acting and trembling on stage.
So learner, prepare for another journey of seeking truth and knowledge as I guide you
to the stage of DRAMA. Here, we will break in the basics:

• Define Drama as a work of Fiction

• Explain concepts related to drama

The prophet Teresias, an ancient foreteller, has warned the kingdom that a stranger would be
sent to their place and cause the mighty sphynx to tremble. But the prophet warned that this
stranger must surpass all the challenges posed before him / her.
The seer’s call speaks about you, buddy. You are destined to defeat the sphynx that cause
plague throughout the land. Now your first task is to understand the words and actions
involving drama.
Nothing can be found if we do not know what we are looking for; none can be understood if
the language itself is vague. Try to find out some essential terms related to drama. Test your
skill, and guess the answers to these riddles.

1
 I was built I hold the key

to give you a seat. to holding your audience’

attention.
Performers cry on my border,
I have the knee
As you muse on with mouth
bigger. To shake viewer’s tension

I am the creator

and you’re my masterpiece

I beat a curator

because I produce actors and actresses.

Indeed you surpassed the first challenge. Understanding the language (words) is essential in
seeking the truth. Take a deep breath as you search more of these words.

Task 1. Word Puzzle

Below is a Word Search Puzzle that awaits you to embark. Hollow the corners and
color the terms you can find. Do not be burdened; the words are already in your bucket. You
just need to highlight them on the box.

ACTION CONFLICT CLIMAX

2
CHARACTERS INTRODUCTION THEATER

DRAMATIC TENSION STAGE DENOUEMENT

PLOT PROP SETTING

DRAMA ACT ARC

Q D R A M A W E A R
C R T Y U O P L S I
H A T S T O R Y I S
A M E R A T U R D T
R A D R A M A S E A
A T E A C C B A R C
C I N M T O L W T T
T C D T I N A I C B
E T I Y O F K N T D
R E C J N L E T H E
S N L B G I E R E N
L S I E D C W O A O
A I M U R T S D T U
R O A W A L I U E E
C N X O S A R C R M
A N A T K R I T N E
C K P L O T B I G N
S E T T I N G O E T
P R O P A M E N T I

Aye, Aye. You have painted your box well. Note and remember, that these words are
for your own good. Seeking for truth is not easy. You need to fill your pockets with
understanding.

II. Descriptive Match (Enrichment Activity)

Below are definitions and descriptions of some terms previously enumerated. Your task is to
write the word that matches the definition.

1. The platform where the drama is performed.

2. It is what the characters say or do to achieve their objectives.

3. A person (or any identity given) who acts, speaks, or narrates in a story
4. It refers to the place or the locale where the story of the drama is situated.

3
5. It is the sequence of events in the story or drama.

6. It is sometimes called the spine or through line. It is the play’s storyline—what the
audience wants to find out.
7. It pertains to the problems caused by the opposing objectives of the protagonist and the
antagonist.

8. It is how a playwright keeps an audience hooked to the story or play. It is about creating
and maintaining an audience's involvement to the story or play.

9. It is the turning point of the story; the highest point where the protagonist comes face to
face with the struggles against the main conflict.
10. In a play / storyline, playwright introduces the characters and the setting on this part
with the element of establishing circumstances that connect the characters to certain
conflicts

In literature, drama is the portrayal of fictional or non-fictional events through the

performance of written dialog (either prose or poetry). Typically, dramas are performed on a
theater stage or using media such as television film or radio.

Etymologically, drama is derived from the Greek words δρᾶμα (an act, a play) and
δράω (to act, to take action). This genre was performed since the Aristotelian era (c. 335 BC).
For centuries, the two iconic and traditional symbols of drama have been used to represent the
genre. The sad and mournful mask represents tragedy while the happy and joyful face
indicates tragedy.

Tragedy is a form of drama in which events lead to the downfall of the main character,
often a person of great significance, like a king or hero.

4
Comedy, on the other hand, is a form of drama that has a happy ending. Humor comes from
the dialogue and situations.

In simple words, a drama is a composition in verse or prose presenting a story in

pantomime or dialogue. It contains conflict of characters, particularly the ones who perform
in front of audience on the stage.

Plays / drama have the capacity to put life to written works—from words on a page, to
an act on the stage. Conversations and dialogues dominate a drama and reveal the secrets of
the plot.

A writer has to always consider that the audience to a play should understand the
dialogues spoken by the characters. At times, as a technique, playwright may allow his
characters to make communication from within or think aloud (technically called asides or
soliloquies). However, asides must be carefully used in contemporary drama because viewers
prefer characters who are active or who perform the action on stage, than a passive character.

What makes Drama so Dramatic?

To make their plays dramatic, playwrights strive to progressively build the audience’s
feelings of tension and anticipation as the story develops. Dramatic tension builds as the
audience keeps wondering “What happens next?” and anticipating the outcomes of those
events. In a mystery, for example, dramatic tension builds throughout the plot until an
exciting or unanticipated climax is revealed.

Blinker: Recall a movie you watched (probably your favorite) and write the part you think
has the strongest dramatic tension. Briefly write your description on the space provided
below or on your notebook.

Dramatic tension is all about keeping the audience guessing. In the ancient Greek
tragedy Oedipus the King, will Oedipus ever figure out that by killing his father and sleeping
with his mother he had caused the plague that destroyed his city, and what will he do about it
if he does? In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, will Prince Hamlet ever avenge his father’s death and

5
get rid of his pesky ghost and visions of floating daggers by murdering the play’s antagonist
Claudius?

Dramas depend heavily on spoken dialogue to keep the audience informed about the
characters’ feelings, personalities, motivations, and plans. Since the audience sees characters
in a drama living out their experiences without any explanatory comments from the author,
playwrights often create dramatic tension by having their characters deliver soliloquies and
asides.

Drama is one of the best literary forms through which dramatists can directly speak to
their readers, or the audience, and they can receive instant feedback of audiences.

Theatre is a place where a play/ drama takes place.

Playwriting

The person responsible for all the acts on stage is a playwright: someone who writes
plays. Playwright is also known as dramatist.

One of the exciting disciplines in the performing arts is playwriting. Some may view it
as an easy job, with a thought that everyone can make dialogues, or make up stories to act.
But no, playwriting is actually a difficult and tedious task.

Learning first the ideas where plays come from is an advantage. Successful writers are keen
observers: they watch how people converse, study the development of storyline, are very
particular of effective dialogues, descriptively illustrate characters. They can bring a story to
a substantial close through locating ideas first. Writing creative dramas offer one’s
opportunities to develop own characters, fictionalize a setting, curve a story structure, and
bring out imagined dialogue.

Some playwrights use their characters as a vehicle to convey their thoughts. The language of
the characters plays an important role living out the story on the script.

6
Task 1: The Revelation

Reveal the hidden words described by the sentences below. Scribble your answers in the line
provided.

1. What do you call the person who writes plays/dramas?

2. It is an act when a character talks to himself or shouts out loud by himself.

3. In a play, and
make the plot move.
Without them, the characters will never be understood by the audience.
4. If the main character suffers at the end of the story, what type of drama is it?

5. “My Father Goes to Court” by was played on stage. Is the storyline a tragedy or
comedy?

Tell Me, so I Would Understand

Below is a word cloud showing terms related to drama . Choose three (3) words that you
think are the most important. Write 2 to 3 sentences explaining why these words should be
considered in writing drama.

7
 We will not leave this page withou
t pondering the truths you have just
learned.
Remember that drama is a performing arts; therefore, writing drama
should be done with much consideration and dedication. The dialogues
and conversation should always attract the audience. As a playwright,r you
words must be clear and open.

Blinker:

Dramatic tension makes your audience curious and keeps them

guessing(well thatsi what makes a drama dramatic). rite
W a short reflection
on how you will make your story dramatic.

Your actions and answers prove yourself worthy of the prophecy. Heads up and be
confident buddy! The prophecy is about to be fulfilled.

VOCABULARY BUILDER:

A. RIDDLE Me
1. stage
2. dramatic tension
3. playwright

WARMING UP

I. Word Puzzle

QD R A MA WE A R
C R T YUO P L S I
HA T S T O R Y I S

AME RA T U R D T

8
R A D R A MA S EA

A T EA C C BA R
C
CI N MT O L W T T

TC D T I N A I C B

E T I YO F KN TD

R EC J N L E T HE
S N L B G I E R EN

L SI ED C W A
O O
AI M U R T S D T U

R O A WA LI U E E
C N XOS ARC RM

A N A T K RI T N E
C KP LO T B I GN

S E T T I N G E T
O
P R O P A ME N T I

II. Descriptive Match

Theater 1. It pertains to the platform where the drama is performed.

Action 2.It is what the characters say or do to achieve their objectives.

Characters 3. A person (or any identity given) who acts, speaks, or narrates in a
story.
Setting 4. It refers to the place or the locale where the story of the drama is
situated.
Plot 5. It is the sequence of events in the story or drama. Arc 6. It is sometimes
called the spine or through line. It is the play’s storyline—what the audience
wants to find out. Conflict 7. It pertains to the problems caused by the opposing
objectives of the protagonist and the antagonist.

Dramatic Tension 8. It is how a playwright keeps an audience hooked to the story

of your play. It is about creating and maintaining an audience's involvement to the
story or play.

9
 Climax 9. It is the turning point of the story; the highest point where the
protagonist comes face to face with the struggles against the main conflict.
Denouement 10. In a play / storyline, playwright introduces the characters and the
setting on this part with the element of establishing circumstances that connect the
characters to certain conflicts.

KEEPING YOU IN PRACTICE

A. REVEAL THE TRUTH

1. playwright
2. asides / soliloquies
3. dialogues and conversations
4. tragedy
5. comedy

B. TRUTH OR DARE

1. Creative dramas are fictionalized. All the characters and setting, as well
as the curves of the story structure are based on the playwright’s
imaginations, experience, and observation.
2. Truth
3. Truth

Books:

Aguila, A., Galan, R., & Wogley, JJ. (2017). Wording the World: The Art of

Creative Writing. C& E Inc.

Electronic Sources: https://www.thoughtco.com/drama-literary-

definition-4171972 https://literarydevices.net/drama/ Photo / Images

10
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com% 2Fpin
%2F271130840052130198%2F&psig=AOvVaw3vJyzwhwUZNzDcymmaDZe
b&ust=1593872463437000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCIC
Mq8WnseoCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

https://www.legit.ng/1219307-4-types-drama-literature.html

11