21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Quarter 2 – Module 9:
Flash Fiction: The Plot

Name: __________________________________
Grade and Section: _______________

Flash Fiction and Story Plot

This lesson focuses on flash fiction and story plot.

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 literature is the plot.

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.

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 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.

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.

The following are the components of a plot structure or parts of the

narrative.

a. Exposition – This is the beginning of the story. 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.

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 readers to
think, wonder or speculate what happens after the story has ended.
Below is an example of a flash fiction:

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.
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.”

Activity 1.1: Directions: Reflect on and answer the questions below.

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 from the text 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.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Activity 1.2:

Directions: Fill out the following Plot Pyramid based from the story of “Jake” by Jim Bartlett.
Title:_________________________________________________________________________________________
Character/s:_________________________________________________________________________________
Setting: ______________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 2:
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.

8. Assess your digital picture story.

Activity 3
Directions: Answer the following questions.
1. Have you experienced losing someone you love? How were you able to cope up with the loss?
Think of ways that will help a person cope up with the loss of someone they cherish. Write
your answer in at least 5 sentences.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Write down a slogan that advocates for animal welfare.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Assessment:

Direction: Multiple Choice. Write the letter of your answer on the box provided.

Note: ONLY ANSWERS WRITTEN IN THE BOXES PROVIDED WILL BE CONSIDERED

FOR CHECKING.
 1. Which of the following is true about Flash Fiction?
A. It is also called short short.
B. It usually takes place in just one setting
C. It commonly has less than 5 charaters
D. All of the above
2. In which part of the plot structure does the writer commonly introduce the conflict?
A. exposition B. falling action C. climax D. rising action.
3. Which of the following is true about exposition?
A. The part scene and the character's background are set.
B. This occurs at the beginning of the story.
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
4. Which part of the plot has the most tension or is considered as the most exciting event in the
story?
A. resolution B. falling action C. climax D. rising action
5. How would you classify a story where the writer leaves the readers to think, wonder or
speculate what happens after the story has ended?
2
A. Close ended story B. Open ended story C. Both A and B D. Neither A nor B
6. “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, they always went together.” What literary element is exemplified in those lines?
A. Foreshadowing B. metaphor C. flashback D. personification
7. What does the word MELANCHOLY mean in the story of Jake?
A. Sadness B. loyalty C. sacredness D. doubt
8. How would you classify the type of plot in the story of Jake?
A. Dramatic B. personified C. episodic D. unified
9. What do you call the plot component is presented at the final part of the story?
A. resolution B. falling action C. climax D. exposition
10. How would you classify the resolution in the story of Jake?
A. Unified B. complex C. open D. Closed
11. Which is NOT true about flash fiction?
A. It is a shortened version of a longer story that does not need to follow a plot structure.
B. It usually includes more than three or four characters with complex backstory.
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
12. From the phrase “memories forever etched in his heart”, what does etched in his heart mean?
A. Always written B. always remembered C. always seen D. always heard
13. Based on the story of Jake, what does the phrase ‘mask his sorrow’ mean?
A. pretend to be sad B. wear facemask C. paint his sorrow D. pretend to be happy
14. Which of the following statement is TRUE?
A. A short is story is shorter than a novel
B. A short story is commonly shorter that flash fiction
C. Flash fiction is a kind of story which is composed of more than 1000 words
D. All of the above choices are true
15. How would you classify the genre being referred to by the statement: “This genre has one or a
few characters and setting, more space for character development and can accommodate more
than 1000 words, but not as many words as a novel”?
A. Flash fiction B. Short Story C. Both A and B D. Neither A nor B

Reference:

Tañag, D. B., & Pardines, E. (2020). 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the Quarter 2 Module 9
Flash Fiction: The Plot. Cainta: Department of Education – Region IV-A CALABARZON.