Identifying The Writer's Purpose: Module in English 10
Identifying The Writer's Purpose: Module in English 10
Purpose
Module in English 10
First Quarter Module 3 Week 3
Published by
DepEd Schools Division of Baguio City
Curriculum Implementation Division
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
2021
“No copyright shall subsist in any work of the Government of the Philippines.
However, prior approval of the government agency of office wherein the work is
created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit.”
This material has been developed for the implementation of K to 12 Curriculum through
the DepEd Schools Division of Baguio City – Curriculum Implementation Division
(CID). It can be reproduced for educational purposes and the source must be
acknowledged. Derivatives of the work including creating an edited version, an
enhancement or a supplementary work are permitted provided all original work is
acknowledged and the copyright is attributed. No work may be derived from this
material for commercial purposes and profit.
ii
What I Know
Multiple Choice: Read each statement carefully and choose the best answer that fits
the given description.
For numbers no. 6-10, choose the most likely author’s purpose from the given film
plot descriptions.
3
9. During World War II, an escaped prisoner-of-war man makes his way to Tibet,
where he meets Dalai Lama, whose friendship ultimately transforms his outlook on
life. (Seven Years in Tibet)
10. Riley’s mother praises her “brave and happy girl” for keeping a smile on her face
through the family’s difficult transition. As the months go on, Riley struggles with the
adjustment and her parents told her it’s normal to be sad. (Inside Out)
Read the scene description below then answer the following questions.
Written by Dan Fogelman, the movie Crazy, Stupid, Love is about a married couple,
Cal played by Steve Carell and Emily starred by Julianne Moore, who are going
through a divorce. Cal has moved out of the house but returned secretly to take
care of the plants in the backyard.
When Emily calls Cal’s cell phone, she asks for help with lighting the water heater.
Because he can see her through the window, he knows she’s not in the basement
– the call is just an excuse to hear his voice.
11. Cal has moved out of the house but returned secretly to take care of the plants in
the backyard. What is the character Cal’s subtext of this statement?
12. When Emily calls Cal’s cell phone, she asks for help with lighting the water
heater. Because he can see her through the window, he knows she’s not in the
basement – the call is just an excuse to hear his voice. What is the character Emily’s
subtext from this scene in the film?
13-15. With the given story summary, one of the writer’s purposes is to highlight
marriage crisis. Working on this premise, give your three insights on dealing with
relationship crisis, not necessarily only marriage.
4
What’s In
When you talk about a film you have watched, there is always a storyline
creatively written by its writer. This storyline is made up of different elements that
coherently keep the story together. Let us review some of these elements.
The first is characters. In every story, there are different types of characters.
They may be human beings in conflict with each other such as the protagonists and
the antagonists. In some stories, you also see supernatural beings, animals or even
inanimate objects as characters.
Related to this element, is the term characterization. This is the process by
which a writer reveals the personality of a character. This is achieved by the writer
directly telling the viewers what a character is like. For example, the dialogue
“Michelle has always been a smug, wicked princess” is an explicit characterization. On
the other hand, an indirect characterization relies on the reader to discover what the
character is like. It doesn’t use verbal descriptions of a character, rather it relies on the
behavior, speech, and appearance of the character.
Secondly, the setting is also an important story element. Now, there maybe
more than one setting in a movie, and that is normal as the plot of the story develops.
Setting can be a combination of a place of occurrence, the time in which the event
takes place, a historical period, and even the weather described in the story. Some
are specific like Mt. Olympus where gods and goddesses from Greek mythology are
seen, while others are descriptive such as a ship on its maiden voyage in the ocean.
Last but not the least, is the plot of the film. Without the plot, there is really no story to
be told. The plot is the story sequence where the characters systematically plays their
roles. It is also where the setting acts a supporting element in the development of the
story. A plot has a beginning, middle and end – with all the necessary descriptions
called exposition – so that the viewer can make sense of the action and follow the
story line. This is where another important element appears – the conflict. This refers
to the struggle between opposing forces in a story.
What’s New
5
What is It
6
Genre Description
Comedy It is generally meant to make people laugh. Its subgenres include
slapstick comedy and romantic comedy.
Horror It aims to evoke viewers’ nightmares, fears, and terrors of the unknown.
Its subgenres include zombie horror and folk horror.
Action This has tremendous impact, continuous high energy, lots of physical
stunts and activity. Some of its subgenres are war & military action, spy
& espionage action, and martial arts action.
Sci-fi Uses visionary, fictional science-based depictions through fanciful
imaginative settings. Some of its subgenres are space travel, time
travel, robot and monster films, and alien invasion.
Romance The plot revolves around the love of its main characters such as
courtship, forbidden love, or love triangles. Its subgenres include
historical romance, romantic drama, romantic comedy, and chick flick.
Thriller Induces strong feelings of excitement, tension, suspense and other
similar emotions. Some of its subgenres are conspiracy thriller, crime
thriller, and spy thriller.
Drama This is a serious presentation or stories with settings or real- life
situations that portray realistic characters in conflict with either
themselves, others, or forces of nature. Its subgenres include political
drama, romantic drama, and melodrama.
Fantasy A film genre that most likely overlaps with sci-fi and other genres, but it
bases its content on some degree of scientific truth, fairy-tale
experiences and mystical beings.
Take note that film genres can sometimes be difficult to identify because genres
tend to overlap. Take the case of superhero-themed films where it can be categorized
as action type genre but also as sci-fi when the story involves Science in the story plot.
The General Purposes of the Author
7
Generally, a film has the purposes of to entertain and to inform. It goes hand
in hand with why an audience want to watch a film – to be entertained and to be
informed.
Most of the time, something that we view for information purposes can be easily
identified. Simply because the writer’s purpose is directly and explicitly known from its
genre or its theme. For example, documentary films often feature biographies of well-
known personalities like civil-rights leaders, president of a nation or even an ordinary
individual who made an extra- ordinary contribution to the welfare of society.
On the other hand, to entertain does not necessarily mean to create a pleasant
feeling such as when watching those ‘feel-good’ type of movies like comedies or those
‘happily ever after’ films.
8
stood on top of the desks in their classroom. These two purposes can be claimed as
subtexts of the film.
https://deadpoetssociety.fandom.com/wiki/Dead_Poets_Society_Wiki
9
Here is a plot summary of a novel adapted to film entitled, The Perks of Being
a Wallflower. The story was written by Stephen Chbosky, who also screen wrote and
directed its film adaptation.
Appraising the story elements reviewed on the plot summary, let us discover
the purposes of the writer.
The title alone tells you a characterization – being a wallflower, portrayed by
one of the main characters. A wallflower is someone who tends to be shy, quietly
sitting at the corner of a room or standing against the wall. The main character, Charlie,
is a wallflower. He is shy and introverted but as the story progressed, he learned to
come out of his shell and face his inner demons when he was befriended by the
supporting characters in the story.
(Charlie), being a wallflower, is complemented in the settings of the story – in
the classroom, at their home, and at a social gathering. These settings heighten the
visual and emotional impacts of the movie scenes. And as the story plot unfolds, you
see a dynamic change of Charlie as his character develops. Note that the plot, as a
series of events that form the story, is the framework that binds the other story
elements. Through the plot, characterization of the characters progress with the story
setting providing the needed support to bring out what the writer wants to convey.
While the film is viewed because of its entertainment value, the author also
intends to make the audience ponder on substantial realizations. One could be
to let the viewers look at the perspective of someone who experiences struggles. That,
like Charlie, has internal conflicts characterizing him as a wallflower. That there may
be reasons why a person becomes introverted such as having a troublesome past.
Another reason why the author probably wrote this story, is to show that being in high
school can be difficult for people like Charlie. However, with the support of friends and
teachers, then high school life can be bearable.
For you to understand the purpose of the writer, you need to evaluate the
characterizations of the characters such as the emotions they portray and the
delivery of their dialogues. Through characterization, the writer lets you discover the
personality of the characters and why it matters in the plot of the story. You also
consider the settings, including the physical set up, time of the event, and the musical
background played as these cements the mood and tone of scenes. Lastly, the plot
provides you with the storyline that gives you the overall picture of the story.
What’s More
For better appreciation of this digital advertisement, you can watch it on Youtube.
Just type in the search bar, Kwentong Jollibee: Parangal (Tribute).
10
This digital advertisement is a play up of a graduation ceremony in a school
auditorium where the stage sports a sign that says, “21 st Commencement
Exercises.” A teenage boy, dressed in his graduation toga, is focused on the screen
as he walks toward the lectern applauded by his teachers and the audience. He then
delivers his graduation speech.
Skim the paragraph below and scan for the needed information from the previous
sections of this module to complete the thoughts and ideas being established.
A writer is a general term for someone who composes. In films, a writer is known
as a 1. _______________ writer. There are two main purposes for a writer in writing
a story – to 2._________________ and to 3._______________. Sometimes, a
writer’s intention is to evoke a certain 4.________________ as the audience watches
a certain scene.
Three story elements 5. _________________ are appraised by the viewers if
the writer has achieved his purpose in a film, namely the characters, the settings, and
the plot. Story characters, through the writer’s 6.__________________, lead the way
to the realization of the writer’s 7.___________________ as they are usually the
central element of a story. This is supported by the story’s setting where the
8._______________ and tone are established evoking an increased
9._________________ or reaction from the audience. Lastly, the plot paves the way
for the 10.________________ of the film.
11
What I Can Do
A ‘spec script’ is short for “speculative screenplay.” You write a spec on the speculation
that what you wrote is good enough to be taken by film producers and eventually be
used to produce a film. Look at the example.
Scene heading:
setting (location,
time of day)
Scene
narration
Dialogue blocks
For this activity, compose your spec script for an existing television series of your
choice. This means that you may use existing characters and settings of your chosen
TV series. However, you will just compose a sample of it. A major criterion for your
sample spec script is that it should have a subtext.
Follow the given template for your spec script. Be guided by the provided rubric as
well.
12
MY SPEC SCRIPT
Scene description (location, time of day, physical setting):
____________________________________________________________________
Scene narration:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Dialogue block:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Components: All significant details and Much significant details Details and
descriptions on the and descriptions on the descriptions on the
Scene
components are clearly components are clearly components of the
description &
stated in the spec script stated in the spec script. spec script does not
narration
and has an underlying It has an underlying lead to any discovery
Dialogue
subtext that can be subtext but quite difficult of a subtext.
block
comprehended by the for the readers to
(10 points) readers. comprehend.
Subtext The subtext is clearly The subtext does not The subtext is not
reflective of the spec clearly reflect narrations reflective of the spec
(5 points)
script. from the spec script. script.
Mechanics and Spec Script has no more Spec Script has three to Spec Script has
Grammar than two errors in four errors in more than four errors
punctuation, punctuation, in punctuation,
(5 points)
capitalization, spelling, capitalization, spelling, capitalization,
and grammar. and grammar. spelling, and
grammar.
13
Post-Assessment
Multiple Choice: Read each statement carefully and choose the best answer that fits
the given description.
For numbers no. 6-10, choose the most likely author’s purpose from the given film
plot descriptions.
14
9. During World War II, an escaped prisoner-of-war man makes his way to Tibet,
where he meets Dalai Lama, whose friendship ultimately transforms his outlook on
life. (Seven Years in Tibet)
10. Riley’s mother praises her “brave and happy girl” for keeping a smile on her face
through the family’s difficult transition. As the months go on, Riley struggles with the
adjustment and her parents told her it’s normal to be sad. (Inside Out)
Read the scene description below then answer the following questions.
Written by Dan Fogelman, the movie Crazy, Stupid, Love is about a married couple,
Cal played by Steve Carell and Emily starred by Julianne Moore, who are going
through a divorce. Cal has moved out of the house but returned secretly to take
care of the plants in the backyard.
When Emily calls Cal’s cell phone, she asks for help with lighting the water heater.
Because he can see her through the window, he knows she’s not in the basement
– the call is just an excuse to hear his voice.
11. Cal has moved out of the house but returned secretly to take care of the plants in
the backyard. What is the character Cal’s subtext of this statement?
12. When Emily calls Cal’s cell phone, she asks for help with lighting the water
heater. Because he can see her through the window, he knows she’s not in the
basement – the call is just an excuse to hear his voice. What is the character Emily’s
subtext from this scene in the film?
13-15. With the given story summary, one of the writer’s purposes is to highlight
marriage crisis. Working on this premise, give your three insights on dealing with
relationship crisis, not necessarily only marriage.
Additional Activity
15
ANSWER KEY
MasterClass. “How to Write Subtext: 7 Tips for Adding Subtext to Your Writing - 2020.”
MasterClass. MasterClass, January 17, 2020. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-
to-write-subtext.
Roell, Kelly. “What Is Author's Purpose?” ThoughtCo. Accessed June 14, 2020.
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-authors-purpose-3211720.
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education – Cordillera Administrative Region
Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet 2601
Telephone no.: (074) 422-1318
Telefax: (074) 422-4074
Email Address: [email protected]
Website: www.depedcar.ph