J.H.

CERILLES STATE COLLEGE

Mati, San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur

School of Teacher Education

Lesson Plan for English Class

Teacher Grade &

Section
Date & Learning Area
Time

I-Plan No: Learning Area: Grade Level: Quarter: Duration:

A. Content Standards The learner demonstrates an understanding of how Anglo-

American literature and other text types serve as means of
preserving unchanging values in a changing world; also, how
to use features of a full-length play, tense consistency,
modals, active and passive constructions plus direct and
indirect speech to enable him/her competently performs in a
full-length play.

B. Performance The learner competently performs in a full-length play by

Standards applying effective verbal and non-verbal strategies and ICT
resources based on the following criteria: Focus, Voice,
Delivery, and Dramatic Conventions.

C. Learning Competency Use active and passive constructions.

D. Learning Objectives Knowledge: Identify the key differences between active and
passive voice
Skill/s: Use active and passive voice in sentences to create
dramatic effect in dialogue
Values & Attitudes: Appreciate the importance of using
active and passive voice strategically to enhance clarity,
emphasis, and dramatic impact in their performances

I. Content
Active and Passive Voice in Drama
Material: Whiteboard or projector
Markers or pens
Handouts with examples of active and passive voice
Sample dialogue from a play (with active and passive voice highlighted)
Graphic organizers (e.g., Venn diagrams, T-charts)

II. Learning Resources

DepEd Curriculum Guide
English Expressways, pp. 87-98
Communicate Effectively in English, pp. 56-65
Writing

III. Procedures (Cooperative Learning)

A. Preliminary Activities (5 minutes)

Greetings
Hello students! I am happy to see you today for another class meeting full of fun and
learning.

Hook
Imagine you're watching a play. You hear a character say, 'The door was opened by the
mysterious stranger.' What do you think about this sentence? Does it create a different
feeling than if the character said, 'The mysterious stranger opened the door?
(Encourage students to share their thoughts, focusing on the different impact of active
and passive voice.)
Brainstorming
What words do we use to talk about actions? What words do we use to talk about things
being done to someone or something?
(Guide students to brainstorm verbs and verb phrases related to actions and passive
constructions.)

Learning Objectives
Today, we're going to explore the active and passive voice. We'll learn how to use them
correctly and how they can help us bring our characters to life in our play performances. The
following are the learning objectives you are expected to attain:
 Identify the key differences between active and passive voice
 Use active and passive voice in sentences to create dramatic effect in dialogue
 Appreciate the importance of using active and passive voice strategically to enhance
clarity, emphasis, and dramatic impact in their performances

B. Lesson Proper

1. Activity (10 minutes)

Let's play a game! This game is called Action and Reaction. I'll give you an action, and
you'll respond with a sentence using the passive voice. For example, I say 'The door slammed
shut.' You could say, 'The door was slammed shut by the wind.' Let's see how creative we can
get!
(Encourage students to use different verbs and objects, emphasizing the structure of
passive voice.)
Now, let's look at some dialogue from a play. Read this excerpt aloud. Can you identify
any sentences written in the passive voice?

Excerpt for PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Setting: A dimly lit study. Bookshelves line the walls, and a large desk sits center stage.

Characters:
 ELIZABETH: A young woman, nervous and determined.
 MR. DARCY: A wealthy and reserved gentleman.

(Elizabeth enters the study, her eyes scanning the room. Mr. Darcy sits at his desk, pen in
hand, seemingly lost in thought.)

ELIZABETH: Mr. Darcy, I must speak with you.

MR. DARCY: (Looking up, startled) Miss Elizabeth. To what do I owe this unexpected visit?

ELIZABETH: I have come to address the… misunderstandings that have arisen between us.

MR. DARCY: (Raises an eyebrow) Misunderstandings? I am not sure I understand.

ELIZABETH: (Taking a deep breath) You have been accused of… interfering with my sister's
happiness.

MR. DARCY: (His voice low and measured) I have been accused of many things, Miss
Elizabeth. But I assure you, my intentions were never malicious.

ELIZABETH: Then why was Wickham… prevented from marrying my sister? Why was
he… dismissed from his position at your estate?

MR. DARCY: (Pauses, his gaze fixed on her) Wickham's character was… revealed to me. He
was not the man you believed him to be.

ELIZABETH: (Her voice rising) But you could have told us! You could have exposed his true
nature!

MR. DARCY: (Standing, his voice firm) I did what I believed was right. I did what
was… necessary to protect my family's reputation.

(Elizabeth stares at him, her anger simmering. The silence hangs heavy in the air.)

ELIZABETH: (Finally) I have no doubt that your actions were… motivated by a sense of duty.
But I cannot condone the way in which they were… executed.
(Mr. Darcy remains silent, his expression unreadable. Elizabeth turns to leave.)

ELIZABETH: I have come here to seek answers, Mr. Darcy. But I fear I have only found more
questions.

(She exits the study, leaving Mr. Darcy alone with his thoughts.)

Let's create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast active and passive voice. What are
the similarities and differences between them?

(Guide students to identify key features of each voice, including subject-verb agreement,
word order, and emphasis.)

2. Analysis (15 minutes)

Why do you think playwrights use both active and passive voice? What kind of effect
does each voice create?

(Encourage students to analyze the play excerpt, focusing on how active and passive
voice contribute to the tone, mood, and suspense of the dialogue.)

1. Emphasis and Clarity

Active Voice: Playwrights use active voice to provide clarity and directness in
portraying actions. This voice emphasizes the subject as the doer of the action,
making the narrative more engaging and straightforward for the audience to
follow.
Passive Voice: By contrast, passive voice allows playwrights to shift focus onto
the object or receiver of the action. This can create a sense of mystery or
suspense, adding depth to character interactions and plot developments.
2. Characterization and Tone
Active Voice: When characters use active voice, it often conveys a sense of
agency, confidence, and assertiveness. This can help define characters as
proactive and decisive, shaping their personalities and motivations.
Passive Voice: Characters using passive voice may appear more reflective,
contemplative, or even evasive. This voice choice can suggest vulnerability,
hesitation, or manipulation, influencing the audience's perception of the
character's intentions.
3. Narrative Flow and Dramatic Effect
Active Voice: Active voice is frequently employed during intense or pivotal
moments in a play to heighten the drama and maintain a sense of urgency. The
directness and immediacy of active voice can drive the narrative forward and
engage the audience emotionally.
Passive Voice: Playwrights use passive voice to create pauses, build tension, or
introduce ambiguity in dialogues. The more contemplative and indirect nature of
passive voice can slow down the pace, allowing for moments of reflection or
suspenseful revelations.
 4. Information Highlighting and Subtlety
Active Voice: When clarity and direct action are essential, active voice is
preferred to highlight key plot points, character motivations, or conflicts. It can
deliver information straightforwardly, ensuring crucial details are conveyed
effectively.
Passive Voice: Passive voice is utilized to subtly convey information, downplay
responsibility, or introduce subtext. Its use can imply hidden motives, conceal
intentions, or create a sense of intrigue, adding layers of complexity to character
interactions and plot developments.
5. Variety and Artistic Expression
Active Voice: The use of active voice infuses energy and dynamism into
dialogues, showcasing characters' assertiveness and driving the plot forward with
momentum. It allows for vivid and immediate storytelling, capturing the
audience's attention and maintaining engagement.
Passive Voice: Employing passive voice strategically adds a layer of
sophistication and nuance to dialogues, offering a different perspective on events
and relationships. It provides playwrights with a versatile tool to manipulate
narrative focus, evoke emotions, and craft intricate layers of meaning within the
dialogue.

How can we use active and passive voice to emphasize certain actions or characters?
Which voice is more direct? Which voice creates a sense of mystery or suspense?

1. Emphasizing Actions or Characters

Active Voice for Emphasis: Active voice is more direct and immediate, making
it ideal for highlighting specific actions or emphasizing the doer of the action. By
using active voice, playwrights can draw attention to characters' agency,
intentions, and impact on the story.
Passive Voice for Emphasis: Passive voice, on the other hand, can be used to
shift the focus onto the object or receiver of the action. This can create a sense of
importance around the action itself or highlight the impact of external forces on
the characters or plot.
2. Directness and Clarity
Directness of Active Voice: Active voice is more direct and straightforward,
clearly indicating who is performing the action. It provides a clear line of action,
making it easier for the audience to follow the progression of events and
understand the character's motivations.
Indirectness for Mystery: Passive voice introduces an element of indirectness,
which can create a sense of mystery or intrigue in a play. By obscuring the doer of
the action, passive voice can add layers of complexity, prompting the audience to
question motives and unravel hidden meanings.
3. Creating Suspense and Tension
Active Voice for Suspense: Active voice is effective in building suspense during
intense moments or pivotal scenes. The directness and immediacy of active voice
can heighten tension, creating a sense of urgency and anticipation as the action
unfolds.
Passive Voice for Mystery: Passive voice can evoke a sense of mystery and
suspense by withholding information or subtly hinting at underlying tensions. It
can introduce ambiguity and intrigue, inviting the audience to speculate on the
hidden dynamics at play in the narrative.
4. Character Portrayal and Depth:
Character Emphasis with Active Voice: Active voice can be used to highlight
characters' personalities, strengths, and vulnerabilities through their actions. By
using active voice for key character interactions, playwrights can illuminate
character traits and relationships, bringing depth and authenticity to the
performance.
Character Intrigue through Passive Voice: Passive voice can create an aura
of enigma around characters, leaving room for interpretation and speculation. By
employing passive voice in dialogues involving characters with hidden motives or
complex emotions, playwrights can infuse the performance with layers of intrigue
and suspense.

(Guide students to understand the strategic use of voice for dramatic effect.)

Let's create a T-chart to list examples of active and passive voice from the play excerpt.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each voice in terms of clarity, emphasis, and
dramatic impact?
 Active Voice Statements: Passive Voice Statements:
1. ELIZABETH: "Mr. Darcy, I must speak 1. ELIZABETH: "You have been accused
with you." of interfering with my sister's
happiness."
2. MR. DARCY: "Miss Elizabeth. To what
do I owe this unexpected visit?" 2. MR. DARCY: "Wickham's character was
revealed to me."
3. ELIZABETH: "I have come to address
the misunderstandings that have 3. ELIZABETH: "Why was he dismissed
arisen between us." from his position at your estate?"
4. MR. DARCY: "Misunderstandings? I am 4. MR. DARCY: "Wickham's character was
not sure I understand." revealed to me."
5. ELIZABETH: "You have been accused 5. ELIZABETH: "You could have exposed
of interfering with my sister's his true nature."
happiness."
6. MR. DARCY: "I did what I believed was
6. MR. DARCY: "I have been accused of right."
many things, Miss Elizabeth."
7. ELIZABETH: "But you could have told
7. ELIZABETH: "Then why was Wickham us!"
prevented from marrying my sister?"
8. MR. DARCY: "I did what I believed was
8. MR. DARCY: "Wickham's character was right."
revealed to me. He was not the man
you believed him to be."
9. ELIZABETH: "But you could have told
us!"
10.MR. DARCY: "I did what I believed was
right."

Active Voice

Advantages:
 Clarity: Active voice is direct and straightforward, making it easier for the audience to
understand who is performing the action. This clarity contributes to a smooth flow of the
narrative, especially during crucial plot points or character interactions.
 Emphasis: Active voice emphasizes the subject's agency and responsibility,
highlighting their role in the action. This can be used to portray characters as assertive,
decisive, or impactful.
 Dramatic Impact: Active voice can create a sense of immediacy and urgency,
enhancing the dramatic impact of key moments. It can heighten tension and create a
sense of momentum, keeping the audience engaged.

Disadvantages:

 Blame: Active voice explicitly identifies the person or entity performing the action,
which can sometimes place blame or create a sense of accusation.
 Wordiness: Active voice sentences can sometimes be wordier than passive voice
sentences, especially when describing complex actions or contexts.
 Limited Focus: Active voice can sometimes focus too much on the action, neglecting
the recipient or broader context. This can result in a lack of nuance or subtlety in the
dialogue.

Passive Voice

Advantages:
 Emphasis: Passive voice emphasizes the object or recipient of the action, shifting the
focus away from the doer. This can be used to highlight the impact of events or external
forces on characters.
 Mystery: Passive voice can create a sense of mystery or suspense by obscuring the
doer of the action. This can be effective in building intrigue and prompting the audience
to speculate on the motives behind events.
 Formal Tone: Passive voice can create a more formal or impersonal tone, which can be
appropriate in certain contexts.
Disadvantages:
 Clarity: Passive voice can be less clear than active voice, especially when the doer of
the action is unknown or unimportant. This can lead to confusion or ambiguity in the
dialogue.
 Wordiness: Passive voice sentences often require more words to express the same
idea as active voice sentences, which can make the dialogue feel clunky or unnatural.
 Lack of Engagement: Passive voice can create a detached or impersonal tone, which
can sometimes disengage the audience.

(Encourage students to analyze the examples and identify the specific effects of each
voice.)

3. Abstraction (10 minutes)

Let's review the grammatical rules for active and passive voice. How do we form each
voice? What are the key elements to remember?
(Review the grammatical rules for forming active and passive voice, emphasizing
subject-verb agreement and the use of auxiliary verbs.)

Active Voice
 Structure: Subject + Verb + Object
 Subject: The subject performs the action.
 Verb: The verb describes the action performed by the subject.
 Object: The object receives the action.

Examples:
 The dog chased the ball. (Subject: dog, Verb: chased, Object: ball)
 She wrote a letter. (Subject: She, Verb: wrote, Object: letter)

Passive Voice:
 Structure: Object + Auxiliary Verb (be) + Past Participle + by + Subject
 Object: The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
 Auxiliary Verb (be): The auxiliary verb "be" is conjugated to match the tense of the
active sentence.
 Past Participle: The past participle of the main verb is used.
 By + Subject: The subject of the active sentence is often included after the preposition
"by" (optional).

Examples:

 The ball was chased by the dog. (Object: ball, Auxiliary Verb: was, Past Participle:
chased, Subject: dog)
 A letter was written by her. (Object: letter, Auxiliary Verb: was, Past Participle:
written, Subject: her)

Subject-Verb Agreement:
 Active Voice: The verb agrees with the subject in number (singular or plural) and
person (first, second, or third).
 Passive Voice: The auxiliary verb "be" agrees with the new subject (the object of the
active sentence).

Auxiliary Verbs:
 Active Voice: Auxiliary verbs are used to form tenses, such as the present perfect or
past continuous. They are placed before the main verb.
 Passive Voice: The auxiliary verb "be" is essential in forming the passive voice. It is
combined with the past participle of the main verb.

Examples of Tense Changes:

 Tense Active Voice Passive Voice

Simple Present The cat eats the mouse. The mouse is eaten by the cat.

Present The cat is eating the The mouse is being eaten by the
Continuous mouse. cat.

Simple Past The cat ate the mouse. The mouse was eaten by the cat.

The cat was eating the The mouse was being eaten by the
Past Continuous
mouse. cat.

The cat has eaten the The mouse has been eaten by the
Present Perfect
mouse. cat.

The cat had eaten the The mouse had been eaten by the
Past Perfect
mouse. cat.

The mouse will be eaten by the

Simple Future The cat will eat the mouse.
cat.

Future The cat will be eating the The mouse will be being eaten by
Continuous mouse. the cat.

How can we use active and passive voice to reveal character motivation or personality?
For example, a character who uses passive voice frequently might be passive or hesitant, while
a character who uses active voice might be assertive or forceful.

Active Voice

Assertive and Direct: Characters who frequently use active voice often come across as
assertive, confident, and proactive. They take charge, make decisions, and express their
opinions clearly. For example, a character who says "I will not tolerate this!" is likely assertive
and determined.

Action-Oriented: Active voice emphasizes the character's actions and their impact on the
world around them. This can reveal characters who are driven by ambition, purpose, or a
desire to control their environment.

Ego-Driven: Active voice can sometimes highlight characters who are self-centered or ego-
driven, focusing on their own actions and accomplishments. For example, a character who
constantly boasts about their achievements using active voice might be self-absorbed.

Passive Voice

Passive and Submissive: Characters who frequently use passive voice might be seen as
passive, submissive, or hesitant. They may appear less confident in their own actions or more
easily influenced by others. For example, a character who says "I was told to do it" might be
following orders without question.

Indirect and Evasive: Passive voice can be used to avoid taking responsibility or to downplay
a character's involvement in an action. This can suggest a character is hiding something, trying
to avoid blame, or manipulating the situation.

Reflective and Contemplative: Passive voice can also be used to create a more reflective or
contemplative tone, suggesting a character who is introspective, thoughtful, or perhaps even
emotionally vulnerable.

Examples:

Active: "I will not stand for this!" (assertive, direct)

Passive: "I was told to do it." (submissive, evasive)
Active: "I built this company from the ground up." (ego-driven, assertive)
Passive: "The decision was made for me." (hesitant, passive)
Passive: "The truth was revealed to me." (reflective, contemplative)

Using Voice Choices Strategically

Playwrights can use verb voice choices strategically to:

1. Highlight a character's personality traits: A character who consistently uses active voice
might be a natural leader, while a character who leans towards passive voice might be
more introspective.
2. Reveal a character's motivations: A character who uses passive voice to avoid taking
responsibility might be hiding something, while a character who uses active voice to assert
their power might be driven by ambition.
3. Create tension or conflict: A character who uses active voice to challenge another
character who uses passive voice can create a dynamic of power and control.

(Guide students to understand how verb voice choices can reveal character traits and
motivations.)

4. Application (15 minutes)

Now, let's put our knowledge into practice! I'm going to give you a short scene from a
play. Your task is to rewrite the dialogue, changing some of the sentences from active to
passive or vice versa. Think about how these changes will affect the tone and impact of the
scene.

Scene: The Library

Setting: A dimly lit library, filled with towering bookshelves and the scent of old paper. A large
window overlooks a stormy night.

Characters:

 ELIZA: A young woman, sharp-witted and curious.

 PROFESSOR MORRISON: An elderly scholar, his face etched with years of study.

(Eliza stands by the window, watching the rain lash against the glass. Professor
Morrison sits in a leather armchair, engrossed in a book.)

ELIZA: (Turning from the window) Professor, I've been reading your latest article on the history
of the ancient city of Elara. It's fascinating!

PROFESSOR MORRISON: (Looking up from his book) Ah, Miss Eliza. Always eager to delve
into the mysteries of the past, are you?

ELIZA: Indeed! But there's something I don't understand. You mentioned the city was
destroyed by a great fire. But you never say who started the fire or how it was ignited.

PROFESSOR MORRISON: (Smiling) Ah, Miss Eliza, some mysteries are best left unsolved. The
truth is often shrouded in the mists of time, lost to the ages.

ELIZA: But surely there must be some clues? There are always whispers, even in the most
ancient tales. Perhaps a forgotten inscription, a cryptic prophecy?

PROFESSOR MORRISON: (Closing his book) There are whispers, yes. But they are whispers
that have been silenced by the passage of time. The city's secrets have been buried under
the weight of years and the ravages of nature.

ELIZA: (Frustrated) But it's just so... frustrating! There must have been someone who started
that fire. Someone who set the flames ablaze and destroyed the city.

PROFESSOR MORRISON: (Standing, his gaze fixed on the stormy sky) Perhaps, Miss Eliza.
Perhaps. But the truth is often elusive, hidden in the shadows. Sometimes, the answers are not
 meant to be found.

ELIZA: (Sighing) Then I suppose I'll have to content myself with the mysteries. But I won't give
up hope of unraveling them just yet.

(Eliza turns back to the window, watching the rain. Professor Morrison returns to his
book, a subtle smile playing on his lips.)

END SCENE

Let's practice performing this scene with our new dialogue. Pay attention to how the
active and passive voice affect your delivery and the overall mood of the scene."

(Allow students to rehearse the scene and perform it for the class. Provide feedback on
their use of voice and dramatic impact.)

IV. Assignment (4 minutes)

Directions: In a group of 5 members, create a short scene (2-3 minutes) for a play. The scene
should involve a conflict or tension between two or more characters. The dialogue must
include:

Active Voice: Use active voice to create a sense of energy, directness, and action.
Passive Voice: Use passive voice strategically to create a sense of mystery, distance, or to
emphasize the action itself.
Voice Choices: Students should consider how the choice of active or passive voice can reveal
character traits and motivations. For example:

1. A character who is assertive and confident might use active voice.

2. A character who is hesitant or evasive might use passive voice.
3. A character who is trying to hide something might use passive voice to avoid taking
responsibility.

Rehearse and perform the scene for the class. Focus on using your voice and body
language to enhance the dramatic impact of the dialogue.

V. Concluding Activity (1 minute)

Indeed, you have a wonderful day of learning. Don’t forget what you have learned
today. In the next meeting, we shall have the presentation of your created short
scene where you use both active and passive voice. Don’t fail to give your best. See
you next meeting!