PHILIPPINE LITERATURE and ways of writing”

Introduction
Literature is everywhere. Purposes of Literature
1) To unlock unfamiliar words
Literature is life.
2) To provide entertainment
Unconsciously, we create own literary 3) To help us understand more the world
pieces through life itself. we live in
When reading literary pieces, we tend to be 4) To uplift the mind, the heart, and the soul
consumed by another world which can be 5) To feed one’s imagination
real or ideal.
Standard of good literature
To be an effective reader, we should 1)Artistry
master literary competence that allows us 2)Intellectual Value
to convert words on the page of a literary 3)Suggestiveness
work into literary meanings. 4)Spiritual Value
5)Permanence
Definitions of Literature 6)Universality
a. Literature is a body of written works.
The name has traditionally been applied to VI. Summary and Conclusion
those imaginative works of poetry and Literature is derived from the Latin word
prose distinguished by the intentions of litteratura which means writing formed with
their authors and letters.
the perceived aesthetic excellence of their It is defined as written works that have
execution lasting value. It reflects humanity. Lastly,
life is manifested in the form of literary
b. Literature is books and writings published pieces.
on a particular subject (Merriam-Webster’s
Dictionary and Thesaurus)

c. Literature is a term used to describe

written and sometimes spoken material.
Derived from the Latin word litteratura
meaning "writing formed with letters," Division of Literature
literature most a). Prose - is a literary piece which is
commonly refers to works of the creative written in the pattern of ordinary spoken
imagination, including language and within the common flow of
poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, and in conversation.
some instances, journalism, and song
d. Literature refers primarily to written -It is written in sentences and paragraphs. It
texts, therefore, it is simply anything that is is derived from the Latin word prosa which
written means ‘straightforward’. It is the language
e. Literature, as a whole, emerged from of the mind.
broader discourses or “bodies of thought
and writing that made certain texts b). Poetry - refers to those expressions in
possible and gave authors their ideas verse, with measures, rhymes, lines,
stanzas and melodious tones.

Building people, Transforming lives.

www.fb.com/WesleyanOfficial (044)463-2162/4632074 www.wesleyan.edu.ph
It came from the Greek word poiesis which truth, especially in which
means ‘making’. It is the language of the animals speak as humans;
mind. legendary, supernatural tale
b. Parable - A parable is a
short, didactic story that is
Types of Prose meant to teach a moral.
a) Fiction - is a series of imagined facts
which shows truths about human life. -Parables use human
characters in believable
Kinds: situations so that the reader
or listener feels able to relate.
1. Short Story – It is a fiction of
such brevity that it supports no -There are many examples of
subplots. parables in religious texts
such as the Bible and the
2. Novel - A novel is a piece of long Quran.
narrative in literary prose.
6. Drama – This is usually for
-Narrative prose is meant to theatrical performance, where
entertain and tell a story. conflicts and emotion are
-It is a description of a chain of expressed through dialogue and
events which includes a cast of action.
characters, a setting, and an
ending 7. Fairy Tale – This is a story about
fairies or other magical creatures
Most publishers prefer novels that
in a magical world.
are in the 80,000- to 120,000-word
range, depending on the genre.
8. Mythology – It is a traditional
narrative, often based in part on
3. Legend – It is a Story, sometimes
historical events, that reveals
of a national or folk hero, which
human behavior and natural
has a basis in fact but also includes
phenomena by its symbolism; often
imaginative material.
pertaining to the actions of the
gods.
4. Adventures – These feature
physical action and courageous
b) Non-fiction – is based mainly on facts
heroes who save others from
rather than on the imagination.
danger or impending doom.
-The adventure genre of fiction is Kinds:
fast-paced and usually centers on
a protagonist in a dangerous or 1. Biography – It is an account or
risky situation. story of someone’s life written by
another person.
5. Allegories – teach lessons
a. Fable – It is a narration
demonstrating a useful

Building people, Transforming lives.

www.fb.com/WesleyanOfficial (044)463-2162/4632074 www.wesleyan.edu.ph
 2. Autobiography – It is an account
or story of a one’s life written by c. Elegy – a poem expressing
that person. lament or grief to the dead. It
expresses sorrow, mourning, and
3. Diary – It is a daily record of regret of a loved one.
events, activities, experiences, d. Sonnet – a poem of 14 lines
and personal observations of the written formal line.
writer. Types:
-Petrarchan/Italian Sonnet
4. Letters – These are written or
printed messages usually of -Spenserian Sonnet
business or personal matters by one -English/Shakespearian Sonnet
person or organization to another.
e. Simple Lyric – embraces a wide
5. Journals – These are written variety of poems and is
reports on certain fields of education characterized by subjectivity,
and professional activity. imagination, melody and emotion.

6. Essay – It is a short literary 2. Narrative Poetry – It tells a story

compositions with specific that following an order of events.
expresses an author’s opinions, and
is informal, and personal in tone. Kinds of Narrative Poetry:

7. Current Publications – these a. Epic – a long, majestic narrative

include news item, articles, in poem which tells the adventures of a
newspapers and magazines or traditional hero and the development
other forms of periodicals. of a nation, and/or adventures of
legendary figures.

8. History – a record of the past.

Branches of Poetry
b. Ballad – short simple narrative
1. Lyric Poetry – In early days, it was meant poem composed to be sung and is
to be sung to the accompaniment of a orally told from one generation to
musical instrument known as lyre. another.

Kinds of Lyric Poetry: c. Tale – a poem full of fiction and

exaggeration.
a. Song – short lyric poem which
has a specific melodious quality 3. Dramatic Poetry – includes poems
and is adapted to be sung. intended for theater or to be presented on
stage.
b. Ode – a poem meant to be sung
but longer than a song. It is often Kinds of Dramatic Poetry:
addressed to someone or
something. a. Comedy – a form of poetry which
ends a happily.

Building people, Transforming lives.

www.fb.com/WesleyanOfficial (044)463-2162/4632074 www.wesleyan.edu.ph
 Lastly, poetry has branches such as lyric
b. Tragedy – a form of poetry which poetry, narrative poetry, and dramatic
ends sadly. poetry as well.

c. Dramatic Monologue – a The kinds of lyric poetry are song, elegy,

combination of drama and poetry, sonnet, ode, and simple lyric
usually a stage play, which
presents the speech of a character whereas the kinds of narrative poetry are
or characters being portrayed by one epic, ballad, and tale. Lastly, comedy,
person in a particular situation at a
critical moment. kinds of dramatic poetry are tragedy,
dramatic monologue, melodrama, and
d. Melodrama – a play of highly farce
sensational events accompanied
with music. Topic – Elements of a Story
Elements of a Story
e. Farce – a short comedy. A. The Characters
B. The Plot
C. Point of View

V. Summary and Conclusion A. The Characters

- the people, or sometimes the animals,
Literature is divided into two: prose who participate in the action of a literary
and poetry. Prose is the language of the work
mind whereas Poetry is the language of
the heart. In terms of structure, prose is Methods of Characterization
written in sentences and paragraphs 1) Direct or Expository
whereas poetry is written in verses and Characterization tells the audience what
stanzas. the personality of the character is.

Furthermore, prose can be fiction or non- Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl
fiction. were both well-mannered and did not
The kinds of fiction are short stories, disobey their mother.”
novels, legends, adventures, allegories Explanation: The author is directly telling
(fables and parables), drama, fairy tales, the audience the personality of these
and myths. two children. The boy is “patient” and
the girl is “quiet.”
The kinds of nonfiction are biography,
autobiography, diary, letter, journal, 2) Indirect or Dramatic
essay, current publication, and history. Characterization shows things that
Nevertheless, we do not limit the kinds of reveal the personality of a character.
fiction and nonfiction with what just included
in this lecture. Example from The Cat in the Hat:
Many of the words spoken by the cat at
the beginning of the story have an
upbeat connotative meaning. For

Building people, Transforming lives.

www.fb.com/WesleyanOfficial (044)463-2162/4632074 www.wesleyan.edu.ph
instance, the cat says to the children, a.2.1. Confidant (or Confidante) –
“But we can have / Lots of fun that is This type of character is a right hand,
funny!” (7). best friend, or sidekick to whom the
protagonist or another character reveals
Explanation: This reveals that the cat’s
his reflections or hopes. One to whom
character is an upbeat character who
the central character entrusts his
likes to have fun.
secrets. Often the protagonist's goal
flows through the confidant— although
not every story needs one.

Kinds of Characters that can be

portrayed a.2.2. Foil – A foil character
a. According to Roles played primarily serves to bring the
protagonist’s qualities into sharper
a.1. Major Characters – those that relief. This is because the foil is
make significant decisions. effectively the contrast of the protagonist
a.1.1 Protagonist – The main or another character.
character of the story is the a.2.3. Stock/type – A stock character
protagonist. They should be carefully is an archetypal character with a
crafted with a logical backstory, personal fixed set of personality traits who
motivation, and a character arc over the show qualities of a national, social, or
course of the story. occupational group to which he belongs.
Often the story will be told from their
point of view. The protagonist is the
character the audience is most b. According to fullness of development
invested in. He is called the hero, or b.1. Flat – This character is simply
heroine for female counterpart, when depicted and characterized by one or
he embodies certain noble ideas of two traits. He does not go through a
man. However, the protagonist may not substantial growth or transformation in the
always be admirable (e.g. an antihero). course of the narrative and is relatively
a.1.2 Antagonist – The villain of the uncomplicated.
story is the antagonist. He is the
b.2. Round – This character shows
primary opposing fore contending the
fluidity and the capacity for change from
protagonist. The villain can be another
the moment we meet them as he is
character, the society, nature, fate, or
someone who is three-dimensional;
one side of the character that battles
complex; many-sided; with a fully
another side in an internal conflict. Note
developed personality.
that an antagonist is not the same as
an anti-hero. Anti-heroes are villainous
people who function in a protagonist’s
c. According to change undergone in the
role.
story
a.2. Minor/Supporting Characters –
serve to complement the major c.1. Static – This character does
characters and help move the plot not noticeably change over the course
events forward. of a story. Many villains are also static:

Building people, Transforming lives.

www.fb.com/WesleyanOfficial (044)463-2162/4632074 www.wesleyan.edu.ph
They were evil yesterday, they’ll be evil Maybe she meets some devilish Irish
today, and they’ll be evil tomorrow. lad who distracts her from her primary
purpose, and she must realign her
c.2. Developing/Dynamic – This
priorities. The possibilities for action - and
character is one who changes over the
conflict - are endless.
course of the story. As such, a developing
character makes the best protagonist who
undergoes a permanent change in his
Conflict – clash of opposing forces
personality in the course of the story. The
in the story. Usually, the main character
change may be large or small, for better
struggles against some other force.
or for worse but it is something basic or
important.

B. The Plot Kinds of Conflict

1. Introduction/Exposition b.1. External Conflict – the clash of
the character with the forces outside
This is the start of the story, where
him, natural, social or both.
we meet the main character or
characters, understand the setting, and • Man Versus Man – This is the
deduce the conflict. most common type of external conflict.
In this type of conflict, the protagonist, or
For example, we might meet a main
main character, faces off with an
character, named Fiona, who just moved to
antagonist who must be defeated. This
Ireland, and is writing her first book.
conflict happens when a hero fights a
There, we meet the main character, villain.
understand she's in a new country, and will
• Man Versus Society – The
watch her push to overcome the trials and
protagonist questions and perhaps
tribulations that come from each of these
rebels against the social norms of their
new elements.
community or of society at large. It could
2. Rising Action be social evils or discrimination
practiced by society that is opposed by a
In the rising action, we watch a
minority.
series of events unfold. There's not much
in a story if everything works out • Man Versus Nature – These occur
perfectly and there are zero bumps in when a character, or characters, find
the road. We need a little conflict. Conflict themselves at odds with forces of
can come in many forms. nature. The character's enemy is not
another person, but instead the natural
Continuing with Fiona, perhaps she's
world. Often, the protagonist is stranded in
battling some sort of internal conflict. We
the wilderness, threatened by a storm or
might see her doubt her decision to move
blizzard, or struck by a terrible disease, and
so far away from home. Or, with regard to
must fight for their life.
her book, perhaps she submits it to her
agent and it's torn to shreds. • Man Versus Fate – This happen
when a character is compelled to follow
an unknown destiny. This exists in any

Building people, Transforming lives.

www.fb.com/WesleyanOfficial (044)463-2162/4632074 www.wesleyan.edu.ph
story in which the protagonist is she submits the revised version of her book
struggling against a god or gods. This and it's accepted. Maybe she tells the
conflict is sometimes considered part of devilish lad she's not interested so she can
"Man vs. Self" when focused on an focus on her work. Just as there are many
internal, moral struggle, while forcing a avenues for action and conflict, there are
character to consciously, or many ways to bring a story to a climax. This
subconsciously, act on his or her fate. will be the moment that stirs up the
strongest sense of emotion in the
• Man Versus Supernatural – This
reader.
occurs when a character battles that
which is beyond nature. It can’t be 4. Falling Action
explained by natural law. This could be
In the falling action, we see things
monsters, aliens, witches, vampires,
start to wind down.
mythical creatures, and so forth.

Fiona and her new motherly

• Man Versus Technology – This
acquaintance might have settled into a
happens when a person is in direct
steady rhythm of Sunday dinners by now.
combat with robots, in the context of
As for her book, maybe the only thing she's
science fiction, or it could mean simply
waiting for is the advanced copy. Perhaps
that technology, or man-made entities
the devilish lad has come back around and
which may possess "artificial
they're in a steady relationship.
intelligence", stands in the way of the
protagonist getting what he wants. 5. Resolution
b.2. Internal Conflict – the clash of In any story, it's important to
forces within the character conclude with a solid resolution,
sometimes called the denouement. Here,
• Man Versus Self - This conflict
we learn of the final outcome of the tale.
takes place within the mind of the main
Short stories, in particular, need a defined
character, and often involves the character
ending. Books, however, can remain
making a decision between right and
somewhat open-ended. But, you must
wrong, or other mixed emotions. However,
bring the story to a close with either a
this struggle could also exist in the form
tragic or a happy ending.
of a character battling mental illness.
Perhaps Fiona is purchasing a
crumbling mansion in Ireland with the
3. Climax royalties from her book. Or, maybe she'll
move back to her home country, cherishing
The climax of a story is the peak of
her Irish adventure for what it was. Either
the action. At this point, we've watched
way, readers want to experience some sort
the main character confront the action
of finite conclusion, or resolution.
or conflict, and now something major has
to come to a head. C. Point of View
Perhaps Fiona makes a new - Point of view in fiction simply
acquaintance who takes on a motherly role, means who tells the story.
reducing those feelings of doubt about
1. First Person Point of View
moving so far away from home. Perhaps

Building people, Transforming lives.

www.fb.com/WesleyanOfficial (044)463-2162/4632074 www.wesleyan.edu.ph
 – A character in the story serves as Characters can be according to roles
the narrator, using "I" or "we" as the story played, according to fullness of
plays out. This narrator might be a relatively development, and according to changes
minor character, observing the action. undergone in the story. The types of conflict
are also discussed such as external and
internal conflicts. Furthermore, the parts
2. Second Person Point of View – of a plot are introduction, rising action,
climax, falling action, and
The reader becomes the main resolution/denouement.
character, addressed as "you" throughout
the story and being immersed in the The points of view are first person
narrative. The narrator describes what point of view, second person point of
"you" do and lets you into your own view, and third person point of view
thoughts and background. (objective, limited, and omniscient). A unity
of action defines the progression through a
3. Third Person Point of View Types: plot.
3.1. Objective - The narrator When a literary piece fails to
reports the events that take place illustrate this unity the resulting story
without knowing the motivations or becomes a series of loosely, if at all,
thoughts of any of the characters. We connected events. Unity of action works by
know little about what drives them until we giving the audience a platform upon which
hear them speak or observe their actions. to willingly experience the emotions of a
The resulting tone is often matter-of-fact, story. If done correctly, the reader will
not colored by any opinions or follow the story in a seemingly effortless
commentary, nor of knowledge of what manner whilst unaware of its
takes place outside the scene. suspension of disbelief.
3.2. Limited - The narrator still
exists outside the events of the story,
but does not know the motivations or What is poetry?
thoughts of all the characters. Rather, one
character is the driver of the story, and the
reader is given a closer peek into that  Poetry is a form of literary expression
character’s psyche than the others. that captures intense experiences or
creative perceptions of the world in a
3.3. Omniscient - An omniscient musical language.
narrator knows every character’s  Basically, if prose is like talking, poetry
thoughts, feelings, and motivations even is like singing.
if that character doesn’t reveal any of those  By looking at the set up of a poem, you
things to the other characters. can see the difference between prose and
Summary and Conclusion poetry.
 Poetry is a form of writing that uses not
The elements of a story include the only words, but also form (lines and
characters, the plot, and the point of stanzas),patterns of sound,
view. Methods of characterization are  (rhyme, repetition, and rhythm) as well
direct or expository and indirect or as figurative language and imagery to
dramatic. convey a message, tell a story, or
express the author’s feelings or thoughts.

Building people, Transforming lives.

www.fb.com/WesleyanOfficial (044)463-2162/4632074 www.wesleyan.edu.ph
 divided into groups of lines called
stanzas.
How to analyze a poem?  Stanzas function like paragraphs in a
story. Each one contains a single idea or
1. Read through for overall meaning. Circle takes the idea one step further.
unknown words and look up in
dictionary. Sound Devices
2. What information does the title give
you? Some poems use techniques of sound
3. Read again and annotate for elements of such as: Rhythm
poetry. Rhyme
4. Read a final time to determine theme. Alliteration/consonance/

Distinguishing Characteristics of Poetry Onomatopoeia

Repetition
 Unlike prose which has a narrator, Assonance
poetry has a speaker.
 A speaker, or voice, talks to the reader. RHYTHM
The speaker is not necessarily the poet.
It can also be a fictional person, an • The pattern of beats or stresses in a
animal or even a thing poem.
• Poets use patterns of stressed and
Poetry is also formatted differently from unstressed syllables to create a regular
prose. rhythm.
• Rhythm is the pattern of sound created
 A line is a word or row of words that by the arrangement of stressed and
may or may not form a complete unstressed syllables in a line. Rhythm
sentence. can be regular or irregular.
 A stanza is a group of lines forming a
unit. The stanzas in a poem are Example:
separated by a space.
Try beating out the rhythm with a finger as
EXAMPLE: you read
these lines.
But believe me, son. She was a child and I was a child,
I want to be what I used to be In this kingdom by the sea;
when I was like you. But we loved with a love that was
from “Once Upon a Time” by Gabriel more than love –
Okara I and my Annabel Lee;

FORM/ STRUCTURE
RHYME
 A poem’s form is its appearance. Poems
The repetition of the same or similar sounds,
are divided into lines. Many poems,
usually in stressed syllables at the ends of
especially longer ones, may also be

Building people, Transforming lives.

www.fb.com/WesleyanOfficial (044)463-2162/4632074 www.wesleyan.edu.ph
 lines, but sometimes within a line. middle or end of words in a phrase/
There are strange things done in the sentence.
midnight sun Pitter, patter, pitter, patter
By the men who moil for gold.

ONOMATOPOEIA

Rhyme Scheme Words that are used to represent particular

sounds.
The rhyming pattern that is created at the Crash Boom
end of lines of poetry. Bang Zip
Mary had a little lamb,
A
Its fleece as white as snow. B REPETITION
And everywhere that Mary went, The repeating of a particular sound devise to
C create an effect.
The lamb was sure to go. To create emphasis, a poet may repeat words
B or lines within the poem.

If the poem does not have a rhyme scheme it

is considered to be a free verse poem. IMAGERY

Poets use words that appeal to the reader’s

ALLITERATION senses of sight, sound, touch, taste , and smell.
Which senses does the following stanza
The repetition of consonant sounds at the appeal to?
beginnings of words. Back, he spurred like a madman,
Seven silver swans swam silently shouting curses to the sky,
seaward. With the white road smoking behind
Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled him and his rapier brandished high.
peppers.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

ASSONANCE Figurative language creates pictures by making

comparisons.
The repetition of vowel sounds within non-  SIMILE -a comparison using like or as.
rhyming words. Talk of your cold! through the parka’s
Into the ink-filled jar, she inserted the fold it stabbed like a driven nail.
brush.

METAPHOR
CONSONANCE
Describes one thing as if it were another.
Repetitive sound produced by consonants in the The moon was a ghostly galleon

Building people, Transforming lives.

www.fb.com/WesleyanOfficial (044)463-2162/4632074 www.wesleyan.edu.ph
 tossed upon cloudy seas. what ideas or insights about life or
human nature you have found in the
poem.

V. Summary and Conclusion

PERSONIFICATION The elements of a poetry include the

form/ structure, the Sound Devices, such as:
Gives human characteristics to something Some poems use techniques of sound
nonhuman. Rhythm, Rhyme , Alliteration/consonance,
Onomatopoeia, Repetition, and the
…and the stars o’erhead were dancing Assonance.
heel and toe… Furthermore, How to analyze a poem?
First, Read through for overall meaning.
Second, Circle unknown words and look up
ALLUSION in dictionary. Third, What information does
the title give you? Fourth, Read again and
When an author or poet refers to a famous annotate for elements of poetry. And Fifth,
person, place or thing in history. Read a final time to determine theme.

In “The Highwayman,” images create a

picture of Tim.

Which figures are used to describe his

eyes and his hair?

His eyes were hollows of madness, his

hair like moldy hay,
eyes : hollows of madness : Metaphor
hair : moldy hay : Simile

MOOD/TONE

The feelings the author’s word choices give the

poem.

The only other sounds the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

THEME

The theme of a poem is its central or main idea.

To identify a poem’s theme, ask yourself

Building people, Transforming lives.

www.fb.com/WesleyanOfficial (044)463-2162/4632074 www.wesleyan.edu.ph