Republic of the Philippines

Pangasinan State University

Lingayen Campus
S.Y. 2021-2022

INTRODUCTION OF
LITERATURE
Submitted by:
FRANZA, JESUSA RACQUEL
GONZALES, MISHIEL JOY
II-BSE Filipino
Submitted to:
MS. CARMELA ESTIMADA
Subject Teacher

I. DEFINITION OF LITERATURE
Deriving from the Latin word littera, “a letter of the alphabet,” literature is first
and foremost humankind’s entire body of writing; after that it is the body of
writing belonging to a given language or people; then it is individual pieces of
writing.

Literature to be “writings having excellence of form or expression and

expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest” (Merriam-Webster’s
Collegiate Dictionary).

Literature is “the matter of imaginative or artistic literature” as a “transcript,

not of mere fact, but of fact in its infinitely varied forms” (Walter Pater).

“Literature is a uniquely human activity, born of man's timeless desire to

understand, express, and finally share experiences” (Pickering, James H &
Hoeper, Jeffrey D (1981. 01:307).

“A state that the term literature seems best if we limit it to the art of literature,
that is, to imaginative literature. Literature is also produced by imagination of
the author. Literature is not just a document of facts; it is also the collection
of real events though it may happen in the real life. Literature can create its
own world as a product of the unlimited imagination” (Wellek and Warren
(1963: 22).

“Literature consists of those writing which interpret the meanings of nature

and life, in words of charm and power, touched with the personality of the
author, in artistic forms of permanent interest” (Henry van Dyke).
II. CHARACTERISTIC OF LITERATURE
1. Literature should have a theme.
A theme is the general message or statement about a subject that all the
elements of a story or a poem work together to develop. Without a unifying theme, a
story
contains only arbitrary events and characters. Theme functions as the understated
but essential ingredient to make a story or poem meaningful.

2. It should explain the relevance of the theme.

Once a reader has an idea about the theme’s topic, she can then try to
determine
what the writer seems to be saying about that topic. Sometimes there may be more
than one topic. In that case the reader may try to discover how the topics connect.
While identifying the theme in a story may be difficult for a reader, theme is a
very important literary element. In order to fully understand and appreciate a writer’s
story, it is necessary to understand the message that the writer is trying to convey.

3. Literature should have a compelling idea.

A captivating story and character development are always key indicators for me,
which explains why I would much rather read than watch a movie. The author needs
to be able to write the story in a way that attracts a reader and keeps the reader's
attention.

4. Literature should have good style and grammar.

Publishers of books or journals want readers to have a consistent experience,
even if the content is written by different authors or across long periods of time.
Variations in spelling, formatting, or presentation can be distracting at best and
cause confusion at worst. Readers shouldn’t be thinking about punctuation or
spelling–they should be focused on the content of what they’re reading.

5. Literature should sound genuine.

All literature is, anyway, rooted in the creative force of the human being, and
humans, anyway, have collective truths, beliefs, and issues that need to be talked
about and addressed.

III. SIGNIFICANCE OF LITERATURE

Literature is a timeless piece of entertainment. As the innovations of
technological
advancements have grown, the way we read has revolutionized and evolved. However,
the essence of storytelling and the effect it has on our lives hasn’t wavered.
Literature reflects human nature and a way we can learn and relate to others. By
reading through a first-person perspective, we can fully immerse ourselves into a
different mindset and figure out how others think and feel. This is important within
today’s society as we’re becoming increasingly detached from human interaction
through iPhones, FaceTime, and social media. Literature is something that will never
change in the way it makes you feel, regardless of whether that’s on paper or as an
eBook.

 Sparks empathy and understanding. Being able to empathize and

understand other people’s feelings is a key aspect of helping you connect to
different regions, races, societies, and periods of time. They help a person take
a closer look at the different facets of living aside from what they know and
live which can change perspectives.

 Learn about past lives. Being able to read first-hand something from so long
ago is a major aspect of learning the lives of historical figures and times.

 Escapism and possibilities. This is an amazing tool that few entertainment

mediums can truly give you and one of the reasons why literature is so
beautiful. Whether you’re having a bad day, stressed out with work, dealing
with new life decisions – literary works can help you escape into another world
and live somewhere else for a short amount of time.
For the breadth of knowledge is gives, the moral values it carries, and the
enjoyment it provides, literature is important. An exposure to good literary works is
essential at every phase of life as it enriches us in more ways than one. Literature is
definitely much more than its literary meaning, which defines it as ‘an acquaintance
to letters’. In fact, it lays the foundation of a fulfilling life. It adds ‘life’ to ‘living’.

V. BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://febtimahanibatubara.blogspot.com/2016/10/definition-of-literature
based-on-expert.html
https://www.britannica.com/art/literature
https://www.mvorganizing.org/what-are-the-qualities-of-good-literature/
https://www.costercontent.co.uk/blog/writers-corner-importance-literature
https://penlighten.com/importance-of-literature

RepublicofthePhilippines
PANGASINANSTATEUNIVERSITY
LingayenCampus
CollegeofEducation
1stSemester,SY.2021-2022

Functions of
Literature
PREPAREDBY:
LeaCaasi
ArianneSarzaba
SUBMITTEDTO:
Ma'amCarmelaEstimada

WHAT IS LITERATURE?
Simply put, it is a collection of different written texts. Literature definition is the Desire of
people to convey their own knowledge, experience, vision through Written texts. It can be
concluded that literature is a store house of human Knowledge in a printed and accessible form.
HERE ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF LITERATURE THAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW.

10 FUNCTIONS OF LITERATURE
1. KNOWLEDGE SHARING
This is the most basic and important function of literature. We can learn many new things
about the world with its help; we can fill ourselves with knowledge and become smarter.

2. UP BRINGING
Literature affects the feelings and outlook of a person. Why do we read fairy tales in
childhood? Well, mostly because they clearly distinguish between good and evil, which helps
children to understand what is good and what is bad from early age. Thanks to artistic images,
authors convey basic educational principles to the child.

3.СOMMUNICATION
First of all, it is the communication between the reader and the author. Very often, we are
impressed by some characters and do not like others. We can agree with a point of view of the
author and we can disagree with it altogether. Also, a book can be a topic for discussion with
your friends and acquaintances.

4. ENTERTAINMENT
Even though we live in the digital age with all forms of entertainment a tour fingertips, a lot
of people still enjoy reading books to entertain themselves. After all, books can take you
anywhere without you even leaving your couch and they
Can provide you with hours of fun. They don't even have to be fiction, some folks get a kick out
of reading construction manuals.

5. SHAPING THE AESTHETIC TASTE

Literature helps us to form our own vision of beauty, it pleasantly influences us, changing
our behaviour in society and attitude towards people in general. Literature helps us to notice
everything beautiful around us.
6. SELF-DEVELOPMENT
Literature helps us to develop ourselves. Thanks to books, articles, magazines, we have the
opportunity to fill ourselves with new knowledge, cultivate good
Qualities and strive for something more.

7. DEVELOPMENT OF THOUGHT PROCESS

The more we know, the more we have the desire to tell others about it and find out what they
think about it. As the saying goes: "Truth is born in dispute, "and so it is. People very often
reflect on processes, events, knowledge, which they read and discuss various issues with others.

8. PLEASURE
We get pleasure every time from reading good verses or beautiful work, or a book with a
great plot, or other interesting fact sand scientific literature. People spend a lot of time looking
for something that really brings them pleasure, and literature
Is something that gives joy.

9. SHAPING THE SPEECH

The more a person reads, the more words they learn, as well as different designs
and options for constructing sentences. People can enrich their vocabulary
thanks to literature.
 10.TRANSFORMATION
Our world is full of information and not all of it is good and beautiful, but with the
Help of literature, we can transform bad memories into something beautiful. Thanks to literature,
banal things can be turned in to something artistic, poetic and beautiful.

REFERENCE
https://m.scoopernews.com/2019/02/05/10-functions-of-literature-everyone-
should-know-about/2114517

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY

LINGAYEN CAMPUS
A.Y. 2020-2021

Literary Types and Forms

Submitted by:

Angieline P. Barro

Reynabell Resare

Submitted to:

Ma’am Carmela Estimada

Objectives:

1. Determine purpose for reading;

2. Analyze characteristics of different genre.

It seems like there is an infinite amount of genres in literature, but in reality, there are actually many
sub-genres. These sub-genres stem from the three primary forms of literature: Poetry, Drama,
and Prose.

Main Literary Genres

Poetry
- It is the most intense form of writing. It allows a writer to express his or her deepest emotions
and thoughts in a very personal way. It relies heavily on figurative language, rhythm, and
imagery to relay its message to readers.

Primary Sub-Genres of Poetry

Songs and Ballads

- Poetry with a set rhythm, sometimes accompanied by musical instruments.
- Typically includes repetition, single language, and a set rhyme scheme.

Lyric
- Poetry in which one speaker expresses his or her feelings on a particular subject.
- Includes forms such as odes, sonnets, and haikus.

Epic
- A long narrative poem, typically about the deeds of gods or heroes.
- Elevated in styles.
- Includes adventures and expresses values held dear by its culture.

Dramatic
- A narrative poem that uses invented characters.
- Ranges from a monologue to a full length production.
- Can include dialogue, multiple characters, and can be spoken or sung.

Narrative
- Poetry that tells a story.
- Can be in traditional or organic forms.
- Structured in metered verse.
Drama
- is a literary work written to be performed in front of an audience. It contains dialogue, and
actors impersonate the characters. It is usually divided into acts or scenes, and relies on props or
imaginative dialogue to create a visual experience for the audience.

Primary Sub-Genres of Drama

Tragedy
- Traces the rise and fall of a tragic hero with a tragic flaw.
- Includes conflict, suffering, and catharsis
- Can contain elements of comedy (tragicomedy)

Comedy
- Exaggerates or creates improbable situations.
- Includes humour through dialogue or physical action.
- The resolution is usually light hearted.

History
- Details the deeds and events of a historical time period.
- Often features characters of royal lineage, or of legend.

Melodrama
- Highly emotional and often includes exaggerated characters or situations.
- Explores interpersonal conflicts.

Musical
Story told with dialogue, music, and dancing.
- Can includes operas and ballets.

Prose
- It is the most common form of writing. It is not restricted by rhythm or dialogue, and it most
closely resembles everyday speech. It is usually straightforward, and may utilize figurative
language, dialogue, characters, and imagery.
- Prose writing is often divided into two primary categories: fiction and non-fiction.

Fiction
- is narrative writing that originates from the author’s imagination. It is designed to entertain, but
it can also inspire, inform, or persuade.
 Primary Sub-Genres of Fiction

Novel
- A lengthy narrative with plot, setting, characters, and conflict that imitates real life or real
situations.
- Encompasses all kinds of subject matter including historical, adventure, mysteries, romance, etc.

Short Story
- A short prose narrative very limited in plot, few characters, and created by unity.
- Reveals character, rather than traces its development.

Myths and Legends

- A narrative that explains the origins of life, the occurrences in nature, or the deeds of a figure of
folklore.
- Often rooted in both fact and fiction.
- Legends focus less on the supernatural.

Fables
- A short narrative that imparts a moral, or a lesson.
- In sometimes a warning or expresses a general truth about life.
- Often times, the characters are animals.

Non-fiction
- is writing that is based on true events, people, places, and facts. It is designed to inform, and
sometimes to entertain.

Primary Sub-Genres of Non-fiction

Autobiography
- A narrative about one’s life, written by that person.
- Differs from a memoir in that, it usually entire scope of the authors life rather than focusing on a
single period of his or her life.

Biography
- A written account of a person’s life
- Incorporates character, personality, and accomplishments.

Essay
- A narrative about theme, topic, or important information.
- Can be formal or informal.
- Can incorporate opinion.
Diaries and Journals
- A personal, and daily often, recorded of events, experiences, and reflections.
- Diaries focuses more on emotions and personal accounts.
- Journals tend to be logs of event and often describe the experiences of a grown of people.

Narrative Non-fiction
- Prose written about a series of true events, usually connected.
- Can include journey narratives, histories, reports, news articles, etc.

LITERARY PIECE
A story is the telling of an event, either true or fictional, in such a way that the listener
experiences or learns something just by the fact that he heard the story. A story is a means of
transferring information, experience, attitude or point of view. Every story has a teller and a
listener.

Elements of the Story

Setting-Time and place are where the action. occurs.

Characters -The person, animals, and things participating in a story.

Plot -Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story.

Conflict-Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there
is no plot.

Resolution -The resolution is the end of the story.

First Person Point of View- a character from the story is telling the story; uses the pronouns
"I"
and "me".

Third Person Point of View- an outside narrator is telling the story; uses the pronouns "he",
"she", "they.

Theme -The theme is the central, general message, the main idea, the controlling topic about
life or people the author wants to get across through a literary work.

Biography of the Writer

Peter Straughan (born 1968) is a British playwright, screenwriter and author, based in the
north-east of England. He was writer-in residence at Newcastle's Live Theatre Company. Whilst
there, Live staged his plays, Bones and Noir. Both of these plays have displayed. Straughan's
talent for writing dark, twisted and witty stories. He worked as a professional musician and
actor and studied English at Newcastle University. He won the 1997 Northern Arts Writer's
Award and his play A Rhyme for Orange won the 1997 North East People's Play Award. His
stage play Bones (2002) premiered in 1999 at Live Theatre in Newcastle where he became
Writer in Residence. His play Noir (2002), a dark comedy of desire, dreams and coincidence,
was staged at Newcastle Playhouse in a co-production between Live Theatre and Northern
Stage Ensemble. News From the Seventh Floor (2003) is a site-specific theatre piece for Wilson
and co-written with Bridget O'Connor, which opened at Clements department store in Watford
in 2003.

ORPHAN BY PETER STRAUGHAN –ENGLAND

My grandfather was an orphan from County Mayo; from a village on the coast, near Leedarne.
In the photographs that survive you can see the orphan in him, his thin arms and row face, his
lightness, his unanchored nature. He stares past the photographer, slightly frowning through
rough, black hair. He stares far away, as if noting a distant, returning figure. William - a bastard -
was a shameful thing. A priest brought him to the village in the spring, the product of a young
girl from Tuan and a theatre manager. The priest had the little thing baptised and found a
suitable family for him - a shopkeeper and his wife who already had three grown up girls and
would receive money every year from the Parish Poor Fund for the upkeep of the child. It was
the grocer, O'Hannlon, a pious man, who had persuaded his wife to accept my grandfather. You
can't blame the child for his mother, can you?' he reasoned, staring down at William's tight
wrapped, silent self. 'Suffer the little ones, Mr. O'Hannlon. Suffer the little ones... murmured
the priest in agreement. But Mary O'Hannlon observed her new son, tight-lipped, as her new
son, tight-lipped, observed her, and both reserved judgements. 'Well,' she said at last, tell the
neighbor’s he's my sister's boy and she's too ill to raise him.' The silent baby grew into a silent
boy. He ate every meal as if it was his last-ate enough for two-but still grew razor thin and
ghost-faced. That's what the other children called him 'Ghost' distrusting his silence, his stares.
One photograph shows him sitting on the rocks, the ocean behind him. Pinched features and
hollow eyes, the blue black hair. Mary stands awkwardly beside him, a big, fine-looking woman,
shielding her eyes from the sun with one hand. With the other she grips William's shoulder.
Grips. She stares at the camera with a frozen smile. William, as always, is staring past us all with
that slight frown of concentration. His hands are crossed primly upon his knees, his expression
a curious mixture of dignity and imbecility. Two days before William's eleventh birthday O'Hann
lon went and died. My grandfather was carrying a mug of tea through to the shop front, for the
grocer's breakfast, as he did every morning, and so was the first to find him sitting in the corner
by the till, his legs spread out before him, his face a stormy purple, grinning with a kind of
desperate intensity. Mary took it grimly, almost angrily, as if her husband had died against her
express wishes. She arranged the wake, mass and burial - all with a kind of suppressed fury. At
night, in bed, she thought of the grocer's bulk upon her, and searched her emotions guiltily for
grief. She remembered her embarrassment when the doctor had arrived in his car with his
beautiful suit and O'Hannlon lying there with one trouser leg dragged up past his knee, and that
painful grin still upon his stiffening face. He had looked such a fool. And that great efigee of a
boy! Again and again, she saw him, coming back into the scullery with the mug of tea still in his
hand, sitting at the table and never a word, not a damn word, until she had gone through to the
shop front herself and found him lying there. Sitting with that vacant look and all the time her
poor husband lying dead next door. It roused her so, she felt she could strike him, slap his face
as hard as she could. And now O'Hannlon had gone and left her to run the shop all alone, and
bring up that idiot, a boy she had never wanted, all alone. Overcome by the pity she felt for her
own situation Mary blinked out a few, silent tears. God is good the priest had said - God is good
and brings his own back home to him. She could have slapped his face as well. The funeral was
dismal. A freezing, salty rain slanted in from the ocean and the priest dragged out the service in
a quite unnecessary manner. The three O'Hannlon girls had come with their husbands and
stood in a huddle of wet, black coats on the other side of the grave to their mother. William
stood with them. Anne, the youngest, stood next to him. She noticed him shivering and put her
arm about his shoulder. Dry eyed, Mary thought, watching the boy's face. Not a tear, not one -
not for all O'Hannlon had done for him, saving him from the poor house or his mother doing
away with him-bringing a bastard up as their own. For all that, not one tear. A gust of wind sent
the rain against her face, stinging it fiercely. She herself was dry eyed After they had all gone,
she began clearing the plates into the scullery. At the sink, she heard his soft padding step and
knew he would be behind her. Her ghost. And this her only company through the coming years.
She glanced irritably over her shoulder. Sure, enough he was standing there, holding a pile of
dirty crockery, staring vaguely at the floor. Well?' she said. "What is it you're waiting for? Put
them on the table.' He turned to do so and two plates slid free from the pile and shattered on
the stone tiles by her feet. 'Ah, will you look what you've done now!' she cried, exasperated.
'Clean them up, will ye, man! Don't stand there looking at them!' She watched him fetch the
broom and pan and begin slowly and clumsily to brush up the pieces, all the time her anger
building and building until she could feel the small hairs on her hands lift. 'What use are you?'
she said bitterly. "Yer no use at all!' And then repeating this: 'Yer no use at all!' Finished, he
stood up. He was wearing the glasses her husband had found for him shortly before he died.
Behind their lenses his fish eyes blinked at her. He was all things infuriatingly weak and she
gave in to the delicious sensation of her anger. When William was seventeen, one of the
suppliers told him he wouldn't be coming any more. He was selling up and moving to England.
He had a brother there, working on the railways, who had told him that jobs were plentiful and
the money good. Mary had whooped with laughter when my grandfather had told her that
night that he was going to England to be a navy. 'Ye can barely lift your knife and fork, let alone
a pickaxe!' she said. 'Sure, what else are you good for but shop work?' But she felt quite
unexpectedly a sharp pang of unease. 'I don't think it's what my Da would have wanted me to
do,' he answered gravely. 'Your Da? And what in Jesus' name would you know about your Da?"
I know he's in Heaven, looking down on me, and I know he wants the best for me." 'You know
nothing!' 'Mary,' he said, and his voice was steady though he blushed at saying it, 'Mary, you
didn't think I would stay forever, did you?' And when she couldn't answer he had calmly left the
room. She couldn't sleep that night. She had seen in that moment of awful clarity how utterly
dependent upon her idiot boy she had become. The shop would fail were he to go, and she
would be alone, totally alone. He had called her 'Mary' instead of Ma. It was this, not the shop,
that she could not forget. Let that slut and that whoremaster have him, she thought to herself.
Let his precious, saintly parents have him, for I'm finished with him! The next morning, she left
the house early. When she returned, she found William eating in the scullery. She put the scrap
of paper on the table in front of him. 'There,' she said, 'you want to know what your precious
mother wants for you? You can go and ask her. That's where you'll find her in Tuan. Ask her
about your caring Da.' Then she fled to the shop front and busied herself chattering madly to a
customer, all the while her heart thumping in her ears. He was gone for a week and Mary was
sick with fear. What had she done? She couldn't sleep or eat and the realization finally came to
her: she had no one else. Her husband was dead. Her daughters were gone. William was all she
had left. He came home the following Monday. She made him tea as he sat, silent, at the table
and inside she was jubilant. He'd come back to her. He'd seen his real Ma for what she was and
he'd come back to her! 'Well,' she said, setting his tea before him, and how did you find your
precious mother?' She had meant to sound stern, wounded even, but she could not keep the
grin from her voice. I looked,' he said, but she wasn't there. I couldn't find either of them.' He
was lying, of course; she saw that. And in an instant, she was ashamed and bending forward she
saw the ghost in him and knew she could never fill his loss. I have a photograph of my
grandfather. It is my mother's wedding day and he is smiling, surrounded by the family he made
and anchored himself with. And his eyes stare through us all and far, far away. Perhaps as far as
Heaven, where his circle is complete. With the photographs, I have a little bundle of letters he
kept. They are from Mary O'Hannlon, written as she grew older and thinner, as her mind began
to wander a little and she forgot the girls' names and would stare at them with distrust when
they called, but would tell the neighbor’s how her son lived in England now but had said he was
coming to see her. She sent the letters overseas. He never wrote back.

Reporters: Camille De Vera

Aisha Jede S. Molina
II BSED FIL

Republic of the Philippines

Pangasinan State University
Lingayen Campus
Lingayen Pangasinan
S.Y. 2021-2022

LIT 2
Global Currents and World Literature

ELEMENTS OF POETRY
ELEMENTS OF A SHORT
STORY
AND
LITERARY TERMS
Submitted by: Submitted to:
DELFIN, TRISHA MAE CARMELA ESTIMADA
VILLANUEVA, MARVIN Subject Teacher
II-BSE FILIPINO

Elements of Poetry
Poetry- is a form of writing that uses not only words, but also form,
Patterns of sound, imagery, and figurative language. To convey the message.

Forms -the appearance of words on the page.

Stanza- A group of lines arranged together.
Line- A group of words together on the line of the poem.
Kinds of Stanza
• COUPLET = two line stanza
• TRIPLET = three line stanza
• QUATRAIN = four line stanza
• QUINTET = five line stanza
• SESTET = six line stanza
• SEPTET = seven line stanza
• OCTAVE = eight line stanza

Example of stanzas in poetry

Use of Lines in Poetry

 SOUND Devises- Some poems use techniques of sound such as rhythm, rhyme,
and alliteration.
Rhythm
The pattern of beats or stresses in a poem.
Try beating out the rhythm with a finger as you read these lines.
My fathers have lost the economic battle
And won the struggle of cultural survival.
Rhyme
The repetition of the same or similar sounds, usually in stressed syllables at the
ends of lines, but sometimes within a line.
Rhyme Scheme
The rhyming pattern that is created at the end of lines of poetry.
If the poem does not have a rhyme scheme it is considered to be a free verse
poem.
Alliteration
The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words.

Onomatopoeia
Words that are used to represent particular sounds.
Repetition
To create emphasis, a poet may repeat words or lines within the poem.
Imager- poets use words that appeal to the reader’s senses of sight, sound, touch,
taste, and smell.
Figure of Speech
Figures of speech are a special kind of imagery. They create pictures by making
comparisons.
SIMILE- A comparison using like or as.
METAPHOR- Describes one thing is, if it were another.
PERSONIFICATION- Gives human characteristics to something nonhuman.
Mood/Tone- the feelings of the author’s word choices
give the poem.
Theme- the theme of a poem is its central or
main idea.

Elements of a Short story

Short story is a work of short, narrative prose that is usually centered around one
single event.
Setting
Setting is a description of where and when the story takes place.
Characterization
Characterization deals with how the characters in the story are described.
Note:
PROTAGONIST- leading character
ANTAGONIST-who actively opposes lead
Narrator and Point of View
The narrator is the person telling the story. By point of view we mean from whose
eyes the story is being told.
Style
The author’s style has to do with his or her vocabulary, use of imagery, tone, or
the feeling of the story.
Plot and Structure
The plot is the main sequence of events that make up the story. In short stories
the plot is usually centered around one experience or significant moment.

EXPOSITION STATEMENT- The part of the plot that tells how the story begins.
RISING ACTION- The action in the story leading up to the climax.
CONFLICT- The struggles or problems between opposing forces.
CLIMAX- The point of crisis in the plot. It may be the reader’s point of highest
interest.
FALLING ACTION -The action in the story after the climax is revealed.
RESOLUTION- reveals the final outcome.
Theme
The theme is built on a topic, such as death, hope, the American dream, etc. and
how the topic affects the human condition, society, or life.

Literary Terms
 Literary terms refer to the technique, style, and formatting used by writers
and speakers to masterfully emphasize, embellish, or strengthen their
compositions.
Literary terms also include powerful figurative language that writers use to
summon emotion ranging from guilt to anger to bliss, and to allow us to see
the world in new and magical ways.

Categories
1. Persuasion
Persuasion is a literary technique that writers use to present their
ideas through reason and logic, in order to influence the audience.
Persuasion may simply use an argument to persuade the readers, or
sometimes may persuade readers to perform a certain action.
Common Terms
 Satire
o Satire is the art of making someone or something look ridiculous,
raising laughter in order to embarrass, humble, or discredit its
targets.
o Satire refers to a play, novel, poem, film or other composition
which uses comedy, irony, mockery, and exaggeration to criticize
the absurdity or weaknesses of a certain person, institution, or
situation.
o Often, satire utilizes comedy for more serious means, such as
political and social commentary.

For an example of satire, see Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show

which regularly satirizes news media:
The Daily Show: The Curious Case of Flight 370
 Rhetorical Questions
o A rhetorical question is a question asked in a form which does not
in reality seek an answer but rather emphasizes a certain point.
o We often use rhetorical questions in everyday conversation as
well as in speeches.

Here are a few examples of rhetorical questions:

Why would anyone do such a thing?
Are you kidding me?
 2. Figurative Language

Figurative language is any figure of speech which depends on a non-

literal meaning of some, or all the words used. Figurative language is writing
which appeals to the senses. Rather than operating on logic or literalness,
figurative language makes unique connections based on connotation, sound,
and construction of words and phrases.
Common Terms
 Metaphor
o A metaphor is a direct and vivid comparison between two things usually
considered distinct or unrelated.
o Metaphors discover the connections between unique things and
emphasize their similarities poetically without being taken literally.

Here are a few examples of metaphor:

Her smile is the sun.
He’s a black sheep.
All the world’s a stage.

 Hyperbole
o Hyperbole is a remarkably exaggerated statement or idea meant to
be taken figuratively rather than literally.
o Hyperbole exaggerates certain elements of ideas or things for
comedic or dramatic effects.
Here are a few examples of hyperbole:

I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!

That was the best performance I’ve ever seen in my entire life.
I’d kill for a glass of Coca-Cola.

3. Plot and Character Devices

 A story is not a story without a plot and characters. Plot is a literary
device that writers use to structure what happens in a story. Plot and
character devices reveal how complicated compositions can be with a
variety of necessary elements that piece the story together.
Things must happen, and they must happen to interesting people
who are flawed, capable of change, and active in their world. Plots are not
always simple or linear, though, and characters are elements of a story
which may be built, developed, and complicated. Novelists, poets,
journalists, filmmakers, and others use numerous elements in making a
compelling, interesting, and believable story.
Common Terms
 Flashback
o A flashback is a moment in which the linear story is interrupted and
launched to an event that occurred in the past.
o Flashbacks are used to provide more information about the present
and to further develop plots and characters in a way that is more
interesting and complicated than a simple chronological plot.

Here is an example of flashback:

A man is shopping when he sees a woman at the end of the aisle. The
story flashes back, showing that he previously had a relationship with
her, a relationship that ended badly. He swiftly turns around and
enters a different aisle, avoiding her sight.
This flashback shows us that the woman in the store is important to
the man, as she was an important person in his past.
 Climax
o Climax is one of the most important and necessary elements of a
story’s plot, as all drama that has been developing over the course of
the story reaches a breaking point when something or someone must
change.
o This is the most dramatic, meaningful, and suspenseful moment in
the story.

Here is an example of the climax in a story:

A boy has been shipwrecked and has struggled to survive on a desert
island. When a plane flies over him, he is prepared with a large fire
 burning. The plane circles back and lands on the island, where he is
at last rescued.
The climax of this story occurs when the boy’s suffering and
struggling end with his rescue.
4. Sound and Rhythm

Rhythm is about the patterns of sound within a piece of poetry or any

piece of works. It’s the of stressed and unstressed syllables that we use as we
speak while sound devices help readers develop strong visual images,
reinforcing the mood and tone of the literary piece.
Common Terms
 Alliteration
o Alliteration is the repetition of a certain sound at the beginning of
successive words or phrases. Alliteration is used to create rhythm
through repetition and to evoke emotion through connotations attached
to certain sounds.

Here are a few examples of alliteration:

Sarah swam smoothly and silently across the sound.
Kathy creates crazy and chaotic chants.
Bret brought bundles of bread to the bakery.

 Onomatopoeia
o Onomatopoeia refers to words which sound like that which they
describe. Onomatopoeia creates a vivid reading experience, as words
are automatic forms of sound imagery.

Here are a few examples of onomatopoeia:

The explosion erupted with a boom!
The horses clip-clopped across the street.
Fall leaves rustled in the whistling

5. Wordplay
 Wordplay is a literary device in which writers employ the definitions
or sounds of words for the sake of amusement. This is an act of wordplay:
rearranging a word in a creative way to change, emphasize, or mock its
meaning. Wordplay is a creative act which allows writers and readers to
flex their thinking muscles. Wordplay has been employed by greats like
Shakespeare to create entirely new words, modern poets to hide
interesting messages, and quirky comedians to show off witty thinking.
Common Terms
 Neologism
o Neologisms are literally new words, or words recently created in order
to describe something which has never been described.

For example, a recent neologism is “spork,” meaning a combined spoon

and fork.
 Anagram
o Anagrams are a type of wordplay in which the letters of a word or
phrase are rearranged to create a new word or phrase containing the
exact same letters.

For example, an anagram of the word “anagram” would be “nag a ram!”

6. Errors to Avoid
Although it is important to be aware of useful devices at your disposal, it is
also important to be aware of potential mistakes you may be making. Just as
there are terms for correct usage of literary devices, there are terms for incorrect
usage as well. These are the errors you should work to avoid in your writing.

Common Terms
 Malapropism
o Malapropism is when a word is used incorrectly, often in place of one
that sounds similar to the correct one.

Here are a few common examples of malapropisms:

“Supposedly” instead of “supposedly”
“For all intents and purposes” instead of “for all intents and purposes”
 “Fortuitously” instead of “fortunately”
 Cliché
o A cliché is an overused saying or idea which has lost its original meaning
or power. Clichés are to be avoided because they are trite and shallow.

Here are a few common examples of clichés:

Time heals all wounds
What goes around comes around
Every cloud has a silver lining

TERMINOLOGY DRAMA

Below is a list of General Drama terms, which you should become familiar with
and use to help you to describe and detail points in your essays:
Acting Style -The style in which you are acting in, for instance; naturalistic,
stylized etc.
Actor-audience relationship -The relationship created between the actor and the
audience.
Atmosphere- The feeling and emotion that is created.
Blocking -The moves of the actors on stage.
Central character/complex character/important character/ main
character/pivotal character -The most important character in the drama or a
character key to the drama.
Minor character -A character that is less important to the plot and themes.
Characterization- The investigation and portrayal of a character.
Character behavior/ interaction/relationship- The way a character acts and
responds to others.
Climax -The most dramatic point in the play.
Context: dramatic context/ social context / political context / cultural context -
The world in which the play is happening in. What is happening in society and
culture the characters are living in.
Design Concepts- Ideas for the design of the production; for instance, lighting,
costume, set etc.
Dialogue- The spoken word between characters.
Drama Media -Projections, video footage, sound escapes etc.
Drama Process - The steps taken from responding to stimulus or text, to the
performance day.
Dramatic Features - These are key areas in a production, such as, Plot and plot
twists, themes and issues, dramatic tension, dramatic irony, character motivation,
character relationships, key moments, genre, form, purpose, setting, period, style,
target audience,mood and atmosphere.
Dramatic tension / points of tension
/ moments of tension-Tense and exciting moments in the play.
Dramatic Irony -Actions or remarks whose significance is not realized by all the
characters.
Duologues- A conversation between two characters.
Episodic Structure -Series of scenes or stories linking together by a common
theme, character or setting etc. It does not need to link to the same storyline.
Focus -Key moment, scene, character, relationship or event in a drama.
Given Circumstances -Textual information given to an actor about a character or
moment (this cannot be altered). This will help them to play the character and
situation true to the text.
Ground Plans- A drawing or image that gives a bird’s eye view of the set, acting
area and audience position.
Key Scene-One of the most important scenes in the drama.
Key Moment- A moment in the drama which is integral to the plot.
Language- The words used by the characters during the play. This can determine
class, personality, feelings etc.
Message The overall point to be communicated.
Mood -The feeling or emotion of a moment or piece.
Original production / original staging / stage configurations Original production-
The first performance of something like Antigone in Greek times. Original
Staging – Unique use of staging.
Stage Configurations – Audience are in relation to action.
Performance Analysis- The analysis ion and critique on a performance you have
seen.
Performance Concepts- Ideas and techniques you have used as an actor when
developing your character; voice, movement, blocking etc.
Pre-show- A part of the production which adds depth to the plot like the dancing
in the woods in the Crucible for instance.
Plot -The Storyline/Scenario
Plot Twists -Sections of storyline that are unpredictable and take the plot on a
different track.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: Main character in the drama.
Antagonist: The enemy or the competitor.
Purpose- The point of the drama, what the aim of the production is. This could
also link to the purpose of your character in the piece.
Stage Proxemics -The positioning and distance of characters on stage to give
dramatic impact.
Rehearsal Activities- Exercises carried out during rehearsals to aid
characterization and plot development.
Set -Objects, flats and furniture we see on stage to help create the setting.
Setting -The location the drama takes place, for instance, a house, a park etc.
Site Specific Theatre -A piece of theatre created about/for a specific location and
is then performed there to add impact.
Special effects -Effects to help create illusions in the theatre; strobe lighting,
glitter balls, smoke machines, pyrotechnics etc.
Textual evidence- Information drawn from the text to support decisions or
opinions.
Traditional theatre -A piece of theatre that is original from a country or culture.
Stage Imagery- Visual ideas brought to life on stage which represent an
message/emotion/ idea.
Status- Importance relative to other characters.
Stimulus- A starting point for a Drama (photo, script, word, prop, setting etc.)
Subtext- The underlying meaning of the spoken word or movements.
Symbols and imagery- A representation of another meaning.
Target Audience -The audience who are most suited for the production.
Tension -A buildup of excitement.
Textual analysis- Analyzing the words of a text to create a meaning.
Theatrical Background- The experience a person has in theatre or the
background/history of a play.
Themes and Issues- The main topics and points of the play.
Time period / passage of time / shifts in time- When the drama is happening in
relation to date.
Positioning -Placement on the stage.
Use of levels -Contrast of height used in positioning, this could be with actors or
set.
Venue- The theatre or place the drama takes place in.
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