I.

DIVISIONS OF LITERATURE
A. PROSE - is the most typical form of language, applying ordinary grammatical structure and
natural flow of speech rather than rhythmic structure (as in traditional poetry). While there
are critical debates on the construction of prose, its simplicity and loosely defined structure
has led to its adoption for the majority of spoken dialogue, factual discourse as well as topical
and fictional writing. It is commonly used, for example, in literature, newspapers,
magazines, encyclopedias, broadcasting, film, history, philosophy, law and many other forms
of communication.

1. Fiction - is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in
whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginarythat
is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary
work, it may also refer to theatrical, cinematic or musical work. Fiction contrasts
with non-fiction, which deals exclusively with factual (or, at least, assumed factual)
events, descriptions, observations, etc. (e.g., biographies, histories).

a. Fairytale story about kings, queens, princes and princesses with a touch of
magic
b. Mythology story about gods and goddesses
c. Legend story about the origin of a place or a thing
d. Novel a long narrative with an organized plot usually with a maximum of
500 pages
e. Novelette a narrative with an organized plot usually with a maximum of
300 pages
f. Short Story a narrative with an organized plot usually with a maximum of
100 pages
g. Fable story that uses animals as characters and with moral lesson
h. Parable story used by Jesus in teaching the Good News
i. Allegory story that uses symbolism to represent an idea

2. Non-Fiction - is the form of any narrative, account, or other communicative work

whose assertions and descriptions are understood to be factual. This presentation
may be accurate or notthat is, it can give either a true or a false account of the
subject in questionhowever, it is generally assumed that authors of such accounts
believe them to be truthful at the time of their composition or, at least, pose them
to their audience as historically or empirically true. Note that reporting the beliefs
of others in a non-fiction format is not necessarily an endorsement of the ultimate
 veracity of those beliefs; it is simply saying it is true that people believe them (for
such topics as mythology, religion). Non-fiction can also be written about fiction,
giving information about these other works.

a. Autobiography life story of a person written by himself

b. Biography life story of a person written by another person
c. Newspaper collection of news articles about various current events
d. Magazine collection of articles regarding the lifestyle of man
e. Journal daily record of personal events
f. Planner daily record of business commitments
Anecdote a brief, revealing account of an individual person or an
incident.

B. POETRY - (from the Greek poiesis with a broad meaning of a "making", seen also in
such terms as "hemopoiesis"; more narrowly, the making of poetry) is a form of literary art which
uses the aesthetic qualities of language to evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, the prosaic
ostensible meaning.

1. Narrative - is a form of poetry which tells a story, often making use of the voices of
a narrator and characters as well; the entire story is usually written in metered verse.
The poems that make up this genre may be short or long, and the story it relates to
may be complex. It is usually dramatic, with objectives, diverse characters, and
meter. Narrative poems include epics, ballads, idylls and lays.

a. Epic a narrative poem about supernatural powers possessed by heroes and

heroines
b. Ballad a narrative poem with harmony and rhythm
c. Idyll a narrative poem about rustic life
d. Metrical Romance a narrative poem dealing with the emotions or phase of
life and the story is told in a simple, straightforward and realistic manner

2. Lyric - is a genre of poetry that expresses personal and emotional feelings. In the
ancient world, lyric poems were sung, accompanied by a lyre. Lyric poems do not
have to rhyme, and today do not need to be set to music or a beat. Aristotle, in
Poetics 1447a, mentions lyric poetry (kitharistike played to the cithara, a type of
lyre) along with drama, epic poetry, dancing, painting and other forms of mimesis.
The lyric poem, dating from the Romantic era, does have some thematic antecedents
 in ancient Greek and Roman verse, but the ancient definition was based on metrical
criteria, and in archaic and classical Greek culture presupposed live performance
accompanied by a stringed instrument.

a. Song a lyric poem intended to be sung, with melodious harmony and rhythm
b. Sonnet a lyric poem consisting of 14 iambic pentameter lines
c. Ode a lyrical poem praising or glorifying an event or individual, describing
nature intellectually as well as emotionally.
d. Elegy a lament for the dead

3. Drama - is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes
from a Greek word meaning "action" (Classical Greek: , drama), which is
derived from "to do," "to act" (Classical Greek: , dra). The enactment of drama
in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes
collaborative modes of production and a collective form of reception. The structure
of dramatic texts, unlike other forms of literature, is directly influenced by this
collaborative production and collective reception. The early modern tragedy Hamlet
(1601) by Shakespeare and the classical Athenian tragedy Oedipus the King (c. 429
BCE) by Sophocles is among the masterpieces of the art of drama. A modern example
is Long Day's Journey into Night by Eugene ONeill (1956).

a. Historical a theatrical play with historical plot

b. Comedy a theatrical play with a happy ending
c. Tragedy a theatrical play with the death of some major characters