21st CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD

ACLC COLLEGE OF TACLOBAN

SHS DEPARTMENT

LECTURE NOTES

Lesson 1
Introduction to 21st Century Literature
Introduction
This course aims to engage students in critical study and appreciation of
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World encompassing their
various dimensions, genres, elements, structures, contexts, and traditions.
This will allow the students to get to know more about the rich history of
literature of different regions and countries and the diversity of their works.

What is literature?
Literature seems too difficult to embrace for people who are indifferent to
it. However, it continues to grow and stay because of its significance and value
to man. Literature is an art of self- expression.

Literally, it means “ an acquaintance with letters as in the first sense given in

the Oxford English Dictionary. In Latin, “littera” means an individual written
character. It represents a language or people; culture or tradition, passion and
dignified thoughts. It introduces us to a new world of experience. It records the
experiences of man. It imitates and interprets life through language. Everything
that is written is literature.

Unit Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this unit you should be able to:
Learning outcomes:
1. State the meaning of literature;
2. Discuss the meaning of literature;
3. Appreciate the extent of literature in all aspects of human
environment;
4. Discuss the types of literature; and
5. Compare and contrast the four literary genres.

LESSON CONTENT
Importance Of Literature
- Literature molds man as a total human being by being
sympathetic, aware and sensitive.
- It educates, entertains and informs.
- It leads us to understand the life of man.

Types Of Literature
- Literature has two major types: oral and written
Oral Literature includes ballads, myth, jokes, folktales
and fables, whereas written source has drama, novel,
poetry and non- fictional literature.

 Types of Literature according to Structure:

Poetry- is an artistic piece of philosophical, personal, imaginative
or inspirational nature that is laid out in lines.
Prose- a literary piece that is written without metrical structure.

 Literature can also be classified as either fictional or non- fictional.

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LECTURE NOTES

Fictional literature is simply defined as a product of one’s

imaginative mind. It can be drama, short story, novel, myth,
folktale and poetry.

Non- Fictional literature is opposite to fiction as it comes out of

one’s personal experiences, a true and factual account of
varying information. This includes biography, essay journals,
newspapers, diary, magazine etc.

LITERARY GENRES (FORMS)

1. POEM
- Poem is a composition written in verses having standard
measurements and written with a higher intensity or artistic
beauty.

Poems are classified into three: lyric, narrative and dramatic.

Lyric poem refers to short poems which expresses the personal thoughts
or emotions of the poet. This is intended to be sung.
Narrative poem tells a story. It can be a ballad or an epic.
Dramatic poetry is a theatrical dialogue performed on stage. It can be a
tragedy, comedy, melodrama, or tragicomedy.

2. SHORT STORY

-Short story is a small commercial fiction, true or imaginary and smaller

than a novel. It is a prose that has one unit of place, time and action. It is
“bite size” version of a novel. You can finish reading it in just one sitting.

Short Story Elements:

Plot and Structure Plot- the sequence of incidents or events

through which an author constructs a story. The plot is not merely
the action itself, but the way the author arranges the action toward
a specific end.
( structure)
Structure- layout of the work.

Conflict- It is where plot is often created. It is controlling impulse in a

connected pattern of causes and effects. This arouses
curiosity, causes doubt, creates tension and produces interest. Great stories
do have a conflict.

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Conflict may be external and internal:

External conflict is one between a character and an outside force,
such as another character, nature or fate.
Internal conflict takes place within the mind of a character who is
torn between opposing feelings or between different courses of action; also
called as dilemma, a conflict within a person/

Most plots develop in five stages:

1. Exposition- introduces the characters, setting and conflict.

2. Rising Action- complications, twists or intensifications of the conflict
occurs.
3. Climax- emotional high point of the story also the most exciting part.
4. Falling Action- logical result of the climax
5. Resolution- the final outcome of the story. It may be happy, unhappy
or undetermined.

Character and Characterization

- Character is a verbal representation of a human being. The
character is either the protagonist (“the good guy”) or
antagonist (“the bad guy”).
Characterization- is the quality of the character which is
disclosed through actions, descriptions both personal and
environmental, dramatic statements and thoughts by the other
characters and statements by the author.
Setting- The setting is the overall context- when, where and in what
circumstances the action occurs.
Point of View (POV)- Refers to whoever is telling the story. It is the
speaker, the narrator, persona or voice created by the author to tell the story.
 First person= I, we
 Second person= you
 Third person= He, she, they (most common)
Theme- the central idea or message of the story, often a perception
about life or human nature.
Tone and Style
Tone- the attitude and feelings
Style- the manner, in which an author uses words, constructs
sentences, incorporates non literal expressions and handles rhythm
timing and tone.
Humor and Irony- are intended to create an emotional impact on the
reader. Irony is when things work out opposite of what they’ re supposed to or
expected to.

Guidelines in reading a short story

First Reading
Determine what is happening: where, what, who is involved or the
major characters of the story.
- Make a record of your reactions and responses.
- Describe characterizations, events, techniques and ideas

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LECTURE NOTES

Second Reading

Trace developing patterns

- Write expanded notes about characters, situations, actions
- Write paragraph describing your reactions and thoughts
- Write down questions that arise as you read.

3. NONFICTION
Nonfiction is the broadest category of literature. Autobiograhies,
biographies, memoirs, letters, essays, speeches and news articles are just a few
of the many types of nonfiction. All of these forms of prose concern real, rather
than imaginary subjects.

Books that are made up by the author or not true, are fiction.
KINDS OF NONFICTION
Narrative Nonfiction- tells a story as works of fiction do (eg. Autobiographies
and Biographies)
Informative Nonfiction- this includes essays, speeches and articles that explain
a topic or promote an opinion. (e.g., essays )

POETRY
Poetry is a “ way of feeling life”, according to Daisy Zamora, a Nicaraguan
poet. Poetry captures intense experiences of creative perceptions of the world in
a musical language, if prose is like talking, poetry is like singing.

Types of Poem(Traditional Classification)

 Ballad- a narrative poem written in four- line stanza
 Ode- long stately form written in various stanzas.
 Sonnet- lyric poem of 14 lines
 Blank verse- unrhymed 10- syllable poem
 Free verse- no regular meter, pattern or rhyme.
 Limerick- 5- line rhymed poem that makes fun.
 Elegy- a poem expressing grief of subjective and meditative
nature
 Epic- narrates the life and adventures of a hero
 Song- expresses deep thoughts, feelings and emotions.

4. DRAMA
Drama is told mainly through words and actions of characters
and intended to be performed by actors. Feature films can be considered
as drama as well as any television programs.

Elements of Drama
Characters- can be human, supernatural, divine, mythical
personification of abstraction that reflects the personality of the
character.
Setting- geographical location of the play (story), time and period.
Plot- serial arrangement of incidents, events and ideas.

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LECTURE NOTES
Dialogue- the thoughts of the characters are exhibited. It is the
conversation that portrays thoughts, emotions and feelings
Point of View- serves as an instrument of the playwright to show
his actions and words are arranged where the audience can draw their
conclusion.

Summary of Topic/ Section

 Literature records the experiences of man. It imitates and interprets life

through language. Everything that is written is literature.
 Literature has two major types: oral and written
 There are Four Literary Genres: poem, short story, essay and drama;
with each having its distinctive features.
 Literature is important to us because it speaks and affects human
interaction and perception of the world.
 It enlivens human interest, enriches and colors our imagination.

KRISTINE B. CAMILO ABS1

EVALUATION
1. In your own words, define literature and how it affects you and humanity as
a whole.

Answer: Literature is the foundation of humanity’s cultures, beliefs, and traditions. Literature
explains human values. It serves as a reflection of reality. in the present generation still exists as
an expression of art, a source of knowledge, and an instrument of entertainment. Everything
that happens within a society can be written, recorded in, and learned from a piece of
literature. Without literature life ceases to exist.

2. Using the graphic organizer below, differentiate the 4 major literary genres
discussed.
Genre Features/ Characteristics
1. Poem The elements of poetry include meter,
rhyme, form, sound, and rhythm (timing).
Different poets use these elements in many
different ways. Some poets do not use
rhyme at all.
2. Short Story Characteristics of the short story include its
length, limited number of characters,
subject matter, and tendency to begin 'in
medias res', which is Latin for 'the middle of
things
3. Non- fiction - There may be chapter titles and section
headers that preview information.
-Each page has words in a variety of fonts
and type sizes.
-Bold or italic fonts may be used to signal
important words or phrases.
-Diacritical marks may be used to guide
pronunciation.

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LECTURE NOTES
4. Drama A drama is a piece of writing, which is
artistically presented with dialogues. A
drama is attractive, impactful and real as it
presents characters along with a natural and
credible aspects. It is very similar to a short
story as it also comprises characters, plot,
setting as well as symbolism.

ASSIGNMENT
Identify what genre of literature are the following literary works:
1.The Tell- Tale Heart - Horror Fiction
2. Hamlet - Tragedy
3.Jane Eyre - Novel
4.To Kill a Mockingbird - Southern Gothic Fiction
5. The Gift of Magi - Short story
6. Doctor Fautus- Tragedy
7.Anna Karenina - Novel
8. If - Science fiction, Horror
9. Les Miserables - Epic novel, Historical fiction, tragedy
10. Wuthering Heights - Tragedy

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