Western Mindanao State University

Naga External Campus

Sta. Clara, Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay

LIT 102 – WORLD LITERATURE

Instructor: Rodrigo, Jr. A. Batobalunos

09558816052/09493072535

Topic: Introduction to World Literature

Objectives:

1. Define what literature is and its roles;

2. Understand the functions and purpose of literature;
3. Identify the characteristics of literature; and
4. Appreciate the implication role of literature in the society and of the world.

Synonyms Snap!
Directions: Find the nearest synonyms of the term “literature” and write
your answer on the space provided after the number.
Community humankind society family
LITERATURE folk language
1. Printed Materials

2. Written Works

3. Lore

4. Books

5. Mailshots
 Read and Ponder:

What is meant by literature? Why study literature?

Literature . It is the mirror of the society which reflects societal norms, culture, tradition,
language, experiences etc. It goes along with the society.

 A body of written works.

 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.
 Derived from “literature” which means writing form with letters.
 Has traditionally been applied to those imaginative works of poetry and
prose.
 Classified according to a variety of systems, including language, national
origin, historical period, genre, and subject matter.
  Broadly refers to any collection of written or oral work, but it more
commonly and narrowly refers to writings specifically considered to be an
art form, especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry, in contrast
to academic writing and newspapers.
 Is an art form, include works in various non-fiction genres, such
as autobiography, diaries, memoir, letters, and the essay, as well as in the
disciplines of history and philosophy.

Other definitions of literature:

 Bwalya .L (2006) the term literature is a latin word ‘litera’ which means
Writing. From this background, it is believed that literature is anything that
is written. The people that subscribe to this notion believe that any written
material qualifies to be called literature; hence mathematical figures are
also literature.
 Hancock (2006) who believes that literature is a body of written works: the
body of written works of a culture, language, people or a period of time.
 Scylar (1998: 83) defines literature as “any writing on a subject: the body
of published work concerned with a particular subject.
 Pollanen (1997) which says that ‘literature refers to published writings in a
particular style on a particular subject.

Why study literature?

 Understanding social milieu
 Understanding culture
 Understanding human nature and behaviour
 Develop historical sense
 Relish aesthetics of artistic expression

FUNCTIONS OF LITERATURE AND ITS PURPOSE

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.
UPBRINGING
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.
COMMUNICATION
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. A book can be a topic for discussion with your friends and acquaintances.

ENTERTAINMENT
Even though we live in the digital age with all forms of entertainment at our 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.
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.
SELF-DEVELOPMENT
Literature helps us to develop ourselves. It is an opportunity to fill ourselves with new knowledge,
cultivate good qualities and strive for something more.
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.
PLEASURE
We get pleasure every time from reading good verses or beautiful work, or a book with a great plot, or
other interesting facts and scientific literature. People spend a lot of time looking for something that really
brings them pleasure, and literature is something that gives joy.
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 in literature.
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 .

THE MAIN PURPOSE:

The main purpose of literature is to explore what it is to be human. It is a way of communicating
others about a huge range ideas, concerns and issues. It is to understand people, societies, events,
language, cultures and traditions. (https://www.legit.ng/1218547-10-functions-literature-
about.html)

UNIVERSAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LITERATURE

1. Timeliness
 In saying that the novels are a testimony to timeliness of literary works. They are a
reflection of the historical context and that in general, literature cannot be interpreted
without consideration of the times it was written in.
2. Eternity
 Eternity is related concept of infinity have long been associated with strong emotional
overtones, serving to astonish, weary, or confound those who attempt to grasp them.
3. Universality
 Why is it literature said to be universal? Literature is written in language, and languages
are different, so those who do not speak a language do not have access to that literature.
If it means that every culture has a literature, that's not exactly true, because many
cultures do not (or did not) have writing.
4. Permanence
 Literature is a permanent expression in words of some thought or feelings or ideas about
life and the world.

 Application!

LIT 102 – WORLD LITERATURE

LIT Exercise 2

Name:________________________________________________Score:___________________
Course/Year:__________________________________________ Date: ___________________

General Instructions: Read, understand and follow all the instructions carefully. Erasure /
alteration means wrong. Be careful.

Independent Practice
Exercise 2. Describe Me!

Directions: Describe…label…define literature in one (1) word using a Web Graphic

Organizer.

LITERATURE
TECHNICAL TERMS

Exercise 3. In connection with exercise above…

Directions: The students are to have an extra-credit task which they will write a
“PERSUASIVE ESSAY” which elucidates the extra logical explanation of each word
from the web graphic organizer.

A. SELF-DEVELOPMENT
It improves awareness and identity. It is a privilege to be inspired by showing your true
self. It will help develop elf-esteem.

B. ENTERTAINMENT
CRITERIA: Literature is something that gives interest or pleasure to the readers. Literature bring people
Completeness -
to the world of fiction which they can forget reality for some time.
40% C. PLEASURE
Content
Nowadays people are engage in electrical technology, and almost of their time spend in this
Relevance
- 40%
kind of technology. But there are some people find their contentment upon reading books. Where
their days were incomplete when they skip reading books even in a single time.
Explanation
- 10%
D. TRANSFORMATION
Timeliness
- 10% Reading books is considered as a life changing. Why? Because according to Alyson Shaw
100% “The More You Read, The More You Know”. Reading can completely make you other person.
Like for example reading a Bible, Yes, Bible is a form of literature according to literary genre,
because 1it is organically written and compile with so many authors over a very long period of
0
time. Therefore it is life changing because when this person read some verses and they
0 it will change their whole life. So-called TRANSFORMATION
comprehend
%
Rated by: __________________________________
Instructor