SHS

21st Century Literature from

the Philippines and the World
Quarter 1
Module 3 Lesson 3
Stylistic Literary Devices
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Quarter 1 Module 3 Lesson 3

MELC 3: Discuss how different contexts enhance the text’s meaning and
enrich the reader’s understanding.

Specific Objectives: .
1. Identify the figures of speech used in the text.
2. Analyze the literary techniques and devices in the text.
3. Read and understand the meaning conveyed by the author in his written
works; and
4. Reflect on the importance of literary devices in the text.

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work
of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government
agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of
such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a
condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this book are owned by their respective copyright
holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these
materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not
represent nor claim ownership over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin
:

Development Team
Sorsogon City Division
Author: Dolarde D. Labayoga
Teacher II, Sorsogon NHS
Editors: Emily D. Dolot and Anne E. Mancia
MT II, SNHS Asst. Principal, SNHS Senior High School
Reviewers: Cleofe D. Ariola and Albay Division (headed by Mai Anne D.
Rondolla)
 I. Introduction

What makes us understand literary pieces? There are many styles in

understanding the power of prose and poetry. These styles will lead us to get many
beautiful insights from the literary pieces that we are interested in.

In this lesson, you will be able to identify and analyze what are those literary
devices and techniques present in a particular literary piece. It is very important for
the students and readers to identify and analyze each of them particularly its function
or role present in a text for deeper understanding and as well as appreciation of the
beauty of a certain literature. For you to be able to understand a literary piece, it is
necessary that we should know what the different literary devices are, so that we can
eliminate confusion and struggle in understanding the text in depth.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. identify the figures of speech used in the text;

2. analyze the literary techniques and devices in the poem;
3. read and understand the meaning conveyed by the author in his
written works; and
4. reflect on the importance of literary devices in the text.

II. Pre-Test

Activity 1: Figure it Out

Let us see how many figures of speech you can still recall by answering some
teaser questions. Write the letter/s of your answer in a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which expression/quotation uses hyperbole?

A. “A writer who is afraid to overreach himself is as useless as a general who is

afraid to be wrong.”
― Raymond Chandler, Pearls are a Nuisance

B. I will take you to the bed of roses in the paradise you have been dreaming of.

C.” Hurt me with a truth but never comfort me with a lie.”

D. I know that if I give in, I’ll get burned so deeply, there might be nothing left once I
come out the other side. But, god, I want to step into that flame.”
― D.L. Hess, Sir

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2. Which of the following is a simile?

A. “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players. They have
their exits and entrances.”
― Shakespeare

B. “A room without books is like a body without a soul.”

― Marcus Tullius Cicero
C. “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
― Albert Einstein
D. He is a tree standing in the middle of the court.

3. Look at the sentence. What type of figurative language was used?

“Kae was so bored he was pulling his hair out!

A. Metaphor B. Simile
C. Alliteration D. Hyperbole

4. Teachers have eyes like a hawk.

A. Simile B. Metaphor
C. Idiom D. Personification
5. Which sentence contains personification?
A. The day was sunny and clear.
B. The sun shone brightly in the morning.
C. The sun greeted me with a warm smile.
D. The sun looked like a big yellow ball of Fire.

Here we go! How did you find the activity? Was it easy? How about a try on
connotation and denotation?

Activity 2: Connotative or Denotative?

Get all these questions right, ok? Write your answers in a separate sheet of paper.

______1. What is the difference between connotation and denotation?

A. Denotation is the literal, explicit meaning of a word; connotation is the implied

association(s) of a word.
B. Denotation is figurative language; connotation is the dictionary definition of a
word.
C. Connotation is the overuse of a word or phrase; denotation is a figure of speech
that only makes sense in context.
D. Connotation is the literal, explicit meaning of a word; denotation is the implied
association(s) of a word.

______2. Which statement about connotation and denotation is NOT true?

A. Fiction writers rely on denotations while scientists rely on connotations.
B. Words with similar denotations can have very different connotations.

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C. Denotation and connotation are equally important to consider when choosing
precise language.
D. Denotations can be found in a dictionary, but connotations come from usage and
context.

______3. Connotation and Denotation are two ways to describe the meanings of
__________?

A. planets B. birds C. words D. sentences

_____4. Connotations refers to a meaning that is implied by a word. Connotations

are often decided by cultural and emotional meanings. If someone called you
childish, would it be considered a negative or positive connotation?

Positive Negative

_____5. A denotation is a literal or specific dictionary meaning. Many use context

clues to decide on the meaning of a word that they may not be familiar with.

True False

How well did you answer the brain teaser on connotation and denotation?
Later, find out if your answers are correct, meanwhile focus on the new words that
you will encounter in this journey.

Building Your Vocabulary

Activity 3: Vocabulary Exercises

Before getting into the succeeding activities, let’s explore your word pool. Write your
answer in a separate sheet of paper.

For you to fully understand the two poems in this module literally and their in-
depth meaning, unlocking of difficult words is essentially important. For the first
poem, Match column A to Column B, write your answer in a separate sheet of
paper.. For the second poem, answer the short cross-word puzzle.

A.
PEDAGOGIC
By: Cirilo F. Bautista

COLUMN A COLUMN B
___1. Interested to learn everything A. Virtue of
hate
___2. Teacher is teaching the student about everything B. Speaking
Dolor
___3. Full of sorrow C. Stood with
finger flaming

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___4. Have an air of being lost in thought D. Teach the
trees
___5. Perfect, righteous hatred E. Serious
Mien

B.
A EULOGY OF ROACHES
By: Bienvenido Lumbera

1.R R U S

2.A 2.S

3.W 4.F

5.R
3.D
4.A

5.R

ACROSS:
1. A cockroach
2. Historical record
3. Smell that is only smelled briefly or faintly
4. Means a fright
5. Reddish brown color
DOWN:
1. When a person is being rude.
2. To plant a seeds
3. Dirty looking
4. Unpleasant dirty
5. To gather a crops

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Study These

Activity 4: Read to Learn; Learn to Read

Copy the poem in your answer sheet and underline as many as figurative language
as you can. It may be a word or a phrase.

PEDAGOGIC
By: Cirilo F. Bautista

I walked towards the falling woods

To teach the trees all that I could
Of time and birth, the language of men
The virtues of hate and loving
They stood with their fingers flaming
Listened to me with a serious mien:
I knew the footnotes, all the text,
My words were precise and correct-
I was sure that they were learning-
till one tree spoke , speaking in dolor,
to ask why I never changed color.

Activity 5: Literary Engagement

Answer the following questions by writing the correct answer in a separate sheet of
paper.

1. Where is the setting of the poem?

___________________________________________________________________

2. Explain the meaning of the following phrases:

a. Falling woods ________________________________
b. Fingers flaming_______________________________
c. Serious mein_________________________________

3. What does the poem, “Pedagogic” suggest?

___________________________________________________________________
4. In your own understanding, what message does the poem convey?
___________________________________________________________________
5. What figure of speech is used in the poem? Explain your answer.
___________________________________________________________________

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 In the previous module, you learned how to take note of literary meaning from
literal language based on usage. It makes it easier for you to analyze the words used
by the writer in his literary piece. Knowledge of the figurative language can also help
you to understand the essential representation of an idea or to fully recognize a
literary lesson. This time, you will be learning more about this figurative language
through figures of speech and other literary techniques and devices in the text. It can
change ordinary descriptions into creative ones and boosts the emotional appeal of
passages. Are you ready to learn more of this figurative language?

Study some more of these figures of speech, literary devices and techniques, these
are:
Source: www.learnhive.com
Figurative languages, figures of speech and literary devices are almost the
same. These are forms of expression used to convey meaning. Why do literary
devices or figurative language or figures of speech are important? Writers use
literary devices in expressing ideas to enhance the writing skill use literary devices.
Literary devices highlight important concepts in a text, strengthen the narrative, and
help readers connect to the characters and themes. These devices serve a wider
range of purposes in literature. Below is a list of more literary devices and their
meanings, most of which you’ll often come across in both prose and poetry.

Figures of Speech/Literary Devices

1. SIMILE – simile in which object, idea, character, or action is compared to another

thing using the words “as” or “like”.
“She is as vicious as a lion” is an example of simile.

2. METAPHOR – when ideas, actions, or objects are described in non-literal terms is

metaphor.
Ex. “What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”-
is a metaphor.

3. PERSONIFICATION – is when a nonhuman figure or other abstract concept or

element is described as having human-like qualities or characteristics.
Ex. “The wind moaned, beckoning me to come outside.”

4. HYPERBOLE – is an exaggerated statement that’s not meant to be taken literally

by the reader.
Ex. “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse”

5. IRONY – is when a statement is used to express an opposite meaning that the

one literally expressed by it.

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6. ALLUSION – is when an author makes an indirect reference to a figure, place,
event, or idea originating from outside the text.
Ex. “Stop acting so smart- it’s not like you’re Einstein or something”

7. JUXTAPOSITION – is the comparing and contrasting of two or more different

ideas, characters, objects, etc.
Ex. Charles Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities; “It was the best of time, It was the
worst of time.”

8. EUPHEMISM – is when a more mild or indirect word or expression is used in

place of another word or phrase that is considered harsh, blunt, vulgar, or
unpleasant.
Ex. “I’m so sorry, but he didn’t make it” is a more polite and less blunt way of saying
that someone has died.

9. OXYMORON – is a combination of two words that, together, express a

contradictory meaning.
Ex. Deafening silence, organized chaos, cruelly kind

10. EPIGRAPH –is when an author inserts a famous quotation, poem, song, or other
short passage or text at the beginning of a large text.

11. ALLITERATION – is a series of words or phrase that all start with the same
sound.
Ex. “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”

12. SYMBOLISM – refers to the use of an object, figure, event, situation, or other
idea in written work to represent something else.
Ex. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel “The Great Gatsby” , “the green light that sits
across from Gatsby’s mansion symbolizes Gatsby’s hopes and dreams.

There you have it, the 12 most commonly used literary devices in a poetry or prose,
their meanings and examples. Keep in mind the fresher input. You will need these in
the succeeding modules.

Enrichment Activities

Activity 6: What’s the Figurative Language?

Choose the best or appropriate figurative language from the given items. Write ypour
answer in a separate sheet of paper.

1. “I am as hungry as a bear!” The kind of figurative language used here is _____

A. Simile
B. Personification
C. Metaphor
D. Oxymoron
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2. “Time flies by!” The kind of figurative language used here is _____
A. Allusion
B. Simile
C. Onomatopoeia
D. Metaphor
3. “The raindrops danced on the table top.” The kind of figurative language used
here is ____
A. Alliteration
B. Simile
C. Personification
D. Hyperbole
4. “The last day of school is like a day at the beach- easy and relaxing.” The kind of
figurative language used here is ______
A. Personification
B. Hyperbole
C. Metaphor
D. Simile
5. A comparison of two unlike things without using like or as is ____
A. Simile
B. Metaphor
C. Hyperbole
D. Personification
6. What’s the meaning of this simile?
“My mom can be as fiery as a volcano when I don’t do my chores on time.”
A. Her hair is red.
B. She talks really loudly.
C. She gets really angry.
D. She spits when she talks.
7. What’s the meaning of this metaphor?
“After all the fans left the stadium, the bleachers were a disaster area.”
A. Trash and leftover food and drinks littered the ground.
B. Lots of caution tape was used to block off sections.
C. Reporters were everywhere trying to catch a story.
D. After the game, a tornado hit.
8. What’s the meaning of this personification?
“The camera loves me!”
A. Photography is one of my hobbies.
B. I own an expensive camera.
C. Photos of me are always really good.
D. I like to visit art museums.
9.The “car is a dinosaur” so we better buy a new one, this means ____?
A. The Car is very old.
B. The car was truly made in prehistoric times.
C. The car is very new.
D. The car is expensive.

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10. An extreme exaggeration used for effect.
A. Metaphor
B. Personification
C. Hyperbole
D. Simile

Activity 7: Where’s the Figurative Language?

Copy all statements that express figurative Language/ meaning. (4points)

1. Grant always turns in his homework.

2. The water was rising in the river because of the rain.
3. Her teeth are like stars because they come out at night.
4. When she sings, her voice is like velvet.
5. Half of the class did not complete the assignment.
6. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
7. Mike was so angry that steam was coming out of his ears.
8. The zebras cried when the wise old elephant died.
9. I’ve told you a million times to clean your room.
10. The snow was coming down by the bucket-fulls.
To deepen your understanding about literary devices, I have here different activities
or tasks that will help you learn more about literary devices, figurative language and
techniques.
Activity 8: Symbolic Meaning
Based on the same poem, “Pedagogic”, find the symbolisms by answering the
questions on the left. Fill in the boxes on the right with your answers.

What does the line of birth and

time symbolize based on the
author’s ideas?

What does language of men

represent in the poem?

The phrase the virtues of hate

and loving symbolizes?

The word color at the end of the

poem means?

Since you have already answered all the activities given in this module, this time
let’s have a sort of comprehension check.

• Which tasks did you find easy?

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 • Which one is difficult for you to answer, why?
• Do you find the ideas, knowledge or information in this module relevant
to your day to day actuation? Why or why not?
• What part of this module helps you in answering the different tasks?
• Did they help you get the important information you need in answering
the questions?

Did you get it right? Congratulations! You’ve learned a lot of things in this
module.

Generalization
You are almost done with your first learning journey, and I think you enjoyed
your tasks. Answer the questions below for me to know if you could still remember
what you have learned in the first part of this module.
TASK 9: Things I Remember
1. What is a figurative language?
___________________________________________________________________
2. Give at least 5 examples of figurative language and their meanings.
_________________________________________________________________

3. What do you think is the purpose of a particular author, why he/she needs to
include figurative language, figures of speech or literary devices in a certain text?
__________________________________________________________________

Application

TASK 10: Poem Analysis

Read the following poem then answer the questions below.

A EULOGY OF ROACHES
By: Bienvenido Lumbera

1. Blessed are the cockroaches.

2. In this country they are the citizens who last.

They need no police to promulgate their peace because they tolerate
each other’s smell or greed.

3. Friends to dark and filth, they do not choose their meat.

Although they neither sow nor reap, a daily feast is laid for them in
rooms and kitchens of their pick.

4. The roaches do not spin, and neither do they weave. But note the
russet coat the sluggards wear: clothed at birth, roaches require no
roachy charity.
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 5. They settle where they wish and have no rent to pay. Eviction is a
word quite meaningless to them who do not have to own their dingy
crack of wall.

6. Not knowing dearth or taxes, they increase and multiply. Survival is

assured even the jobless roach; his opportunities pile up where
garbage grows.

7. Dying is brief and cheap and thus cannot affright. A whiff of toxin
mist, an agile heel, a stick – the swift descent of pain is also final
death.

8. Their annals may be short, but when the simple poor have starved
to simple death, roaches still circulate in cupboards of the rich, the
strong, the wise, the dead.

1. How did the author feel about the poor people? How did he characterize them in
the poem
___________________________________________________________________

2. In our society today, you see a lot of people without a job, a home or even a
family. How do you feel about them?
___________________________________________________________________

3. Identify the FIGURE OF SPEECH employed in the poem. Copy the lines that
express figurative meaning.

4. What is the THEMATIC MESSAGE of this poem? In other words, what lesson is
the author attempting to express with this poem? Explain your answer.

IV. Assessment
TASK 11: Quizalize Player
Answer the following questions below. Every question has an appropriate time of
10 seconds. Once you exceed to the time allotment there is a deduction to your
score. So be conscious to the time! Are you ready?

1. A comparison between 2 unlike things without using like or as is?

A. Simile
B. Personification
C. Metaphor
D. Alliteration
2. I am as hungry as a bear!” The kind of figurative language used here is______
A. Metaphor

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B. Personification
C. Simile
D. Oxymoron
3.”The raindrops danced on the table top.” The kind of figurative language used here
is_____
A. Allusion
B. Personification
C. Simile
D. Onomatopoeia
4. “The last day of school is like a day at the beach- easy and relaxing.” The kind of
figurative language used here is_____
A. Hyperbole
B. Simile
C. Metaphor
D. Asyndeton
5. “A good book is a friend. It provides entertainment and insight. It keeps you
company and helps you feel connected to others.” The kind of figurative language
used here is_____
A. Metaphor
B. Symbolism
C. Imagery
D. Personification

V. Enrichment/ Additional Task

TASK 12: Words of Thanks
Our health workers during the time of Covid19 Pandemic deserve our appreciation
for their many sacrifices. Express your thanks by writing a two-paragraph message
or a two-stanza poem using various figures of speech.

Scoring Rubric
Features 10 7 3
Excellent Good Poor
Content The message or The message or The message or
poem clearly stated poem somewhat poem was unable
the sacrifices and stated the sacrifices to state the
the heartfelt and the heartfelt sacrifices and the
appreciation/thanks appreciation/thanks heartfelt
to the health to the health appreciation/thanks
workers workers to the health
workers
Figurative 6 Figures of 5-3 Figures of 2-1 Figures of
Language Speech are written Speech are written Speech are written
correctly correctly correctly
Grammar No spelling, Few spelling, Many spelling,
and punctuation or punctuation or punctuation or
Mechanics grammar error. grammar error. grammar errors.

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Answer Key
Activity 1
1. b 2. b 3. c 4. a 5. c
Activity 2
1. a 2. a 3. c 4. Negative 5. True

Activity 3
A. 1. c 2. d 3. b 4. e 5. a
B. ACROSS
1. roaches
2. annals
3. whiff
4. affright
5. russet

DOWN
1. roachy
2. sow
3. dirty
4. filth
5. reap

Activity 4
PEDAGOGIC
By: Cirilo F. Bautista

I walked towards the falling woods

To teach the trees all that I could
Of time and birth, the language of men
The virtues of hate and loving
They stood with their fingers flaming
Listened to me with a serious mien:
I knew the footnotes, all the text,
My words were precise and correct-
I was sure that they were learning-
till one tree spoke , speaking in dolor,
to ask why I never changed color.
Activity 5
1. The setting is in the classroom.
2. a. old classroom b. students eager to learn c. students with focus
3. It suggests education/teaching the youth.

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4. It conveys that education must be genuine. The teacher must walk his talk.

Activity 6
1. a 2. a 4. c 5. d 6. C 7.a 8. C 9. a 10. d

Activity 7
3. Her teeth were like stars because they came out at night.
4. When she sings, her voice is like a velvet.
6. I am so hungry that I could eat a horse.
8. The zebras cried when the wise old elephant died.

Activity 8
1. life
2. communication
3. values
4. characteristics

Activity 9
1. A form of expression used to convey meaning.
2. IRONY – is when a statement is used to express an opposite meaning that the
one literally expressed by it.
ALLUSION – is when an author makes an indirect reference to a figure, place, event,
or idea originating from outside the text.
JUXTAPOSITION – is the comparing and contrasting of two or more different ideas,
characters, objects, etc.
EUPHEMISM – is when a more mild or indirect word or expression is used in place
of another word or phrase that is considered harsh, blunt, vulgar, or unpleasant.
OXYMORON – is a combination of two words that, together, express a contradictory
meaning.
EPIGRAPH –is when an author inserts a famous quotation, poem, song, or other
short passage or text at the beginning of a large text.
3. Figurative language can change ordinary descriptions into creative ones and
boosts the emotional appeal of passages.

Activity 10
1. He worries for the poor people because of how they are treated in the society.
Descriptions: They are the citizens who last. They need no police. They do not
choose their meat.
2. Answer may vary.
3. Metaphor. Blessed are the cockroaches
4. Blessed are the poor.

Activity 11
1. c 2. c 3. b 4.b 5. a

Activity 12
Be guided by the scoring rubric
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References

Cover Photo - literary-devices.com, simple writing .com, ibertolotti@/bpearson.ca\

Pedagogic by Cirilo Bautista Accessed July 1, 2020

http://cfbautista.tripod.com/poem2.htm

A Eulogy of Roaches by Bienvenido Lumbera Accessed on July 3, 2020

http://whirlsofambiguity.blogspot.com/2004/12/eulogy-of-roaches.html

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