Week

1
Creative Non-Fiction – Grade 12 HUMMS
Self-Learning Module

What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master the literary
conventions that govern the different genres. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of
the course.

This module consists of one lesson, namely:

 Introduction to Literary Genres

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Analyze and interpret the theme and techniques used in a particular text.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Literary Genres

Creative Non-Fiction is a type of writing that that uses literary skills in the writing of nonfiction; it’s
factually true and artistically elegant. It allows a writer to inject himself/herself into the narrative of
verifiable facts he’s collected. Creative non-fiction is a hybrid of non-fiction and literature.

 What’s In

Read the poem “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer

Trees
BY JO YC E KI LM ER

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.
Answer the following questions:
1. What does the poet say about the tree?
2. What does the poet compare their branches to?
3. What do you mean by “in my house” in the poem?
4. Why does the poet compare the tree with a lovely poem?
5. What do you think is the poem’s theme?

 What Is It

Literature- Derived from the Latin litteratura meaning "writing formed with letters," literature
is most commonly refers to works of the creative imagination, including poetry, drama, fiction,
nonfiction, journalism, and in some instances, song.

A genre is a particular type of literature, painting, music, film, or other art form which people
consider as a class because it has special characteristics.
 Literary Genres

A category of literary composition determined by literary techniques, tone, content, or even (as
in the case of fiction) length. The distinction between genres and categories are flexible and
loosely defined, often with subgroups. The most general genres in literature are ( in loose
chronological order) epic, tragedy, comedy, creative nonfiction. They can all be in the form of
prose and poetry.

Literary Conventions
Defining features of a particular genre such as a novel, a short story, or a play.

Major Genres
1. Fiction
2. Non Fiction
3. Drama (Plays )
4. Folktale
5. Poetry

FICTION
Written stories about people and events that are not real: literature that tell stories which are
imagined by the writer.

DRAMA
A story put into action, or a story of human life told by actual representation of persons by
persons, with imitation of language, voice, gesture, dress, and accessories or surrounding
conditions, the whole produce with reference to truth or probability, and with or without the
aid of music, dancing, painting, and decoration; a play.

FOLKTALE
Folktales are stories passed down by oral tradition. Though there are many varieties of folk
tales, they are commonly about regular people in everyday settings.

POETRY
Prose that resembles a poem in some respect, as in vivid imagery or rhythmic sound.

NONFICTION
The branch of literature comprising works of narrative prose dealing with or offering opinions
or conjectures upon facts and reality, including biography, history and essay.

 Nonfiction presents facts or discusses concepts.

 It may reflect historical context of the time period, including references to major social events.

THEME
The theme in a story is its underlying message or “big idea”. The theme of a story is a message
that the author is trying to express. The author does not explicitly state the theme. To discover
the theme, the reader must make some deductions concerning events in the story.

The two types of theme are:

1. Major Theme – being repeated constantly in the story.
2. Minor Theme – supports the major theme and gives way to other minor themes.

Techniques in uncovering the theme of the story:

 Check out the title. Sometimes it tells the reader a lot about the theme.
 Notice repeating patterns and symbols. Sometimes these lead the reader to the
theme.
 What allusions are made throughout the story?
 What are the details and particulars in the story? What greater meaning they have?

IMPORTANT:

 The theme and plot and structure are inseparable.

 A theme determined from a story never completely explains the story.
 In fiction, the theme is not intended to teach or preach.
 The theme of a fable is its moral.
 The theme of a parable is its teaching.
 The theme of a piece of fiction is its view about life and how people behave.

What’s More
Identifying Theme

Directions: Determine what the theme is for each story and explain your answer. Remember, a
theme is a lesson or message in the story. Write in complete sentences.
1. When Katie Clean invited Messy Missy to her house to work on their biology project, she had
no idea what a visit from Messy Missy entailed. First of all, it was raining and Messy Missy
neither bothered to take her boots off nor thoroughly wiped them on the doormat. Then Messy
Missy ate a bag of hot chips on Katie Clean’s white bedspread without asking. Messy Missy is a
sloppy eater too, so hot chip powder got all over the bedspread. Katie Clean tried to be polite
and ignore Messy Missy’s sloppy behavior. But then Messy Missy threw her chip wrapper on the
floor. Offended, Katie Clean pretended that she was sick and asked Messy Missy to leave. The
next day Katie Clean asked the teacher if she could work by herself. After Katie explained the
situation, the teacher allowed Katie to work alone. Messy Missy almost finished the assignment
alone, but she spilled grape soda all over it and quit.

What is the theme of the story?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________

What happens in the story that leads you to believe this?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________

2. Money Mark was born rich. He never had to work a day in his life and he got everything
handed to him on a silver platter. When he was six, Money Mark wanted to go to a basketball
game. His father paid the starting five of the Bulls and Celtics to play a private game of Nerf-ball
in Money Mark’s bedroom. When Money Mark turned thirteen, he wanted to start a band. His
father hired the Mountain Boys to play with him every Saturday at the family’s private concert
hall, though his family was never there. By the time he was twenty-one, Money Mark was bored
with life. He was surrounded by a bunch of possessions that he didn’t appreciate. Nothing was
new or exciting to him. Despite his vast wealth, Money Mark never found happiness. Penny Petal
was born poor. Her family hardly had anything to eat, but they loved each other. Penny Petal
appreciated every thing she got. When she was six, her father walked her around the United
Center before the Bulls played the Celtics. She was excited by the crazy fans and feeling in the
air. She looked forward to the day that she could see a real game. When she was thirteen, she
learned to play the buckets. She was an extremely talented musician, a natural percussionist.
Everyone on the block loved the rhythms that poured from her palms. By the time she was
twenty-one, Penny was a successful businesswoman. Soon she had everything that she had ever
dreamed of having. She loved to share her wealth and happiness with her family, who had
supported her through the hard times.

What is the theme of the story?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________

What happens in the story that leads you to believe this?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________
3. Tammy and Sammy were both students in Mr. Morton’s reading class. Mr. Morton wasn’t too
strict about deadlines, and Sammy took advantage of that. Sammy did all his homework in his
other classes. But he never bothered to complete Mr. Morton’s reading assignments. He figured
that he could complete them later. Tammy, on the other hand, completed each assignment Mr.
Morton had assigned every night. She had to stay up a little later, but she knew that reading was
the most important subject. She knew that if she learned to read well, then she could teach
herself anything. So she always worked hard in her reading class. When the end of the quarter
came, Tammy and Sammy had both planned on going to the Magic Castle amusement park. They
were both so excited. But then Mr. Morton called Sammy’s mother to report Sammy's grade. She
grounded Sammy and that weekend was horrible for him. He stayed up until 2:00 AM each
night, yet he still couldn’t complete all the assignments. Meanwhile, Tammy had a great time
eating pizza at Enchanted Castle. After that she stayed up late and watched movies. She enjoyed
her weekend free of stress and pressure. At the end of the quarter, Sammy was lucky to squeak
by with a C minus. Tammy earned an A. Yet, Sammy still hasn’t learned his lesson. He may not
complete this activity either.

What is the theme of the story?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________

What happens in the story that leads you to believe this?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________

4. Mr. Pig and Mr. Dog relaxing at the food court of the animal shopping mall. Mr. Pig was eating
a huge feast of pizza and drinking a large jug of fruit punch. Mr. Dog was watching him eat. "Hey,
Mr. Pig. If you give me a slice of your pizza, I'll let you have the next bone I find." Mr. Pig
declined, even though it hurt his stomach to eat the last three slices of pizza. "I'm sorry, Mr.
Dog," Mr. Pig said between grunts, "but I paid for this pizza and it's all mine." Mr. Dog sighed and
waited for Mr. Pig to finish. Then they left the animal mall together. On the way out, a hunter
spotted them and gave chase. Mr. Pig normally could have escaped the hunter, but he was
weighed down by the large meal. Mr. Pig collapsed and the hunter seized him. Mr. Dog easily
escaped. Later that night, Mr. Dog returned to the scene. He caught the scent of something
delicious and began digging around a trashcan. He found a large ham bone with lots of meat and
marrow still stuck to it. Mr. Dog happily ate.

What is the theme of the story?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________

What happens in the story that leads you to believe this?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________
5. In his sophomore year of high school, basketball legend Michael Jordan tried out for the
varsity basketball team. But at five feet and eleven inches tall, the coach believed that Jordan
was too short to play. The coach cut Jordan from the team. Jordan didn’t let this obstacle defeat
him. In fact, it pushed him to work even harder. He trained vigorously and grew another four
inches the following summer. The next year, Jordan made the varsity squad. He averaged 25
points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history.

What is the theme of the story?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________

What happens in the story that leads you to believe this?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________

What Have I Learned

KWLH Chart

Now, based on the details above, fill-in the following KWLH Chart to see your learning status in
this module. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

K W L H
(What do I (What (What did I (How did I
know before concepts or learn from learn it? Cite
the start of ideas do I this lesson?) samples and
this want to situations)
module?) know
more?)

Literary
Genres
Five Major
Genres
Theme

What I Can Do
Memory Walk

Go on a walk around a place you know well, maybe it's your home, your neighborhood, or a
specific park or building. As you're walking, make mental note of places that trigger certain
memories from your past. Then, when you get back from your walk, write about the most vivid
memory you recollected.
Assessment
Directions: Read each item carefully then choose the letter that corresponds to your answer.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. It is an element/s of a story that bind/s together various other essential elements of a

narrative.
a. theme
b. Motif
c. All of these are correct
d. Moral
2. Which word/s is/are not synonymous to “theme”?
a. Point of a story
b. Subject
c. Point of a theme
d. None of these are correct
3. It is more important and enduring throughout a narrative.
a. Catharsis
b. Minor Theme
c. Major Theme
d. None of these are correct
4. A romance novel would have the major theme of________.
a. Love
b. War
c. Suspense
d. All of these are correct
5. They provide discussion points for a chapter or two, but do not color the entire story.
a. Minor theme
b. Catharsis
c. Major Theme
d. None of these are correct
6. Is the theme important in a literary work?
a. It depends on the reader.
b. No
c. Yes
d. It depends on the situation
7. A romance novel may have minor themes such as ______________.
a. All of these are correct
b. Marriage
c. Fidelity
d. Flirtation
8. What is true about the importance of a theme in a literary work?
a. It is okay not to have a theme when you write a narrative.
b. A good author is one that does not pay attention to the theme.
c. None of these are correct.
d. A good story must only have one minor theme for it to be great.
9. A moral and a theme is the same.
 a. False
b. It depends on the reader
c. True
d. It depends on the author
10. Which one is an example of a theme?
a. regret
b. A man is struggling with regret throughout a story. Dark dreams, repetitive
thoughts, and dark lighting emphasize the mood and pervasiveness of the regret.
c. All of these are correct
d. Love others the way you would like to be loved.
11. The Philippine National Anthem’s theme is _________
a. Cowardice
b. Revenge
c. Patriotism
d. None of these are correct
12. Which of the following technique is INCORRECT?
a. None of these are correct
b. Pay attention to the details and particulars in the story
c. Notice non-repeating patterns and symbols
d. Check out the title.
13. The theme of a Parable is its______
a. Imagery
b. Teaching
c. Moral
d. None of these are correct
14. One tip in uncovering a theme of a story is by “Checking out its _______”.
a. None of these are correct
b. Title
c. Imagery
d. Characters
15. The theme, _______ and structure are inseparable.
a. Moral
b. Motif
c. Plot
d. None of these are correct