SHS

IMUS UNIDA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Quality. Christian. Education.

21st Century Literature from the

Philippines and the World

Quarter 1 Module 2: Lesson 3

Literary Elements, Structures, and Traditions of Fiction and
Poetry
 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Quarter 1 Module 2: Lesson 4

MELC 2: Compare and contrast the various 21st century literary genres and the ones from the
earlier genres/periods citing their elements, structure and tradition.
Specific Objectives:
1) Distinguish literary elements, structure, and tradition of fiction and poetry; 2) Describe
the literary elements, structure and tradition of earlier genre of fiction and 21 st century
poetry; and
3) Reflect on the changes of the literary elements, structure, and tradition through times.

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.

I. Introduction

Central to the development of literacy is the foundation of literature through which time
periods become unfolded to and reflected by the readers like you. However, literature,
particularly in the Philippines has gone various changes as a result of catastrophic colonization.
These changes are seen in the writings of modern Filipino writers today particularly in their use
of the literary elements, structure, and traditions in which flexibility and personal style are
incorporated. Consequently, there is a needfor modern readers like you to be able to compare
and contrast the 21st century Philippine literary genres and the ones from the earlier genres
citing their literary elements, structure, and traditions.

Particularly, this module provides you fun activities and comprehensive discussion for you
to:
 distinguish literary elements, structure, and tradition of fiction and poetry;
 describe the literary elements, structure and tradition of earlier genre of fiction and
21st century poetry; and
 reflect on the changes of the literary elements, structure, and tradition through times

At the end of this module, you are expected to provide acomparison-contrast paragraph
about earlier genre of fiction and 21st century poetry citing their literary elements, structure, and
tradition.
 II. Pre-Test

Hi! You may be facing a hard time combating our present situation but I hope that you
are still full-geared as we take our learning journey in a few-minute. Just always remember to
be patient and eager to all the activities provided for you because these are the qualities of a
learner who succeed in this journey. If you are ready, let’s go to the first activity!

Activity 1. Hello Mr. Venn!

Draw this Venn diagram in your
notebook. Write down three similarities
of these two genres
in terms of elements, structure, and
tradition in the inner circle and three
differences in the outer circle.
Additional point will be given if all
items are completed.

Score:10+- Excellent!
5-9- Very good!
4-below- It’s okay! You can do it better next time.

III. Lesson Proper

Great! You surpassed the first activity. I hope that you still remember what you have
learned from the previous module because you need them in the next activity.

Look Back

Activity 2. Let’s pick the right one!

In your notebook, list down the elements, structure, and tradition present in this six-word
story or flash fiction. Choose your answer from the word pool.

-Setting - Climax
- Characters - Falling action
-Conflict - Resolution Born clueless; lived
-Exposition - Point-of-view poor; died brave.
- Rising action - Freytag
- non-linear - in-medias res
 Score: 10 - Excellent! You got it all!
8&9 - Very good! Partially correct!
7-below - Kindly re-learn the previous lesson before you proceed to the next activity.

Building Your Vocabulary

One of the strategies to get the meaning of an unfamiliar word is to find its synonyms.
Unlock the unfamiliar words to better understand the selections that you will be reading after
this activity.

Activity 3. Let’s have a dictionary game!

In your notebook, write S if the words are synonyms; A if they are antonyms; and D if
they have different intensity.
____ 1. rule–lead ____ 6. plead – decline
____ 2. battle –dispute ____ 7. kingdom – country
____ 3. enemies – nemesis ____ 8. conquer – defeat
____ 4. victory – achievement ____ 9. exploit–adventure
____ 5. scorn –admire ____ 10. successor –predecessor

Score: 5 - Excellent!
3&4 - Very good!
2-below - It’s okay! There are still more activities to come.

Study These

Activity 4. Let’s explore the selection!

Kindly read the story about Princess Urduja, a pre-colonial Pangasinan folktale, and
answer the questions that follow.

Princess Urduja

Pangasinan was a kingdom ruled by King Dalisay who had two children, a son and a
daughter. The king was growing old and his worry was about which of his children would rule
his kingdom upon his death. He was old and getting older and did not expect to live long.

Looking at his son, he asked “Son do you think you can rule the kingdom when I am
gone?” Seeing that his son was weak, he went further. “You know our enemies are strong.
They are powerful and get from you everything that belongs to the kingdom. You and your
sister will have to fight and lead our men to battle and protect the kingdom. Not to do so will
mean we will lose everything.”
 The prince was silent but his sister, Princess Urduja was scornful of her brother who
lacked the leadership that she inherited from their father.
Even before they have finished their conversation, a runner had come with the news that
the enemy was at the edge of the kingdom, ready for the attack.

Crying loud and clear, the princess ran to her father and on bended knees, she pleaded,
“Father, let me lead the men in the battle. Only say the word, father, and I promise victory of
the kingdom.”

Looking at his son with a heavy heart, he said yes to Princess Urduja who easily won the
battle. After this first battle, she began training her own army. There were more armies to
conquer, more land and lives to protect. This was just the beginning.

When king Dalisay died, she took over as ruler. She waged many victorious battles against
the kingdom’s enemies. In fact, she was able to extend her kingdom to the areas in Northern
Luzon. Her exploits were known all over Asia. To the advice that she get married so that she
could have a successor to the throne, she could only smile and offer the challenge that she
would marry only the one who beats her in a fair fight.

In addition, because of her victories, she became rich. She was intelligent. She talked with
foreigners to know what lay beyond the seas of her country’s islands. She was good at
learning languages. It is said she could speak Arabic. It was a wonder how this Malayan
woman was so brave, brilliant, and so good at ruling her kingdom.

Source: Helen Ponce de Leon Ladera, et.al. The New Dimensions in Learning
English: A Series for Philippine Secondary Schools.(Manila: Rex Book Store, 2003),
101-102.

1. Do you admire the main character in the story? Why or why not?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
2. What is the major event of the story?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
3. What does the story mean to you?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
4. How was the flow of the story narrated?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
5. How does this folktale resemble the pre-colonial period?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

The story you have just read is an old account of Philippine literature where past events
were narrated and recorded. This is also comparable to the new accounts of Philippine literature
where new styles are born and redeveloped. If you want to learn more about this let us read the
discussion below.

Philippine literature has gone through a lot of changes as mirrored from the history. With the
absence of formal education during the pre-colonial era, our forbearers spend their time telling
narratives such as myths and folktales. These were passed though the word of mouth and
became an oral tradition in literature. This also madefiction one of the earlier genres in literature.
However,as colonization took place, formal education sprouted and people started to develop a
more modern art of writing which paved away to written tradition. This is where literature
becomes an archive of culture through times. When Filipinos won independence, lifestyle has
changed and so as the literature. As part of the global requirement to keep pace of technology,
especially in the 21st century era, people learn to upgrade and “customize” their skills in oral and
written narration.An example for this is poetrywhich is one of the most resilient literary genres of
all times.Ithas special qualities which convey in-depth messages in a creative and endearing
manner perfectly meant for this era where people love a dose of unique entertainment in a daily
basis.

Source: Rey John CastroVillanueva, “Philippine Pre-Colonial Literature”, Rey John

Castro Villanueva on English and Literature, accessed January 9, 2009.
https://arjaytheteacher.blogspot.com/2009/01/philippine-pre-colonial-literature.html

Both earlier forms of fiction and 21st century poetry follow certain elements, structures,
and traditions.The following are some of their general features:

CHARACTERISTICS EARLIER GENRE OF 21st CENTURY GENRE OF

FICTION POETRY
I. ELEMENTS A. Setting A. Figurative language
 time of the datus  Figurative language
 daily life in a far-away ranges from simple to
land complex.
B. Characteristics B. Sound Device
 Characters may or may  usually in free verse
not have supernatural C. Theme
capabilities.  usually talks about
 Some protagonists were personal and social
ideal persons. problems
C. Conflict D. Tone
 man vs. man; man vs.  It can be comic,
fate serious, desperate,
D. Point-of-view tragic, uncertain, and
 often uses third person outspoken.
limited
E. Theme
 conveys love for family;
honour to the
community; and gift of
good values
F. Tone
  Narrators conformed to
the culture as it is very
illuminating, optimistic,
nostalgic and polite.
II. STRUCTURES A. Plot can be either: A. Metrical pattern
 Freytag’s pyramid- The plot  It can be eithermetrical
starts with the exposition, or free verse.
rising action, climax, falling B. No. of Lines and syllables
action, and resolution.  usually does not follow
 Seven-point story- The plot specific number of lines
starts with the hook which and syllables
presents the readers
current situation. From
there, the protagonist’s
adventure starts with the
first significant encounter or
incident but failed to
overcome it. Then, with the
current turmoil vested to the
protagonist, he or she is
able to step-up and find
ways to overcome the
problem but then again,
fails to do so. Until, the
protagonist learned the way
to solve the problem and
later changed the current
situation the characters had
in the beginning of the
story.
 Fichtean curve- The plot
starts with series of crises in
the rising action which
builds up to the climax, and
later in falling action; or
 In-medias res- The plot
starts with the middle crisis
which provides a question
to the readers as to what
started the conflict of the
story then suddenly goes to
the rising action in the form
of flashbacks, climax, falling
action, and denouement.
 Non-linear- The plot do not
follow the standard
structure in building up a
story. Often, it starts with
the denouement and ends
with the exposition with
back and forth transitions in
 the middle of the plot.
A. Values orientation A. Values orientation
 reflects family values and  It usually persuades the
beliefs of elders readers to change
B. Social and political views human and social nature.
 addresses the role of B. Social and political views
gender in the society (a  It often talks about
gender stereotype in the individual differences,
modern era) and the race, political issues,
extent of bravery people social justice and alike.
gave for the sake of their C. Language
territory  can be oral or written
C. Language  Narrators may use
 can be oral or written colloquial words and
 Narrators used their own slangs for more personal
dialects. connection
 It is often delivered in a
simple, lyrical, and
metrical way to aid
familiarization.

Source: Perfecting your Craft, “Story Structure: Three Models for Your Book”, reedsyblog,
accessed July 20, 2018, https://blog.reedsy.com/story-
structure/#:~:text=While%20it%20resembles%20Freytag's%20Pyramid,straight%20i nto%20the
%20rising%20action.

Source: Blance Tiu, “Essential Features of Pre-Colonial Literature”, Prezi, accessed

December 11, 2013. https://prezi.com/ixvbnofxsmp6/essential-features-of-pre-
colonial-literature/

Source: Emma Doherty, “Modern Poetry Is Much Different Than It Used To Be”,
Thought Catalog, accessed July 24, 2017.
https://thoughtcatalog.com/emmadoherty/2017/07/modern-poetry-is-much-different-than-it-
used-to-be/

In literature, nothing is constant and so the characteristics above may still vary depending
on the selection. Here are some additional points to spot similarities and differences of fiction
and poetry.
 There are some poems with stories and some fictions with rhymes. It can be seen in
epics in the earlier era and some spoken-word poems (a poem which purpose is to
convey message orally for the audience) and children stories in the 21stcentury literature.
In this case, you can add fiction’s elements and structure for poems and vice versa.
 Not all poems are descriptive; it can also be persuasive just like verse journalism (a social
or political issue presented in a poetic form).
 It is not at all times true that oral tradition only happened in the pre-colonial era and
written tradition in the modern era. There were also narratives carved in woods or
engraved in stones using symbols and old alphabets during precolonial era and oral
tradition in the modern era.
 Source: Ma. Lourdes Tayao, et.al.,21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the
World. (Quezon City: C & E Publishing Inc., 2017), 138-139

Source: Andrew Gil, “Quraysh Ali Lansana talks about his work and the ‘Verse
Journalism’ project”, WBEZ, accessed April 2, 2012.
https://www.wbez.org/stories/quraysh-ali-lansana-talks-about-his-work-and-theverse-
journalism-project/ad9c1ba0-f753-4d37-9f84-5be8d0df981c

Source: Aurelia Blake, “Elements of Spoken Word Poetry”, Prezi, accessed February
19, 2015. https://prezi.com/jwdvg_h5ihs4/elements-of-spoken-word-poetry/

Enrichment Activities

Activity 5. Let’s read and learn!

This literary selection is a spoken-word poetry entitled “Ang Huling Tula na Isinulat ko
Para Sa’yo”. This was narrated by Juan Miguel Severo, an actor, writer, and a UP graduate.

Ang Huling Tula na Isinulat ko Para Sa’yo

by Juan Miguel Severo

Ito na ang huling tula na isusulat ko

para sa’yo; Pangako yan.
At totoo, hindi ko alam kung magiging
gaano kahaba,
O kung kasya ba sa isang piyesa;
Ilang pahina, ilang minuto ang ihahaba — itatagal nito.
Posibleng di ‘ko agad makabisado, pero pangako yan. Ito na ang
huling tula na isusulat ko para sa’yo.
Itaga mo ‘to sa bato.
Abutin man ako ng umaga dito, hindi ko ipipikit
ang mga matang ito. Uubusin ko ang lahat ng
ng salita na posibleng tugma ng pangalan mo o
anumang tawag ko sa’yo.
Mahal, Sinta, Irog, Pangga,
Babe, B.B.Q., Bae, Beb, Asawa Ko, Mine, Kulit,
Kapal, Kupal, Hayop, ano pa ba?
Wala akong pakialam kung abutin man ako ng ilang talata ditto
pero di ko na pwedeng patirahin lang dito sa loob ko ang mga salitang ito kaya
pangako, ito na ang huling tula na isusulat ko para sa’yo.
Magsisimula ako sa umpisa.
Sa kung paanong nginitian mo ko at tinanong kung saan ako nakatira.
Hindi mo nga pinansin ang mga agiw sa dingding.
Hindi ka nga natinag sa ipis na biglang dumating sa iyong pagbisita
Pero hindi mo lang tiningnan ang mga libro na nakahiga sa tabi ng kama ko —
Natutulog din, at tangi ko noong kapiling.
Magsisimula ako sa umpisa.
Sa kung paanong niyakap mo ako nung sabihin ko sa ‘yong mahal kita;
Sa kung paanong hinalikan mo ako sa noo sabay sabi ng, “Mahalaga ka.”
At ako naman tong si Tanga, tuwang-tuwa dahil hindi pa nalilinawan na ayaw
ko na maging mahalaga.
Ayaw ko na maging mahalaga —
Hindi ako antigong salamin na matagal mo nang pag-aari,
Na tinitingnan mo lang para ipaalala sa sarili mo na maganda ka.
Ayaw ko na maging mahalaga —
Hindi ako telepono mong dudukutin lang sa bulsa kapag kailangan mo ng solusyon sa
kung ano mang kawalan mo ng koneksyon sa mundo mong masyado nang malawak
para bigyang atensyon ka pa.
Ayaw ko na maging mahalaga —
Hindi ako kwintas na isusuot mo lang sa piling-piling mga okasyon,
Kapag merong mga sitwasyon na pakiramdam mo ay kulang ka pa,
Para ibalik sa loob ng isang kahon kapag matutulog ka na sa gabi sa takot na masakal ka sa
yakap ko kapag mahimbing ka na,
o ibalik sa loob ng isang kahon at itabi sa sulok ng isang aparador, sa takot na manakaw ako
ng iba.
Ayaw ko na maging mahalaga.
Ang gusto ko ay mahalin. Ang kailangan ko ay mahalin.
Kailangan ko na mahalin mo ako gaya ng kape mo sa umaga:
Tanggap ang tamis at pait, kailangan para sa init pero hindi isinasantabi dahil lang nanlamig
na.
Kailangan ko na mahalin mo ako gaya ng sarili mong opisina: Kabisado kung para saan ang
ano; kabisado kung saan nakatago ang alin,
Kabisado ang mga tinatago kong patalim, silbi, dumi, lihim.
Patalim. Silbi. Dumi. Lihim.
Kailangan ko na mahalin mo ako gaya ng unan mo sa gabi:
Niyayakap sa ginaw, sinasandalan kahit mainit, binubulungan ng mga pinakatatago mong
panaginip.
Ayaw ko na maging mahalaga; ang gusto ko ay mahalin.
Ang kailangan ko ay mahalin.
At nagsulat ako noon para lang mahalin mo.
Kaya patawad pero magsusulat ako hanggang sa maubos ko ang lahat ng salita na posibleng
tugma ng pangalan mo.
Patawad, pero magsusulat ako para patawarin mo.
Dahil minsan may nakapagsabi sa’kin
Na ang taong hindi raw marunong magpatawad ay hindi nakapagsusulat.
Kaya Mahal, sa pagkakataong ito—
Sa huling pagkakataon na magsusulat ako ng tula para sa’yo, Gumawa tayo ng
kasunduan:
Patatawarin kita, pero patatawarin mo rin ako.
Patawarin mo ‘ko sa hindi ko pagtahan at
patatawarin kita sa hindi mo pagluha. Patawarin
mo ako sa hindi ko pananahimik at patatawarin
kita sa hindi mo pagsasalita. Patawarin mo ako
sa hindoi ko pag-alis at patatawarin kita sa hindi
mo pananatili.
Patawarin mo ako sa hindi ko sa’yo paglimot at
patatawarin kita sa hindi mo sa’kin pagpili. Mahal,
gumawa tayo ng kasunduan:
patatawarin kita, pero patatawarin mo rin ako.
Patawarin mo 'ko sa hindi ko pagbitiw at patatawarin
kita sa hindi mo pagkapit. Patawarin mo ako sa hindi
ko paglayo at patatawarin kita hindi mo paglapit.
Patawarin mo ako sa hindi ko pagsuko at patatawarin
kita sa hindi mo pagsugal. At patawarin mo ako sa
hindi ko pagkamuhi sa’yo at patatawarin kita sa hindi
mo sa’kin pagmahal. Mahal, gumawa tayo ng
kasunduan:
patatawarin kita, pero patatawarin mo rin ako.
Para sa wakas ay matapos ko na itong tula na masyado nang matagal na nakatira dito
At patawad kung magiging masyadong mahaba, Kung marami masyadong boladas, pero
pangako:
Huli na ‘to. Huli na ‘to. Huli na ‘to. Huli na ‘to.
Magsisimula ako uli sa umpisa sa kung paanong nginitian mo ko at tinanong kung saan ako
nakatira.
Magsisimula ako uli sa umpisa sa kung paanong nginitian mo ko.
Magsisimula ako uli sa umpisa.
Magsisimula ako uli. Magsisimula
ako.
Ito na ang huling tula na isusulat ko para sa’yo — mali.
Ito na ang huling tula na isinulat ko tungkol sa’yo:
“Iniibig kita,
At ubos na ubos na ako.”

Source: Ernesto Thaddeus Solmerano, et.al.,21st Century Literature from the Philippines
and the World.(Manila: OBE Publishing Inc., 2016), 179-181

Let us try to dig deeper into it as you go along with the activities. Good luck!

Activity 6. Let’s unbox the box!

Choose those appropriate elements, structures, and traditions present in the
two selections read. Do not forget to draw the table in your notebook then write your
answers in the corresponding column.

Figurative Language Values Orientation Seven-point story

Setting Point-of-view Theme
Freytag’s pyramid Non-linear structure Social and political views
Conflict Metrical pattern Oral tradition
Rhyme Characters In medias res
Fichtean curve Written tradition Tone
 Characteristics Princess Urduja Ang Huling Tula na Isusulat Ko
(Folktale) para Sa’yo
(Spoken-word poetry)
I. Elements

II. Structure

III. Tradition

Score: 22 - Excellent! You got it all!

16-21 - Very good! Partially correct!
15–below - Kindly review our lesson

Activity 7. Go share your thoughts!

Answer the following questions in the most brief and concise manner. Write it in your
notebook.

1. Do you think the selection for spoken-word poetry tells a story? Why?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the purpose of the repetition of phrases in this spoken-word poetry?

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

3. Do they have the same tone? Describe the tone of the two selections.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

4. Compare the values orientation showed in each selection.

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

5. How do the selections resemble life?

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Score: 5 – Excellent
3&4 – Very good!
2 below – It’s okay! Let’s analyze the question again.
Activity 8. Oh Let’s twin the concept!
Think of other genre of literature in which you can resemble folktale and spoken-word
poetry. Provide some of their similarities elements, structure, and tradition. Write your answer in
your notebook.

Folktale __________ Spoken- ___________

(write here the word Poetry (write here the
genre) genre)

I. Elements I. Elements

II. Structure II. Structure

III. Tradition III. Tradition

Score: 6 - Excellent!
3 - 5- Very good!
2 - below-It’s okay! You can do it next time.

Generalization

Learning is useless without reflection. You must be able to situate every concept or
information through real-life context. Can you do it this time? Don’t worry there is no single
correct answer for this activity.
Activity 9. Let’s do a double-bubble map challenge!
Draw this double-bubble map in your notebook. Write a descriptive word in each circle
which describes similarities of these two periods in literature in the connected circles and
differences in the outer circles.

Earlier 21st century

literary literary
genre
genre

Application

Can you still recall what you have learned from the beginning of this module? At this point,
you will be asked to apply your learning to prepare you for a more independent learning.

Activity 10. Let’s go back to the real world!

 Given the elements, structure, and tradition of folktale and spoken-word poetry, write at
least three personal and social issues you encounter which you think can be best written in a
folktale or spoken-word poetry. Also provide explanation for your answer. Write your answer in
your notebook.

Folktale Spoken-word Poetry

➢ __________ ➢ __________
______________ _____________
➢ __________ ➢ __________
______________ ______________
__________ ➢ __________
➢ ______________ Explanation:
______________
Explanation:

IV. Assessment

Amazing! I know from the start that you will come this far. But we are not yet done. This
is the major task you have to take.

Activity 11. Let’s write and share!

Write a 300-word comparison-contrast paragraph about earlier form of fiction and 21 st
century poetry citing their elements, structure, and tradition. You may use the selections in the
previous activity as your basis.

Name: ____________________________ Date: ______________

Score: 10 - Excellent! ___________________________
5-9 - Very good!
4-below -______________________________________________________________
It’s okay! There will always be a room for error.
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