Literary Standards

The 7 Literary Standards

The criteria to determine whether a text is literary or not is
developed by William J. Long in 1909 in his book “English
Literature: Its History and Its Significance for the Life of the
English-speaking World.” http://bit.ly/2Mtiye1

The seven literary standards determine whether a piece of work

is considered literary, but there is no set of guidelines or
standards when it comes to determining if a piece of literature is
“good.” http://bit.ly/3q6WKTX
 The 7 Literary Standards
There are seven literary standards:
1. Universality
2. Artistry
3. Intellectual Value
4. Suggestiveness
5. Spiritual Value
6. Permanence
7. Style
http://bit.ly/2Mtiye1
 The 7 Literary Standards
1. Universality is the appeal of a literary piece to every
reader regardless of “culture, race, gender, and
time.” According to Andrew Sedillo “some of the
more common universal themes found in literature
include individual struggle towards a personal goal,
a person's struggle with humanity, falling in love, life
cycles, karma, coping with tragedy, adolescence and
discovering the world around us.”
https://bit.ly/39jP3mI
 The 7 Literary Standards
2. Artistry. A literary piece appeals to our “sense
of beauty.” A literature that is aesthetically
appealing “reveals hidden truth and beauty.”
3. Intellectual Value. It refers to the power of
literature to make us think critically as the
language of literature needs to be read between
and beyond the lines.
 The 7 Literary Standards
4. Suggestiveness refers to the emotional power of
literature “to define symbolism, nuances, implied
meanings, images and message, giving and evoking
visions above and beyond the ordinary life and
experiences.”
5. Spiritual Value refers to the power of literature to
inspire readers to elevate their spirit as they read
various genres of literature.
 The 7 Literary Standards
6. Permanence is “determined by a written work’s ability to
stand the test of time.” http://bit.ly/2Mtiye1
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were written long time ago,
but they remain relevant. That is the test of permanence.
7. Style is the “author’s distinct way of expressing his/her
thoughts in his/her writings.” Readers need to know the style of
writers to interpret the literary text based on how it is written by
a particular author.
 Educating the Literary Taste by Paz Latorena

In her essay, “Educating the Literary Taste,” Paz Latorena,

identified the three literary values that should serve as literary
standards. These are:
1. Intellectual value
2. Emotional value
3. Ethical value
 Literary Values
Intellectual Value a literary composition makes the reader think “to some purpose so
that his mental life is enriched and enlarged as a result of reading.”

Emotional Value refers to what appeals to the emotions being the “distinguishing
mark of any literature.” Emotions may be pleasant or unpleasant. Moods, feelings,,
and attitudes may be synonymous to emotions.

Ethical Value refers to “the morality of the work or the side effect of immorality in a
work.”

Which is the correct concept of literature? Is it didactic (for instruction) as Plato claims
or is it aesthetic (for pleasure) as Aristotle holds? Horace believes that literature both
teaches and delights.
 Useful Sources
The 7 Literary Standards http://bit.ly/2Mtiye1
What Are the Seven Literary Standards? http://bit.ly/3q6WKTX
Universal Theme: Definition and Examples https://bit.ly/39jP3mI
Lopez, et.al. (2009). Views: Between Borders, Beyond Barriers
Understanding Peoples and Cultures Through World Literatures:
Philippines: UST, Publishing House.