MODULE 1

TOPIC 1.1: Introduction to Literature

 What is our story amidst
this trying time? How are
we affected by the
unseen foe? Are we all
able to manage to
survive? Is this battle
near its victorious end?

THIS IS US…
THIS IS OUR FIGHT!
 This pandemic is more than just a
nightmare, ‘coz it is really
happening. For almost half a year,
we have to face this real-life
problem, giving us experiences
that concretize our being and
letting us give meanings to the
generalities of our ways of living.

AS THE STORY UNFOLDS…

THIS BECOMES OUR LITERATURE!
LITERATURE DEFINED…
 Derived from the Latin “litterae” which means “things made from letters”.
 Acquaintance with letters
 “A performance in words” (Robert Frost)
 “Writings which interpret the meanings of nature and life, in words of charm
and power, touched with the personality of the author in artistic forms of
permanent interest.” (Henry Van Dyke)
 Used to refer to compositions that deal with life experiences.

From: Sialongo, E. B. et.al.(2007). Literatures of the world. Sampaloc, Manila:

Rex Book Store, Inc.
 Language in use that provides insights and intellectual stimulation to the reader.
 A product of a particular culture that concretizes man’s array of values, emotions,
actions and ideas.
 An art that reflects the works of imagination, aesthetics, and creative writing
which are distinguished for the beauty of style or expression as in fiction, poetry,
essay, or drama, in distinction from scientific treatises and works which contain
positive knowledge.
 This is a poem that SUGGESTIVE
illustrates the kind of life (emotional power to convey
we are facing during this nuances, symbolism, implied
crisis. As a piece of meanings, imagery and
literature, it has its
QUALITIES that formed
messages)
its general sense.
UNIVERSAL
(shared experiences, common
desires and expectations that
CREATIVE can cross barriers)
(artistic, aesthetically
appealing, conveys hidden PERMANENT
truth and beauty and has (can stand the test of time, can
intellectual value) be read by future generations)
 This is a poem that
illustrates the kind of life
we are facing during this
crisis. As a piece of
literature, it has its
QUALITIES that formed
its general sense.
CREATIVE
(product of human mind;
choice of words detail the
scene; follows distinct style as
a poem)
SUGGESTIVE
(relates/ reveals that the
situation is very much
challenging; lots of difficulties;
mixed emotions)
UNIVERSAL
(all are experiencing the same
dillemma; no one is spared
from the fangs of this crisis)
PERMANENT
(will be part of the history and
will be known and read by
future generations)
 ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE

WRITTEN WORKS HAVING EXCELLENCE IN:

FORM ESPRESSION IDEAS WIDESPREAD/

LASTING INTEREST
FUNCTIONS OF LITERATURE
 To express one’s self
 To instruct
 To delight
 To actively shape our culture
 To construct and articulate socio-cultural realities and to involve you as
the reader in an invigorating interaction with these realities

 To empower one in an active engagement with the world

 To develop mature sensibility and compassion for the condition of all
creation
 To appreciate beauty
 To shape one’s own goals and values and clarify one’s own identity
 To develop wider perspective of events
IMPORTANCE OF LITERATURE
“Literature helps us grow, both personally and intellectually. It links us with
the broader society of which we are a part. It allows us to recognize human
dreams and struggles of different peoples and places. It helps us develop
mature sensibility and compassion for all creations in the universe. It gives us
the knowledge and perception to appreciate the beauty of order and
arrangement. It enables us to see the worthiness in the aspirations of all people.
It exercises our emotions through interest, concern, tension, excitement, hope,
fear, regret, laughter and sympathy (actual lived experiences).”
(Patron, 2002)
LITERARY CONVENTIONS
 With these, meaning is so widely understood within a society that
authors can expect their audiences to accept.

LITERARY CANONS
 A group of works generally agreed upon by critics to be
masterpieces; appears again and again in anthologies of
literature and course syllabi.

LITERARY CRITICISM
 Descriptions, analyses, interpretations and evaluations of works
of literature using different (philosophical or ideological) theories
or viewpoints.
 https://www.reference.com/world-view/seven-literary-standards-da99877887b7425
Rotor, A. and Doria K. 2015. Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.
Sialongo, E. B. et.al.(2007). Literatures of the world. Sampaloc, Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.