Module 1: Definition, Importance and Kinds of Literature

The study or appreciation of literature is very interesting and helpful to learners for many
reasons.

• Literature in English involves the reading and analysis of written materials of different
kinds, including fiction and nonfiction written works in English. • According to Oxford
Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary, “Literature can be defined as ‘pieces of writing
that are valued as works of art, especially novels and poems”. • According to Merriam
Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus, ‘Literature is the body of written works produced in
a language, country, or age, or the body of writings on a subject (scientific, art, etc.’.

Based on the previous definition, we can generally define the Literature as "Anybody of
written works that is written and produced in any country, language, or age for a specific
purpose such as information, education or entertainment to the reader, which can be fictional
or non-fictional in nature.”

IMPORTANCE OF LITERATURE (Shimmer Chinodya, 1992:36)

Reading and studying Literature in very important for various reasons as outlined below:

• Literature improves your command of language

• It teaches you about the life, cultures and experiences of people in other parts of the
world.
• It gives you information about other parts of the world which you may never be able to
visit in your lifetime.
• It entertains you and provides useful occupation in your free time.
• It makes you a wiser and more experienced person
by forcing you to judge, sympathize with, or
criticize the characters you read about. • It helps you
compare your own experiences with the experiences
of other people
• It gives information which may be useful in other subjects, for example, in Geography,
Science, History, Social Studies, and so on.
 KINDS OF LITERATURE
Generally, Literature is divided into two (2) kinds, namely, Fictional and Non-Fictional
Literature.

• Fictional Literature is imaginary composed writing or work of art that is meant to

provide information, education and entertainment to the reader. In other words,
fictional literature is based on the writer's imagination rather than reality.

• Non - fictional Literature is factual writing or written work that is gives facts that
can be proved as it provides real places, events, characters, times or reality rather
than imaginary things.

Activity 1: Draw some pictures that will connect what literature is all about and write a short
description.

Activity 2: Connect words related to kinds of literature

LESSON II
• History of
Philippine
Literature.
• Pre-colonial Literature
Philippine
Folk
Literature

LESSON III
• Folk
Narratives
Folklore
(Alamat/

Legend)
• Folktale
(Kuwentong
bayan/ Myth/
Superstitious
beliefs)-
Fable, Fairy
tale
• Folk Speech Riddle
(Bugtong),

Proverbs
(Salawikain)
• Folk Songs
Folk ballad

Prepared by

NessArlos