21st CENTURY LITERATURE

All literary works written and published at the latter part of the 21 st century (from 2001 onwards). These words
are often characterized as gender sensitive, technologically alluding, culturally pluralistic, operates on the extreme
reality or extreme fiction, and questions conventions and supposedly absolute norms.

NATURE OF 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE AS HUMANITIES DISCIPLINE

Engage students in appreciation and critical study of 21 st Century Literature from the Philippines and the
world encompassing. Their various dimensions, genres, elements, context, traditions, and literary Innovations.

GOAL OF 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE IN SHS:

To provide students with the critical thinking skills necessary in an increasingly complex,
interdependent, contemporary world through critical reading and analysis texts, research, and use of multimedia skills.
The learner engages and responds to the challenges of 21 st century social realities by integrating an informed critical
perspective and capacity for discourse and decision making.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS DEVELOP AMONG LEARNERS THROUGH 21 ST CENTURY LITERATURE IN PREPARATION FRO THE 4 EXITS
OF K TO 12:
1. COMMUNICATION
2. CREATIVE THINKING
3. CRITICAL THINKING

MAPPING THE FEATURES OF PHIIPPINE LITERATURE

VALUES INTEGRATION
NATIONALISM – develop the value of nationalism through understanding the history of Philippine
literature. Through a study of our literature, we can trace the rich heritage of ideas handed down
to us from our forefathers. Then we can understand ourselves better and take pride in being a Filipino.
COLONIALISM – the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over
another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

DEFINITION OF LITERATURE:
The word literature is derived from the Latin term litera which means letter. It has been defined
differently by various writers. Literature broadly is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for
writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry also it has value or moral in
the story.
Some loosely interpret literature as any printed matter written within a book, a magazine or a pamphlet.
Others define literature as a faithful reproduction of man’s manifold experiences blended in to one harmonious
expression.

WHY DO WE NEED TO STUDY PHILIPPINE LITERATURE?

We can enumerate many reasons for studying literature. Here are but a few:
We study literature so that we can better appreciate our heritage. We cannot
appreciate something that we do not understand. Through a study of our literature, we can trace the rich heritage of
ideas handed down to us from our forefathers. Then we can understand ourselves better and take pride in being a
Filipino.

Literature and history, however, also have differences. Literature may be figments of the imagination or events
devoid of truth that have been written down, while history is made up of events that really happened.

LITERATURE COMPOSITIONS THAT HAVE INFLUENCES THE WORLD. AMONG THEM ARE:
1.THE BIBLE OR THE SACRED WRITINGS
2. KORAN
3. THE ILIAD AND THE ODYSSEY
4. THE MAHAB-HARATA
5. CANTERBURY TALES
6. UNCLE TOM’S CABIN
7. THE DIVINE COMEDY
8. EL CID COMPEADOR
9. THE SONG OF ROLAND
10. THE BOOK OF THE DEAD
11. THE BOOK OF THE
DAYS 12. ONE THOUSAND
AND ONE NIGHTS OR THE ARABIAN NIGHTS

GENERAL TYPES OF LITERATURE

Literature can generally be divided into two types; prose and poetry.
PROSE - written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure
(novels, short story). Consist of sentences and paragraphs. Two Types of Prose: Fiction & Non-fiction
POETRY - literary work in which special intensity is given to the
expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm; poems collectively or as a genre of literature
(poem, speech). Consist of Lines and stanza.

PERIODS OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

SPANISH REVOLUTIONARY AMERICAN JAPANESE CONTEMPORARY
PRE-CO LONIAL COLONIAL PERIOD COLONIAL OCCUPATION
PERIOD Below-1520 1521-1854 1854-1945 1900-1945 1943-1945 1946-
2000

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

HISTORICAL PERIOD
Long before Spaniard and other foreigners landed in Philippine shores, our forefathers already
had their own literature stamped in the history of our race. Our ancient literature shows our customs and traditions in
everyday life as trace in our folk stories, old plays and short stories.
-we have our own alphabet “alibata”
-our religion was animism

PRE-SPANISH LITERATURE IS CHARACTERIZED BY:

A. LEGENDS – are a form of prose the common theme of which is about the origin of a thing,
place, location or name.
B. FOLK TALES – are made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror and humor
where one can derive lessons about life.
C. THE EPIC AGE – are long narrative poems in which a series of heroic
achievements or events, usually of a hero, dealt with at length.
D. FOLK SONGS – are one of the oldest forms of
Philippine literature that emerged in the pre-Spanish period.
E. EPIGRAMS, RIDDLES, CHANTS,
MAXIMS, PROVERBS or SAYINGS.

SPANISH PERIOD
During these times, many changes occurred in the lives of the Filipinos. They embraced the
Catholic Religion, changed their names, and were baptized. This gave rise to the formation of the different classes of
society like the rich and the landlords. Some Filipinos finished courses like medicine, law, agriculture and teaching.

SPANISH INFLUENCES ON THE PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Due to the long period of colonization of the Philippines by the Spaniards, they have exerted a
strong influence on our literature.
1. The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was replaced by the Roman alphabet.
2. The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices.
3. The Spanish language which became the literary language during this
time lent many of its words to our language.
THE FIRST BOOKS IN THE PHILIPPINES
1. ANG DOCTRINA CRISTIANA (THE CHRISTIAN
DOCTRINE). This was the first book printed in the Philippines in 1593 in xylography. It was
written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva, in Tagalog and Spanish.
2. Nuestra Señora Del Rosario.
3. Libro de los Cuatro
Postprimeras de Hombre 4. Ang Barlaan
at Josephat 5. The Pasion
6.
Urbana at Felisa RECREATIONAL PLAYS
1. Tibag

2. Lagaylay
 3. The Cenaculo
4. Panunuluyan
5. Panunuluyan

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
After 300 years of passivity under Spanish rule, the Filipino spirit reawakened when the 3 priests
Gomez, Burgos and Zamora were guillotined without sufficient evidence of guilt.
The Spaniards were unable to suppress the tide of rebellion among the Filipinos. The once
religious spirit transformed into one of nationalism and the Filipinos demanded changes in the government and in the
church.

A. The Propaganda Movement (1872-1896)

This movement was spearhead mostly by the intellectual middle-class like Jose Rizal (Noli Me
Tangere & El Filibusterismo), Marcelo del Pilar; Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, Jose Ma.
Panganiban and Pedro Paterno. The objectives if this movement were to seek reforms and changes.

AMERICAN COLONIAL

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Filipino Revolutionists won against the Spaniards who colonized us for more than 300 years.
Our flag was hoisted on June 12, 1898 as symbol of our independence. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was elected the first
President of the Philippine Republic but this was short-lived.
Filipino writers went into all forms of literature like news, reporting, poetry, stories,
plays, essays, and novels. Their writing clearly depicted their love of country and their longings for independence. The
active arousal in the field of literature started to be felt in the following newspapers.
1. EL NUEVO DIA (The New Day)
2. EL GRITO DEL PUEBLO (The Call of the Nation)
3. EL RENACIMENTO (The Rebirth)

JAPANESE OCCUPATION

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Between 1941-1945, Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development when the
Philippines were again conquered by another foreign country, Japan. Philippine literature in English came to a halt.
Except for the TRIBUNE and the PHILIPPINE REVIEW, almost all newspapers in English were stopped by the Japanese.

FILIPINO POETRY DURING THIS PERIOD

The common theme of most poems during the Japanese occupation was nationalism, country,
love and life in the barrios, faith, religion and the arts.

Three types of poems emerged during this period. They were:

1. Haiku – a poem of free verse that the Japanese like. It was made up of 17 syllables
divided into three lines. The first line had 5 syllables, the second, 7 syllables, and the
third, 5 syllables.
2. Tanaga – like the Haiku, is short but it had measure and rhyme. Each line had
17 syllables and it’s also allegorical in meaning.
3. Karaniwang Anyo (Usual Form) – like those mentions earlier
in the beginning chapters of this book.

CONTEMPORARY PERIOD

HISTORICAL PERIOD
-The Carlos Palanca Awards continued to give annual awards.
Almost all themes in most writings dealt with the development or progress of
the country – like the Green Revolution, family planning, proper nutrition, environment, drug addiction and politician.
The New Society tried to stop pornography or those writing giving bad influences on the morals of the people.
Themes of most poems dealt with patience, regard for native culture, customs
and the because of nature and surroundings. Those who wrote poetry during this period were: Ponciano Pineda, Ancieto
Silvestre, Jose Garcia Revelo, Bienvenido Ramos, Vicente Dimasalang, Cir Lopez Francisco, and Pelagio Sulit Cruz.
-Many more composers added their bit during this period. Among them were
Freddie Aguilar, Jose Marie Chan and the group Tito, Vic and Joey. ANAK of Freddie Aguilar became an instant success
because of the spirit and emotions revealed in the song. There were even translations in Japanese and in other
languages. -Radio continued to be patronized during this period. The play series
like SI MAATR, DAHLIA, ITO AND PALAD KO, and MR. LONELY were the forms of recreation of those without television.
Even the new songs were first heard over the airwaves.
- Popular television plays were GULONG NG PALAD, GLOR DE LUNA, and
ANNA LIZA. SUPERMAN AND TARZAN were also popular with the youth.

D. FILIPINO FILMS
A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulang Pilipino (Yearly Filipino Film Festival) was held during this time.
During the festival which lasted usually for a month, only Filipino films were shown in all theaters in Metro Manila. Prizes
and trophies were awarded at the end of the festival in recognition of excellence in film making and in role
performances. New kinds of films without sex or romance started to be made but which were
nevertheless well-received by the public. Among these were:
1. MAYNILA…SA MGA KUKO NG LIWANAG written by Edgardo
Reyes and filmed under the direction of Lino Brocka. Bembol Roco was lead role.
2. MINSA’Y ISANG GAMU-GAMO; Nora Aunor was the
principal performer there. 3. GANITO KAMI NOO…PAANO KAYO NGAYON: led by
Christopher de Leon and Gloria Diaz. 4. INISIANG: by Hilda Koronel
5. AGUILA; led by Fernando Poe Jr., Jay Ilagan
and Christopher de Leon Sex films could not be shelved. Foreign, as well
as local films dealing the bold themes were the vehicles of producers to earn money.

LITERARY THEME

WHAT IS A THEME?

 Themes can be found everywhere: literature, stories, art, movies etc….

 The theme can be a moral.
 Ask yourself, “What is the story teaching?”
 Try to figure out the author’s view about life by looking at how people behave.

Theme is the…

 Underlying meaning of the story,

 a universal truth, (something true for all)
 a significant statement the story is making about society or human nature.

READING 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE: CRITICAL APPROACHES

VALUES INTEGRATION
-Appreciate the value of having a decent work through reading the short story “It’s a Night Job” by
Juanita Male. -Decent work means opportunities for every-one to get work that is productive and delivers a
fair income, security in the workplace and social protection for and delivers a fair income, security in the workplace and
social protection fir families, better prospects for personal development and social integration.

VOCABULARY
Sustainable Development Goals – are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for
all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related poverty, inequality, climate change,
environmental degradation, peace and justice. The 17 Goals are all interconnected, and in order to leave no one behind,
it is important that we achieve them all by 2030.

17 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

1. NO POVERTY
2. ZERO HUNGER
3. GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
4. QUALITY EDUCATION
5. GENDER EQUALITY
6. CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
7. AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
8. DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC
GROWTH 9. INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE 10. REDUCED INEQUALITIES
 11. SUSTAINABLE CITIES
AND COMMUNITIES 12. RESPONSIBLE
CONSUPTION AND PRODUCTION 13. CLIMATE
ACTION 14. LIFE BELOW
WATER 15. LIFE ON
LAND 16. PEACE,
JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS 7.
PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

CRITICAL APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF LITERATURE

CRITICAL APPROACHES – are different perspectives we consider when looking at a piece of a literature. They seek to give
us answers to these questions, in addition to aiding is in interpreting literature.
1. What do we read?
2. Why do we read?
3. How do we read?

CRITICAL APPROACHES
1. FORMALISM
2. PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH
3. BIOGRAPHICAL APPROACH
4. PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH
5. SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH

FORMALISM
The formalist approach considers the form, structure or shape of the text, as well as technical
features, more important than the content and context.

A. How is the work’s structure unified?

B. How do several of elements of the work reinforce its meaning?
C. What recurring patterns (repeated or related words, images, etc.) can you find?
D. How does repetition reinforce the theme(s)?
E. Is there a relationship between the beginning and at the end of the story?
F. How do the various elements interact to create unified whole?

PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH
This approach focuses on themes, view of the world, moral statements, and author’s philosophy, etc.

A. What view of life does the story present?

B. According to this work’s view of life, what is mankind’s relationship to the universe?
C. What moral statement, if any, does this story make? Is it explicit or implicit?
D. What does the work say about human nature?

BIOGRAPHICAL APPROACH
Focuses on connection of work to author’s personal experiences.

A. What aspects of the author’s personal life are relevant to this story?
B. Which of the author’s stated beliefs are reflected in the work?
C. Does the writer challenge or support the values of her contemporaries?
D. Do any of the events in the story correspond to events experienced by the author?
E. Do any of the characters in the story correspond to real people?

HISTORICAL APPROACH
Focuses on connection of work to the historical period in which it was written; literary historians
attempt to connect the historical background of the work specific aspects of the work.

A. How does it reflect the time in which it was written?

B. What literary or historical influences helped to shape the form and content of the work?
C. What historical events or movements might have influenced this writer?
D. How important events or movements might have influenced this write?
E. How important is it the historical context (the work’s and the reader’s) to interpreting the work?

PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH
This approach focuses on the psychology of characters.
 A. What forces are motivating the characters?
B. Which behaviors of the characters are conscious ones?
C. Which are unconscious?
D. What conscious or unconscious conflicts exist between the characters?

SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH
This approach focuses on man’s relationship to others in society, politics, religion, and business.

A. What is the relationship between the characters and their society?

B. Does the story addresses societal issues, such as race, gender, and class?
C. How does a social force shape the power relationships between groups or classes of people in the story? Who
has the power, and who doesn’t? Why?
D. What does the work say about economic or social power?
E. Does the story address economic exploitation? What role does money play?
F. How does an economic condition determine the direction of the character’s lives?
G. Does the work challenge or affirm the social order it depicts?
H. Can be the protagonist’s struggle be seen as symbolic of a larger class struggle?

CANONICAL AUTHORS AND THE WORKS OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ARTISTS IN LITERATURE
What is the Order of National Artists?
Orden ng Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng sining – a rank, title, and a wearable award that represents
the highest national recognition given to Filipinos who have distinct contributions in the field of arts and letters.

How to be a National Artist?

1. Living artists who have been Filipino citizens for the last ten years prior to nomination as well as those who have
died after the establishment of the award in 1972 but were Filipino citizens at the time of their death;
2. Artists who have helped build a Filipino sense of nationhood through the content and form of their works;
3. Artists who have distinguished themselves by pioneering in a mode of creative expression or style, making an
impact on succeeding generations f artists;
4. Artists who have created a significant body of works and/or have consistently displayed excellence in the
practice of their art form, enriching artistic expression or style; and
5. Artists who enjoy broad acceptance through prestigious national and/ or international recognition, awards in
prestigious national and/or international events, critical acclaim and/or reviews of their works, and/or respect
and esteem from peers within an artistic discipline.

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ARTISTS IN LITERATURE

 1973 JOSE GARCIA VILLA

 1973 AMADO V. HERNANDEZ
 1976 NICK JOAQUIN
 1982 CARLOS P. ROMULO
 1990 FRANCISCO ARCELLANA
 1990 N.V.M. GONZALEZ
 1992 ROLANDO TINIO
 1999 EDITH TIEMPO

AMADO V. HERNANDEZ (HAGONOY, BULACAN <1903-1970>)

 Poet, playwright, novelist

 He practiced “committed art” and he was known as the “MANUNULAT NG MANGGAGAWA”
 In his view, the function of a writer is to act as the conscience of the human spirit in the face of inequity and
oppression
 His works talked about the struggles of Filipino Labourers
 WORKS: ISANG DIPANG LANGIT, LUHA NG BUWAYA, MGA IBONG MANDARAGIT (First Filipino Socio-Political
Novel that exposed the ills of the society.)

“AT ITO ANG TANGING DAIGDIG KO NGAYON –

BILANGGUANG MANDI’Y LIBINGAN NG BUHAY;
SAMPU,DALAWPU, AT LAHAT NG TAON,
NG BUONG BUHAY KO’Y DITO MAPIPIGTAL.
 NGUNIT YARING DIWA’Y WALANG TAKOT-HIRAP
AT BATIS PA RIN ITONG PUSO
PIITA’Y BAHAGI NG PAKIKILAMAS,
MAPIIT AY TANDA NG DI PAGSUKO.
(Excerpt from ISANG DIPANG LANGIT, 1952)

JOSE GARCIA VILLA (SINGALONG, MANILA <1908-1997>)

 Known as DOVEGLION
 Known as the COMMA Poet
 He was the finest contemporary poet regardless of race and language
 He introduced the reversal consonance and comma poems
 WORKS: FOOTNOTE TO YOUTH, MANY VOICES, HAVE COME, AM HERE, THE ANCHORED ANGEL

“First, a poem must be magical, then musical as a sea gull, and it must hold as fire as well.”

NICK JOAQUIN (PACO, MANILA <1917-2004>)

 The most distinguished Filipino writer in English Writing; known as QUIKANO DE MANILA
 His contribution: exploration of the Philippine colonial past under Spain and his probing into the psychology of
social danger as seen by the young
 He has written plays, novels, poems, short stories, essays, reportage and journalism
 WORKS: THE WOMAN WHO HAD TWO NAVELS, BALLAD OF THE FIVE BATTLES, RIZAL IN SAGA, ALMANAC FOR
MANILENOS, CAVE AND SHADOWS (about Martial Law Time Summer Solstice)

CARLOS P. ROMULO (INTRAMUROS, MANILA <1899-1985>)

 His career spanned 50 years of public service as educator, soldier, university president, journalist and diplomat.
He was the 1st Asian President of UN General Assembly and the Philippine Ambassador to US
 He was a reporter at 16, newspaper editor at 20, publisher at 32.
 His broadcasts during Japanese colonization was known as the VOICE OF FREEDOM
 The only Asian to win Pulitzer Prize for Journalism for a series of articles predicting the outbreak of WWII.
 WORKS: I WALKED WITH HEROES, I SAW THE FALL OF THE PHILIPPINES

F. SIONIL JOSE (ROSALES, PANGASINAN <1924-PRESENT>)

 His writings since the late 60s when taken collectively can be described as epic. His works reflect the consistent
espousal of the aspirations of Filipinos: NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY and SOCIAL JUSTICE
 His works were translated into various languages
 WORKS: ROSALES SAGA (THE PRETENDERS, TREE: MY BROTHER, MY EXECUTIONER, MASS, POON) captures
Philippine History while simultaneously narrating the lives of generations of Samsons whose personal lives
intertwine with the social struggles of the nation.

CIRILO F. BATUISTA (SAMPALOC, MANILA <1941-2018>)

 Poet, fictionist and essayist with exceptional achievements and significant contributions to the development of
the country’s literary arts
 He held regular funded and unfunded workshops throughout the country to bring poetry and fiction closer to
people who otherwise would not have the opportunity to develop their creative talent
 He’s a teacher of literature and realized that classroom is an important training ground for Filipino writers.
 WORKS: THE TRILOGY OF SAINT LAZARUS, WORDS AND BATTLEFIELDS, THE HOUSE OF TRUE DESIRE

PEDAGONIC – CIRILO F. BATUISTA

I walked towards the falling woods
to teach the trees all that I could

Of time and birth, the language of men,

the virtues of hate and loving.

They stood with their fingers flaming,

listened to me with a serious mien:
 I knew the footnotes, all the text,
my words were precise and correct –

I was sure that they were learning –

till one tree spoke, speaking in dolor,
to ask why I never changed color.

His poem about teaching and teachers….

NVM GONZALES (09/8/1915-11/28/1999)

NESTOR VICENTE MADALI GONZALES, better known as N. V. M. GONZALES, fictionist, essayist, poet, and
teacher, articulated the Filipino spirit in rural, urban landscapes. Among the many recognitions, he won the First
Commonwealth literary Contest in 1940, received the Republic Cultural Heritage Award in 1960 and the Gawad CPPP
Para sa Sining in 1990. The awards attest to his triumph in appropriating the English language to express, reflect and
shape Philippine Culture and Philippine sensibility. He became U.P.’s the Board Advisers of the U.P. Creative Writing
Center. In 1987, U.P. conferred on him the Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, its highest academic recognition.
Major works of N.V.M. GONZALES include the following: THE WINDS OF APRIL, SEVEN HILLS AWAY,
CHILDREN OF THE ASH-COVERED LOAM AND OTHER STORIES, THE BAMBOO DANCERS, LOOK STRANGER, ON THIS
ISLAND NOW, MINDORO AND BEYOND: TWENTY-ONE STORIES, WORK ON THE MOUNTAIN, THE NOVEL OF JUSTIE:
SELECTED ESSAYS 1968-1994, A GRAMMAR OF DREAMS AND OTHER STORIES.

ALEJANDRO R. ROCES (MANILA <1924-011>)

 Short story writer and essayist

 The country’s Best Writer of Comic Short Stories
 He wrote innumerable newspaper columns that focused on the neglected aspects of the Filipino cultural
heritage
 His works were published in international magazines.
 He brought to attention the aesthetics of the country’s fiestas. He was instrumental in popularizing several local
fiestas like Moriones and Ati-atihan
 He changed the Independence Day from July 4 to July 12
 WORKS: MY BROTHER’S PECULIAR CHICKEN

“You cannot be a great writer, first you have to be a great person”

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

LITERARY GENRE
A “genre” is a partic ular style or type of writing.

21ST LITERARY GENRES

1. CHICK LIT – written by women for women; uses strong female character who is trying to live in modern world. Plot is
light-hearted, smart and funny. The genre often addresses issues of modern womanhood – from romantic relationship
to female friendships to matter in the workplace – in humorous and light-hearted ways.

CHICK LIT NOVELS

EMMA: BY JANE AUSTEN – matchmaker Emma Woodhouse is the popular rich girl in town but has no idea how to
handle her own love life. This novel has been turned into several films and even adapted for modern-day a audiences as
the movie clueless, starring Alicia Silverstone.

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA: BY ARTHUR GOLDEN – this heart-breaking story about survival in 1930s Japan reveals that last
day of the sometimes cruel but mobilizing geisha culture in Kyoto.

GONE WITH THE WIND: BY MARGARET MITCHELL – this guilty pleasure is also considered one of the most important
and successful books of the 20th century, and the story of Scarlett O’Hara and the Civil War was turned into an Oscar-
winning film.

ANNA KARENINA: BY LEO TOISTY – passion, loyalty, society and family all come into play in this dramatic epic novel
that is considered one of the greatest works of fiction of all time.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: BY JANE AUSTEN – one of the most-read books of all time, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is
also a critics’ favourite.
THE JOY LUCK CLUB: BY AMY TAN – four mothers and four daughters – who don’t always get along – share their stories
of immigration, growing up in China, and life in San Francisco in this popular novel.

2. HYPER-POETRY – this genre, also called cyber poetry as well as other names, has many definitions and, like hyper
fiction, is difficult to categorize. Much poetry on the web is basically just traditional work uploaded. True hyper-poetry
refers to works of verse (although not necessarily in lines and stanzas) which could not be presented without
computer. Hyper-poetry includes verse with links to sub-poems or footnotes, poetry “generators”, poetry with
movement or images. Hyper-poetry is usually highly steeped in the visual an sometimes involves parts that are read in
varying orders.

~~HYPERTEXTUAL poems is also a part of hyper-poetry where readers move from one website to another because of
embedded links in the words, sometime not returning to the original pages at all.

3. BLOGS – shortened of the term web blog; regularly updated journal on the internet. Blogger is the term used for a
person who has a blog. It gives opportunity to articulate thoughts and opinions.

E.g. travel blogs, health blogs, entrepneural blogs, E-learning blogs, Tech and Gaming blogs, parenting blogs.

4. SPECULATIVE FICTION – the setting is futuristic and involves supernatural elements. It encompasses horror and
science fiction works. Speculative fiction encompasses science fiction, fantasy, and horror, post-apocalyptic, superhero,
supernatural, utopian, and dystopian. In essence, the term refers to any story that does not take place in the real world
and does not incorporate only real-world elements.

E.g. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien,

NOTE that the definition of speculative fiction also applies to movies, television series and other forms of media.

5. TEXTULA – has its origins in tanaga. Tanaga is a traditional Filipino poem that has four lines and seven each.

6. FLASH FICTION – notable for its brevity; also called as short story; it is micro-fiction, micro-narrative and sudden-
fiction. Flash fiction is a style of writing which involves producing very short pieces of fictional literature. This is quite
different to the concept of a short story, which is usually several pages long and can notch up thousands of words.
Works of flash fiction, by contrast, can comprise as little as a single page or 250 words. Its average word count ranges
anywhere from five to 1,500 words, but the consensus is the maximum tops out at 2,000.

7. GRAPHIC NOVEL – utilizes pictures in narrating a long story; it has growing popularity graphic novel is a longer work
or collection of works presented in ‘comics’ style.

E.g. manga

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alice Munro, original name Alice Ann Laidlaw, (born July 10, 1931, Wingham, Ontario, Canada), Canadian short-story
writer who gained international recognition with her exquisitely drawn narratives. The Swedish Academy dubbed her a
“master of the contemporary short story” when it awarded her the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2013. Munro’s work
was noted for its precise imagery and narrative style, which is at once lyrical, compelling, economical, and intense,
revealing the depth and complexities in the emotional lives of everyday people.

Munro was raised on what she called “this collapsing enterprise of a fox and mink farm, just beyond the most
disreputable part of town.” Her mother, a teacher, played a significant role in her life, as did her great-aunt and her
grandmother. She attended the University of Western Ontario but left after two years of studying English and
Journalism. At age 20, in 1951, she married her first husband, James Munro, and moved to Vancouver. She moved
again in 1963 to Victoria, where the couple started a bookstore and together raised three daughters, After her first
married ended in 1972, she returned to Ontario and settled in Clinton. Near her childhood home, where she lived with
her second husband (married 1976).

GENRE – COMING-OF-AGE
A genre of literature, film, and video that focuses on the growth of a protagonists from youth to adulthood.
Tends to emphasize dialogue or internal monologue over action, and are often set in the past.
The subjects of coming-of-age stories are typically teenagers. The Bildungsroman is a specific subgenre of coming-of-
age story.

COMING-OF-AGE CHAARACTERISTICS
Psychological loss of innocence of the protagonists (age 10-20)
Confrontation with the adult world
Moral challenges
Individual needs and desires vs. external pressures/expectations/norms
Failure/disappointment/awake to limitations
Acceptance of the complexities and “grayness” of the world
Awareness of the Self

GENRE – INITIATION STORY

May be said to show its young protagonists experiencing a significant change of knowledge about the world or
himself, or a change of character, or both, and this change must point or lead him towards an adult world.
CONTEXT – GREAT DEPRESSION
Worldwide economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted until about 1939. It was the longest and most
severe depression ever experienced by the industrialized.
Western world, sparking fundamental changes in economic institutions, macroeconomic policy, and economic
theory.
VOCABULARY WORDS
Temperament – the combination of mental and emotional traits of a person.
Euchre – a card game usually played with the 32 highest cards in the deck.
Bridge (game) – a card game in which one partnership plays to fulfil a certain declaration against an opposing
partnership.
Affronted – Insulted deliberately
Desecration/Desecrate – to treat with sacrilege (violation of something sacred)
Prodigious – arousing admiration or amazement
Sulk – to remain silent or aloof in an ill-humoured manner
Dispute – A controversy or difference of opinion
Coronet – a crown-like ornament for the head
Ridicule – a speech or action intended to cause contemptuous laughter or derision
Lavish – bestowed or occurring in abundance
Brazen – shameless or impudent
Erotic – arousing or satisfying sexual desire
21ST CENTURY LITERARY DEVICES
Figures of Speech – are words or group of words used to give particular emphasis to an idea or sentiment.
What is Literary Devices?
Literary Device presents ordinary things in fresh ways, communicating ideas that go beyond word’s ordinary
meanings.
A. SOUND DEVICES
1. Alliteration is a sound device in which the consonant sounds at the beginning of two or more consecutive
words are repeated. The repetition of the same consonant sound in words occurring near one another.
Live, Love, and Laugh
Beautiful Belle
Beauty and the Beast
Pretty Princess
Peter Piper picked a peek of pickled peppers.
Sally sells seashells by the seashore.
2. Assonance is a sound device in which vowel sounds within a word are repeated.
Heap of Leaves
3. Consonance is a sound device in which consonant sounds in conjunction with dissimilar vowel sounds are
repeated.
 Fill them full of stars
Big Bang
4. Onomatopoeia is the imitation of natural sounds by words. A word that imitates the sound it presents.
The buzzing arrow
The cackling hen
The whizzing arrow
The tick-tock of the clock
Crunch
Zap
Tick-Tock
Whoosh
B. SYMBOLS
1. Allegory is the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truth or generalizations about
human experience.
Juan became a Hercules when the calamity happened.
Allegory of the Cave.

2. Euphemism is the substitution of a delicate of inoffensive term or phrase for one that has coarse, sordid, or
otherwise unpleasant associations. A polite word or phrase used in place of one that may be too direct, unpleasant, or
embarrassing.
Maintenance
School Orderly
Sanitary Engineer or Floor Manager for Janitors/Janitress
Pass away = die
Vertically challenged = short
Tooted = farted
Let go = fired
Pre-owned = used
3. Metaphor is a comparison of two unlike things without using the words “like” or “as”
He was statue, waiting to hear the news.
She was a mother hen, trying to take care of everyone around her.
My boyfriend is my knight in shining armor
4. Personification is when a writer gives human qualities to animals or objects.
My car drank the gasoline in one gulp
The cat laughed
The newspaper headline glared at me.
5. Oxymoron – two opposite terms.
Dark sunshine
Mild interest, detailed outline
Plastic glasses
Only choice
Minor disaster
Pretty ugly
6. Paradox reveals something true which at first seems contradictory
He was a brave coward.
When you win all the time, you lose.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
PERSUASIVE ESSAY
- A piece of writing that convinces readers to accept your point of view or stand on an issue.
TIPS IN WRITING PERSUASIVE ESSAY.
1. Keep in mind your objective while writing the essay.
2. Consider your target readers, too. Do research on them knowing your reader will help frame your thoughts in a way
that connects to your target readers.
3. Identify at least three (3) strong supporting points for your main point as well as the strongest opposing point against
your stand. Coming up with the list of pros and cons will help you identify these.
4. Use facts and examples to support your supporting points.
5. The introductory paragraph should effectively capture your reader’s attention and should clearly state your main
point or central idea.
6. The body of your essay – the next three paragraphs – should be devoted to your argument. One supporting point for
each paragraph.
7. The fifth paragraph should address the strongest opposing point against your stand. Discuss this fully by providing an
answer to the opposing point.
8. Lastly, be sure to have a conclusive paragraph that effectively and creatively restates your main point as well as your
supporting points.
9. Go over your work. Re-read several times to check grammar, spelling, usage, and punctuation.
10. Encode your work in Ms Word with the following formatting specification:
 1inch margin on all sides
 Center – title of the essay
 Justified – text of the essay
 Indent each paragraph
 1.5 line spacing
 Font – Times New Roman
 Font size - 11