Module

21st Century Literary Genres

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Genres of literature are important to learn about. A literary genre in
its broadest sense refers to an artistic composition, as in music or literature,
characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.

The two main categories separating the different genres of literature

are fiction and nonfiction. There are several genres of literature that fall
under the nonfiction category.

Nonfiction sits in direct opposition to fiction. On the other hand,

literary elements are the things that all literature—whether it's a news
article, a book, or a poem.

Literary elements are the fundamental building blocks of writing, and

they play an important role in helping us write, read, and understand
literature.

Directions: Classify the words from the box and write it on the table at the
back.

Blog Comparison and Contrast

Cause and Effect Deductive
Character Fiction
Chick Lit Hyper poetry
Chronological Inductive
Non-fiction Point of view
Plot Theme
Setting

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 GENRE ELEMENT STRUCTURE

1. 1. 1.

2. 2. 2.

3. 3. 3.

4. 4. 4.

5. 5. 5.

Directions: Read the hypertext poetry written by Jett Franco and answer the
follow up questions.

It's More Fun in the Philippines

Treasured land splendor and glory
Pearl of the Orient Seas
Soldiers of known most emotional people
Loving and hospitable in patriot's blood line
The secret of velvet Three Stars and a Sun.

Fortified highest kind of water

Hallowed island of more than
Seven thousand and one hundred seven
Proudly her alone no other can hold.
Through her God given treasures

The Rice Terraces of Banaue

Created more than 3000 years ago
Formed and sculpted with bare hands
My Ifugao ancestors
Giver of my calm sound of survival
Food for my body and soul
The best and will proudly shout my own.

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 The Tubbataha Reef
One of the largest virgin reef you'd dive
Over diversity of colorful sea creature
You'd see the heaven underwater.
The majestic Underground River,
As a seabird sanctuary you'd be speechless
A UNESCO world heritage site.
Palawan's gift to its people.

The chocolate hills of glorious Bohol

Conical hills of limestone
Fragments of earth's unexplained laws
Home to the smallest monkey, the Tarsier,

The subtle Mayon volcano of Albay

Most perfect conic one in the world
Proudly my motherlands finest
Her glory on the face of beloved earth

Bathe your soul with the heaven by the sea

My best beach, one of the world’s brightest
The Boracay of Panay, best you won't regret
A soul's portrait of the skyline and sea.

Intellect, wisdom, skills and faith

Sun, earth, stars and sky of blue.
Falls, lakes, seas, and trenches
Bestowed by my loving motherland.
Visit and you'll see more the best
Treasured land of splendour and glory
Of my Three Stars and a Sun.
Proudly my Pearl of the Orient Seas.

(https://allpoetry.com/poem/10154383-Its-More-
Fun-in-the-Philippines-by-Jett-Franco)

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1. In stanza 1, how did the author describe the Filipino soldiers?
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2. What makes Philippines beautiful and unique to other countries?

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4. Among the beautiful spots in the Philippines, which one would you
recommend to visit? Why?
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5. How would you promote Philippine tourism?

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 21st Century Literary Genres
When we speak about 21st century literature, we refer to any piece of
writing written and published from the year 2000. However, a definite
definition and characteristics of this period is still too early to elaborate.
With the presence of technology, more people use different social media
forms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube to express their
thoughts, views and feelings.
The internet is now a source for reading materials like the Wattpad and
e-book.
Here are some of the literary genres in the 21st Century Philippine
literature:

1. Hyper poetry
Hypertext poetry (also called cyberpoetry) and hypertext fiction are
new genres of literature that use the computer, digital media or video as a
medium, rather than the printed page.
Hypertext is a type of textual branching which allows the reader to
link text freely with audio and video.
Hypertext “poetry” can consist of words, although not necessarily
organized into lines and stanzas, as well as, sounds, visual images,
movement or other special effects.

2. Mobile phone Text Tula

The term “Text Tula” is a blended word from the English term “text”
and Filipino term “tula” which means a text poem. It is what we call
“tanaga” in the earlier period.
It is also called mobile phone literary work because it is written using a
cellular phone and sent via text messaging. This type of literature originated
in Japan, where it has become a popular literary genre.

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Example of Mobile Text Tula:

https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poems/teen/heartbreak/
3. Spoken word poetry
Spoken word poetry is poetry that is written on a page but performed
for an audience. Because it is performed, this poetry tends to demonstrate a
heavy use of rhythm, improvisation, free association, rhymes, rich poetic
phrases, word play and slang. It is more aggressive and “in your face” than
more traditional forms of poetry.
4. Blog
A blog is a short term for a “weblog”. It is an online journal or
informational website displaying information in the reverse chronological
order, with latest posts appearing first. It is a platform where a writer or
even a group of writers share their views on an individual subject.
5. Graphic novels
Graphic Novels are a format, not a genre. They can be fictional or non-
fiction. They are similar to comic books because they use sequential art to
tell a story. However, they are generally stand alone stories with more
complex plot.
In graphic novels, the story is told using pictures in sequence, panels,
speech balloons, and other conventions of the comic book form and format.
They have grown in popularity over the past decade.
Some of the graphic novels in the Philippines are:
i. The Mythology Class (Nautilus comics) by Arnold Arre
ii. Light (Anino comics) by Rob Cham
iii. Sixty-Six (Anino comics) by Russell Molina
iv. Maktan 1521 by Tepai Pascual

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6. Creative nonfiction
Similar to literary journalism, creative nonfiction employs the literary
techniques usually associated with fiction or poetry to report on actual
persons, places, or events. Creative nonfiction can be an essay, a journal
article, a research paper, a memoir, or a poem; it can be personal or not, or
it can be all of these.
Some of the creative nonfiction in the Philippines are:
i. “The Cardinal’s Sins, the General’s Cross, the Martyr’s Testimony, and
Other Affirmations” by Gregorio C. Brillantes
ii. “Manananggal Terrorizes Manila and Other Stories” by Jessica Zafra
iii. “Sapay Koma” by Jhoanna Lynn Cruz

7. Speculative fiction
It covers all stories from fantasy to science fiction to slipstream to
magic realism to urban fantasy. In other words, it encompasses all the
stories that are removed from the reality that we are currently living in. It is
distinguished by being based on unusual ideas and elevated imagination.
Some of the speculative fiction in the Philippines are:
i. Smaller and Smaller Circles by FH Batacan
ii. Sink by Isabel Yap
iii. The Secret Origin of Spin-Man by Andrew Drilon

8. Flash fiction
Flash fiction goes by many names, including micro-fiction, micro-
stories, short-shorts, short short stories, very short stories, sudden fiction,
postcard fiction and non-fiction. While it can be difficult to pinpoint an exact
definition of flash fiction based on word count, consideration of several of its
features can help provide clarity, like its brevity, length, background and
purpose.
Some of the flash fiction in the Philippines are:
i. 100 Kislap, by Abdon M. Balde Jr.
ii. Karapote: Antolohia Dagiti 13 a Nasuerte A Sarita, by Ariel S. Tabag

9. Chick lit
This is genre fiction which addresses issues of womanhood from
romantic relationships to female friendships is often humorous and
lighthearted. Chick lit refers to works that are written by young female
writers, about contemporary women’s life and struggle, with young woman
as the target readers.

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Some of the chick lit in the Philippines are:
i. Spotlight New Adult by Mina V. Esguerra
ii. Tall Story by Candy Gourlay
iii. All’s Fair in Blog and War by Chrissie Peria

Directions: Read the poem, Moonlight on Manila Bay by Fernando Maramag

and answer the comprehension questions below.

Moonlight on Manila Bay

A light, serene, ethereal glory rests

Its beams effulgent on each crestling wave;

The silver touches of the moonlight wave

The deep bare bosom that the breeze molests;

While lingering whispers deepen as the wavy crests

Roll with weird rhythm, now gay, now gently grave;

And floods of lambent light appear the sea to pave-

All cast a spell that heeds not time‘s behests.

Not always such the scene; the din of fight

Has swelled the murmur of the peaceful air;
Here East and West have oft displayed their might;
Dark battle clouds have dimmed this scene so fair;
Here bold Olympia, one historic night,

Presaging freedom, claimed a people‘s care.

-Fernando Maramag
(https://fourteenlines.blog/tag/moonlight-on-manila-
bay-by-fernando-maramag/)

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A. Directions: Identify the meaning of the italicized word through context
clues. Write the letter of your answer on the space provided.
____ 1. She possesses an ethereal beauty that men could not resist.
A. elegant C. rugged
B. dull D. indelicate

____ 2. She is perfectly effulgent.

A. boring C. gloomy
B. intimidating D. radiant

____ 3. To molest a child is immoral.

A. assist C. soothe
B. injure D. shield

____ 4. A lambent glow flickered from the oil lamp,

A. unpolished C. beaming
B. dull D. dark

____ 5. At the behest of the commander, the troop retreated.

A. shout C. command
B. premonition D. plea

____ 6. I heard the din of the party guests.

A. whisper C. song
B. noise D. speech

____ 7. Heavy rains and lightning presage a storm.

A. assurance C. event
B. warrant D. indication

B. Directions: Briefly answer the following questions:

1. How is Manila Bay described in the first stanza?
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2. Explain the particular event being referred to in the second stanza.

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3. Why is Manila Bay considered to be the finest harbor in the far East?

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4. What is the meaning of the poem?

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Directions: Compare and contrast the poem “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” of
Jett Franco from the poem “Moonlight on Manila Bay” of Francisco Maramag.

It’s More Fun in the Philippines Moonlight on Manila Bay

1. Elements
(Rhyme,
Rhythm and
Imagery)

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2. Style
(Tone and
Emotion)

3. Structure
(Format and
length of
lines)

4. Language

(Figurative
Language)

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Directions: Write your own hypertext poetry. Choose only one theme from
the choices below:
1. Nature
2. Education
3. Family
4. Fashion

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