ACLC COLLEGE OF MANDAUE

SENIOR HIGH DEPARTMENT

Introduction to 21st Century Literature

What is literature?
Literature seems too difficult to embrace for people who are indifferent to it.
However, it continues to grow and stay because of its significance and value to man.
Literature is an art of self- expression.

Literally, it means “an acquaintance with letters as in the first sense given in the Oxford
English Dictionary. In Latin, “littera” means an individual written character. It represents
a language or people; culture or tradition, passion and dignified thoughts. It introduces us
to a new world of experience. It records the experiences of man. It imitates and interprets
life through language. Everything that is written is literature.

Unit Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this unit you should be able to:
Learning outcomes:
1. State the meaning of literature;
2. Discuss the meaning of literature;
3. Appreciate the extent of literature in all aspects of human environment;
4. Discuss the types of literature; and
5. Compare and contrast the four literary genres.

LESSON CONTENT
Importance Of Literature
- Literature molds man as a total human being by being sympathetic,
aware and sensitive.
- It educates, entertains and informs.
- It leads us to understand the life of man.

Types Of Literature
- Literature has two major types: oral and written
Oral Literature includes ballads, myth, jokes, folktales and fables,
whereas written source has drama, novel, poetry and non- fictional
literature.

• Types of Literature according to Structure:

Poetry- is an artistic piece of philosophical, personal, imaginative or
inspirational nature that is laid out in lines.
Prose- a literary piece that is written without metrical structure.

Page 1 of 20
• Literature can also be classified as either fictional or non- fictional.
 Fictional literature is simply defined as a product of one’s imaginative
mind. It can be drama, short story, novel, myth, folktale and poetry.

Non- Fictional literature is opposite to fiction as it comes out of one’s

personal experiences, a true and factual account of varying information.
This includes biography, essay journals, newspapers, diary, magazine etc.

LITERARY GENRES (FORMS)

- Poem is a composition written in verses having standard measurements

and written with a higher intensity or artistic beauty.

Poems are classified into three: lyric, narrative and dramatic.

Lyric poem refers to short poems which expresses the personal thoughts or
emotions of the poet. This is intended to be sung.
Narrative poem tells a story. It can be a ballad or an epic.
Dramatic poetry is a theatrical dialogue performed on stage. It can be a tragedy,
comedy, melodrama, or tragicomedy.

-Short story is a small commercial fiction, true or imaginary and smaller than a novel.
It is a prose that has one unit of place, time and action. It is “bite size” version of a
novel. You can finish reading it in just one sitting.

Short Story Elements:

Plot and Structure Plot- the sequence of incidents or events through which
an author constructs a story. The plot is not merely the action itself, but the
way the author arranges the action toward a specific end.
( structure)
Structure- layout of the work.

Page 2 of 20
Conflict- It is where plot is often created. It is controlling impulse in a connected
pattern of causes and effects. This arouses curiosity, causes doubt, creates tension and
produces interest. Great stories do have a conflict.

Conflict may be external and internal:

External conflict is one between a character and an outside force, such as
another character, nature or fate.
Internal conflict takes place within the mind of a character who is torn
between opposing feelings or between different courses of action; also called as dilemma,
a conflict within a person/

Most plots develop in five stages:

1. Exposition- introduces the characters, setting and conflict.

2. Rising Action- complications, twists or intensifications of the conflict occurs.
3. Climax- emotional high point of the story also the most exciting part. 4.
Falling Action- logical result of the climax
5. Resolution- the final outcome of the story. It may be happy, unhappy or
undetermined.

Character and Characterization

- Character is a verbal representation of a human being. The character is
either the protagonist (“the good guy”) or antagonist (“the bad guy”).
Characterization- is the quality of the character which is disclosed through
actions, descriptions both personal and environmental, dramatic statements
and thoughts by the other characters and statements by the author.
Setting- The setting is the overall context- when, where and in what circumstances
the action occurs.
Point of View (POV)- Refers to whoever is telling the story. It is the speaker, the
narrator, persona or voice created by the author to tell the story.
✓ First person= I, we
✓ Second person= you
✓ Third person= He, she, they (most common)
Theme- the central idea or message of the story, often a perception about life or
human nature.
Tone and Style
Tone- the attitude and feelings
Style- the manner, in which an author uses words, constructs sentences,
incorporates non literal expressions and handles rhythm timing and tone.
Humor and Irony- are intended to create an emotional impact on the reader. Irony
is when things work out opposite of what they’ re supposed to or expected to.

Guidelines in reading a short story

First Reading
Determine what is happening: where, what, who is involved or the major
characters of the story.
- Make a record of your reactions and responses.
 Page 3 of 20
- Describe characterizations, events, techniques and ideas

Second Reading

Trace developing patterns

- Write expanded notes about characters, situations, actions
- Write paragraph describing your reactions and thoughts
- Write down questions that arise as you read.

Nonfiction is the broadest category of literature. Autobiograhies, biographies,

memoirs, letters, essays, speeches and news articles are just a few of the many types of
nonfiction. All of these forms of prose concern real, rather than imaginary subjects.

Books that are made up by the author or not true, are fiction.
KINDS OF NONFICTION
Narrative Nonfiction- tells a story as works of fiction do (eg. Autobiographies and
Biographies)
Informative Nonfiction- this includes essays, speeches and articles that explain a topic or
promote an opinion. (e.g., essays )

POETRY
Poetry is a “ way of feeling life”, according to Daisy Zamora, a Nicaraguan poet.
Poetry captures intense experiences of creative perceptions of the world in a musical
language, if prose is like talking, poetry is like singing.

Types of Poem(Traditional Classification)

✓ Ballad- a narrative poem written in four- line stanza
✓ Ode- long stately form written in various stanzas.
✓ Sonnet- lyric poem of 14 lines
✓ Blank verse- unrhymed 10- syllable poem
✓ Free verse- no regular meter, pattern or rhyme.
✓ Limerick- 5- line rhymed poem that makes fun.
✓ Elegy- a poem expressing grief of subjective and meditative nature
✓ Epic- narrates the life and adventures of a hero
✓ Song- expresses deep thoughts, feelings and emotions.

Drama is told mainly through words and actions of characters and intended to
be performed by actors. Feature films can be considered as drama as well as any
television programs.

Elements of Drama
Characters- can be human, supernatural, divine, mythical personification of
abstraction that reflects the personality of the character.
 Setting- geographical location of the play (story), time and period.

Page 4 of 20
Plot- serial arrangement of incidents, events and ideas.
Dialogue- the thoughts of the characters are exhibited. It is the conversation that
portrays thoughts, emotions and feelings
Point of View- serves as an instrument of the playwright to show his actions and words
are arranged where the audience can draw their conclusion.

Summary of Topic/ Section

✓ Literature records the experiences of man. It imitates and interprets life through
language. Everything that is written is literature.
✓ Literature has two major types: oral and written
✓ There are Four Literary Genres: poem, short story, essay and drama; with each
having its distinctive features.
✓ Literature is important to us because it speaks and affects human interaction and
perception of the world.
✓ It enlivens human interest, enriches and colors our imagination.
Page 20 of 20