Granita, Jazmie Ciren M.

BSEd- English II
ACTIVITY 5

CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE: EMERGENT LITERATURE

Directions: Answer the following questions: (40 pts)

1. What is emergent literature?

Emergent or emerging literature refers to new genres of scholarly discourse such as online collaborative spaces,
academic blogs, websites, and e-prints. Emergent literature is also said to be the literature existing nowadays. It
uses unconventional techniques and doesn’t need to be published, to be converted to movies, unlike popular
literature.
One good thing about emerging literature is that one just needs to write it on a certain platform, make it trending
and everyone can read it. This describes new forms of literary expression that are still developing and haven't
become fully established. It could involve innovative uses of technology, unique storytelling formats, or a blend of
existing genres.
Sometimes, emergent literature simply refers to the body of literature being written in the present day. This can
encompass a wide range of styles and themes, but it often reflects current social issues and cultural trends.

2. What are the characteristics of emergent literature?

a. Experimentation with form

- It might push boundaries in terms of structure, narrative style, or language use.
b. Use of new technologies
- It could incorporate digital elements, online platforms, or interactive storytelling
techniques.
c. Focus on emerging themes
- It might address contemporary social or cultural issues that haven't been fully
explored in literature before.
d. Accessibility
- It might be self-published or use online platforms, making it more accessible to a
wider audience.

3. Choose 1 example of emergent literature and explain how it works.

From all the examples of emergent literature, I chose flash fiction, these are very short stories, often limited
to a few hundred words. They focus on creating a strong emotional impact or a surprising twist within a
concise format. Flash fiction thrives online and in literary magazines, making it an accessible and
experimental form.
In addition, due to its brevity, flash fiction relies on powerful imagery, suggestive language, and a strong
central conflict to engage the reader. The story might end abruptly, leaving the reader to ponder the
characters' fate or the implications of the situation.
In conclusion, flash fiction is a great example of emergent literature because it experiments with form, can
be easily shared online, and often explores contemporary themes in a compressed format.

4. Search for a published journal regarding your chosen literature and how it affects its readers/audience?

The “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. This story is a mere 300 words long but packs a powerful punch, leaving the
reader with a sense of unease and horror. It is a flash fiction, relies on brevity and suggestion. It leaves much to the
reader's imagination, forcing them to fill in the gaps and contemplate the deeper meaning. This can be thought-
provoking but also frustrating, as some readers may crave more details or a more developed narrative.
ACTIVITY 1:

VISAYAN LITERATURE

Directions: The Visayan Literature reporter must provide the class initial information on famous Visayan authors.
Once submitted, individually find available/accessible literature in the internet and briefly explain its meaning. (20
pts).

A case in point is the balac, a poetic love joust between a man and a woman. According to Cabardo,
the balac retained its form even as it took new names and borrowed aspects of the languages of the colonizers.
During the Spanish period, the balac was called the amoral; during the American occupation, it was
renamed ismayling, a term derived from the English word “smile.” According to a literary investigator, in certain
areas of Samar, the same balac form or ismayling has been reinvented to express anti-imperialist sentiments where
the woman represents the motherland and the man, the patriot who professes his love of country.

Bisaya’s rich oral traditions includes Ugilanon (legend),Tigmo (riddle) Panultihon (proverbs) Ambingay (metaphor)
Garay (verses) and harito (shaman’s prayer). Of these forms of literature, it is the balak that has survived the test of
time. In the contemporary times, balak slowly comes to life especially among the millennials who find themselves in
the arena of spoken word or poetry performance in the coffee bar, freedom parks, or even during which there are
school events. In the rural areas, radio stations allocate airtime during weekend for an extemporaneous balak
performance whose theme varies from political, social, or romantic.
The best that can deliver during the contest will reap the prizes usually sponsored by localpoliticians.In the olden
time, balak were usually performed from any variety of events or social gatherings. From planting to harvesting,
men in group hunting, building houses, birthdays, and burials, even events like celebrating a barrio chieftain winning
a seat in the barangay election. Itis noticeable that in a more formal social gathering, balitaw, a variety of balak
usually sung and danced, is performed by a male-female duo in extemporaneous poetic debate while garay ,
characterized by the presence of metaphor are commonly performed to any celebration or gathering.