Definition of Literature

 Any printed matter written within

a book, a magazine or a pamphlet.

 It is a faithful reproduction of
man’s manifold experiences blended
into one harmonious expression.
It expresses the feelings of people to
society, to the government, to his
surroundings, to his fellowmen and to
his Divine Creator. ( Azurin, Brother)
Anything that is printed, as long as it is
related to the ideas and feelings of people,
whether it is true, or just a product of one’s
imagination.

It is a piece of written work which is

undying. (Ramos, Atienza.
Divisions of Literature

LITERATURE

WRITTEN ORAL

PROSE POETRY

•Novel
•Short story NARRATIV LYRIC
•Plays E
•Legends DRAMATI
•Fables C
•Anecdotes
•Essay
•Biography
•News
•Oration
Prose and Poetry

Prose consists of those written within

the common flow of conversation in
sentences and paragraphs while
poetry refers to those expressions in
verse, with measure and rhyme, line
and stanza and has a more melodious
tone.
a. Novel. This is a long narrative
divided into chapters. The events
are taken from true-to-life stories
and spans a long period of time.
There are many characters
involved.

PROSE
b. Short story. This is a narrative
involving one or more characters,
one plot and one single
impression.

PROSE
c. Plays. This is presented on a stage,
is divided into acts and each act
has many scenes.

PROSE
d. Legends. These are fictitious
narratives, usually about origins.

PROSE
e. Fables. These are fictitious and
they deal with animals and
inanimate things who speak and
act like people and their purpose is
to enlighten the minds of children
to events that can mold their ways
and attitudes.
PROSE
f. Anecdotes. These are merely
products of the writer’s
imagination and the main aim is to
bring out lessons to the reader. It
can be stories about animals or
children.

PROSE
g. Essay. This expresses the
viewpoint or opinion of the writer
about a particular problem or
event.

PROSE
h. Biography. This deals with the life
of a person which may be about
himself, his autobiography or that
of others.

PROSE
i. News. This is a report of everyday
events in society, government,
science and industry, accidents,
happening nationally or not.

PROSE
j. Oration. This is a formal treatment
of a subject and is intended to be
spoken in public. It appeals to the
intellect, to the will or to the
emotions of the audience.

PROSE
a. Lyric. Consist of poems that deal
with emotions or feelings. Lyric
types that abound with figures of
speech includes sonnet, son, elegy,
ode, and simple lyrics

POETRY
b. Narrative. Referred as story-telling
verse. These poems narrate stories
e.g. ballads, metrical tale, metrical
romance, and epic

POETRY
c. Dramatic. Poems in which everything is
conveyed through the words of a single
speaker who reveals background
circumstances and conflicts, and
provides insight into his or her own
character as well as that of the others.

POETRY
d. Prose Poetry. All the characteristics
of poetry such as vivid imagery,
poetic meter, heightened emotion
and language play – except in
written in sentences.

POETRY
Philippine Literature
- It is the literature associated with the
Philippines and includes the legends of
prehistory, and colonial legacy of the
Philippines.

- Most of the notable literature was written

during the Spanish period and the first half of
the 20th century in Spanish language.

- It is written in Spanish, English, Tagalog,

and/or other native Philippine language.
Why Study Philippine Literature
1. To better appreciate our literary
heritage
2. To manifest our deep concern
for our own literature
3. To realize our literary
limitations
4. To understand our tradition and
culture
Regional Literature and National Literature
1. It includes fiction and poetry that
focuses on the characters, dialect,
customs, topography, and other
features particular to a specific
region.
2. It depicts the specificities of life
experienced and viewed within a
narrower framework.
Regional
Regional Literature and National Literature
1. It expresses larger concerns and
broader perspectives.
2. It consists of superior literary
products.
3. It consists of the different cultures
and customs in the Philippines.

National
Think of the last novel or book you
read. Write the best part of the
story and share the best thing you
have learned from it.