Literature Classifications and Forms

Classifications of Literature

• Literature is categorized and classified.
• Objectives include identifying classifications, appreciating literary forms from the information age, comparing modern and older genres, creating literary presentations, and using ICT skills.
• Structure: composed of parts; organized; presented in narrative order of occurrence or telling.
• 1.1 Fiction: imaginative literary work, oral or written; describes imaginary events and people; purpose is to entertain and evoke thought/feeling.
• 1.2 Non-fiction: literary work about real life; based on history and real events/people; purpose is to convey knowledge, facts, theories, and concepts.
• 2. Form: style of implementation of design elements; arrangement of elements in composition.
• 2.1 Prose: spoken/written work; gives information, relates events, expresses ideas, and opinions; close to everyday speech patterns.
• 2.2 Poetry: literary work in verse, expressing ideas with rhythm, sound, and imaginative language; evokes emotional responses and represents experiences, feelings, and facts.
• 3. Genre: incorporates fantastical and imaginative ideas from life; presented in objective and subjective reality; categorized by novel, short story, essay, drama.

21st Century Literary Genre: Chick Lit

• Chick Lit: written for women; strong female character; light-hearted plot.
• Upbeat, entertaining to read and typically focuses on young women, featuring relationships, family, and personal discovery.
• Issues around modern womanhood, humour, fitting in vacationing, and uplifting endings are common themes.

Hyperpoetry

• Also known as cyberpoetry; cannot exist without computers.
• Uses verse, links to sub-poems/footnotes, poetry "generators", and movement or images.
• Relies on qualities of digital environments (like links and sound) instead of the printed page.

Blogs

• Shortened form of "web log".
• Regularly updated journal on the internet; includes thoughts and opinions.
• Posts displayed in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
• Used to share personal feelings/experiences with a large audience.

Speculative Fiction

• Often described as "what if?" genre.
• Describes work where writer makes conjectures about a fictional scenario.
• Comes form the word "speculate"— exploring "what if" scenarios.
• Setting is often futuristic or involves supernatural elements.
• Includes horror and science fiction.

Textula

• Filipino poem with four lines; 7 syllables per line.
• Examples include "Mga texttula" by Atilla Roma and Adle Enriquez.
• Textula developed by Filipino playwright, actor, and production designer, Frank G. Rivera.
• Awarded multiple times in the Filipino play category.
• Entire poems can be read on mobile phones.

Flash Fiction

• Notable for brevity; also known as short-short stories, micro stories, short-shorts, or sudden fiction.
• Examples include Hemingway's and Calvino's works; short stories, etc.
• Includes elements of classic storytelling (protagonists, conflicts, and a solution).
• Lengths vary from six-word stories, to Twitter fiction or drabbles (100 words).

Graphic Novel

• Utilizes pictures for a long story; growing in popularity.
• Combines words and images; often a complete story presented as a book rather than a periodical.
• Different from comics (which are usually periodical, for younger audiences).
• Generally has sophisticated artwork and serious literary themes.