Philippine Literature Timeline

Philippine Literature Timeline

• A timeline of Philippine literature is presented.

Learning Objective

• Develop critical literacy skills by identifying major literary periods, understanding their historical contexts and influences, and analyzing dominant literary styles, genres, and thematic concerns of each period.

What is Literature?

• Literature is a body of written works associated with imaginative and creative works of poetry and prose.
• It can be classified according to language, national origin, historical period, genre, and subject matter.
• It can be oral or written.
• Written literature is called literary text.

Characteristics of Literary Text

• Narrates a story.
• Expresses feelings, thoughts, and ideas (from imagination or real life experiences).
• Delivers significant information and crosses boundaries of time, place, cultures, and languages.

Literary Structure

• The organizational method in literature is often narrative.
• It encompasses content, form, genre, style, specific literary trend, literature as an art form, and art in general.
• Arrangement of elements is used to convey intended meaning for the audience.

Genre

• Genre refers to the forms of literature determined by literary technique, tone, content, or length (especially in fiction).
• Genre is also defined by the general cultural movement of the time period the literature was composed.

Major Forms of Literature

• Poetry: Usually written in lines, characterized by rhythm, sound, imagery, and form. It expresses thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
• Prose: Natural flow of speech and grammatical structure using complete sentences that are logically and sequentially arranged.

Types of Poetry

• Narrative Poetry: Tells a story, includes elements such as characters, setting, and conflict.
• Dramatic Poetry: Emotionally appealing drama written in verse. Intended to be recited or sung by a character.
• Lyric Poetry: Common type of poetry, focuses on expressing emotions.

Types of Prose

• Fiction: Product of a writer's imagination and creativity. Includes short stories, novels, and novellas that deal with conflict and central issues.
• Non-fiction: Stories inspired by real events; aims to present, interpret, or describe experiences based on facts.

Examples of Major Forms of Literature

• Numerous examples of poetry (narrative, dramatic, lyric) and prose (fiction and non-fiction) are presented in a hierarchical structure. Epic, Ballad, and Metrical Tales are examples of narrative poetry. Dramatic Poetry includes monologue and soliloquy. Fiction includes short stories, novels, and plays. Non-fiction includes biography, autobiography, and narrative essays.

Literary Elements

• Literary elements are particular, identifiable characteristics common to all literary and narrative forms (e.g., theme, setting, conflict, point of view).

Explore the significant milestones in Philippine literature through this timeline quiz. You will develop critical literacy skills by identifying key literary periods and their historical contexts, influences, styles, genres, and themes. This quiz will deepen your understanding of the evolution of literature in the Philippines.