Learning Packet No. 1: Introduction to Literature PDF

LEARNING PACKET NO. 1: INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE I. OBJECTIVES OF THE LESSON: By the end of the module, learners are expected to: 1. Discuss the definitions and functions of literature. 2. Compare literary forms and genres based on their elements and features....

LEARNING PACKET NO. 1: INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE I. OBJECTIVES OF THE LESSON: By the end of the module, learners are expected to: 1. Discuss the definitions and functions of literature. 2. Compare literary forms and genres based on their elements and features. 3. Appreciate the importance of literature in one’s life. II. INTRODUCTION TO LESSON It is very important to ponder this question as we start our class this semester: what is literature? Technology has certainly changed how literature is presented. Still, the general idea remains the same – literature may refer to a body of spoken and written works (whether poetry, fiction, non-fiction or drama) that possess the following qualities: (1) artistry, (2) suggestiveness, (3) intellectual value, (4) spiritual value, (5) permanence, (6) universality, and (7) style. What do these qualities mean and how are these manifested in literary works? Furthermore, think of the following question: How does studying literature enrich one’s perspective and way of living? You may share our thoughts in our synchronous class. III. FORMATIVE ACTIVITY The assigned text “Why Literature?” by Mario Vargas Llosa expounds on the importance of reading literature to address our individual and societal crises. Read and analyze the text in preparation for our synchronous class discussion. The text can be retrieved from this link: https://newrepublic.com/article/78238/mario-vargas-llosa-literature Guide Questions: 1. According to Llosa’s observations, what causes the decrease in the number of people who read? 2. How different is the function of literature from science and technology in society? 3. What are the benefits of reading literature? 4. Why does Llosa regard readers of literature as ‘free’? IV. LESSON PROPER Definitions of Literature The word literature was derived from the Latin word littera, “a letter of the alphabet.” Generally, it refers to a body of written works by a given culture or by the whole of humankind. It highlights significant human experiences that tell the story of individuals and groups of people in different times and contexts. Therefore, literature is also defined as the totality of human expression, but not all written or spoken texts may be considered literature. According to William J. Long, for a text to be classified as literature, it must meet the following literary standards: A. Artistry – aesthetically appealing and reveals or conveys hidden truth and beauty Page 3 of 66  B. Suggestiveness – allows the work to inspire and provoke thoughts and understanding beyond the actual words written on the page C. Intellectual Value – promotes critical thinking that enhances both abstract and reason-based thought processes and makes readers focus on the fundamental truths of life and nature D. Spiritual Value – lifts the inner spirit and soul and has the power to motivate and inspire readers E. Permanence – determined by a written work’s ability to stand the test of time, which makes it impossible to determine at the moment of writing. F. Universality – appeals to the hearts and minds of almost any reader G. Style – refers to the distinct way the authors express their thoughts In line with these standards, Horace, a Roman poet, emphasized that literature has two main functions, namely dulce (sweetness) or to bring entertainment and utile (usefulness) or to give information. Although literary works offer to serve these functions, in the modern day, the works have evolved to embody a more critical function in society – to criticize and affirm cultural values. Divisions of Literature Literature is divided into two main types: (1) oral, which refers to poems and stories shared through word of mouth, and (2) written, which refers to encoded works through writing or printing. Furthermore, literature also takes on different forms, namely (1) poetry, (2) fictional prose, (3) nonfictional prose, and (4) drama, which has its features and types listed below. A. Poetry Poetry features the metrical and sophisticated use of language through imagery, figurative language, and poetic devices. Usually, poets leave implicit messages in their works that need to be “dug out” by the readers. Three types of poems and their subtypes are enumerated below. 1. Lyric – originally sung with a lyre, focused on the writer’s personal experiences and emotions a. Elegy – a poem to honor the dead. b. Ode – a poem that pays tribute to a person, idea, place, or another concept. c. Sonnet – a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme, i.e., Shakespearean or Petrarchan. d. Haiku – a three-line poem that originated in Japan, follows the 5-7-5 syllable scheme and uses nature to express an emotion or concept. 2. Narrative – tells a story in lines and verses, originally sung by bards a. Ballad – set to music, focused on usual human experiences b. Epic – tells the story of heroes and their adventures. c. Metrical Tale – topics vary from romance, the quest for adventure, love, and various phases of life. d. Metrical Romance – deals with the story of adventure, love, chivalry, and deeds of derring-do, also called chivalric poems. Page 4 of 66  B. Fictional Prose Prose, unlike poetry, is written in ordinary, non-metrical language but still utilizes literary techniques to deliver its message. For fictional prose, texts feature characters, settings, and incidents which are born out of the writer’s imagination. It may include supernatural elements or extraordinary events, but these are still ultimately rooted in reality. Two main types of fictional prose are: 1. Short story – has its plot, characters, setting, and conflict, and it can be read in one sitting 2. Novel – an extended work of prose that features chapters with fictional elements C. Nonfictional Prose Nonfiction presents facts or opinions about reality. Writers straightforwardly express their message to convey information to their readers effectively. The following are types of nonfictional prose: Biographical Narratives Biography is a story of a person’s life written by another person. A Profile is an in-depth article or essay about one person or place. Character sketch-According to the Collins English Dictionary Character sketch is a “brief description or portrayal of a person's character, qualities, etc.” An interview is a meeting of people, usually face-to-face, to discuss an issue or topic. Autobiographical Narratives Autobiography– is a story of a persons’ life written by themselves. Memoir – a recollection of a person’s specific experience. It deals with a slice of life in contrast to an autobiography that deals with an individual’s life. Special types include Travel writing, Food writing, and Nature writing Travelogue/Travel Writing is an author’s experiences while traveling Food Writing-Nonfiction writing that concentrates on food. It’s in the form of memoirs and essays written in creative nonfiction, but it can also include history and explanations of scientific concepts. Nature Writing- it deals with the natural environment. The phrase "nature writing" "has typically been reserved for a style of nature representation deemed literary, written in the speculative personal voice, and presented in the form of the nonfiction essay," according to ecocritic and author Michael P. Branch in his book Beyond Nature Writing. Diaries and Journals Diary – is a record of a person’s daily experiences and his/her thoughts and emotions. Journal-According to the Oxford Dictionary, journaling is a daily record of personal news or happenings that function much like a newspaper or magazine. Keeping a journal typically entails more than just keeping track of daily activities. Analysis of your feelings over a specific incident or about what occurred is another important component of a successful writing routine. Page 5 of 66  Emerging forms of literature Blogs and Facebook status posts (Note: classification still depends on content; standards of literature should still be applied to gauge their merit) Other types Literary reportage or literary journalism literary journalism (which is also called “new journalism”) -writing in a personal way about the facts in a news event which is still close to traditional reportage. Essays (descriptive and reflection essays, etc.) According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an essay is “an analytic or interpretative literary composition usually dealing with its subject from a limited or personal point of view.” D. Drama Drama is meant to be performed on stage. Actors and actresses are expected to act out the scenes on a script while following stage directions and using props and costumes to bring the characters and events to life. Like poetry and fiction, it may utilize symbolism and allegory to present a hidden message to the audience. Here are the different types or genres of drama: 1. Comedy – lighthearted, humorous, often ends with a happy ending 2. Farce – exaggerated humor, slapstick, improbable events 3. Musical – the entire production is set to a musical score. 4. Melodrama – dramatic or comedic storylines; may also feature singing and dancing, exaggerated characters, and exciting events 5. Tragedy – darker themes, flawed characters, heroic downfall usually ends in the death of a character 6. Tragicomedy – a combination of elements of comedy and tragedy Importance of Literature In summary, literature is indeed an essential part of human life. In modern society, it offers more than just entertainment and information since it also plays a big role in molding society. To emphasize this view, Emmaline Soken-Huberty presents ten reasons why literature is important: a. Literature is a powerful stress reliever. b. Literature fuels imagination. c. Reading literature improves concentration and focus. d. Reading literature keeps the brain active and healthy. e. Literature expands a person’s vocabulary. f. Reading literature improves a person’s writing skills. g. Literature improves a person’s communication skills. h. Literature encourages critical thinking. i. Literature teaches readers about history. j. Reading literature can encourage empathy. Page 6 of 66