West Visayas State University

HIMAMAYLAN CITY CAMPUS

Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental

PORTFOLIO IN LIT 202:

SURVEY OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN
ENGLISH

Course Facilitator:
Jonalyn B. Duhaylungsod
 Table of Contents (Units based on LIT 202 Module)
UNIT 1. INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

a. Definition
b. Types of Literature

c. My Insights/Reflection about Literature

UNIT 2. FICTION
a. Definition

b. Types of Fictions
c. My Insights/Reflection about Fiction

UNIT 3. POETRY

a. Definition
b. Types of Poetry

c. My Insights/Reflection about Poetry

UNIT 4. THE ESSAY

a. Definition

b. Types of Essays
c. My Insights/Reflection about Essay

UNIT 5. THE DRAMA

a. Definition

b. Types of Dramas
c. My Insights/Reflection about Drama
UNIT 1. INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE
Numerous literary genres exist to broaden knowledge and entertain. Back in ancient Greece,
literature was divided into two main categories: tragedy and comedy. Nowadays the list of
possible types and literature genres can seem endless. But it is still possible to narrow down
the vast amount of literature available into a few basic groups. The five genres of literature
students should be familiar with are Poetry, Drama, Prose, Nonfiction, and Media—each of
which is explained in more detail below. You’ll see some overlap between genres; for
example, prose is a broader term that includes both drama and non-fiction.

1. Poetry

- This is often considered the oldest form of literature. Before writing was invented, oral
stories were commonly put into some sort of poetic form to make them easier to remember
and recite. Poetry today is usually written down but is st ill sometimes performed. A lot of
people think of rhymes and counting syllables and lines when they think of poetry, and
some poems certainly follow strict forms. But other types of poetry are so free-form that
they lack any rhymes or common patterns. There are even kinds of poetry that cross genre
lines, such as prose poetry. In general, though, a text is a poem when it has some sort of
meter or rhythm, and when it focuses on the way the syllables, words, and phrases sound
when put together. Poems are heavy in imagery and metaphor and are often made up of
fragments and phrases rather than complete, grammatically correct sentences. And poetry is
nearly always written in stanzas and lines, creating a unique look on the page. Poetry, as
experienced in the classroom, is usually one of three types. There are the shorter, more
modern poems, spanning anything from a few lines to a few pages. Often these are
collected in books of poems by a single author or by a variety of writers. Edgar Allen Poe’s
“The Raven,” is one of the most commonly taught poems of this type. Then there are the
classical, formulaic poems of Shakespeare’s time, such as the blank verse and the sonnet.
And finally, there are the ancient, epic poems transcribed from oral stories. These long,
complex poems resemble novels, such as Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey.

2. Prose
Once you know what poetry is, it’s easy to define prose. Prose can be defined as any kind of
written text that isn’t poetry (which means drama, discussed below, is technically a type of
prose). The most typical varieties of prose are novels and short stories, while other types
include letters, diaries, journals, and non-fiction (also discussed below). Prose is written in
complete sentences and organized in paragraphs. Instead of focusing on sound, which is
what poetry does, prose tends to focus on plot and characters. Prose is the type of literature
read most often taught in English classrooms. Any novel or short story falls into this
category, from Jane Eyre to Twilight and from “A Sound of Thunder” to “The Crucible.” Like
poetry, prose is broken down into a large number of other sub-genres. Some of these
genres revolve around the structure of the text, such as novellas, biographies, and memoirs,
and others are based on the subject matter, like romances, fantasies, and mysteries.
3. Drama

Any text meant to be performed rather than read can be considered drama (unless it’s a
poem meant to be performed, of course). In layman’s terms, dramas are usually called
plays. When written down the bulk of a drama is dialogue, with periodic st age directions
such as “he looks away angrily.” Of all the genres of literature discussed in this article,
drama is the one given the least time in most classrooms. And often when drama is taught,
it’s only read the same way you might read a novel. Since dramas are meant to be acted out
in front of an audience, it’s hard to fully appreciate them when looking only at pages of text.
Students respond best to dramas, and grasp their mechanics more fully when exposed to
film or theater versions or encouraged to read aloud or act out scenes during class. The
dramas most commonly taught in classrooms are definitely those written by the bard.
Shakespeare’s plays are challenging, but rewarding when approached with a little effort and
a critical mindset. Popular choices from his repertoire include Hamlet, Taming of the Shrew,
and Romeo and Juliet, among others. Older Greek plays are also taught fairly often,
especially Sophocles’ Antigone. And any good drama unit should include more modern plays
for comparison, such as Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman.

4. Non-Fiction

Poetry and drama both belong to the broader category of fiction—texts that feature events
and characters that have been made up. Then there is non-fiction, a vast category that is a
type of prose and includes many different sub-genres. Non-fiction can be creative, such as
the personal essay, or factual, such as the scientific paper. Sometimes the purpose of non-
fiction is to tell a story (hence the autobiography), but most of the time the purpose is to
pass on information and educate the reader about certain facts, ideas, and/or issues. Some
genres of non-fiction include histories, textbooks, travel books, newspapers, self-help books,
and literary criticism. A full list of non-fiction types would be at least as long as this entire
article. But the varieties most often used in the classroom are textbooks, literary criticism,
and essays of various sorts. Most of what students practice writing in the classroom is the
non-fiction essay, from factual to personal to persuasive. And non-fiction is often used to
support and expand students’ understanding of fiction texts—after reading Hamlet students
might read critical articles about the play and historical information about the time period
and/or the life of Shakespeare.

5. Media

The newest type of literature that has been defined as a distinct genre is media. This
categorization was created to encompass the many new and important kinds of texts in our
society today, such as movies and films, websites, commercials, billboards, and radio
programs. Any work that doesn’t exist primarily as a written text can probably be considered
media, particularly if it relies on recently developed technologies. Media literature can serve
a wide variety of purposes—among other things it can educate, entertain, advertise, and/or
persuade. More and more educators are coming to recognize the importance of teaching
media in the classroom. Students are likely to be exposed to far more of this type of
literature than anything else throughout their lives, so it makes sense to teach them how to
be critical and active consumers of media. Internet literacy is a growing field, for example,
since the skills required to understand and use online information differ in important ways
from the skills required to analyze printed information. Teaching media literacy is also a
great way for educators to help students become participants in their own culture, through
lessons on creating their own websites or home movies or commercials.

Other Types of Literature

These are far from the only important genres of literature. Here are a few more that are
sometimes used in classrooms: Oral Literature: The oldest type of literature, and the
foundation on which culture was built. Now, most oral texts have been written down, of
course, and are usually taught in the form of epic poems or plays or folk tales. Folklore/Folk
Tales/Fables: A distinction is often made between regular prose and folklore. Most folk tales
were originally oral literature, and are short stories meant to pass on a particular lesson or
moral. They often have a timeless quality, dealing with common human concerns that are
just as relevant to us today, while still being products of a very specific culture and time
period. Graphic Novels and Comic Books: It used to be that most educators saw comic
books as the lowest form of literature, not suitable or valuable for children. But times have
changed, and many teachers have come to realize that comic books and the more modern
graphic novels are both appealing to kids and are a valid form of literature in their own
right.

My Insights/Reflection about Literature

As I was reading the lessons under the introduction of literature in the module, here are the
things I have realized about.

a. Literature Helps Expand Horizons

Reading enhances our intelligence and makes us more knowledgeable about the world
around us. It also improves our vocabulary, which allows us to be better communicators.
Unlike other channels of learning, reading gives us time to pause and think about the
meaning of what we have read.
b. Literature Gives a Look into the Past, Present and Future

Literature provides a window into the past, allowing readers to see how their ancestors and
others dealt with day-to-day life. Readers can see where their own people came from, and
how the country they live in became what it is today. Literature can also let its readers look
back at the mistakes made by their predecessors, and hopefully avoid those same mistakes.

Modern literature gives readers a view into present-day politics, and sometimes gives us an
important view into the lives of the people around us. Fictional literature can also give its
readers special insight into the minds of writers to see how they envision the future might
turn out, including both the good and the bad.

c. Literature Gives a View into the Human Condition

The thematic similarities in literature help us connect to ourselves and others while reading,
but the differences - the new ideas authors present - allow us to think beyond who and what
we are. It is here, this difference, that makes us human. This difference defines the human
condition
d. Literature Helps Build Critical Thinking Skills
Literature helps build crucial, critical thinking skills. Readers can learn more about symbolism
within the pages of a book, and it helps them develop the ability to find the hidden
meanings within everyday life. Furthermore, they can make connections between the
characters and the themes of a book, and how that could apply to real life.
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UNIT 2. FICTION
A fiction is a deliberately fabricated account of something. It can also be a literary work
based on imagination rather than on fact, like a novel or short story.
The Latin word fictus means “to form,” which seems like a good source for the English word
fiction, since fiction is formed in the imagination. Like its literary cousin fable, legend, and
myth, however, fiction has a slightly darker additional meaning: a deliberate lie or untruth.
When we talk about "the line between fact and fiction," we're talking about the difference
between truth and lies.

Here are ten fiction genres you should know and their most popular subgenres.
1. Adventure

Books about swashbuckling buccaneers, hungry mountain lions, or incredibly mismatched

co-workers. These stories draw you in with the promise of an incredible, once in a lifetime
adventure. Who doesn’t want to be a part of that?
Secrets and Spies– James Bond, Indian Jones, and Ben Frankin Gates are all iconic
adventure heroes. They dedicated their fictional lives to uncovering secrets and saving the
world.

Remarkable Quests– Quests can be magical, like in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
by C.S. Lewis or simply feature larger than life stories like Treasure Island by Robert Louis
Stevenson.
Man V.S. Wild– Stories that bring dangerous, exotic landscapes to life such as My Side of the
Mountain by Jean Craighead George.
Unlikely Duos– I’m with him/her?! These are the “buddy cop” stories of friends, lovers, and
co-workers who find themselves stuck together for better or worse. The Hemingway Thief
by Shaun Harris is a wonderful example.

Sport Showdowns– Stories of fighting the clock and beating the other guy to the finish line.
Agents can’t get enough of stories like Friday Night Lights by Buzz Bissinger.

2. Fantasy

We are all familiar with some aspects of the fantasy genre. Still, few people fully grasp every
corner of this ever-growing universe. Here are the subgenres that the industry is most
interested in.
Fairies & Folklore– Stories based in diverse mythological legends are in high demand. One
example is the Jewish-inspired novel Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik.
Contemporary– Here, you can find magic woven into everyday events, like the wizard who
uses their powers to make the best tasting BBQ in Town. Examples include The Lightning
Thief by Rick Riordan and American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

Epic– “One ring to rule them all,” from The Lord of the Rings by the Fantasy master himself,
J.R.R. Tolkien. Epic stories take you to a wholly new and exciting world.

Dark– These horror-fantasy mashups can quickly become cult favorites like H.P. Lovecraft’s
haunting tales.

Superheroes– Few can dispute the fact that Stan Lee did something right when creating the
Marvel Universe. Stories with superheroes and villains walking around the block like in Soon
I’ll be Invincible by Austin Grossman are in high demand.

3. Science Fiction
Science Fiction gets the best of all the worlds with its abilities to leap through space and
time. It’s no wonder that people crave science fiction stories from the edge of the unknown.
Space Travel– 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke, anyone? Adventures in space are
hard to beat. This subgenre can also include space creatures traveling to Earth.
Dystopias– Two of the bestselling books of the decade, The Hunger Games by Suzanne
Collins and Divergent by Veronica Roth, were both dystopias. Bring forth the apocalypse!
Alternative Universes– A distant (or alternative) cousin of space travel stories, alternative
universes are kinda like ours, but different. Think, The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman.
Mutants– “Let’s play with genetic mutations!” said every 21st-century mad scientist at some
point in his/her career. These stories, like Maximum Ride by James Patterson, are often too
enticing to pass up.

Artificial Intelligence– A.I. is a hot topic; from stories like Ray Bradbury’s I Sing the Body
Electric to TV shows like Black Mirror. The success of these tales proves that people are
always curious to know what robots think of us.

4. Historical
While the future fuels science fiction, historical fiction finds its inspiration in the past. As
historical fiction, these stories find the emotional truths in past events.
Family Sagas– The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck was one of the first life-changing books I
read. This Chinese epic exemplifies what makes family sagas so touching and powerful.
Traditional Histories– These stories put you in the shoes of anyone else who was just going
about their day when a fantastic story happened to them. Examples that come to mind
include Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell or A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.
Famous Figures– When writing about prominent figures, authors often walk the line
between fiction and nonfiction. I, Claudius by Robert Graves, talks from the first-person
point of view of a Roman emperor and follows a semi-autobiographical tune.
Hidden Histories– The demand for diverse, unique voices is only growing. People want to
hear about secret heists, deals, and populations that lived without a voice, until now–Stories
like Faces in the Water by Janet Frame.

War Narratives– Whether they are from the perspective of a general, a soldier, a civilian, or
prisoner, war stories sell consistently. Novels like All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony
Doerr brings human voices front and center during chaotic times.

5. Literary
While it’s true that any genre can become literary. There are a few key elements that make
literary works stand apart from other titles.
Dramas– Literary titles are inherently character-focused and this creates delectable drama. A
Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen is a fantastic example of dramatic literary finesse.
Experimental Works– Novels like Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell break storytelling and genre
rules to create literary masterpieces. Anything that turns writing on its head can be
considered experimental.

Classics– Books that have an air of timelessness and lasting quality. The Great Gatsby by F.
Scott Fitzgerald and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Some herald The Harry Potter
books as “instant classics.”

6. Humor
Humor in a novel is tough, but when done right, it’s legendary.

Parodies– Parodies aim to make fun of something through imitation. Some of the best-
selling examples are Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith and Fifty
Shades of Earl Gray by Fanny Merkins.
Satire– Satire aims to make fun of something by using a familiar situation to highlight a
ridiculous aspect or moment. It’s typically darker than parody, like The Clockwork Orange by
Anthony Burgess.

Funny Fiction– Some stories are just plain entertaining. Being funny can definitely bolster a
title’s sales. The Princess Bride by William Goldman and The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
by Douglas Adams are hilarious pieces of genre fiction.

7. Horror

Horror novels help themselves to our deepest, darkest fears. They have all the hallmark
monsters, villains, and unforgettable creatures.

Psychological Fears– Novels like Misery by the scare master, Stephen King, claw through
readers’ minds looking for a quiet place to fester and prey upon the subconscious.

Crazy Killers– People are obsessed with serial killers. Terrifying tales like My Sister, the Serial
Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite keep this subgenre alive and well.
Madness– Ray Bradbury once said, “Insanity is relative. It depends on who has who locked
in what cage.” Something about insanity is just incredibly enticing to readers and writers
alike. Come Closer by Sara Gran is guaranteed to give you chills and thrills.

Revenge of the Undead– Cue the flesh-devouring zombies, glowing demons, and just plain
unhappy ghosts. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson will give you the ghouls you
crave.
Monsters from the Deep– Whether they come from tombs, caves, or the bottom of the sea,
something about unearthing creatures is downright terrifying. So pick your poison, Meg by
Steve Alten or The Mummy by Max Allan Collins. I’ll take my chances with the shark.

8. Romance

Romance is the best-selling adult reading genre making up a third of the market! While a
considerable portion of the market is women, it’s expanding to include a wide range of ages
and cultural backgrounds. Everyone wants to believe in love, at least for a couple of pages.

Contemporary– These are your modern love stories. They include couples who meet on the
street or in a cafe and immediately hit it off or hate each other. Comedy often plays a role
here. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne is a perfect example.

Historical– The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon has proven that there is a market for
18th-century romance, no questions asked. There is also a quick-growing interest in
romance novels that cover lesser-known pockets of time. Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin
takes place during the Tang Dynasty, and it’s a great example of this trend.

Erotic– Now ideally, best-selling erotica fuses steamy sex scenes with beautiful, risqué
prose. But sometimes, the best-selling romance novels of the decade include Fifty Shades of
Gray, and its sequel, The Mister both by E.L. James.
Fantasy– Another hugely popular fantasy novel this decade was Twilight by Stephenie
Meyer. Still, anything with a paranormal or magical feel can qualify as fantasy. Many of C.L.
Wilson’s books are great examples.

Multi-Cultural (LBGTQ+)– Becky Albertalli’s novel, Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda was
a groundbreaking novel that the romance and the LGBTQ+ communities both embraced.
Many up-and-coming agents are looking for romance that breaks stereotypes and reaches
new, previously overlooked readers.

9. Thrillers

Taking up the second largest chunk of the market (behind romance), readers love the chase
of a good thriller.

New in Town– Who are these mysterious figures, you ask? Consider the stereotype of any
older character with a chip on their shoulder and a score to settle. Want to see a fresh take?
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon could be of assistance.
Legal Thrillers– The legal thrillers subgenre is alive and well, just ask John Grishman. These
dramatic stories walk the line
between courtroom corruption and political distress. Transfer of Power by Vince Flynn is an
excellent, stand-out title.
Crime and Killers– From malicious masterminds on the run to mobsters smoking Cuban
cigars, legendary characters like The Godfather and Tom Ripley have made their claims on
the literary world through crime.

Mysteries– Readers of all ages love following a detective down a strange, mysterious path.
Sometimes, the most bizarre parts are right in front of your characters the whole time, like
in the novel, Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie.
Survival Against All Odds– Imagine the worst day of your life, now add the world’s largest
natural disaster. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer gives you just that.

10. Westerns
Saddle up for these fast-paced, action-packed tales from the Wild West. They feature a
massive cast of characters spread out over thousands of miles of open trails and danger at
every turn.

Lone Rangers– These are westerns that focus on a lone cowboy, sheriff, or–more
interestingly–a mistress like in the Sawbones Series by Melissa Lenhardt.
Stories from the Reservation– Books like The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by
Sherman Alexie first popularized this genre. Currently, numerous agents looking to help
bring exposure to Native American authors and storytellers.

Cowboys V.S. Aliens– Fun, funky novels like Six Gun Planet by John Jakes or Daisy Kutter:
The Last Train by Kazu Kibuishi take place in a wild west setting that is out of this world.
They often involve horse-like creatures and alien-looking pistols.
Gold Rushes & Railroads– Stories from the mid-west to the west coast feature historical
events like crossing the Oregon trail, blowing up mountains, and mining for gold. These
stories often feature clashes between the wealthy and the poor, like in Daughter of Fortune
by Isabel Allende.
Women in the West– Looking at bestseller lists and agent picks, it’s easy to see that having
strong female characters in your western tale can give it a huge boost! With too many titles
to choose from, feel free to browse these 12 books featuring badass female outlaws!

My Insights/Reflection about Fiction:

What happened to literary fiction?

Reality television, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook have taken all our time away from
where our hearts once begged to be – in the middle of an incredible story. We fervently
turned each page while missing breakfast, lunch, and sometimes even dinner just to see
what would happen next.
Now it’s hard for us to even open a book.

Maybe it’s our attention span.

We’ve forgotten the special memories that come from reading literary fiction: when we
stayed in bed on a beautiful day just to finish a book, went late to class because of a
chapter that just had to be finished, and the moments we escaped from our unsettling
moods to jump into an unexpected journey.
The beautiful stories that lie in literary fiction are awaiting us; we just need to realize that
they never left. It starts with understanding the reasons we should starting picking up great
literary fiction books again.

With work, errands, chores, and family obligations, the notion of giving ourselves permission
to walk through a pretend world for a while may seem a bit frivolous or fruitless. Why read
stories when there’s so much to do?

But why does reading fiction fine-tune our social awareness? That’s not entirely clear. One
possible reason is that when we devote our mental energy to stepping into an imaginary
person’s inner world, we’re essentially honing our ability to do the very same thing with
actual people. Indeed, evidence suggests that the same regions of the brain are at work
when we’re thinking about other people and their points of view, regardless of whether
those individuals happen to be real or fictional characters. Another potential reason is that
even though we’re trekking into a make-believe realm, the struggles and concerns, the
pleasures and hopes, the nuances and social dynamics that unfold for the characters in the
story can offer valuable insights on humanity and life. And this knowledge may put us in a
better position to understand the people in our social world.

I know, some may say, reading a good tale doesn’t seem to be enough, in and of itself, to
boost our capacity to empathize with others. For reading to help us do that, we need to
actively step out of our own lives and mentally and emotionally carry ourselves away into
the story. You can picture the scene you’re reading like it’s a movie; you feel with the
characters and for them. Sadness bubbles up with poignant moments in the story. Absurdity
awakens confusion, surprise, or amusement. Cliff-hangers and tense dilemmas evoke jitters
and disquiet. As you’re winding through a murder mystery, with characters who are
absolutely terrified because they know that the killer is among them and one of them is
next, your muscles tense and the hairs on your arm stand up.
To sum it all up, we can take time to delight in a compelling yarn, and in the process
become better human beings who may even live a little longer. That sounds more like a
worthwhile investment than a guilty pleasure. Happy reading, everyone.

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UNIT 3. POETRY

Poetry is a type of literature based on the interplay of words and rhythm. It often employs
rhyme and meter (a set of rules governing the number and arrangement of syllables in each
line). In poetry, words are strung together to form sounds, images, and ideas that might be
too complex or abstract to describe directly.
Poetry was once written according to fairly strict rules of meter and rhyme, and each culture
had its own rules. For example, Anglo-Saxon poets had their own rhyme schemes and
meters, while Greek poets and Arabic poets had others. Although these classical forms are
still widely used today, modern poets frequently do away with rules altogether – their
poems generally do not rhyme, and do not fit any particular meter. These poems, however,
still have a rhythmic quality and seek to create beauty through their words.
The opposite of poetry is “prose” – that is, normal text that runs without line breaks or
rhythm. This article, for example, is written in prose.

Types of Poetry
1. Sonnet - a short rhyming poem with 14 lines. The original sonnet form was invented in
the 13/14th century by Dante and an Italian philosopher named Francisco Petrarch. The
form remained largely unknown until it was found and developed by writers such as
Shakespeare. Sonnets use iambic meter in each line and use line-ending rhymes.

2. Limerick - a five-line witty poem with a distinctive rhythm. The first, second and fifth
lines, the longer lines, rhyme. The third and fourth shorter lines rhyme. (A-A-B-B-A).

3. Haiku - This ancient form of poem w riting is renowned for its small size as well as the
precise punctuation and syllables needed on its three lines. It is of ancient Asian origin.
Haiku's are composed of 3 lines, each a phrase. The first line typically has 5 syllables,
second line has 7 and the 3rd and last line repeats another 5. In addition, there is a
seasonal reference included.
4. Narrative - A narrative poem tells the story of an event in the form of a poem. There is a
strong sense of narration, characters, and plot. It may be dramatic, with objectives and
diverse characters. Narrative poetry may be short or long, and the story it relates to may be
simple or complex.

5. Epic - a lengthy narrative poem in grand language celebrating the adventures and
accomplishments of a legendary or conventional hero.

6. Couplet - two lines of verse which rhyme and form a unit alone or as part of a poem.

7. Free Verse - A Free Verse Poem does not follow any rules. Their creation is completely in
the hands of the author. Rhyming, syllable count, punctuation, number of lines, number of
stanzas, and line formation can be done however the author wants in order to convey the
idea. There is no right or wrong way to create a Free Verse poem.

8. Acrostic - An acrostic poem is a poem where the one letter in each line spells out a word
or phrase vertically that acts as the theme or message of the poem. The word used for the
acrostic can be the name of the person you are writing the acrostic about, a message such
as Happy Birthday or a theme such as Acceptance, Love or Hope.

My Insights/Reflection about Poetry

It can show us words and concepts from the past. Poetry can even depict historical events.
Poets in the past may have written a poem after a big event had occurred and by reading
their poems, we can see how the event affected everyday people. As a famous essayist
once said “Poetry, above any other art form, comes closest to fulfilling the goal of art.” Art is
the representation of the unrepresentable. Through language, space, and metaphor poetry
is able to skirt the edges of capturing an ever-changing world's beauty and ugliness better
than any other art form. Many people may ask themselves, is poetry closest to fulfilling the
goal of art? The reason is because anyone can write it without being judged because there
is a variety, and so many ways to write poetry. From free verse to haikus, structured poems
to couplets, the sky is the limit. Anyone can write poetry because it is your ideas and
emotions that you are letting flow onto a piece of paper. The variety of poems allows people
to be able to fashion their own combinations for writing poetry and ultimately creating their
own unique style. Its shortness can be a vehicle to convey an idea that longer pieces may
not fully capture.

Poetry is perhaps one of the most versatile of literary forms since it can convey great
emotion, lyrical aesthetic, and a story all at the same time. It is some sort of a midpoint
between songs and stories. And yet for all its magic, poetry is found in our daily speech. It
uses words that are known to all of us, but in a sequence and order that surprises us out of
our normal speech rhythms and linear thought processes. Its effect is to illuminate our lives
and breathe new life, new seeing, new tasting into the world we thought we knew.

Finding and using words to fit exactly how you want them to takes time and thought. When
people read poetry, they have a chance to really see the world with some of the bells and
whistles stripped away; it lets them concentrate on the details which remain. Poems often
describe life and illuminate aspects of it using flashes of imagery. Finally, poetry is a kind of
multi-dimensional language. It is directed at the whole person, not just at his
understanding. It must involve the reader's senses, intelligence, emotions and imagination.

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UNIT 4. THE ESSAY

The essay is a written piece that is designed to present an idea, propose an argument,
express the emotion or initiate debate. It is a tool that is used to present writer’s ideas in a
non-fictional way. Multiple applications of this type of writing go way beyond, providing
political manifestos and art criticism as well as personal observations and reflections of the
author.

An essay can be as short as 500 words, it can also be 5000 words or more. However, most
essays fall somewhere around 1000 to 3000 words; this word range provides the writer
enough space to thoroughly develop an argument and work to convince the reader of the
author’s perspective regarding a particular issue. The topics of essays are boundless: they
can range from the best form of government to the benefits of eating peppermint leaves
daily. As a professional provider of custom writing, our service has helped thousands of
customers to turn in essays in various forms and disciplines.
Over the course of more than six centuries essays were used to question assumptions,
argue trivial opinions and to initiate global discussions. Let’s have a closer look into historical
progress and various applications of this literary phenomenon to find out exactly what it is.

Today’s modern word “essay” can trace its roots back to the French “essayer” which
translates closely to mean “to attempt”. This is an apt name for this writing form because
the essay’s ultimate purpose is to attempt to convince the audience of something. An
essay’s topic can range broadly and include everything from the best of Shakespeare’s plays
to the joys of April.
The essay comes in many shapes and sizes; it can focus on a personal experience or a
purely academic exploration of a topic. Essays are classified as a subjective writing form
because while they include expository elements, they can rely on personal narratives to
support the writer’s viewpoint. The essay genre includes a diverse array of academic
writings ranging from literary criticism to meditations on the natural world. Most typically,
the essay exists as a shorter writing form; essays are rarely the length of a novel. However,
several historic examples, such as John Locke’s seminal work “An Essay Concerning Human
Understanding” just shows that a well-organized essay can be as long as a novel.

Types of Essay
Not only are students required to read a variety of essays during their academic education,
but they will likely be required to write several different kinds of essays throughout their
scholastic career. Don’t love to write? Then consider working with a ghost writer! While all
essays require an introduction, body paragraphs in support of the argumentative thesis
statement, and a conclusion, academic essays can take several different formats in the way
they approach a topic. Common essays required in high school, college, and post-graduate
classes include:

1. Five paragraph essays

This is the most common type of a formal essay. The type of paper that students are usually
exposed to when they first hear about the concept of the essay itself. It follows easy outline
structure – an opening introduction paragraph; three body paragraphs to expand the thesis;
and conclusion to sum it up.

2. Argumentative essay
These essays are commonly assigned to explore a controversial issue. The goal is to
identify the major positions on either side and work to support the side the writer agrees
with while refuting the opposing side’s potential arguments.
3. Compare and Contrast essay

This essay compares two items, such as two poems, and works to identify similarities and
differences, discussing the strength and weaknesses of each. This essay can focus on more
than just two items, however. The point of this essay is to reveal new connections the
reader may not have considered previously.

4. Definition essay
This essay has a sole purpose – defining a term or a concept in as much detail as possible.
Sounds pretty simple, right? Well, not quite. The most important part of the process is
picking up the word. Before zooming it up under the microscope, make sure to choose
something roomy so you can define it under multiple angles. The definition essay outline will
reflect those angles and scopes.

5. Descriptive essay
Perhaps the most fun to write, this essay focuses on describing its subject using all five of
the senses. The writer aims to fully describe the topic; for example, a descriptive essay
could aim to describe the ocean to someone who’s never seen it or the job of a teacher.
Descriptive essays rely heavily on detail and the paragraphs can be organized by sense.

6. Illustration essay
The purpose of this essay is to describe an idea, occasion or a concept with the help of clear
and vocal examples. “Illustration” itself is handled in the body paragraphs section. Each of
the statements, presented in the essay needs to be supported with several examples.
Illustration essay helps the author to connect with his audience by breaking the barriers with
real-life examples – clear and indisputable.

7. Informative Essay
Being one the basic essay types, the informative essay is as easy as it sounds from a
technical standpoint. High school is where students usually encounter with informative essay
first time. The purpose of this paper is to describe an idea, concept or any other abstract
subject with the help of proper research and a generous amount of storytelling.

8. Narrative essay
This type of essay focuses on describing a certain event or experience, most often
chronologically. It could be a historic event or an ordinary day or month in a regular
person’s life. Narrative essay proclaims a free approach to writing it, therefore it does not
always require conventional attributes, like the outline. The narrative itself typically unfolds
through a personal lens, and is thus considered to be a subjective form of writing.

9. Persuasive essay
The purpose of the persuasive essay is to provide the audience with a 360-view on the
concept idea or certain topic – to persuade the reader to adopt a certain viewpoint. The
viewpoints can range widely from why visiting the dentist is important to why dogs make
the best pets to why blue is the best color. Strong, persuasive language is a defining
characteristic of this essay type.
My Insights/Reflection about Essay
Writing essays develops essential skills and functions in the education of a student, thereby
making them helpful to them. One, writing of essays by students enables them to practice
and perfect skills transferable throughout their learning career and into their profession. For
example, one develops the ability to read and write, think, organize ideas, and communicate
in an efficient manner. Two, it enables students to build up a formal and organized method
of writing that passes information without a doubt. Three, it helps in organizing your
thought on what you are learning, builds vocabulary, and a distinct writing style. Improving
writing skills also helps in developing the necessary writing skills to complete other writing
assignments. with constant practice through essays, one becomes ready to complete
assignments such as term papers, research papers, coursework, and dissertations.
Writing an essay develops a routine, which is paramount in learning. Once you expand a
habit of practicing how to write an essay, you end up improving your skills in the subject
developing discipline. Also, when it comes to learning, the routine becomes duplicated; thus,
helping one learn different things. Making you go dip into basics is another importance of
essay writing. With a lot of information flooding the world, there is a lot of untrustworthy
information circulating. However, writing essays enables you to get the correct information
through research.

To succeed in the workplace, one needs to possess the collect grammar, spelling, basing
writing skills, and communicating. Thus, essays prepare you to become a successful
individual in the future.

the lives of students, and they should continue writing them.

___________________________________________________________________________

UNIT 5. THE DRAMA

Drama is a type of narrative, usually fictional, that is performed. Drama usually involves
actors on stage in front of a live audience. Thus, as a narrative mode, there is the
assumption that drama requires participation and collaboration between the actors and the
audience. It is, of course, possible to read works of drama, yet the full expression of drama
is in the context of performance.

The word drama comes from the Greek δρᾶμα (drama), in which it means “action.” Thus,
the definition of drama includes the sense of live action occurring. Note that originally drama
did not necessarily connote a genre characterized by serious themes and the absence of
comedy. Indeed, both comedy and tragedy on stage are considered drama under this
definition, because they both include action presented to an audience in real time.
Drama is one of the first forms of storytelling in human history. Dating back to at least the
5th century BC in Ancient Greece, drama became an important part of celebrations for gods
and competitions were held for the best new work of drama. Drama was popular in many
other parts of the world as well, especially in the modern-day nations of India, China, and
Japan. Drama examples have continued to be important in different areas of the world and
throughout different time periods. One of the primary reasons that drama has continued to
have such an important place in literature is its unique way of presenting a narrative in real
time. Thus, even if the story is from Ancient Greece, the audience is confronted with the
story in front of them in the modern day and should therefore be able to have stronger
feelings of catharsis than if reading the text as a historical document.

Types of Drama
1. Comedy

A comedy makes us laugh when the play is well-composed with the humorous elements.
The story is usually based on real-life characters, funny experiences in life, or any type of
fun-provoking situation. A comical drama can also be sarcastic and raunchy. It is usually
light in tone and has happy endings. Composing a comical drama requires high level of
intellect and perceptive faculties, because provoking laughter is not as easy as it may seem.
2. Farce

According to the definition given by Britannica, it is a comic dramatic piece that uses highly
improbable situations, stereotyped characters, extravagant exaggeration, and violent
horseplay. Farce, although a sub-category of comedy, is intellectually inferior to comedy
because the plots and the characters are substantially crude, ambiguous, and unimaginative.

3. Tragedy
It is one of the oldest forms of drama. It exposes the plight and suffering of humans to the
audience. The perfect example of a tragic drama is Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The theme of a
tragedy usually rotates around the ruins of a dynasty, downfall of man, emotional betrayals,
moral setback, personal loss, death, and denials. A tragedy when composed and enacted
well can touch you deeply. These rarely have happy endings.

4. Melodrama

Melodrama is exaggeration of emotions. It’s marked by a surge of emotions, which is a

technique to make the character and the plot more appealing to the audience. A melodrama
can sometimes fail to derive applause, because excessive display of emotions can become
monotonous. On the contrary, a superbly executed melodramatic plot can absorb you
completely. They usually depict the good and evil aspects of the characters involved.
5. Fantasy

It is a complete fictional work where characters virtually display supernatural skills. It is

more appealing to children as fairies, angels, superheroes, etc., are embedded in the plot.
Use of magic, pseudo-science, horror, and spooky themes through various kinds of technical
devices create a perfect world of fantasy. The modern version of drama incorporates a great
deal of special effects.

6. Musical
Music, melody, and dance play a significant role in a musical drama. Here, the story is
conveyed through music and dance along with dialogs and acting. The music should be in
sync with the actions, and the performer often uses dance as a means of self-expression.
The stage may be equipped with an orchestra, well-rehearsed with the plot and the use of
music. Musical drama became popular as opera, which is still considered to be intensely
sensuous.
Although drama has been categorized into the aforementioned types, yet people love to
experiment their skills to produce many new genres. You can also sustain a single plot
combined with all these major forms. The drama gets etched in the minds of the audience
when the execution of the script, the stage performance, and the coordination between
group members are absolutely perfect.

My Insights/Reflection about Drama (Performing Arts)

From the very beginnings of the performing arts colleges, the importance of self-expression
to artists was emphasized. Many performing arts students suffer from shyness when they
start attending classes and gradually become more confident as they find ways to
communicate. In addition to teaching self-expression, the performing arts help society as a
whole in self-knowledge and understanding.
One of the reasons why there are so many performing arts colleges in the world, often seen
as important educational centres for theatre and dance, is that the performing arts teach us
about our history and educate us in other ways. Classic theatre, such as Shakespeare, helps
us to understand the people around us and how they might be expected to react in certain
situations.

Above all else, the performing arts are about being creative. Without a creative voice, a
society may become all but dead inside, and a social group without any creativity is likely to
be repressive and tyrannical rather than a force for good.
_______________________________________________________________

References
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