Module 4 21st Century Lit

21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
LECTURE NOTE 1: “Biographical, Feminist, Historical, Marxist and other Approaches”. Weeks 1-2 (Fourth Quarter)
I. LEARNING COMPETENCIES Teacher’s Note: Ang approach na ito ay mas nagagamit sa mga akdang may
At the end of this module, the learners are expected to: kinalaman sa buhay ng author, katulad ng kina Alexander Pope, John Dryden, and
1. Identify representative texts and authors from Milton.
Asia, North America,
Europe, Latin America, and Disadvantages: New Critics refer to the historical / biographical critic’s belief that the
Africa (MELCS) meaning or value of a work may be determined by the author’s intention as “the
intentional fallacy.” Thus, art is reduced to the level of biography rather than universal.
Teacher’s Note: Hindi lahat ng akda ay angkop o may kinalaman sa buhay ng
II. CONTENT
author o sa kasaysayan. Ibig sabihin lang nito na Limitado lamang ang mga
In this module, you will learn and understand about
akda na ginagamitan ng approach na ito.
1. In this module, you will learn and understand about
“Elements of a Short Story and Literary Criticism”.
A Checklist of Historical Critical Questions:
-When was the work written?
Lecture Proper -When was it published?
-How was it received by the critics and public and why?
1. Knowledge Test -What does the work’s reception reveal about the standards of taste and value during
INSTRUCTION/DELIVERY the time it was published and reviewed?
-What social attitudes and cultural practices related to the action of the word were
The three-fold Purpose of Criticism: prevalent during the time the work was written and published?
1. To help us solve a problem in the reading. -What kinds of power relationships does the word describe, reflect, or embody?
2. To help us sift between and resolve conflicting readings. -How the power relationships do reflected in the literary work manifest themselves in
3. To enable us craft interpretative, yet scholarly judgments about literature. the cultural practices and social institutions prevalent during the time the work was
written and published?
Historical / Biographical Approach: -To what extent can we understand the past as it is reflected in the literary work?
-Historical / Biographical critics see works as the reflection of an author’s life and -To what extent does the work reflect differences from the ideas and values of its
times (or of the characters’ life and times). H/B approach deems it necessary to know time?
about the author and the political, economic, and sociological context of his times in Checklist of Biographical Critical Questions:
order to truly understand the work(s).
Teacher’s Note: Tinitignan ng approach na ito ang koneksiyon ng isang akda sa -What influences—people, ideas, movements, events—evident in the writer’s life does
buhay o talambuhay ng isang manunulat o author. Kailangang alamin na ito the work reflect?
ang politikal, ekonomikal at sosyological na konteksto o status ng isang may -To what extent are the events described in the word a direct transfer of what
akda. happened in the writer’s actual life?
-What modifications of the actual events has the writer made in the literary work? For
Advantages: This approach works well for some works -like those of Alexander Pope, what possible purposes?
John Dryden, and Milton – which are obviously political in nature. It also is necessary -What are the effects of the differences between actual events and their literary
to take a historical approach in order to place allusions in their proper classical, transformation in the poem, story, play, or essay?
political, or biblical background. -What has the author revealed in the work about his/her characteristic modes of
thought, perception, or emotion?
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-What place does this work have in the artist’s literary development and career? and metaphor. They are also interested in the work’s setting, characters, symbols, and
point of view.
Moral / Philosophical Approach
Advantages: This approach can be performed without much research, and it
-Moral / philosophical critics believe that the larger purpose of literature is to teach emphasizes the value of literature apart from its context (in effect makes literature
morality and to probe philosophical issues. Practitioners include Matthew Arnold timeless). Virtually all critical approaches must begin here.
(works must have “high seriousness”) (ang mga akda ay may kaseryosohan), Plato
(literature must exhibit moralism and utilitarianism) (Ang literatura ay nagpapakita ng Disadvantages: The text is seen in isolation. Formalism ignores the context of the
moralidad at utilitarianismo), and Horace (literature should be “delightful and work. It cannot account for allusions. It tends to reduce literature to little more than a
instructive”) (Ang literatura ay kaaya-aya at nakakapagtuturo). collection of rhetorical devices.
Teacher’s Note: Naniniwala ang mga kritiko ng approach na ito na ang
pinakamalaking layunin ng literatura ay magturo ng moralidad o kagandahang
asal at upang siyasatin ang mga pilosopikong isyu.
Advantages: This approach is useful for such works as Alexander Pope’s “An Essay on A Checklist of Formalism Critical Questions:
Man,” which presents an obvious moral philosophy. It is also useful when considering
the themes of works (for example, man’s inhumanity to man in Mark Twain’s -How is the work structured or organized? How does it begin? Where does it go next?
Huckleberry Finn). Finally, it does not view literature merely as “art” isolated from all How does it end?
moral implications; it recognizes that literature can affect readers, whether subtly or -What is the work’s plot? How is its plot related to its structure?
directly, and that the message of a work -and not just the decorous vehicle for that -What is the relationship of each part of the work to the work as a whole? How are the
message -is important. parts related to one another?
-Who is narrating or telling what happens in the work? How is the narrator, speaker,
Disadvantages: Detractors argue that such an approach can be too “judgmental.” or character revealed to readers? How do we come to know and understand this
Some believe literature should be judged primarily (if not solely) on its artistic merits, figure?
not its moral or philosophical content. -Who are the major and minor characters, what do they represent, and how do they
relate to one another? What are the time and place of the work—it’s setting? How is
Checklist of Moral/Didactic Critical Questions: the setting related to what we know of the characters and their actions? To what
-What enduring truth is revealed in the theme of this work? extent is the setting symbolic?
-How are the actions of the protagonist rewarded and the actions of the antagonist -What kind of language does the author use to describe, narrate, explain, or otherwise
punished? create the world of the literary work? More specifically, what images, similes,
metaphors, symbols appear in the work? What is their function? What meanings do
Formalism / New Criticism they convey?
-A formalism approach to literature, once called New Criticism, involves a close
reading of the text. Formalism critics believe that all information essential to the Psychological Approach
interpretation of a work must be found within the work itself; there is no need to -Psychological critics view works through the lens of psychology. They look either at
bring in outside information about the history, politics, or society of the time, or about the psychological motivations of the characters or of the authors themselves,
the author’s life. Formalism critics spend much time analyzing irony, paradox, imagery, although the former is generally considered a more respectable approach. Most

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frequently, psychological critics apply Freudian and/or Jungian (archetypes) attempt to diagnose long dead authors based on their works, which is perhaps not
psychology to works. the best evidence of their psychology. Critics tend to see sex in everything,
Teacher’s Note: Ang approach na ito ay nakabase sa sikolohiya or the so-called exaggerating this aspect of literature. Finally, some works do not lend themselves
study of human mind and human behaviour. readily to this approach.
(a) Freudian Approach:
A Freudian approach often includes pinpointing the influences of a character’s psyche Checklist of Psychological Critical Questions
(Greek for “soul”), which consists of the:
-What connections can you make between your knowledge of an author’s life and the
Id (reservoir of libido or pleasure principle in the unconscious) o Libog in tagalog behaviour and motivations of characters in his or her work?
Superego (the moral censoring agency and repository of conscience/pride that -How does your understanding of the characters, their relationships, their actions, and
protects society)- Ito ang ahensiya ng konsensya o pride upang protektahan ang their motivations in a literary work help you better understand the mental world and
ibang tao o ang lipunan. imaginative life, or the actions and motivations of the author?
Ego (the rational governing agent of the unconscious that protects the individual)- -How does a particular literary work—its images, metaphors, and other linguistic
Ang sarili o ang ahensiya sa iyong sikolohikal na aspeto na promoprotekta sayong elements—reveal the psychological motivations of its characters or the psychological
sarili. mind-set of its author?
-Freudian critics steer toward the sexual implications of symbols and imagery, since -To what extent can you employ the concepts of Freudian psychoanalysis to
Freud theorized that all human behaviour (drives) derives from libido/sexual energy. understand the motivations of literary characters?
Teacher’s Note: Ayon sa teorya ni Freud lahat raw ng pag-uugali ng tao ay may -What kinds of literary works and what types of literary characters seem best suited to
kinalaman sa kanilang libido o sexual energy. a critical approach that employs a psychological or psychoanalytical perspective?
Why?
Concave Images, such as ponds, flowers, cups, and caves = female symbols. -How can a psychological or psychoanalytical approach to a particular work be
Convex Images, such as skyscrapers, submarines, obelisks, etc. = male symbols combined with an approach from another critical perspective—for example,
Actions, such as dancing, riding, and flying = sexual pleasure. biographical, formalist, or feminist criticism?
Water = birth, the female principle, the maternal, the womb, and the death wish.
Oedipus complex = a boy’s unconscious rivalry with his father for the love of his (b) Jungian Approach
mother -Jung is also an influential force in myth (archetypal) criticism. Psychological critics are
The Electra complex = a girl’s unconscious rivalry with her mother for the love of her generally concerned with his concept of the process of individuation (the process of
father discovering what makes one different form everyone else). Jung labeled three parts of
Critics may also refer to Freud’s psychology of child development, which includes the the self:
oral stage (eating), the anal stage (elimination), and the genital (reproduction).
Shadow – the darker, unconscious self; rarely surfaces, yet must be faced for totality of
Advantages: A useful tool for understanding some works, in which characters Self
manifest clear psychological issues. Like the biographical approach, knowing Persona – the public personality/mask (particularly masculine)
something about a writer’s psychological makeup can give us insight into his work. Anima/Animus – a man’s/woman’s “soul image” (the negative that makes a composite
whole)
Disadvantages: Psychological criticism can turn a work into little more than a
psychological case study, neglecting to view it as a piece of art. Critics sometimes

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A neurosis occurs when someone fails to assimilate one of these unconscious approach to texts. Feminist criticism is political and often revisionist. Feminists often
components into his conscious and projects it on someone else. The persona must be argue that male fears are portrayed through female characters. They may argue that
flexible and be able to balance the components of the psyche. gender determines everything, or just the opposite: that all gender differences are
imposed by society, and gender determines nothing.
Mythological / Archetypal: A mythological / archetypal approach to literature assumes
that there is a collection of symbols, images, characters, and motifs (i.e., archetypes) Elaine Showalter’s Theory:
that evokes a similar response in all people. According to the psychologist Carl Jung,
mankind possesses a “collective unconscious” (a cosmic reservoir of human In A Literature of Their Own, Elaine Showalter argued that literary subcultures all go
experience) that contains these archetypes and that is common to all of humanity. through three major phases of development. For literature by or about women, she
Myth critics identify these archetypal patterns and discuss how they function in the labels these stages the Feminine, Feminist, and Female:
works. They believe that these archetypes are the source of much of literature’s
power. Feminine Stage — involves “imitation of the prevailing modes of the dominant
tradition” and “internalization of its standards.”
Advantages: Provides a universal approach to literature and identifies a reason why Feminist Stage — involves “protest against these standards and values and advocacy
certain literature may survive the test of time. It works well with works that are highly of minority rights….”
symbolic. Female Stage — this is the “phase of self-discovery, a turning inwards freed from
some of the dependency of opposition, a search for identity.”
Disadvantages: Literature may become little more than a vehicle for archetypes, and Advantages: Women have been underrepresented in the traditional cannon, and a
this approach may ignore the “art” of literature. feminist approach to literature attempts to redress this problem.
Checklist of Mythological Critical Questions Disadvantages: Feminists turn literary criticism into a political battlefield and
overlook the merits of works they consider “patriarchal.” When arguing for a distinct
-What incidents in the work seem common or familiar enough as actions that they feminine writing style, they tend to relegate women’s literature to a ghetto status; this
might be considered symbolic or archetypal? Are there any journeys, battles, falls, in turn prevents female literature from being naturally included in the literary cannon.
reversals of fortune, etc.? The feminist approach is often too theoretical.
-What kinds of character types appear in the work? How might they be classified?
-What creatures, elements of nature, or man-made objects playing a role in the work Checklist of Feminist Critical Questions
might be considered symbolic?
-What changes do the characters undergo? How can those changes be characterized To what extent does the representation of women (and men) in the work reflect the
or named? To what might they be related or compared? place and time in which the work was written?
-What religious or quasi-religious traditions might the work’s story, characters, How are the relationships between men and women or those between members of
elements, or objects be compared to or affiliated with? Why? the same sex presented in the work? What roles do men and women assume and
perform and with what consequences?
Feminist Approach Does the author present the work from within a predominantly male or female
sensibility? Why might this have been done, and with what effects?
-Feminist criticism is concerned with the impact of gender on writing and reading. It How do the facts of the author’s life relate to the presentation of men and women in
usually begins with a critique of patriarchal culture. It is concerned with the place of the work? To their relative degrees of power?
female writers in the cannon. Finally, it includes a search for a feminine theory or

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How do other works by the author correspond to this one in their depiction of the of the preceding system would lead to the adoption of a new one. Marx’s version was
power relationships between men and women? that human history was a series of steps towards a perfect economic arrangement—
Marxist Criticism an inevitable march. According to Marx, capitalism was the result of conflict between
lords and serfs in feudal society and between guild masters and journeymen in pre-
Marxist criticism is a type of criticism in which literary works are viewed as the product capitalistic society. The resulting conflicts created the capitalist class or bourgeoisie,
of work and whose practitioners emphasize the role of class and ideology as they which owns the means of production, and the wage workers or proletariat class, which
reflect, propagate, and even challenge the prevailing social order. Rather than viewing has to sell its labour to survive. Derived from Hegel’s dialectic, the belief that truth
texts as repositories for hidden meanings, Marxist critics view texts as material (synthesis) emerges from a comparison of a thesis and anti-thesis.
products to be understood in broadly historical terms. In short, literary works are
viewed as a product of work (and hence of the realm of production and consumption
we call economics).
Checklist of Marxist/Cultural Criticism:
Core Marxist Principles & Basic Terms:
-What is the economic status of the characters?
Proletariat: that class of society, which does not have ownership of the means of -What happens to them as a result of this status?
production. Nang-aapi o Mayaman -How do they fare against economic and political odds?
Bourgeoisie: wealthy class that rules society. Inaapi o dukha -What other conditions stemming from their class does the writer emphasize? (e.g.,
Power of the Base: Marx believed that the economic means of production in a poor education, poor nutrition, poor health care, inadequate opportunity)
society (the base) both creates and controls all human institutions and ideologies (the -To what extent does the work fail by overlooking the economic, social and political
superstructure). This superstructure includes all social and legal institutions, all implications of its material?
political and educational systems, all religions, and all art. These ideologies develop as -In what other ways does economic determinism affect the work? How should readers
a result of the economic means of production, not the reverse. consider the story in today’s modern economic setting (nationally, globally, etc.)?
Alienation — Marx believed that capitalist society created three forms of alienation:
First, the worker is alienated from what he produces. Special Topic
Second, the worker is alienated from himself; only when he is not working does he
feel truly himself. Contextual Reading Approaches
- All literary texts were written by different authors with different background, culture,
Finally, in capitalist society people are alienated from each other; that is, in a
society, language, etc. On the other hand, you, as a reader, also differ from the writer
competitive society people are set against other people.
and other readers of the literary text. This lesson will help you understand the
Marx believed that the solution was communism, which would allow the development different literary texts that you will encounter not only in this course but also during
of our full “potentialities as a human.” For Marx, the possibility that one may give up your leisure reading. This will help you understand texts based on their authors’
ownership of one’s own — one’s capacity to transform the world — is tantamount to biography, society, and language and how these factors connect to your own
being alienated from one’s own nature; it is a spiritual loss. experience and reading.
Dialectical Materialism
Objectives:
● identify the different ways one may evaluate a literary text, specifically by
Marx believed that communism was a historical inevitability. Society had progressed examining its biographical context, sociocultural context, and linguistic context;
from one economic system to another—from feudalism to capitalism, for example. ● distinguish various critical reading strategies; and
The contradictions of each system led to its collapse. As history advanced, the failures

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● analyze different literary texts through different contexts using different ● Were there several drafts of the text? What can you say about the changes that the
critical reading strategies. author made? What aspects do you think the author struggled with during the
revision? What is the effect of the revisions to the published text?
Lesson 1: Literary Reading through a Biographical Context ● Are there characters and situations in the text that could be representative of or are
similar to the ones in the author’s life?
Essential Question: How does looking through the eyes of author help us better ● How will knowing about the author amplify your appreciation of the work?
understand the text?
Vocabulary Take note of the following before reading a text through a biographical context:
Biography: comes from the Greek words bios, which means life and graphia, which ● You should not assume that all works are confessional, biographical, or even “true
means writing; a detailed account or a narrative of a person written by someone else. to Life.”
Autobiography: also a narrative of a person, but written by the person himself or ● a literary text is according to the author’s perspective and will be heavily influenced
herself. by him or her, but it is not the only way of studying literature.
Here are some examples of literary works written by authors of different backgrounds.
While it is important to know the characters in a literary text, it is also In their sample writings, their personal stories and beliefs reflect the way they project
essential for readers to understand the author’s background. Through studying the the characters in their narrative:
author, they may be able to connect the characters and their morals to the author’s
life, and analyze the patterns of behavior shown between and among the characters, 1. “Under My Invisible Umbrella” by Laurel Fantauzzo is a literary essay that talks
the author, and the reader himself. After all, it is through getting to know others that about a Filipino-Italian who was born in the United States. Because her features are
we also get to know ourselves better. more Italian than Filipina, she had encountered problems with people treating her as
In your previous English and Filipino classes, perhaps you have been asked “extra special” in the Philippines, but she finds it more isolating than welcoming.
by your teachers to read about the author before reading his or her work. Some
teachers ask you to read about the life of Francisco Baltazar before discussing -Fantauzzo’s way of writing reflects a lot about her personal encounters within the
Florante at Laura. This is because the author’s life may affect his or her writing. Philippines. To understand her essays better, the reader must know her background
first so that they may know the reasons behind her dilemmas.
There are reasons to read literature through the biographical context (Gioia and
Kennedy 2007): 2. Catch a Falling Star by Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo is a collection of realistic short
● Understanding the author’s life can help you stories that revolve around a child character named Trissy or Patriciang Payatot. In the
understand his or her work thoroughly. narratives, you would find out that Trissy is not much involved in outdoor games; she
● Reading the author’s biography or autobiography helps you see how much was more inclined to writing, paper doll making, and other simple crafts.
his experiences shape his or her work directly and indirectly.
If one tries to research about the author, she may be classified as a female Filipino
Here are biographical strategies that you may use: writer who belongs to the intellectual elite; that’s why her writings are influenced by
● Research on what the author believes in and also what he or she does not. upper-middle class situations.
● Analyze how the author’s belief system is reflected in his or her work.
● Look at the author’s other works and analyze if there is a pattern with regard to the Lesson 2: Literary Reading through a
theme that is indicative of his or her life and beliefs. Sociocultural Context
-Aside from understanding a literary text through a biographical perspective, it is also
When you are reading literature through a biographical context: important to note the year or period it was written. Readers would be able to identify
● in what year was the text written and published? the historical events that took place in that year. We would also find out the roots of
● is there anything significant that happened in the author’s life during this time? an event’s cause and the reasons behind the character’s motives and interests.
What were the circumstances that happened to the author before the writing of the Essential Question: Why would a particular event or an ouside situation
text? affect a literary piece?

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-Recall the timeline of Philippine history. Reflect on some events that may have ● Who has the economic or social power? Is there oppression or class struggle? How
transpired during those periods of time by creating a visual image that represents
do the characters overcome this? Does money or finances play a large role in the
each of them. Share the images drawn and the ideas behind it with a partner.
narrative?
Vocubulary
Literary Theory: refers to different schools of thought and body of ideas that can be ● What is the prevailing social order? Does the story or poem accept or challenge it?
used as a tool in understanding literary context. Take note of the following before reading a text through the sociocultural context:
Sociocultural- of relating to or involving a combination of cultral and sicial factors. You may use several sociological, economic, and cultural perspectives when reading
What are some important events that took place in the following years? What would a using the sociocultural context. Marxism is one of the famous perspectives used for
third-person observer living in those times
this reading. Feminism, queer theory, historicism, post colonialism, and New
have written about his or her situation?
●1882 – Rizal, a well-known hero of today, leaves for Spain to pursue his studies. Historicism are also perspectives or literary theories that you may use.
●1898 – Americans introduced formal education in the Philippines.
●1972 – Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial law in the Philippines.
●1986 – People Power Revolution took place among the Filipino people.
●2016 – Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte was elected the 16th president of the Philippine
Republic.
According to the critic Wilbur Scott, “Art is not created in a vacuum; it is the Perspective Explanation
work not simply of a person, but of an author fixed in time and space, answering a Marxism According to the Marxist perspective, literature shows class
community of which he is an important, articulate part.” In reading using the struggle and materialism. Thus, it looks into the social classes
sociocultural context, you will examine the factors that affect the writing of the portrayed in the work. It also looks into how the text serves as a
literary text and how the work was received by the readers during the time it was propaganda material. It also examines oppression, social
written. conflicts, and solution to these struggles as shown in the literary
work.
The following are reasons to read literature through sociocultural context (Gioia and
Feminism The feminist perspective examines the role of the women in the
Kennedy 2007):
literature. It looks into how the
● Reading using the sociocultural context helps you understand the social,
female character may be empowered or discriminated against.
economic, political, and cultural forces affecting the work that you are reading.
● Analysing the sociocultural context of the text makes you examine the role of the Queer Theory The queer perspective is concerned with the queer or the third
audience (readers) in shaping literature. gender. The perspective itself was named in 1991. Under this
How can we analyse a text through a sociocultural context? Here are guide perspective, the third
questions that you may answer when you are reading literature through the gender, meaning the gay, lesbians, and other characters or
sociocultural context: persona in literature that may fall under queer are being
● What is the relationship between the characters or the speakers in the text and examined.
their society?
● Does the text explicitly address issues of gender, race, or class? How does the text
resolve these issues?
Historicism Historicism or traditional historical criticism is a perspective
● Who has the power? Who does not? What is the reason for this setup?
dealing with the history that influenced the writing of literature.
● How does this story reflect the nation? What does this say about the country and
its inhabitants? Post colonialism Post colonialism is a literary perspective that looks into the

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changes in the attitude of the post colonies after the colonial
period. Through this perspective, the dependence or Here are some reasons to read literature through the linguistic context:
independence of decolonized countries or people are being
examined. ● Reading the text on its own, regardless of the author’s biography and sociocultural
New Historicism New Historicism is another perspective in the sociocultural context, may help you understand the literary text through analysing the words,
context. It focuses not only on the history when the literary text sentences, patterns, imagery, etc. of the text.
was written, but also how the history happened. In New ● Analysing the literary text’s grammar, syntax, or phonemic pattern may help you
Historicism, the abovementioned perspectives can be find the meaning of the text within its form and help you interpret it by simply
integrated with each other. analysing the content of the literary work.
Use this textbox.
The following are some strategies you may use to read a text through the linguistic
context:
When reading a text or writing a critique through the sociocultural context, set aside ● Analyse the diction or choice of words in the text.
your personal political ideologies. Say for example, if you greatly believe that boys ● Examine the texts’ syntax or use of sentences, clauses, phrases, line cuts, etc.
should only like girls and vice versa, it should not hinder you from analysing a text ● Observe the use of figurative language.
using the queer theory in an objective way. Your personal ideologies may lead you ● Analyse the mood and tone of the text. ● Observe the text’s overall structure.
to over read the text according to what you believe in even if the text is not related ● Analyse the content of the text.
to your political inclinations. Do your best to be unbiased in reading.
Here are guide questions that may help you when you read literature through the
linguistic context:
● What were the striking words in the text? What words were unfamiliar to you?
Lesson 3: Literary Reading through a Linguistic Context Which words attracted your attention? What words were dramatic?
● What nouns are the most prominent? Are these concrete or abstract nouns? What
-According to David Richter, “Practically everything we do that is specifically human about verbs? Does the author use common words or lofty diction? Are the words
is expressed in language.” This is why literary texts can be read through the context short or long? Is there any word that has two or more meanings?
of the language used to write the text as well as the way language is used in the ● Are the sentences in the usual order of subject-predicate? What are the
text. This literary reading adheres to Roland Barthes’s famous maxim, “The author is dependent clauses? What are the independent clauses? If you restructure a sentence
dead.” Reading through a linguistic context focuses on the language used in the or a phrase, would it make a difference? Is the voice active or passive? Is there a
literary work and how it is used to convey meaning. rhythm in the sentence structure in relation to the length of the sentences or lines?
Essential Question: What is the importance of understanding the way language is ● What literary devices are used? Are there images? Do those images stand for
used in a literary text? anything aside from their literal meaning?
Vocabulary ● What is the tone? Is the speaker happy about the subject? Is the tone negative or
Linguistic: of or relating to language or the study of language. positive?
Syntax: the study of how linguistic elements form phrases, clauses, or sentences.

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●What is the structure of the text? Is it a narrative? Is it linear or nonlinear? What is Sometimes, we read for entertainment, leisure and fun. It takes a keen observer and
the point of view of the text? Is it a poem? What type of poem is it? valid researcher to become a critical reader. Being a critical reader means that you
●Does the language help in delivering and understanding its content? Is there a do not aim to simply memorize facts and information in the text that you are
theme? What is it saying about its subject matter? How do the literary elements reading. Being a critical reader means that you are looking for ways of thinking
contribute to the effectiveness of the text? about the subject matter of the text that you are reading.
●What is the text saying about the world in general? -To help you in your critical reading, listed below are the steps or modes of analysis
that are reflected in three types of reading and discussion as presented by Daniel J.
Take note of the following before reading a text through the linguistic context: Kurland (2000):
●Even if literature uses language, it does not mean that the structure of literature ● What a text says is the restatement . At first, you simply talk about the same
and the language are the same. Some writers may not follow grammatical rules, and topic as what is written in the original text.
this kind of deviation may be used in your analysis. You may ask, “Why is the text ● What a text does is the description. Next, you discuss and examine the
not following standard grammar?” and other similar questions. aspects of the discussion or the contentof the text.
●The characteristics of the language in which the text was written may help in -What a text means is the interpretation. As you read critically, you should analyse
analysing the text. You may also ask, “Why is the text written in this language?”, “Is the text and assert a meaning for the text as a whole.
this considered a weak language or a strong language?” and other similar questions. Vocabulary
●You may consult literary approaches that focus on language. Structuralism, post Critique-a detailed analysis or evaluation of something.
structuralism, and formalism have linguistic aspects. These approaches may lead you Arguments- a set of reasons given to prove a statement or stand.
in your view of reading through the linguistic context.
Structuralism -relays the texts being examined to a larger structure. The structure Here are the three main goals of critical reading that require inference from reading
may be a particular genre, a range of intertextuality connections, a model of a within the text (Kurland 2000):
universal narrative structure, or a system of recurrent patterns or motifs.
Formalism (or New Criticism) - Formalism is a school of literary criticism and
● First is to recognize the author’s purpose, which involves inferring a basis
literary theory that focuses on the structure of a particular text. It examines a text
for choices of content and language.
without taking into account any outside influence.
● Second is to understand the tone and persuasive elements of the text,
Post structuralism is the reaction to structuralism. In the linguistic context, there
which involves classifying the nature of language choices used by the author.
may be underlying structures that may have different interpretations based on how
the words or phrases were used in the text.
● Third is to recognize bias, which involves classifying the nature of patterns
of choice and language used in the text.
Structuralism relays the texts being examined to a larger structure. The structure
may be a particular genre, a range of intertextuality connections, a model of a
The following critical reading strategies will help you cope with different
universal narrative structure, or a system of recurrent patterns or motifs.
reading texts:
Lesson 4: Critical Reading Strategies in

Literature ● Previewing. Before you begin reading the text, preview it by gathering
important information about it. Previewing helps prepare your mind for the barrage of
information that is to come when you do the actual reading. When you preview a text,

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you skim it to get the big picture or an overview of the entire text. Consider the ● Analyzing. Analyzing a text deals with examining the information presented
following: to support the author’s argument(s). In analyzing a text, you look at the evidence,
❏ Who wrote the text? What are the author’s other works? sources, and author’s bias(es). Consider the following questions:
❏ Where and when was the text published? What were the major events around the ❏ Is there enough evidence to support the author’s argument? Does the evidence
time the text was written or published? relate to and support the thesis or the main point the author is trying to convey?
❏ What can you infer about the text based on the title? ❏ Are the pieces of evidence relevant, credible, and up-to-date?
❏ What seems to be the general progression or organization of ideas based on the ❏ Are the sources of information credible?
chapter titles or section headings and subheadings? ❏ What is your purpose for ❏ Why did the author take that particular position? What is the author’s background
reading the text? that may have led to or influenced his or her position?
● Annotating. Annotating involves highlighting or making notes of important ● Rereading. Rereading requires a repeated examination of the text to enable
ideas in the text. This can be done by doing the following: you to improve your comprehension of the text and to identify ideas that you may not
❏ With a pencil or a pen in hand, underline important ideas such as the thesis, topic have noticed in initial reading. Critical readers read the text more than once to fully
sentences, and key concepts. Also, highlight unfamiliar words so you can look them grasp the meaning of the text and what the author is conveying.
up later.
❏ Make notes such as questions and comments or responses on the margins as you Responding. After you have developed a clear understanding of the text, you are
read. now ready to respond to the text. Responding to the text means drawing meaning
❏ Develop a symbol system. You may draw symbols to mark important words or from what you have read and presenting it in writing or talking about it to others.
When you respond to a text, you express your thoughts, feelings, and questions about
sentences so that the text will not appear cluttered.
the text. You can write why you agree or disagree with the text or the author’s
arguments, or you can interpret the text. You can also respond to a text by discussing
● Contextualizing. When you contextualize, you consider the historical, it with others. Sharing the information that you gained from a text with others who
cultural, or biographical context of the text. Identify the context(s) in which the text have read the same text is a good way to check your understanding.6. English as a
medium of instruction was introduced in the schools as the intellectual language of
was written and determine how this context differs from your own. Keep in mind that
education in this period.
your understanding of a particular concept is influenced by these contexts, in the
a. New Society Period
same way that they influence an author’s. b. American Period
c. 21st Century Period
● Outlining and Summarizing. Outlining and summarizing the text help you d. Period of 3rd Republic
7. This is the period wherein the youth became vocal with their sentiments and
identify the main ideas in the text and express them again in your own words. In
demanded change in the government.
outlining the text, you identify the basic structure of the text (i.e., the main ideas and a. Spanish Period
the supporting ideas) and make connections between those ideas. Outlining helps b. Period of Activism
you understand how the author developed the text through the ideas presented. After c. Pre-Spanish Period
making an outline, you can now summarize the text. Summarizing the text allows you d. Period of 3rd Republic
8. Filipinos during this period were hooked on reading magazines and comics.
to present your understanding of the text by reviewing and synthesizing important
a. New Society Period
ideas, and then restating them in your own words. b. American Period
c. Period of 3rd Republic
d. 21st Century Period

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9. “Ang Bayan ko” was a song popularized in this period.
a. Period of 3rd Republic
b. New Society Period
c. 21st Century Period
d. Post-EDSA 1 Period
10. This period is notable in the reawakening of the Filipino spirit when the three
priests Gomez, Burgos and Zamora were guillotined without sufficient evidence of
guilt.
a. Post-EDSA 1 Period
b. Period of 3rd Republic
c. Period of Enlightenment
d. Period of Activism process and elements of communication.

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Module 4 21st Century Lit

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21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

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Lesson 4: Critical Reading Strategies in

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