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21st Century
Literature from
the Philippines
and the World
Quarter 1 – Module 2:
Compare and Contrast Various
21st Century Genres from the
Earlier Genres/ Periods
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the Compare and Contrast Various 21st Century Genres from the Earlier
Genres/ Periods.

The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different learning

situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students.
The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order
in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now
using.

In this module, you will be able to

• differentiate/ compare and contrast the various 21st century literary genres
and the ones from the earlier genres/periods citing their elements, structures
and traditions. ( EN12Lit-Id-25)
Specifically, you are expected to:
• identify the different literary genres
• recognize the elements and structure of each genre

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 What I Know

What literary types do you know? Let us check your knowledge about literary
genre.

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on the space
provided before the number.

________1. These are written works such as poems, plays, and novels that are
considered to be very good and have lasting importance. It could be printed materials
that provide information about something.

a. genres
b. literature
c. written arts
d. printed materials

________2. It is a story passed down from one generation to another through the
word of mouth and it became a part of the culture of the community.
a. epic
b. myth
c. legend
d. folktale

________3. It is a story that explains the origin of things, animals, beliefs, practices
and of natural phenomena.
a. epic
b. fable
c. myth
d. legend

________4. It is a genre of literature that uses rhythmic and aesthetic of language

to evoke meaning.
a. poetry
b. drama
c. fiction
d. nonfiction
________5. It is performed before an audience in a theatre, radio, or television.

a. poetry
b. drama
c. fiction
d. nonfiction

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________6. It is a long narrative poem which tells and describes the life,
achievements or events of a hero.
a. epic
b. fable
c. myth
d. legend

________ 7. It is a poem uploaded in the internet using computer screen as

medium.
a. textula
b. tanaga
c. quotes
d. hyperpoetry

________8. It is telling a story with less than 1000 words to condense a story into
fewest words possible. It emphasizes plot than other elements of the story.
a. blog
b. chick lit
c. flash fiction
d. hyperpoetry

_______9. It is a story that tells about women, their lives, trials, tribulations, and
success.
a. blog
b. chick lit
c. flash fiction
d. hyperpoetry

________10. It is an essay in a regularly updated webpage or website written in a

conversational style.
a. blog
b. chick lit
c. flash fiction
d. hyperpoetry

________11. It is a story that needs a detective to solve a puzzle or scenario

a. mystery
b. suspense
c. realistic fiction
d. historical fiction

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________ 12. It is a fictional love story set during a time in our past like The
Death March, Edsa Revolution and World War II.
a. mystery
b. suspense
c. realistic fiction
d. historical fiction
________ 13. It is a futuristic adventure in space with robots and cyborgs as
characters.
a. science fiction
b. realistic fiction
c. historical fiction
d. futuristic fiction

________ 14. It refers to a three-line poem.

a. tercet
b. sestet
c. couplet
d. quatrain

________15. It refers to a literary device that uses a part to represent the whole or
vice-versa.
a. simile
b. metaphor
c. synecdoche
d. onomatopoeia

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 Compare and Contrast
Lesson
Various 21st Century
2 Genres from the Earlier
Genres/ Periods
The desire for self-expression resulted to the production of literature. It is a
writer’s expression of his mind, heart, emotions, thoughts, and ideas.
Literature is written works like poetry, novels, journals of famous authors and
usually published. ‘Genre’ literally means ‘type”, so literary genre means types of
literary works.
On this part of the lesson, you will recall and differentiate the four major
literary genres; poetry, fiction, nonfiction and drama; however, literature changes to
adapt to the trends of the contemporary world; thus, new genres of literature are
born. In this lesson, we will study and appreciate both the earlier genres and the
contemporary genres.

What’s In

For the previous lessons, you have known the different dimensions of
Philippine literary history and appreciated the contributions of some canonical
Filipino writers for the development of national literature. It truly influences society
by changing opinions, instilling values and translating experiences across space and
time.

Match the names of the famous local authors in Column A to the region they belong
in Column B. Write your answer the in the space before the number.

Column A Column B

1. I- Ilocos Region a. Illuminado Lucente

2. II- Cagayan Valley b. Bartolome del Valle
3. III- Central Luzon c. Aida Rivera- Ford
4. XI- Davao Region d. Francisco Balagtas
5. XII- Socsksargen e. Edith Tiempo
f. Sionil Jose

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 What’s New

Literature reinvents itself as it changes its form to adapt to the changing

times and changing trends; especially for the young people like you. The need to
express oneself gave birth to literature and humanity never got contented on their
attempt to express themselves resulting to new genres like hyperpoetry, mobile
textula, flash fiction, chick lit, and, blogs.

Study the picture below. Do you have similar scenario in your homes?

Activity 1: I Can Scribble

Share how you felt after looking at the picture above by doing any of the
following tasks. You can write your draft on a paper and write your final text on the
space provided after each task. You may also use a separate sheet if necessary.

A. Write a short poem that summarizes the idea of the picture. It must
consist of 3 quatrains. Remember to use figurative language and literary
devices to convey the appropriate emotion to your readers.
__________________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________________________

B. Write a short comical skit about the use of electronic gadget based on the
drawing.
__________________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________________________

C. Share a real life account or anecdote similar to the picture using less
than 100 words. Be specific about the actual setting; use real characters, and tell
the factual incidents.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
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D. Write a legend about the origin of cell phone or laptop. It must be less
than 100 words and must teach a moral lesson.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________________________

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Activity 2: What is it called?

Let us discuss Activity #1 by answering the questions below. You will answer
using the choices after it and write its corresponding letter on the space provided
before the number.

_____1. What genre of literature was used on Task A?

a. drama
b. poetry
c. fiction
d. nonfiction
_____2. On what genre of literature a comical skit be classified?
a. drama
b. poetry
c. fiction
d. nonfiction
______3. What genre of literature tells and describes about a real life event like
an anecdote and a memoir?
a. drama
b. fiction
c. poetry
d. nonfiction
_____4. A fable is a narrative where the characters are inanimate objects
like a cell phone. On what genre of literature does fable belong?
a. drama
b. fiction
c. poetry
d. nonfiction

_____5. Which statement best describe the tasks in Activity 1??

a. The tasks are entertaining.
b. Each task has a different purpose.
c. They differ in form and structure.
d. The tasks are simple but differs in theme.

_____6. How should the tasks be classified?

a. classify them according to their genre
b. classify them according to their purpose
c. classify them according to their elements
d. classify them according to their structure

The different activities given in Activity 1 represent the four genres of

literature: poetry, fiction, nonfiction and drama. Each has distinct sub-genres,
structure and elements. This will be discussed in the next parts of this module.

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 What Is It

Each literature genre has distinct sub-genres, structure and elements. Study
the table below:

Genres and Sub-genres of Literature: Elements and Structure

Genre Sub-genre Elements Structure

Written in lines and
stanzas
Lyric (sonnet, ode, Rhyme, meter, 2 lines- couplet
Poetry elegy), dramatic figurative devices, 3 lines –tercet
(soliloquy, symbolism 4 lines – quatrain
monologue, 5 lines - cinquain
dialogue), and 6 lines – sestet
narrative (epic) 7 lines - septet
8 lines - octave
Fiction (stories that fantasy, plot, characters,
did not happen in folklore, theme setting, Written in
reality mystery, suspense point-of-view, paragraphs
or thriller, literary devices
historical fiction,
science fiction,
romance
Nonfiction (factual biography,
stories, with real references plot, characters, Written in
characters and (encyclopedia, theme setting, paragraphs
setting) dictionary, point-of-view,
thesaurus), literary devices
autobiography,
narrative (memoir,
testimonio), and
periodicals
(newspapers,
magazines, journal
that are written
regularly)
Literary element
(script), The script serves as
Technical the text and it is
Drama tragedy, element, performed before an
comedy (scenery (set),make- audience
up, costume, lights,
and sound)
performance
element
(acting, character
analysis, character
motivation…)

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 The given genres with their elements and structures are further discussed in
detail below:
A. Poetry

Poetry is one of the earliest genres of literature. It was either recited or sang
back to prehistoric times to call for help from a deity, narrate a hero’s life and
victories, tell about the love story of their rulers, or describe someone who inspires
them. In order to understand or even write a good poem, you must know the
elements of poetry:

1. Rhyme – it is the identical rhyme if the last words or sounds match each other.
alliteration : followed, flats, front
bother, back
assonance: big, slipper
picked, slimy

2. Meter – it is also called the rhythm in poetry. It is the pattern of beats ( foot)
(stressed and unstressed syllables in a line). It is also called foot.
There are four basic rhythms in poetry:
2.1 Iamb -unstressed / stressed (buh BUH )
buh BUH/ buh BUH
Today, / we live /
2.2. Trochee- stressed / unstressed (BUH buh)
BUH buh BUH buh BUH buh
Captain/ it’s gone/ hold it
2.3. Anapest- unstressed / unstressed / stressed. ( buh buh BUH )
buh buh BUH buh buh BUH
If I cry/ If I leave/
2.4. Dactyl- stressed / unstressed / unstressed (BUH buh buh )
BUH buh buh / BUH buh buh / BUH buh buh
Carnage is / horrible / heritage

3. Imagery and Symbolism

The beauty of poetry is on the carefully chosen words that rhyme and the
lines and stanzas with uniform rhythm. Poetry must also employ figurative
language to creatively express emotions, feeling and ideas.

Here are the commonly used literary devices in poetry:

Metaphor Simile Onomatopoeia

Direct comparison of two Two unlike things compared to Words that imitate a sound
unlike things. each other using “like” or “as”.
Ex. The gushing of wind
Ex. He is a strong lion. Ex. He is strong like a lion. and gnashing of teeth
Alliteration Assonance Repetition
The repetition of the The resemblance of a sound in
same initial sound of the words or syllable. A word, a phrase, or a
words. sentence repeated to
emphasize its importance
Ex. Be brave, be Ex. Who knows how hollows in the entire text.
boundless snore.
Beauty is a bouquet of Ex. Not yet Rizal,
blue baby’s breath Not yet….

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 Synedoche Personification Hyperbole
A part is made to Giving human attributes to an It exaggerates the meaning
represent the whole or object or animal of a sentence.
vice-versa
Ex. The wind spoke of hope Ex. I am so thirsty that I
Ex. Hundred heads of and redemption. could drink an ocean.
cattle bought at a good
price.

Symbols
It is the use of symbols to convey ideas. A symbol represents various ideas or things at
one time. Like darkness or color black may symbolize death, uncertainty, failure, or an
end. A white rose may mean purity, freshness, new beginning, or death.

Example : The cold wind blew my heartaches away

(the cold wind can mean inspiring words, new ideas, new hope)

The warm sunshine filled my emptiness with joy .

(the warm sunshine can mean a person whom the author loves, or an event that made
him be filled with joy)

To appreciate and write a good poem, it is also essential to know its structure.
Poems are written in lines that comprise a stanza. Thus, each type of poem differs
from each other because of its structure.
To identify a poem’s structure is to count the lines of every stanza:

Couplet - 2 lines
Tercet - 3 lines
Quatrain - 4 lines
Cinquain - 5 lines
Sestet - 6 lines
Septet - 7 lines
Octave - 8 lines

On the next page is a sample of a free-verse poem which the author used
symbols and imagery to convey his thoughts and feeling.

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 Moonset at Central Park Station of St. Paul
Subterranean River National Park
John Iremil E. Teodoro

This morning, after the faint scent

of sea grasses
awakened me,
I followed
the setting moon
in the reefs flats
in front of my
bamboo cottage.

I nearly stepped on
a parrotfish
that was caught
by the low tide.
It was as big
as my slipper.

I picked
its slimy body
and returned it
to the sea.
In its excitement
it forgot to
thank me

It didn’t even bother

to look back—
it swam quickly
away from me
It dived
towards the direction
of the horizon
where the moon
was hiding.

Perhaps in my next visit

that parrotfish
will surprise me
with a greeting.
It shall brag to me
about its scales
painted by
the setting moon.

*[Teodoro, J. I. ](2016). Moonset at Central Park Station of St. Paul Subterranean River National Park. In N.
C. Moratilla. Claiming Spaces: Understanding, Reading and Writing Creative Nonfiction (pp. 6-7). Quezon City:
Phoenix Publishing House.

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 The given poem is free-verse and unmetered. It has no rhythm but it uses
alliteration, assonance, repetition, and symbolism.
alliteration : followed, flats, front

bother, back

dived, direction
horizon, hiding

perhaps, parrotfish

assonance: big, slipper

picked, slimy

body, forgot, to
symbols: moon - dreams to be fulfilled, fulfilled dreams,
inspiration
horizon - a place to find or to keep your dreams, a
place which promises good fortune or good life
parrotfish - a gay/ LGBTQ member because of its color
- an ungrateful person
- someone passive
- someone who has a very colourful life
- an experienced person
- a person who picks up someone else’s trash
words/ lines used repeatedly: - sea, moon, parrotfish

B. Fiction:
Fiction is a story of make believe. It is a story made by the author’s creative
imagination. It has various sub-genres like mystery, fantasy, suspense, historical
fiction science fiction, realistic fiction and folklore (myths, fables, legends).
To understand fiction and to write a good fictional story, you must be able to
identify and understand its elements that comprise the texts’ contents and message
the story wanted to impart to its readers.
Now, you will read a legend that tells how a great lake was formed. It was
retold by one of the writer’s former senior high school student who lived a in village
near Lake Sebu.

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 Located in South Cotabato, Lake Sebu is considered as the “Summer Capital of
Southern Mindanao” because of the cool weather and uphill location of the town. It is
the home of the T’boli, a tribe famously called as “Dreamweavers” because of their
colorful bead works and hand-woven cloth called T’nalak.

The Legend of Lake Sebu

(A T’boli Folktale)

Once there was a beautiful. yet

mysterious princess, who came to the land of
the T’bolis. She was loved by the locals.
However, she met a mythical frog whom she
angered. To avenge himself, the frog opened
a big lotus flower that gushed water and
flooded the entire land.
The princess’ brother saw this from
the heavens. He threw leaves and pythons
that became land mass so that his sister can
pass through.

From that day on, the village was

covered with water. The eleven islets became the home of the locals.
*Narrated by Moreno, M. E., Legend of Lake Sebu, June 20, 2020

Activity 2: Let’s Take Note (Noting Details by Employing the Elements of Fiction)

Directions: Answer the following questions briefly:

1. Where can Lake Sebu be found? ____________________________________ (setting)
2. What is another name for Lake Sebu ? _______________________________ (setting)
3. Who once lived on the land of the T’bolis? ___________________________________
_____________________________________________________(characters/ plot-exposition)
4. What problem did the princess had during her stay in the place?
__________________________________________________ (plot/rising action and conflict)
5. What did the frog do to avenge himself?
____________________________________________________________________(plot/climax)

6. Who helped the princess? How was he able to help her? ______________
_________________________________________________________(plot/falling action)

7. How did the princess survived the flood made by the angry mythical frog??
_________________________________________________________________ (plot)
Fiction uses the basic elements of a story, namely; the plot, setting,
characters, and conflict , to convey its ideas.

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 Fiction follows the Freytag’s Pyramid to create an interesting and detailed
narrative. Below is an illustration of the story pyramid which consists also the
parts of a plot.

climax

rising action

falling action

exposition denouement

The following are the elements of short story according to Freytag:

1. Exposition tells about the background of the story. The information can be about
the setting, characters’ back stories, or historical contexts.
2. Rising action is the part of the story after the characters and setting are
introduced and events in the story begin to reveal probable conflicts that the
protagonist must resolve. It also involves events that lead to the climax of the story.

3. Climax is the highest point of tension in the story. It is usually the most
interesting part.

4. Falling action is the part of a story after the climax and before the very end.

5. The denouement is the final outcome of the story and it is where other secrets
are revealed, if there is any.

The setting includes the time or period and place where the event
happened. The characters are the persons/ animals/ or any inanimate object that
functions as the protagonist, antagonist and other minor entities that perform the
actions, speak dialogue and moving the story along a plot line.

Conflict creates tension in the story and it involves the struggle of between
two opposing forces/ characters, usually the protagonist and the antagonist.

Conflict can be internal and external. Internal conflict is a psychological

conflict which arises when the character experiences two opposite emotions (like
love and hate, patriotism and devotion) or aspirations ( like career and marriage,
fame and peace of mind) which usually involves good and evil.

External conflict is the struggle of a protagonist against outside forces that

hamper his/ her progress and hinders him/her to achieve his/ her goal.

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C. Non- fiction: Memoir

Nonfiction is a literary genre that tells about stories that actually happen in
real life. The sub genres of literary nonfiction are biography, memoir, autobiography,
journals, diaries, periodicals and references. These works of literary nonfiction have
character, setting, plot, conflict, figurative language, and theme just like literary
fiction, fiction and thriller or suspense. To interpret fiction, we must analyze and
interpret using the elements of fiction.

The story below was a personal account of the author about his ordinary
encounter with a Champorado vendor which made him realized how lucky he was.

Another Universe

Kurt Joshua O. Comendador

He was about my age and about my size. He first approached us while we
were eating at a cottage at a spring resort.
“Champorado mo, Ma’am. Sir”, he said. “Init pa.”
Champorado. Chocolate porridge. Still hot.
I declined.
I watched him as he went on his way, selling champorado in a small pot to
other resort- goers. He might have more customers if only he has better container
than peddle an iron
pot.
I took a plunge
into the cold.
Everything was
familiar. Too familiar
even: The laughter of
the persons around
me, the giant splash
as a kid cannonballs
into the water, the
off-key singing from a
karaoke booth, the
jovial mood, and the
calming effect as I
float in the spring
water. I always believe that cold waters cleanse the body and the mind from any
stress. It’s like floating in your own universe, as I like to describe it.
Then there he was again, walking on top of the wall that separates the water
into smaller pools.
“Champorado, Champorado. Init pa,” he shouted, hoping someone would buy
his hot champorado.
“I want to eat some more. Do you like to have some champorado?”
I asked my girlfriend.
“No, would you like to buy?”
“We still have siopao in the bag.”

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 From the water, I watched him as he peddled his pot. I noticed that it was not
only small, it was also blackened by soot; he must’ve used it over open fire frequently.
We kept swimming until twilight. The people began to thin down; but he kept
on peddling his champorado.
I let my girlfriend change her clothes first while I sat on a circular bench
nearby. I noticed a guy, looking so miserable, sitting next to me. On his side, on the
bench, was the small, sooty pot. He must be the champorado vendor. I figured. On
his other hand was a slipper. I saw that the front strap broke.
He remorsefully shook his head. I held back tears.
I watched as he tried reattaching the broken strap. Unconsciously, I followed
him with my eyes as he softly placed his slipper on the ground. He tried wearing it,
but it immediately broke again. Then I noticed something- he was wearing two
different footwear. On his left foot is a slide slipper, the one athletes commonly wear,
while on the other foot, the one that broke, is a traditional flip-flops.
I wanted to help him - maybe give him some money to buy a new pair of
slippers. But money, I have none too plenty, I might need it on the way home. Give
him my old pair of shoes? I can’t drive my motorcycle bare-footed. I might get caught
by the traffic enforcers. I saw plenty of slippers repaired by sticking a wire through
the rubber to hold it down. The least I can do is to help him fix his slipper, but the
resort is too dark to find any wire that might be laying on the ground.
I wanted to say something, but no words came out of my mouth.
After a while, he went inside the changing room, carrying his pot on one hand,
and his slipper on the other. He also had a backpack, I concluded that he might
have carried his utensils there.
I was left alone. Trapped in another universe.
He was about my age and about my size. We could’ve been similar in many
ways; he might also be the eldest, he might also have four siblings. He might also
want to plunge into the cold, spring water. I liked to ask him questions: Where he
lives, was the champorado sold out, what happened to his slippers and what he would
do next.
But the biggest question was for myself: would I do the same if circumstances
dictate me so?
My girlfriend finished changing. It was already my turn. He still didn’t come
out.
I tried to take my mind off of him while I change into dry clothes. It bothered
me why it took so long inside the changing room. Was he able to fix his slipper? I
had no way of knowing. When I got out, out of the dusk, at a distance, I saw the
vendor. He had backpack to be exact., there was a little light to see him clearly. He
was sort of walking with a drag. I just hoped he gets home safe and sound.
It was already dark when we were ready to leave. The frogs already began
their chorus. To me, it sounded like a woeful dirge.
I wanted to jump into the cold again- to wash my guilt away.

*Comendador, K. J. (2018). Another Universe. Bagwis: The Paradigm has Shifted, p. 9.

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Study the table below to check on the elements of Non-fiction used in the memoir,
“Another Universe”:
Elements Aspects and Analysis
1. A young man was trying to help a champorado vendor,
yet, he could not do anything because he only had enough
money for him to go home.
Plot (Synopsis)

Setting Time 2. late afternoon at a spring resort

Place
Theme 3. an attempt to help
Characters and
Characterization
Main Character/s: 4. the author
Other Characters: 5. author’s girlfriend
6. Champorado vendor
Point-of-view Used 7. first person
Atmosphere/ Mood 8. sad
Narrative Time 9 It happened before the essay was written
Conflict of the Story 10. man against himself
Symbols Used 11. sooty pot – it was used to symbolize the life and future
of the vendor. It may be dark and sooty but inside is a
satisfying meal for a hungry soul. He is poor but his
dreams of a better life could lead him far.

12. water- represents the need to cleanse himself from

guilt of not helping the vendor.

13. universe- it symbolizes the author’s conscience. He

tries to think of ways to help the vendor.
- it may also be the different worlds where the
vendor and the author dwells. The author is a student
supported by his parents while the vendor, as old as the
author, peddled champorado to support himself and
family.
Important Lines/ Dialogue 14. I wanted to jump into the cold again- to wash my
guilt away.
Other Literary Device Cited 15. Repetition - sooty pot was repeatedly mentioned to
give emphasis to the vendor’s plight as someone from a
very poor family.

D. Drama
A script may only come to existence once it is performed before an audience.
Its basic elements include the literary element (script), technical element (scenery
set, make-up, costume, lights, and sound) performance element (acting, character
analysis, character motivation…)

A script is a written text of a play. It is consist of the dialogues or words that

will be spoken by the actors and the stage directions which give instructions about
the position and movement of the actors and other aspects of the set.

The technical element of a play is complicated. It includes scenery set,

make-up, costume, lights, and sound.

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 A scenery set can be chair, a house or a forest and other properties used to
identify the location and period of the dramatic production. Make-up is used in
drama to aid the actors in taking the appropriate appearance of the character they
play. Costumes are clothes, garments or attires worn by actors on stage to aid
dramatic actions and interpretations. There various types of lights used on stage. It
provides not only visibility of the actors but also creates and enhance the mood and
atmosphere. Sound can be produced by actors or by props, musical instruments,
and recorded music and effects that can help engage the audience and bring them
into another time.

Performance element includes acting, character analysis and character

motivation. Acting is the enactment of an actor or actress who portrays a character,
character analysis is evaluating the character’s traits, his/ her role in the story, and
the conflicts they experience, character motivation is the element that drives the
character to achieve his goal.
That is how complicated a drama is! It is more complicated than other genres
of literature because aside from the script, other elements must suit and work
together to the theme of the show and make the audience feel the plight of the
protagonist, antagonist and other characters in the story effectively.

Below is an excerpt from the script of a one-act play which is included in the
literary element.
The Adopted Healthy Baby

by Layeta P. Bucoy (2015)

(Beat. Howell goes out. Mila continues boxing things. Her cell phone rings. Its ringing
tone is an ordinary one taken from her bag. She answers the call.)

Mila: Hello? Yes, Dad… No, were still boxing ma’am Mendoza’s things… Yes, but
Val texted he’s still caught in the traffic. An hour more, maybe … No, Benjie
is not with me. He’s still in the lab … He can’t force organometallics to
catalyse even if it’s for his thesis … No, don’t wait for us. You have to take
your medicine by seven. Eat your dinner now … Don’t start with your fish
bone story. You haven’t had a fish bone pulled from your throat since Benjie
was born … No, Val won’t join us for dinner. It’s a three-hour drive He has to
start back home after he gets his mother’s stuff … I don’t know about
Howell… Now, stop with your excuses, Dad we’ll have meat once your
arteries are de-clogged … Of course I won’t bend.

I don’t care if you hate fish. It’s what’s good for you now. And I already told
Manang to spy on you. So don’t you dare go out to have meat. (Laughs a
little) She’ll drag you back to the house with all the might of her sumo
wrestler weight … Dad, dad, listen. You know I have to keep you alive ‘til we
visit Mabel and MArnie at Texas next year. We’ll take Benjie with us then
show them where they were all convinced … (Laughs a little) Now don’t be
coy, Dad. Come on. Have fish for dinner, take your medicines, I’ll be home in
an hour. Bye, Dad.
(Mila terminates the call, returns her cell phone to her bag. She tries to carry the filing
cabinet. She gives up after two attempts. Them, she starts pushing it. Howell enters.)

26
 Howell: Just three students.

Mila: Three is fine.

Howell: All girls.
Mila: (Pushes the filing cabinet). We don’t need to carry this after all.

Howell: The girls said they’re going to a party.

Mila: It’s a party, Howell. They can be a little late.
Howell: They were also required.
Mila: Even attending parties are required now?
Howell: Dean Ramos required them.
Mila: He must be desperate.
Howell: Do you know how much does it cost to keep someone who’s in a
coma alive, Ma’am?
Mila: I know about your mother, Howell.
Howell: But do you know how much I pay for just to keep her alive?
Mila: You’re not the only one who has –
Howell: Where will I get the money when I lose job?

*[Bucoy, L. P.] (2015). The Adapted Healthy Baby. In SyGaco, S. B. (2017). Writing Techniques in
Creative Nonfiction(pp. 14-15). Quezon City. Great Books Trading.

The New Genres of Literature

The various genres of literature and its sub-genres changes through time. The
invention of electricity, use of electronics and other modern technology affected how
people view life and express themselves differently from their contemporaries 10
years, 20 years, or a hundred years ago.
Technology made our lives easier than the last decade. It made people work
fast. Beating deadlines and presenting marketing and management strategies
creatively. These changes have also brought new literary genres that gave us new
avenues of expressing ourselves; like cell phones and computer screens.
These new genres include mobile textula, hyperpoetry, flash fiction, chick
lit and blogs.
To understand these new genres, their definitions are given below to give you
clue on how similar or different they are from the major genres of literature.

1. Hyperpoetry- It is poetry uploaded in the internet. Its medium is the

computer screen.

Pain is earthly and temporal

Sacrifice is surely irrational
Hope is hazily conventional
Existence is hastily corporeal

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2. Mobile Textula - It is a short poetry in a form of tanaga, that is sent
through SMS on mobile phone. It consists of 4 lines with 7 syllables using
(/)to end a line and (//) to end the stanza.
From: MaryelKate

Mamamaya’y balisa /
Gobyerno’y aligaga /
Salut na karamdaman /
Hinde nalulunasan //

3. Flash Fiction – It is telling a story in a few words, usually about 100-1000

words or less. A flash fiction can be as short as Earnest Hemingway’s 6-word
memoir, “For sale: baby’s shoes; never worn.”

The example below was written by former student to express a person’s

many facets as an individual:

They have known him as a weakling and a loser. He never said a word or done
a thing to defend himself or speak what was on his mind.

“Stupid, unworthy, a menace….has no future..”

Those were his father’s words. He just shrug his shoulders and did what he
thought was the best to prove them wrong.

Ten years have passed and here I am waiting for my son’s return from Manila. There he
is… accomplished, full-fledged doctor, and a hero of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

I am a book with hidden chapters..

Raniel Cuñado
Grade 12 HUMSS A
FNHS 2019-2020

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 4. Chick Lit - It is a heroine-centered fiction narrative; usually focus on the
trials of the protagonist. Below is an excerpt of a chick lit taken from
Wattpad. One needs to download the Wattpad App and the story to
experience reading chick lit.

An Extraordinary Love Story (An Excerpt )

by Mariel Kate Q. Liwag

It was a wonderful day because it is our 4th wedding anniversary. We took a
day off to celebrate it. I woke up at 2:30 in the morning to cook and to prepare a
little surprise. He usually surprises me but this time I wanted him start and enjoy
the day differently.
When I was done cooking, I cleaned our living room. I set a table for two with
wine at the center and partially covered the floor with petals .
When I set it all up I texted him.
“Hon, let us go downstairs. Don't forget to wear white, I love it when you
wear white. I said with a smile.
. “Okay, I'll be there in a minute.” He texted back.
I put down the mobile phone and waited for him. I turned on the CD player
with our favorite song, “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain.
I was wearing a white jumper suit and as the song started to play, a
handsome man in white shirt and pants walked down the stairs .

“Happy 4th anniversary, Hon.” I said as I came close to him and hugged
him tight.
“Hon, you surprised me. Thank you and I love you. ” He said smiling at me.

5. Blog - a regularly updated web page or website that is written in

conversational style.
Here is a sample blog uploaded on March 15, 2020 on the author’s Facebook
page.

From Words to Action

In a sudden horror, the world is facing a ‘doomsday-like' scenario as an aftermath of
the controversial virus, the CoVID-19. The wave of this pandemic is continually raging
and it never fails to haunt lives of many people. However, amidst this, people are
screaming online–filling bogus claims derived from online trolls, spreading
unfavorable conspiracies, and fabricated news that led people to grave fear. The said
premise is a clear evidence of how the situation is worsened. Instead of doing such,
why not be part of the solution? Why not uphold responsibility in every action? Why
not spread goodwill rather than fear? Why not try to meditate for a second, at least
for just a span of seconds, and contemplate? Why not try to uphold God’s promises?
Lastly, why not strengthen your faith and find refuge in prayer? Sometimes, it is not
the stigma itself that inevitably thrusts us towards danger, it is how we set our minds
to think it would happen and so it did.

Let’s refrain from overthinking, God is not sleeping. He is working, so should

you. In these trying times, we need cooperation and not abomination because in the
end, our unified action amidst this pandemic outweighs the overall cost.
Raniel Cuñado
Grade 12 HUMSS A
FNHS 2019-2020
29
 What’s More

It’s time to have a feel of the 21st century literary genres. Do the activities
below.

Activity 3:

3.1. Directions: Read and study the poem below and fill-in the chart.

Seat Owner ( An Excerpt)

Being on that seat is a huge profession,
To folks who are in deep degradation,
To broods dreaming of a better nation,
All eyes longed for this be the medication.

As part of list of least qualification,

What I can do is to continue hoping,
Dreaming of that owner as inspiration,
The author of change for a peaceful nation.

By: Kenneth O. Yecyec,

Bula NSF, 12- HUMSS, 2019-2020

Title:
Literary Genre:
Structure:
ELEMENTS: Line/s from the poem which show/s the element

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 3.2. Directions: Read and study the short story below and fill-in the chart.

THE STORY OF THE FIRST DURIAN

(The Hermit’s Three Wishes)

Barom-Mai was an old and ugly king who lived in a kingdom called Calinan
in the Visayas hundreds of years ago. Although he was powerful, he was helpless
when it came to winning the love of his young bride, Madayaw-Bayho (daughter of
Tageb, king of the pirates).

Barom-Mai asked his advisers to help him win his bride’s love, and Matigam
(the wisest of advisers) told him about Impit Purok, a hermit who lived in a cave in
Mt. Apo.

They went to the hermit and he asked for three things: the egg of the black
tabon bird, twelve ladles of fresh milk from a white carabao without blemish, and
the nectar from the flower of the tree-of-make-believe.
The egg will be used to soften the bride’s heart; the milk, to make her kind;
and, the nectar, to make her see Barom-Mai as a young and handsome king.

The king finds the egg through the help of Pawikan, the king of the sea
turtles. He luckily gets milk from a white carabao the following breakfast, thanks to
his cook. Hangin-Bai, the nymph of the air, leads him to her sister, the wood
nymph who had the magic flower in her hair.

Barom-Mai gives the three things to Impit Purok, who asked him to prepare
a big feast after Barom-Mai wins his queen back, and to invite Impit Purok as the
king’s guest of honor.

Impit Purok mixes the three ingredients and instructs Barom-Mai to plant
the mixture in the royal garden. The morning after it was planted, a tree grew. It
had a sweet smell and its fruit tasted good. When Madayaw-Bayho was given the
fruit, she fell in love with Barom-Mai.
The king throws a big feast but forgets to invite Impit Purok. In retaliation,
Impit casts a curse upon the fruit: The sweet smell was replaced with a foul odor
while the smooth skin of the fruit was covered with thorns, which is how the durian
smells and looks today.

Source: Lacia, F., Libunao, L., Fabella, M & Buhain, V.(2016) The
Literature of the Philippines.3rd Edition. Rex Bookstore: Manila, p.126

31
 Elements Aspects and Analysis

Plot (Synopsis)

Setting Time
Place
Theme

Characters and
Characterization
Main Character/s:
Other Characters:

Point-of-view Used

Atmosphere/ Mood

Narrative Time

Conflict of the Story

Symbols Used

Important Lines/ Dialogue

Other Literary Device Cited

( You may use a separate sheet, if the space here is not enough for your answer.)

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Activity 4: I Can Write

Try your writing skills by choosing one (1) task from the given tasks below.
Write on a separate answer sheet and submit it to your teacher with this module
(as needed).

1. Write an original poem and upload it in the internet using Facebook. It must
consist of 3 quatrains, must have rhythm or rhyme, and remember to use literary
devices to provide vivid description and intense feeling

2. Send your teacher a mobile textula through SMS. Write a poem using the tanaga
format about your feeling, ideas, opinions, love, or frustration about the current
pandemic and community quarantine. Remember to use / to end your lines and //
to end your stanza.
3. Write a flash fiction using 150 words with 1 setting and 2-3 characters about your
parents’ and your experience on they dealt with the scarcity of income during the
CoVid-19 Pandemic. .
Activity 6: Give ME...

Find time to access the internet. Search for samples of the 21 st century
literary genres. Select one type and take a screenshot of it. Have it printed and
submit it together with this module.

What I Have Learned

Identify what is being described in each statement. Write your answer on the
space provided.

____________________1. These are written works such as poems, plays, and novels
that are considered to be very good and have lasting importance. It could be printed
materials that provide information about something.

____________________2. These are narratives that were based on the creative

imagination of the author.

_____________________3. It is a literary genre that tells about stories that actually

happen in real life. The sub-genres are biography, memoir, autobiography, journals,
diaries, periodicals and references.

_____________________4. It is more complicated than other genres of literature

because aside from the script, other elements must suit and work together to the
theme of the show and make the audience feel the plight of the protagonist,
antagonist and other characters in the story effectively.

_____________________5. It is one of the earliest genres of literature. It was either

recited or sang back to prehistoric times to call for help from a deity, narrate a hero’s
life and victories, tell about the love story of their rulers, or describe someone who
inspires them. It uses rhyme, meter, and imagery to convey its ideas.

33
_____________________6. It is poetry uploaded in the internet. Its medium is the
computer screen.
_____________________7. It is a short poetry in a form of tanaga, that is sent through
SMS on mobile phone. It consists of 4 lines with 7 syllables using / to end a line and
// to end the stanza.

_____________________8. It is telling a story in a few words, usually about 100-1000

words or less.

_____________________9. It is a heroine-centered fiction narrative; usually focus on the

trials of the protagonist.

____________________10. It is a regularly updated web page or website that is written

in conversational style.
____________________11. It is the repetition of consonants to achieve rhyme in poetry.

____________________ 12. It is the most interesting and important part of a story.

_____________________ 13. It is the problem encountered by the protagonist in the

story.
_____________________14. It is the used to convey ideas. It represents various ideas or
things at one time. Like darkness or color black may symbolize death, uncertainty,
failure, or an end. A white rose may mean purity, freshness, new beginning, or death.

_____________________15. It refers to a literary device that uses a part to represent the

whole or vice-versa.

Additional Activities

Congratulations! You’ve come this far. You’ve learned a lot about the different
literary genres and their elements as well as their structures. To further test your
knowledge about our topic, do the activities below:

Activity 7: Blogged

Our country and the world are suffering from the COVID19 pandemic. Write
a blog about the effects of COVID-19 to our country, its economy, and its people.
Don’t forget to write about the lessons we have learned during this pandemic. End
your blog with a suggestion on how to deal with the effects of COVID-19. ( If this is
not possible, your blog can be uploaded on FB and make sure you tag your teacher) .

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Activity 8: Voice Acting 101

The pandemic will not allow you to stage a drama, but you can still write a
two-minute script that can be performed as a radio drama. Do not forget to
incorporate music.

Your performance will be judged based on these criteria:

Criteria Score
Fluency 4 points
Voice Expression 4 points
Voice Projection (volume) 3 points
Creativity / originality of the script 3 points
Character 3 points
Sound Effect and Music 3 points
TOTAL 20 points

Assessment

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on the
space provided before the number.

________1. What are the four main genres in literature?

a. Poetry, fiction, plays, comedies
b. Poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction
c. Science fiction, epic poetry, horror, drama
d. Science fiction, epic poetry, horror, drama

________2. What is the characteristic of all nonfiction>re of the community.

a. plot
b. facts
c. setting
d. characters

________3. How does literary nonfiction differs from fiction?

a. fiction has real-life story components
b. fiction does not have all story elements
c. the story elements are based on real-life, not imaginary
d. literary nonfiction has characters and plot, but no setting

35
________4. If you're experiencing a piece of fiction that's being performed on stage,
joining monologues and dialogues by characters with stage directions, then what
kind of fiction are you experiencing?

a. drama
b. poetry
c. fiction
d. nonfiction

________5. Which literary form is written in ordinary, non-metrical language and

communicates facts or opinions about reality?
a. poetry
b. drama
c. fiction
d. nonfiction

________6. To what genre do the following lines belong?

“Listen my children and you shall hear,
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere”
a. drama
b. fiction
c. poetry
d. nonfiction

________ 7. An anonymous, timeless, placeless story that was originally told rather
than written.
a. poetry
b. folk Tale
c. fantasy
d. historical fiction

________8. It is telling a story with less than 1000 words to condense a story into
fewest words possible. It emphasizes plot than other elements of the story.
a. blog
b. chick lit
c. flash fiction
d. hyperpoetry

_______9. It is a story that tells about women, their lives, trials, tribulations, and
success.
a. blog
b. chick lit
c. flash fiction
d. hyperpoetry

________10. It is an essay in a regularly updated webpage or website written in a

conversational style.
a. blog
b. chick lit
c. flash fiction
d. hyperpoetry

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________11. It is a story that needs a detective to solve a puzzle or scenario
a. mystery
b. suspense
c. realistic fiction
d. historical fiction
________ 12. It is a fictional love story set during a time in our past like The
Death March, Edsa Revolution and World War II.
a. mystery
b. suspense
c. realistic fiction
d. historical fiction

________ 13. It is a futuristic adventure in space with robots and cyborgs as

characters.
a. science fiction
b. realistic fiction
c. historical fiction
d. futuristic fiction

________ 14. It refers to a four-line poem.

a. tercet
b. sestet
c. couplet
d. quatrain

________15. It refers to a literary device that imitates sound for emphasis.

a. simile
b. metaphor
c. synecdoche
d. onomatopoeia

37