ENG 305 – TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT OF LITERATURE STUDIES

Unit 1. Overview on the Nature of Literature and its Genres

A. What is Literature?

Literature

 A total of preserved writings belonging to a given language or people.

 A reaction of original heart and mind upon life.

 A word derived from the Latin word litera which means letter.

 A piece of printed work related to the ideas and feelings of the people that may be true

or just a product of the writer’s imagination.

B. Literature as Significant Human Experience

Literature is any written work that deals with man and his experiences expressed in artistic,

imaginative, creative, and meaningful language which arouses a noble feeling of pleasure

in its interpretation and commentary on man’s fate and destiny.

Literature is an essential part of history. It tells us something about our past and our

present. It has been used to inform what is happening in the country and the world. It is

also use for entertainment, to instruct and improve the readers.

C. Purposes of Literature

The course in Literature: Scope and Problems

Scope Problems

 It is a medium of expression that English

is of supreme importance.

 The ability to put the best words in

the best order, with tongue or pen,

is man’s greatest invention and

the most powerful force of the

modern world.
 It is as literature that English is most

fascinating.

 By means of the printed page to

be able to share the happiest,

best, and wisest moments of men-

poets and prose, past and present

men – is a daily miracle of

privilege and pleasure.

 There is no other course whose

subject matter can compare with

literature in richness, depth, and

appeal.

 It is the hardest to teach.

 Indeed, so great are its

inherent difficulties that there

is a need to list them and

take stock of them frankly.

According to a study by Jonathan P.A. Sell (2005), a welter of reasons for, or benefits

of, teaching literature in the foreign language classroom have been proffered by a variety of

authors. For example, Parkinson and Reid Thomas (2000:9-11) list, with more or less

approval, the following ten:

1. Cultural enrichment. Reading literature promotes cultural understanding and

awareness.

2. Linguistic model. Literature provides examples of “good” writing, linguistic

diversity, expressive ranges, and so on.

3. Mental training. Better than any other discipline, literature trains the mind and
sensibility.

4. Extension of linguistic competence. Literature stretches the competences of

learners who have mastered the linguistic rudiments.

5. Authenticity. Literature is a genuine linguistic material, not a linguistically contrived

textbook.

6. Memorability. Because literature, especially poetry and songs are memorable, it

can be a memorized archive of linguistic usage.

7. Rhythmic resource. Poems assist the learner in assimilating the rhythms of a

language.

8. Motivating material. Literature is more likely to engage with and motivate a learner

than artificial teaching inputs because it is generated by some genuine impulse on

the part of the writer and deals with subjects and themes which may be of interest

to the learner.

9. Open to interpretation. Because literature is open to interpretation, it can serve as

a basis for “genuine interaction” between learners.

10. Convenience. Literature is a handy (photocopiable resource).

WHAT DO WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO LEARN IN LITERATURE?

Values of Studying Literature

The study of literature can be effective means for students to explore social and moral

issues.

Aims of Studying Literature:

a. Discover the joys of reading literature and become aware of new ways of

perceiving the world around them.

b. Explore the elements of different genres via the study of literary texts and to

understand how these function in enabling literary works to achieve their desired

ends.
c. Articulate perceptive and logical thinking when discussing and writing about

literature.

d. Select and interpret relevant material judiciously and to express ideas in coherent

and clear English.

e. Understand the importance of the contexts in which literary texts are written and

understood.

f. Engage personality with texts, showing a strong intellectual and emotional

awareness of themes, characters, settings and contexts.

SOCIAL

ISSUES

It encourages students to

explore literary contexts that

promote an awareness of

social factors that influence

people.

Literary works provide an

effective way for students to

comprehend values and the

way humanity functions.

MORAL

ISSUES

D. Prose vs. Poetry vs. Drama

Prose – is written in narrative form with sentences and paragraphs. It uses everyday language.
Poetry – is written in form of lines and stanzas. It has rhythm, and melodious tone. Ideas are

expressed in aesthetic and meaningful language. It usually uses figures of speech.

Drama – is a piece of writing that tells a story; it is performed on a stage and uses dialogue.

E. Fiction vs. Non-Fiction

Fiction – is a work with imagined facts which illustrates a truth about life. It is derived from the

Latin word fingere (“to form”), may be broadly defined as any type of narrative-oral or written,

poetic or prose, dramatic, mythic, or folk – that creates an imaginative rather than a factual

reality. Mysteries, science fiction, romance, fantasy, chick lit, crime thrillers are all fiction

genres.

Non-fiction – is a work based entirely on facts and true events. The Nonfiction Department has

books and videos in many categories including biography, business, cooking, health and

fitness, pets, crafts, home decorating, languages, travel, home improvement, religion, art and

music, history, self-help, true crime, science and humor. We also have a section of popular

and award-winning documentary DVDs.

A few smatterings of fact in a work of fiction does not make it true, while a few

fabrications in a nonfiction work can force that story to lose all credibility.

F. A Survey of Authors

G. Literature Competencies in English K to 12 Curriculum

Literary Competence is an important concept for the teaching of literature in a second

language educational context since it sets up a clear definition of what the reader must

possess in reading literary work.

In the K to 12 English Curriculum, the literature competencies or the set of literary

competence or skills that learners must acquire are integrated into the Grade Level Standard.

Grade Level Standards define what students should understand and be able to do by the end

of each grade level.

K-12 English Literature Competencies

Reason # 2
Addresses a wide range of

psychological and sociological

issues. At the heart of literary

works are issues of conflict and

the range of human desires that

contribute to such conflict.

Reason # 1

Students explore the human

condition and are able to better

understand their own existence

and values in relation to society.

Reason # 3

Encourages an understanding

of moral and ethical issues,

prompting students to foster an

awareness of the world they live

in.

1. Grade 7 – Philippine Literature

“The learner demonstrates communicative competence through his/her understanding

of Philippine Literature and other text types for a deeper appreciation of Philippine

Culture”.

2. Grade 8 – Afro-Asian Literature

“The learner demonstrates communicative competence through his/her understanding

of Afro-Asian literature and other text types for a deeper appreciation of Philippine
Culture and those of other countries”.

3. Grade 9 – Anglo-American Literature

“The learner demonstrates communicative competence through his/her understanding

of British-American Literature, including Philippine Literature and other types for a

deeper appreciation of Philippine Culture and those of other countries”.

4. Grade 10 – World Literature

“The learner demonstrates communicative competence through his/her understanding

of literature and other text types for a deeper appreciation of World Literature including

Philippine Literature”.

References

https://literatureandarts.wordpress.com/

https://www.scribd.com/document/447682426/TA-of-Literature-Studies-Handout