History is the study of the past as it is described in written documents.

Events occurring before written record are

considered prehistory.
A generation is "all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively".
Tragedy is a form of drama based on human suffering that invokes an accompanying catharsis or pleasure in audiences.
Interview is a conversation where questions are asked and answers are given. In common parlance, the word "interview"
refers to a one-on-one conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee.
An anecdote is a brief, revealing account of an individual person or an incident.
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of dialogue and singing between characters,
intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading.
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music.
A sonnet is a one-stanza, 14-line poem, written in iambic pentameter.
Psalm a sacred song or hymn, in particular any of those contained in the biblical Book of Psalms and used in Christian and
Jewish worship.
The awit is a type of Filipino poem, consisting of 12-syllable quatrains. It follows the pattern of rhyming stanzas established
in the Philippine epic Pasyon. It is similar in form to the corrido.
Folksongs unites a poetic text with a melody.
Elegy a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead.
Anecdote a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.
An essay is, generally, a piece of writing that gives the author's own argument — but the definition is vague, overlapping
with those of a paper, an article, a pamphlet, and a short story.
Oration a formal speech, especially one given on a ceremonial occasion.
Prose written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.
A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting.
Poetry literature that evokes a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience or a specific emotional response through
language chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound, and rhythm.
Analytic true by virtue of the meaning of the words or concepts used to express it, so that its denial would be a self-
contradiction.
Thematic having or relating to subjects or a particular subject.
Historical of or concerning history; concerning past events.
Universal - of, affecting, or done by all people or things in the world or in a particular group; applicable to all cases.
Hinilawod is an epic poem orally transmitted from early inhabitants of a place called Sulod in central Panay, Philippines.
Beowulf is the longest epic poem in Old English, the language spoken in Anglo-Saxon England before the Norman Conquest.
Iliad is an ancient Greek epic poem in dactylic hexameter, traditionally attributed to Homer.
Monologue a long speech by one actor in a play or movie, or as part of a theatrical or broadcast program.
Masque/Mask The masque was a form of festive courtly entertainment that flourished in 16th- and early 17th-century
Europe, though it was developed earlier in Italy, in forms including the intermedio (a public version of the masque was the
pageant).
A song is a single (and often standalone) work of music that is typically intended to be sung by the human voice with distinct
and fixed pitches and patterns using sound and silence and a variety of forms that often include the repetition of sections
Legend is a genre of folklore that consists of a narrative featuring human actions perceived or believed both by teller and
listeners to have taken place within human history.
Myth is a folklore genre consisting of narratives that play a fundamental role in society, such as foundational tales. The main
characters in myths are usually gods, demigods or supernatural humans.
A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles.
Animal Tales, stories in which animals are the principal characters, with the plot revolving around them and the setting
mainly in the animal world.
A maxim/sabi is a compact expression of a general truth or rule of conduct. Also known as a proverb, saying, adage,
sententia, and precept. In classical rhetoric, maxims were regarded as formulaic ways of conveying the common wisdom of
the people.
Comedia, or moro-moro, a folk drama based on the battles between Christians and the Muslim Moro, the Philippines.
The Panunuluyan, which is a re-enactment by present-day faithful of the difficult search of Joseph and Mary for
lodging/shelter in Bethlehem, is a tradition which brings together Filipinos in their own journeys of faith and hope.
The corrido is a popular narrative song and poetry that form a ballad. The songs are often about oppression, history, daily
life for peasants, and other socially relevant topics.
The Pasyón is a Philippine epic narrative of the life of Jesus Christ, focused on his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
La Solidaridad was established to express the goal of the Propaganda Movement towards achieving assimilation with Spain.
El Filibusterismo, also known by its English alternative title The Reign of Greed, is the second novel written by Philippine
national hero José Rizal.
Mi Último Adiós is a poem written by Philippine national hero, Dr. José Rizal, on the eve of his execution by firing squad on
December 30, 1896.
Speech is human vocal communication using language.
A narrative or story is a report of connected events, real or imaginary, presented in a sequence of written or spoken words,
or still or moving images, or both.
Allegory refers to symbolic representations of truths or generalizations about human existence.
Allusion a figure of speech that refers to another textual work, leaving the reader to figure out of the connection between
the current work and the work being referred to.
Anagnorisis – in Greek drama, the moment of recognition and discovery for the hero.
Autobiography – an account of a person’s history written by the subject himself/herself.
Baybayin – the indigenous method of writing found by colonial missionaries in the Philippines.
Canon – refers to the collection of works determined by a society to have significant value and importance
Canonical – belonging to a collection of works considered to be valued.
Center – a term in social discourse which refers to all that controls or wields power
Characteristics – the mental, and moral qualities that make someone distinctive
Characterization – the literary crafting of personality through various means
Colonialism – control exerted by one country over other countries and peoples
Cosmopolitanism – mindset that is characterized by a particular kind of openness to the world and its varied and different
cultures.
Free Verse – in a more conventional way, this is the term that describes poetry not confined in traditional versification and
which became popular in the Modern Era.
Hamartia – in Greek drama, tragic flaw or error in judgement.
Heteroglossia – a term that describes the diverseness of the novel’s language as studied by Mikhail Bakhtin.
Hubris – in Greek drama, very much connected to hamartia; literally, pride or conceit.
Irony - the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or
emphatic effect.
Magic Realism – marvelous realism is a style of fiction that paints a realistic view of the modern world while also adding
magical elements.
Trickster tale - in oral traditions worldwide, a story featuring a protagonist (often an anthropomorphized animal) who has
magical powers and who is characterized as a compendium of opposites.
A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles.
Mimetic Theory - The word "mimetic" comes from the Greek word "mimesis," the act of imitation. The mimetic theory of
literary criticism places primary importance on how well a literary work imitates life.
Authorial Theory – believes in the idea that the ultimate source of meaning is the author.
Reader Response Theory - also known as a pragmatic or affective theory.
Literary Tradition Theory - is a description of the underlying principles, one might say the tools, by which we attempt to
understand literature.
Textual Analysis Theory – posits that literary study is limited to studying the text.
Critical Approaches - are different perspectives we consider when looking at a piece of literature.
Reader-Response Criticism asserts that a great deal of meaning in a text lies with how the reader responds to it.
Formalist Criticism emphasizes the form of a literary work to determine its meaning, focusing on literary elements and how
they work to create meaning.
Psychological Criticism views a text as a revelation of its author’s mind and personality.
Sociological criticism argues that social contexts (the social environment) must be considered when analyzing a text.
Marxist Criticism emphasizes economic and social conditions. It is based on the political theory of Karl Marx and Friedrich
Engels.
Feminist Criticism is concerned with the role, position, and influence of women in a literary text.
Biographical Criticism argues that we must take an author’s life and background into account when we study a text.
New Historicist Criticism argues that every literary work is a product of its time and its world.
Archetypes are those universal elements present in the literature of all cultures.
Short story – it is a work of fiction that can just be read in one sitting.
Novella – this is a shorter version of a novel.
Novel – it is a generally perceived to be a long prose narrative that deals with human experience through a relative
sequence of events.
Form – this pertains to the design and arrangement of the parts that form the whole. it also involves how a certain work is
written and done.
Theme – it is the idea or meaning that a literary work attempts to convey and to communicate.
Setting – this element includes the place and the time of the actions that transpire in a story.
Dynamic Character – this character undergoes significant changes in personality, behavior, perspective etc. as the story
develops.
Round Character – known as complex and multidimensional.
Antihero – a character who does not exhibit the stereotypical qualities inherent to a hero.
Foil – refers to a character used to stand in contrast to another character.
Plot – this refers to the flow and sequence of events in a story.
En Medias Res – the term means “in the middle things” or “in the middle of the action.”
Flashback – a technique which utilizes the inclusion of episodes or prior events to the base time of the plot.
Prolepsis Or Flash-Forward – involves the provision of a quick look or glimpse into what may transpire in the future.
Foreshadowing – this is mainly a technique to provide clues or hints as to some events or circumstances that may come
soon in the flow of the story.
Frame Story – a large work having separate narrations found within or to say it simply, a story within a story.
Point-of-view- refers to the vantage point as to how the story unfolds.
Conflict – this is the element of fiction which refers to the opposition of forces that may set forth the problems, issues, and
challenges of various forms and sources that the main character needs to face and to deal with.
Symbols – an object which is used to represent ideas aside from its literal meaning.
Theme – this is the significant truth about life which a story attempts to communicate to its readers.
Allusion – pertains to an implicit or indirect reference to a person, event, or literary work.
Atmosphere – refers to the tone and mood perceived to be prevailing in a particular literary work.
Dialogue – mainly the conversation or exchanges between or among individuals as presented in a written work.
Genre – refers to the classification or categories in which literary works are identified and grouped in accordance with
conversations and content.
Irony – the difference of what is said and what is shown, reality and appearance, expectation and result, or meaning and
intention.
Local Color – presents local or regional symbols and images including speech, practices, beliefs, mannerism and the like
which are known to be peculiar to a certain topography.
Satire –usually humorous which can sometimes be gentle or biting
sci-fi or science fiction – tells of imaginary events that mainly include science and technology.
Stream Of Consciousness - a style in modern writing that attempts show the random flow of thoughts, memoirs, emotions,
and associations as these move within the character’s mind.
Prose – this prose is mainly ascribe to be composed freely.
Poetry – it is a form of literature characterized by its highly controlled manner of choosing and arranging language with the
use of regulating devices such as for sound and rhythm to aesthetically convey a meaning which may call for a specific
emotional response.
Drama – involves stories involving significant human encounters which are intended to be performed on stage.
Non- fiction – this genre mainly attempts to present, to interpret, or to describe facts.
Structure – most poetic works utilize few words and these are mainly arranged in lines and in stanzas.
Language – the writer of a poetic work mainly expresses familiar feelings, emotions, conditions and the like in an implicit
and suggestive way.
Tone, sound, rhythm – various elements that may contribute to the total effect and impact of a poetic masterpiece should
be in unity and harmony.
Emotional appeal – poems mainly convey meanings in a mysterious way.
Sense – this elements it involves diction or known as the word choice, imagery that can truly appeal to the senses, and
lasting, figurative expression.
Sound – this elements is an offshoot of a variety of elements like tonal patterns, rhythm, and measurements.
Structure – this elements pertains to the way how words and lines are organized, sequenced, arranged and formed to
ensure unity of form.
Dramatic Poetry – this is a lyric work that exhibits dialogue and characterization which are known to be elements of drama.
Monologue – which is specifically a speech delivered by an individual in a dramatic performance
Soliloquy – which monologue used to develop the character of a speaker by providing information by the revelation of the
character’s personal thoughts, emotions and feelings both belong to this type.
Lyric poetry – this mainly discloses a poet’s feelings and emotions which can be perceived to be subjective and personal.
Simple Lyric – which includes pastorals that describe scenes and objects of nature
Songs – which are emotional verses sung during special occasions
Odes – which are extended lyric poems ascribed to be more serious and complex in form than a simple lyric
Sonnets – which are commonly composed of 14 lines,
Elegy – which mainly laments of death of a person or group of individuals
Narrative Poetry – this is mainly a poem that is non-dramatic in which the prime goal of the author is to narrate a story.
Tragedy – mainly depicts a very serious dramatic atmosphere; the lead character encounters misfortunes because of fate,
moral weakness, or social opposition that may lead to a disastrous or catastrophic end involving physical or spiritual death
of breakdown.
Tragicomedy – it combines the conversations of tragic and comic elements and despite tragic circumstance; the story still
ends happily.
Comedy – a literary composition intended to amuse the viewing crowd.
Setting – pertains to time and place of the action.
Characters – the ones involved in the actions and situations in a story.
Plot – refers to the action of the drama.
Dialogue – the conversation and exchanges between or among characters it helps to tell the whole story.
Movements – involves the pacing and transition of acts.
Music – serves as the background used during performances.
Theme - tells what the play is about or the message the play attempts to reveal.
Essay - the term essay is taken from the word “essais” literally means attempts mainly attributed to Michael De Montaigne.
Form And Structure – this components includes the arrangement or order of ideas, unity, coherence, expository device
used, and patterns of development.
Content And Theme – include the point that the essay attempts to raise.
Language And Style – components provides information as to what makes the essay literary in relation to tone, mood,
diction and literary devices used.
Formal Essay – includes “highbrow” or entirely intellectual topics; there is seriousness in tone and language is formal.
Informal Essay – this is also known as “familiar essay” and deals with commonplace and light topics
Reflective Essay – considers a subject which is heavily philosophical in nature.
Critical Essay – includes viewers of books, movies, works of art, and other forms of compositions.
Editorial Essay – it highlights the writer’s opinions about an important issue of the day.
Nature Essay – this showcases the beauty of nature and of outdoor life.
Scientific Essay – deals with the discussion of the explorations and findings taken from scientific experimentations.
Narrative Essay – written in the form of story as it utilizes events or incidents to give shape to a certain theme.
Speculative Essay – highlights contemplations which are difficult to prove by means of posing inquiries about an interesting
topic.
Biographical/Character Sketch Essay – depicts the life of an individual considered as the subject from infancy, maturity, to
one’s death; shows a description of a particular aspects of life a certain person.
Didactic Essay – describe a serious and formal teaches a moral lesson.
Descriptive Essay – provides information as to how something looks like, highlights qualities of something which provides
animation, clarity, and reality to a narrative essay.
Denotation - dictionary meaning of the word.
Connotation - suggested or implied meaning associated with a word beyond its dictionary definition.
Imagery - otherwise known as “sense of the mind”. It use of sensory details or descriptions that appeal to one or more of
the five senses.
Figures of Speech - These are specific devices or a kind of figurative language that uses words, phrases, and sentences in a
non-literal definition but, rather gives meanings in abstractions.
Alliteration - is the repetition of similar and accented sounds at the beginning of words.
Assonance - is the repetition of similar accented vowel sounds.
Consonance - is the repetition of similar consonant sound typically within or at the end of words.
Simile uses the words “like” or “as” to compare one object or idea with another to suggest they are alike.
Metaphor states a fact or draws a verbal picture by the use of comparison.
Personification gives human characteristics to inanimate objects, animals, or ideas.
Onomatopoeia - the use of a word to describe or imitate a natural sound or the sound made by an object or an action.
Hyperbole - An exaggeration that is so dramatic that no one would believe the statement is true.
Allusion - is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political
significance.
Word and its Order – grouping of words and choosing of words and verses where more often, poets arrange them in the
unnatural order to achieve an effect
Syntax – is an effect achieved where words are fractured to have a desired effect
Ellipsis – is the omission of words or several words that clearly identify the understanding of an expression
Punctuation – is the use of meaningful symbols that help provide meaning clues
Tibag these are native dramas that are connected to Catholic mourning rituals and harvest celebrations.
Zarzuelas are musical comedies or melodramas that deal with elemental passions of human beings.
Duplo/Karagatan - It is one of the most famous forms of entertainment in the Spanish era.

Epics. Epics are long narrative poems in which a series of heroic achievements or events usually of a hero involving
supernatural forces/phenomena. Listed below are some of the epics celebrated among the various groups in the country.
A. Biag ni Lam-ang – Ilokanos B. Hudhod hi Aliguyon – Ifugaos
 C. Alim – Ifugaos K. Kumintang – Tagalog
D. Ibalon – Bicol L. Bernardo Carpio – Tagalog
E. Handiong – Bicol M. Parang Sabir – Moro
F. Hinilawod – Bicol N. Darangan – Moro
G. Maragtas – Visayan O. Indarapatra at Sulayman – Moro
H. Haraya – Visayan P. Dagoy – Tagbanua
I. Lagda – Visayan Q. Sudsod – Tagnbanua
J. Hari sa Bukid – Visayan R. Tatuaang – Bagobo
2. Folksongs. Folksongs are the oldest forms of Philippine Literature that emerged which are composed mostly of 12
syllables per line of four in a verse. These songs mirrored the culture of each group singing specific song per
occasion/celebration/activities. Listed below are some of these songs and the corresponding
occasion/celebration/activities.
A. Kundiman – Songs of Love/Serenading songs
B. Kumintang – War/Battle songs which develop a love song
C. Dalit – Worship songs
D. Oyayi/Hele – Lullaby songs
E. Diana/Danaya – Wedding songs
F. Soliraning – Laborer/Workmen songs
G. Talindaw – Fisher/Fishing songs/boat songs

1. Epigrams (Salawikain). These have been customarily used and served as laws or rules on good behavior by our ancestors.
To others, these are like allegories or parables that impart lessons for the young.
2. Riddles (Bugtong) or Palaisipan. These are made up of one or more measured lines with rhyme and may consist of four to
12 syllables.
3. Chant (Bulong). Used in witch craft or enchantment.
4. Maxims. Some are rhyming couplets with verses 5,6 or 8 syllables, each line having the same number of syllables.
5. Sayings (Kasabihan). Often used in teasing or to comment on a person’s actuations.
6. Sawikain (Sayings with no hidden meanings)

Ibong Adarna (awit)

The Lover’s Death (poem)
Chit-Chirit-Chit (folksongs)
Stevan Javellana (Without Seeing the Dawn)
Jose Rizal (El Filibusterismo)
Wilfredo Guerrero (Thirteen Plays)
Francisco Balagtas (born Francisco Baltazar y de la Cruz; April 2, 1788 – February 20, 1862), also known as Francisco
Baltazar, was a prominent Filipino poet, and is widely considered one of the greatest Filipino literary laureates for his
impact on Filipino literature.
Wilfredo M. Guerrero National Artist for Theater
Ricaredo Demetillo was born on June 20, 1920 in Dumangas, Iloilo. He was a poet, essayist and critic.