Subject: 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND

THE WORLD
Instructor: Ms. Mary France B. Maghanoy
Lesson : 1

Introduction to 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES

AND THE WORLD
 Literature
 Elements of Literature
 Timeline overview of Philippine Literature
 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and its Genres (Overview, Sneak
peak)

Objective
● Understand and appreciate the basic elements and contexts

● Have knowledge of Philippine literary history

What is Literature?
By etymological definition, the term is originally derived from the Latin word
“littera” which means letter or handwriting. Generally, the term was used to refer to all
written accounts. Overtime, the meaning has changed, gradually being adapted to texts
that are being spoken or sung (oral literature), or any non-written but verbal art forms.
Some loosely interpret literature as any printed matter written within a book, a
magazine or a pamphlet. Others define literature as a faithful reproduction of man’s
manifold experiences blended into one harmonious expression.
Because literature deals with ideas, thoughts and emotions of man, literature can be
said to be the story of man. Man’s loves, grieves, thoughts, dreams and aspirations
coached in beautiful language is literature.
In order to know the history of a nation’s spirit, one must read its literature. Hence it
is, that to understand the real spirit of a nation, one must “trace the little rills as they
course along down the ages, broadening and deepening into the great ocean of thought
which men of the present source are presently exploring.”

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 Brother Azurin said that “literature expresses the feelings of people to society, to the
government, to his surroundings, to his fellowmen and to his Divine Creator.” The
expression of one’s feelings, according to him, may be through love, sorrow, happiness,
hatred, anger, pity, contempt, or revenge. For Webster, literature is anything that is
printed, as long as it is related to the ideas and feelings of people, whether it is true, or just
a product of one’s imagination.
In PANITIKING PILIPINO written by Atienza, Ramos, Salazar and Nazal, it says that
“true literature is a piece of written work which is undying.

ELEMENTS
Significantly, although there are multiple forms of literature varying from one to another,
Literature is identifiable into TWO forms: Fiction and Non-Fiction.

Fiction refers to literature created from the imagination. Mysteries, science fiction,
romance, fantasy, chick lit, crime thrillers are all fiction genres. Whether or not all of these
genres should be considered “literature” is a matter of opinion. Some of these fiction genres
are taught in literature classrooms and some are not usually taught, considered more to be
reading for entertainment. Works often taught in literature classrooms are referred to as
“literary fiction” including classics by Dickens, Austen, Twain, and Poe, for example.

Non-fiction also has a sub-genre called “literary nonfiction” that refers to literature based
on fact but written in creative way, making it as enjoyable to read as fiction. Of course
there are MANY other types of nonfiction such as cook books, fitness articles, crafting
manuals, etc. which are not “literature,” meaning not the types of works we would study in
a literature classroom. However, you may not be aware of the many types of nonfiction we
would study, such as biography, memoir or autobiography, essays, speeches, and humor.
Of these literary nonfiction genres, they can be long like a book or series of books or short
like an essay or journal entry. Some examples of these you are already familiar with,
like The Diary of Anne Frank or Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt. These works of literary
nonfiction have character, setting, plot, conflict, figurative language, and theme just
like literary fiction.

Clarification: The test of categorizing a work between fiction and non-fiction is not
whether there is proof the story is true, but whether it CLAIMS to be true. For example,
someone writing a first-hand account of being abducted by aliens would be classified in the
nonfiction section, meaning the author claims it really happened. Further, a story in which
imaginary characters are set into real historical events is still classified as fiction.

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Yet, whether it is unspoken or observed, both forms follow the same structure or format of
elements, and those are broadly (in order):

Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution.

1. EXPOSITION. The introductory material which gives the setting, creates the tone,
presents the characters, and presents other facts necessary to understanding the
story. A setting (or backdrop) is the time and geographic location within a narrative,
either nonfiction or fiction. It is a literary element. The setting initiates the main
backdrop and mood for a story

2. INCITING FORCE. The event or character that triggers the conflict.

3. CONFLICT. The essence of fiction. It creates plot. The conflicts we encounter can
usually be identified as one of four kinds. (Man versus…Man, Nature, Society, or Self)
The struggle that a character must overcome.

4. RISING ACTION. A series of events that builds from the conflict. It begins with the
inciting force and ends with the climax.

5. CRISIS. The conflict reaches a turning point. At this point the opposing forces in the
story meet and the conflict becomes most intense. The crisis occurs before or at the
same time as the climax.

6. CLIMAX. The climax is the result of the crisis. It is the high point of the story for the
reader. Frequently, it is the moment of the highest interest and greatest emotion. The
point at which the outcome of the conflict can be predicted.

7. FALLING ACTION. The events after the climax which close the story

8. RESOLUTION. Rounds out and concludes the action.

9. CHARACTERS
Major and Minor
Major Characters consist of Protagonist, Antagonist, and Foil
Protagonist - The main character in the story
Antagonist - The character or force that opposes the protagonist.
Foil - A character that provides a contrast to the protagonist.

10. POINT OF VIEW. Refers to whether that story is told by a character or an

outside observer.

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 First Person - The narrator is a character in the story who can reveal only personal
thoughts and feelings and what he or she sees and is told by other characters. He
can’t tell us thoughts of other characters.
Third-Person - Objective The narrator is an outsider who can report only what he or
she sees and hears. This narrator can tell us what is happening, but he can’t tell us
the thoughts of the characters.
Third-Person Limited - The narrator is an outsider who sees into the mind of one of
the characters.
Omniscient - The narrator is an all-knowing outsider who can enter the minds of
more than one of the characters.

11. IRONY. The contrast between what is expected or what appears to be and what
actually is.

12. FORESHADOWING. The author’s use of hints or clues suggesting events that
occur later in the story. Not all foreshadowing is obvious. Frequently, future events
are merely hinted at through dialogue, description, or the attitudes and reactions of
the characters. Foreshadowing frequently serves two purposes. It builds suspense by
raising questions that encourage the reader to go on and find out more about the
event that is being foreshadowed. Foreshadowing is also a means of making a
narrative more believable by partially preparing the reader for events which are to
follow.

13. TONE. The author’s attitude, statement, or implication towards a subject.

Some possible attitudes are pessimism, optimism, earnestness, seriousness,
bitterness, humorous, and joyful. An author’s tone can be revealed through choice of
words and details.

14. MOOD. The climate of feeling in a literary work. The choice of setting, objects,
details, images, and words all contribute towards creating a specific mood. For
example, an author may create a mood of mystery around a character or setting but
may treat that character or setting in an ironic, serious, or humorous tone

15. SYMBOLISM. A person, place or object which has a meaning in itself but
suggests other meanings as well. Things, characters and actions can be symbols.
Anything that suggests a meaning beyond the obvious. Some symbols are
conventional, generally meaning the same thing to all readers. For example: bright
sunshine symbolizes goodness and water is a symbolic cleanser.

16. THEME. The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work. A theme may
be stated or implied. Theme differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that
it involves a statement or opinion about the topic. Not every literary work has a
theme. Themes may be major or minor. A major theme is an idea the author returns
to time and again. It becomes one of the most important ideas in the story. Minor
themes are ideas that may appear from time to time. It is important to recognize the
difference between the theme of a literary work and the subject of a literary work. The
subject is the topic on which an author has chosen to write. The theme, however,
makes some statement about or expresses some opinion on that topic. For example,
the subject of a story might be war while the theme might be the idea that war is
useless.
Four ways in which an author can express themes are as follows:
1. Themes are expressed and emphasized by the way the author makes us feel..
By sharing feelings of the main character you also share the ideas that go
through his mind.
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 2. Themes are presented in thoughts and conversations. Authors put words in
their character’s mouths only for good reasons. One of these is to develop a
story’s themes. The things a person says are much on their mind. Look for
thoughts that are repeated throughout the story.
3. Themes are suggested through the characters. The main character usually
illustrates the most important theme of the story. A good way to get at this
theme is to ask yourself the question, what does the main character learn in
the course of the story?
4. The actions or events in the story are used to suggest theme. People naturally
express ideas and feelings through their actions. One thing authors think
about is what an action will "say". In other words, how will the action express
an idea or theme?

17. IMAGERY. Language that appeals to the senses. Descriptions of people or

objects stated in terms of our senses.

TIMELINE OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Pre-Colonial Period (1564) - Spanish Period (1565–1863) - American Period (1901-1946) -
Japanese Period (1946–1960) - Contemporary Period (1986–Present)

21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

o Literary works written from 2001 and onwards.
o Deals with current themes and reflects technological culture.
o Traces artistic representation of shared and familiar experiences.

New found Genres birthed under 21st Century

o Chick Literature
o Graphic Novels
o Text-Talk Novels (Mobile Text Tula)
o Flash Fiction
o Science Fiction (Philippine Speculative Fiction)
o Hyper Text Poetry
o Creative Non-fiction
o Blogs

REFERENCES
Best-books-21st-century. (2018, September 17). Retrieved June 16, 2020, from Vulture.com: https://www.vulture.com/article/best-books-21st-century-so-
far.html?fbclid=IwAR30TQAfIf5Q3VlMDeBS9Le8jw959pcGE0jQLqBt2YhNCIShekQfg9ZI53U
Cruz, K. M. (2018, May 25). 21stcenturylitph.wordpress.com. Retrieved june 8, 2020, from 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World:
https://21stcenturylitph.wordpress.com/introduction-to-philippine-literature/?fbclid=IwAR3mun9yPaQrmyREjDQv8wQ8Ml-
nQ95PSiptid80LAbPN7K3lPfc0rUqQu4
elements-of-literature. (n.d.). Retrieved June 16, 2020, from www.sunnyvalepubliclibrary.org:
https://www.sunnyvalepubliclibrary.org/online-catalog/elements-of-literature.html?
fbclid=IwAR30TQAfIf5Q3VlMDeBS9Le8jw959pcGE0jQLqBt2YhNCIShekQfg9ZI53U
Krystal, A. (2014, Month). archive/2014/03/what-is-literature/. Retrieved June 16, 2020, from harpers.org: https://harpers.org/archive/2014/03/what-is-
literature/
nps.gov/background-elements-of-literature. (n.d.). Retrieved june 8, 2020, from nps.gov: https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/education/upload/background-
elements-of-literature_sr.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0dbnhvMp0WSdw4y4jf7XOAALFvAy8hEA1IR6YY16B_ClJUaBZVE-qcjYM
Grant, M. (2017, November 12). difference between fiction and non-fiction. Retrieved June 19, 2020, from bookriot.com:
https://bookriot.com/2017/11/02/difference-between-fiction-and-nonfiction/
intro-to-non-fiction. (n.d.). Retrieved June 19, 2020, from courses.lumenlearning.com:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/introliterature/chapter/introduction-to-nonfiction/

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 Self-Check for Lesson 1

Fill in the blanks. Complete the sentence.

1. ____________ are literary works written from year 2001 onwards.

2. ____________ is a literary element which uses language that appeals to senses.
3. ____________ is literary element which depicts the main idea or underlying
meaning of a literary work.
4. A character that provides contrast to the protagonist is _______________.
5. ____________ the struggle that a character must overcome.

Multiple Choice. Choose and encircle the letter for the correct answer. Read each item
carefully before answering.

6. 21st century literature which best examples are by comic books.

a.) Literature c.) Blogs

b.) Flash Fiction d.) Graphic Novels

7. Which group of writers stated this phrase, "“true literature is a piece of written work
which is undying."?
a.) Gomez, Burgos, Zamora c.) Reyes, De Guzman, Agoncillo
b.) Atienza, Ramos, Salazar, Nazal d.) Paterno, Abad, Tolentino

8. Refers to literature created from imagination.

a.) Chick Literature c.) Fiction
b.) Text-Tula d.) Haiku

9. Literary element describing time and place of a narrative.

a.) Conflict c.) Setting
b.) Climax d.) Theme

10. The author’s use of hints or clues suggesting events that occur later in the
story.
a.) Foreshadowing c.) Symbolism
b.) Imagery d.) Tone

11. Literature based on fact but written creatively.

a.) Non-fiction c.) Haiku
b.) Fiction d.) Tanaga

12. It is the high point of the story for the reader. The point at which the outcome
of the conflict can be predicted
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a.) Conflict c.) Climax
b.) Exposition d.) Resolution

13. The main character in the story.

a.) Antagonist c.) Foil
b.) Protagonist d.) Flat

14. The Character or force that opposes the the main character.
a.) Antagonist c.) Foil
b.) Protagonist d.) Flat

15. The contrast between what is expected or what appears to be and what actually
is.
a.) Imagery c.) Irony
b.) Tone d.) Theme

16. The climate or feeling in a literary work.

a.) Setting c.) Symbolism
b.) Mood d.) Theme

17. The author’s attitude, statement, or implication towards a subject.

a.) Tone c.) Symbolism
b.) Mood d.) Theme

18. The narrator is an all-knowing outsider who can enter the minds of more than
one of the characters.
a.) First Person c.) Third Person - Objective
b.) Third Person - Limited d.) Omniscient

19. What is the meaning of the latin word "literra"?

a.) Feelings c.) Letter or Handwriting
b.) Light d.) Paper

20. What period of philippine literature comes before contemporary/present

time/21st century?
a.) Spanish c.) Japanese
b.) America d.) Pre-Colonial

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