SH1601

Literature as an Enduring Expression

I. Defining Literature
According to Vinuya, (2011), literature is mans vehicle for self-expression: a form of
catharsis (relief) and feelings of friendship. It is the preserver of the culture of a nation that
preserves it; the showcase of peoples national upheavals (struggles); and, more importantly, it
is a means or a tool for cultural transmission. It is through literature (along with other arts) that
the cultural heritage of a people is passed on from one generation to the next. Of course, the
primordial aim of literature is to entertain.

II. Prose vs. Poetry

This text is written by

This text is written sentences or
by sentences or Both text paragraph and
paragraph and express intended to be read.
intended to be read.
nationalism
This text This text
communicates or and communicates
delivers its patriotism casually as if its
message or simply just discussing
figuratively like a using the words
love for the communicatively
poem. country or deliberately.

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III. Forms and Genres

Literary Forms pertain to the structure or the way a piece was published. (short story, novel,
poem, drama, or play)

Literary Genres pertain to the category determined by the technique of the author in delivering
his content (Comedy, Tragedy, Horror, Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Mythology, Historical,
Musical)
LITERATURE
(Major Forms)
Short Story, Poem, Novel, Drama or Play
(Genres)
Fiction Non-Fiction
Comedy, Tragedy, Horror, Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Mythology, History, Musical, Epic/Action
(Division)
Prose Poetry
Short Story, Parable, Fable, Novel, Essay, News, Poem, Haiku, Ballad, Sonnet
Drama, Magazine (Note any literary work that uses rhyme, rhythm,
Encyclopedia (Reference Materials) measurements and/or written in lines, stanzas
Fiction and non-Fiction Writings Myth, Folktale and verses is considered under this division.
(anything written in sentences and paragraphs)

IV. Figurative Language

1. Alliteration
This is a very common figure of speech that involves using words that begin with the same sound.

For instance, Sally sells sea shells by the seashore is alliteration and try saying it fast to see how
difficult it is! It is often used in advertising slogans to create something catchy that more people will
remember.

2. Anaphora
This figure of speech uses a specific clause at the beginning of each sentence or point to make a
statement.

For instance: Good night and good luck is an example of the beginning word being the same. The
more it is used, the more of an emotional effect is can evoke among those who are listening. Another
example is "Mad world! Mad kings! Mad composition!" from King John, II, I by William Shakespeare.

3. Assonance
Remember the phrase I Like Ike? It was a very common phase for those who supported Dwight
Eisenhower during his presidential run. This is a figure of speech that focuses on the vowel sounds in
a phrase, repeating them over and over to great effect.

4. Hyperbole
It was as big as a mountain! It was faster than a cheetah! It was dumber than a rock! This figure of
speech makes things seem much bigger than they really were by using grandiose depictions of
everyday things. Hyperbole is often seen as an exaggeration that adds a bit of humor to a story.

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5. Irony
This figure of speech tries to use a word in a literal sense that debunks what has just been said.
Gentlemen, you cant fight in here! This is the War Room! from Dr. Strangelove is a great example.
It is often used to poke fun at a situation that everyone else sees as a very serious matter.
6. Metaphor
The use of metaphor compares two (2) things that are not alike and finds something about them to
make them alike.

My heart is a lonely hunter that hunts on a lonely hill from a book by William Sharp is a good
example of metaphor. Some writers try to use this style to create something profound out of comparing
two things that appear to have nothing at all in common.

7. Simile
In this figure of speech, two (2) things are compared that are not really the same, but are used to make
a point about each other.

Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what youre going to get is a famous line from the
movie Forrest Gump that illustrates the simile. This is often used to make an emotional point about
something. The difference between simile and metaphor is that you can obviously see words "like" in
the sentence.

8. Metonymy
In this figure of speech, a word that has a very similar meaning can be used for another. Using the
word crown for royalty or lab coats for scientists are two (2) examples. In some ways it can
be seen as a nickname for something else; for instance, The White House said doesnt actually mean
the White House said it (a house cant speak!) but that the President said it. However, we all understand
the meaning, and so the words are interchangeable.

9. Onomatopoeia
This is the use of a word that actually sounds like what it means. Good examples include hiss or
ding-dong or fizz. These words are meant to describe something that actually sounds very much
like the word itself. This is a trick often used in advertising to help convey what something is really
like.

10. Paradox
This figure of speech completely contradicts itself in the same sentence. Famous quotes that illustrate
this from George Orwells 1984 include: War is peace. Ignorance is strength. Freedom is slavery.
Though we know these things arent true, they present an interesting paradox that makes a person think
seriously about what they have just read or heard.

11. Personification
This is a way of giving an inanimate object the qualities of a living thing. The tree quaked with fear
as the wind approached is an example; The sun smiled down on her is another. This can sometimes
be used to invoke an emotional response to something by making it more personable, friendly and
relatable.

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12. Pun
This play on words uses different senses of the word, or different sounds that make up the word, to
create something fun and interesting. For instance: I would like to go to Holland someday. Wooden
shoe? is a pun that actually means wouldnt you? Sometimes puns are so subtle that they can be
tough to pick up unless you are really listening for them.

13. Synecdoche
This is a figure of speech in which one thing is meant to represent the whole. A few good examples
include ABCs for alphabet, new set of wheels for car, or 9/11 to demonstrate the whole of the
tragedy that happened in the United States on September 11, 2001. This is often used in journalism as
a type of shorthand.

14. Understatement
This is a situation in which the thing discussed is made to seem much less important than it really is.
This famous line from Catcher in the Rye is a good example: I have to have this operation. It isnt
very serious. I have this tiny tumor on the brain. Understatement can often be used to comedic effect.

15. Antithesis
This is a contradiction that pits two (2) ideas against each other in a balanced way. Youre easy on
the eyes, hard on the heart is a line from a country song that illustrates this perfectly. This is often
used to indicate just how something can be more than one thing at the same time.

16. Euphemism
Words that are used to soften the message are often considered euphemisms. Passed away is often
used in place of died or killed. A misunderstanding might be used in place of fight or
argument. And who could forget wardrobe malfunction, which is a fancy way of saying your
clothes fell off.

17. Oxymoron
This puts two (2) words together that seem to contradict each other. Military intelligence, real
phony, civil war, and silent yell are all examples of an oxymoron. Many people use these to
promote the humor in a situation.

Source: Figurative langugae definitions retrieved from: http://www.enkivillage.com/figure-of-

speech.html

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