Name: Qubing, Marianne T.

Course/Year: BSSW-II
Subj: Literature 1

1. What is literature?

Literature, in its broadest sense, is any single body of written works. More restrictively,
literature is writing that is considered to be an art form, or any single writing deemed to have artistic
or intellectual value, often due to deploying language in ways that differ from ordinary usage. Its Latin
root literatura/litteratura (derived itself from/ittera: letter or handwriting) was used to refer to all
written accounts, though contemporary definitions extend the term to include texts that are spoken or
sung (oral literature). Literature can be classified according to whether it is fiction or non-fiction and
whether it is poetry or prose; it can be further distinguished according to major forms such as the
novel, short story or drama; and works are often categorized according to historical periods or their
adherence to certain aesthetic features or expectations (genre).
It is a body of work, either written, oral, or visual, containing imaginative language that
realistically portrays thought, emotions, and experiences of the human condition. Literature is a
product of particular culture that concretizes mans array of values, emotions, actions and
ideas. It is therefore a creation of human experiences that tells about people and their world.

2. Genres of Literature
Genres of literature are important to learn about. The two main categories separating the different
genres of literature are fiction and nonfiction. There are several genres of literature that fall under the
nonfiction category. Nonfiction sits in direct opposition to fiction. Examples from both the fiction and
nonfiction genres of literature are explained in detail below. This detailed genres of literature list is a
great resource to share with any scholars.

Types of Nonfiction:

Narrative Nonfiction is information based on fact that is presented in a format which tells a story.

Essays are a short literary composition that reflects the authors outlook or point. A short literary
composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or
interpretative.

Biography is a written account of another persons life.

Autobiography gives the history of a persons life, written or told by that person. Often written in
Narrative form of their persons life.

Speech is the faculty or power of speaking; oral communication; ability to express ones thoughts and
emotions by speech, sounds, and gesture. Generally delivered in the form of an address or discourse.

Finally there is the general genre of Nonfiction. This is Informational text dealing with an actual, real-
life subject. This genre of literature offers opinions or conjectures on facts and reality. This includes
biographies, history, essays, speech, and narrative non fiction. Nonfiction opposes fiction and is
distinguished from those fiction genres of literature like poetry and drama which is the next section we
will discuss.

Genres of Fiction:
Drama is the genre of literature thats subject for compositions is dramatic art in the way it is
represented. This genre is stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance,
where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action.

Poetry is verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that evokes an emotional response from the reader.
The art of poetry is rhythmical in composition, written or spoken. This genre of literature is for exciting
pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts.

Fantasy is the forming of mental images with strange or other worldly settings or characters; fiction
which invites suspension of reality.

Humor is the faculty of perceiving what is amusing or comical. Fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement
which meant to entertain. This genre of literature can actually be seen and contained within all genres.

Fable is a story about supernatural or extraordinary people Usually in the form of narration that
demonstrates a useful truth. In Fables, animals often speak as humans that are legendary and
supernatural tales.

Fairy Tales or wonder tales are a kind of folktale or fable. Sometimes the stories are about fairies or
other magical creatures, usually for children.

Science Fiction is a story based on impact of potential science, either actual or imagined. Science
fiction is one of the genres of literature that is set in the future or on other planets.

Short Story is fiction of such briefness that is not able to support any subplots.

Realistic Fiction is a story that can actually happen and is true to real life.

Folklore are songs, stories, myths, and proverbs of a person of folk that was handed down by word
of mouth. Folklore is a genre of literature that is widely held, but false and based on unsubstantiated
beliefs.

Historical Fiction is a story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting.

Horror is an overwhelming and painful feeling caused by literature that is frightfully shocking,
terrifying, or revolting. Fiction in which events evoke a feeling of dread in both the characters and the
reader.

Tall Tale is a humorous story with blatant exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the impossible
with an here of nonchalance.

Legend is a story that sometimes of a national or folk hero. Legend is based on fact but also includes
imaginative material.

Mystery is a genre of fiction that deals with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets.
Anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown.
Mythology is a type of legend or traditional narrative. This is often based in part on historical events,
that reveals human behavior and natural phenomena by its symbolism; often pertaining to the actions
of the gods. A body of myths, as that of a particular people or that relating to a particular person.

Fiction in Verse is full-length novels with plot, subplots, themes, with major and minor characters.
Fiction of verse is one of the genres of literature in which the narrative is usually presented in blank
verse form.

The genre of Fiction can be defined as narrative literary works whose content is produced by the
imagination and is not necessarily based on fact. In fiction something is feigned, invented, or imagined;
a made-up story.

3. Kinds of Philippine literature

Philippine literature is literature associated with the Philippine from prehistory, through its colonial
legacies, and on to the present. Pre-Hispanic Philippine literature were actually epics passed on from
generation to generation, originally through an oral tradition. However, wealthy families, especially in
Mindanao, were able to keep transcribed copies of these epics as family heirloom. One such epic was
the Darangen, an epic of the Maranaos.

Some of the forms and types of Philippine Literature

EPICS

Epics are narratives belonging to the indigenous tradition, which tell of the feats and adventures of
an ethnic hero with supernatural powers, in language that is rhythmic and descriptive. These
narratives, which are composed of many long episodes involving one hero, are transmitted orally
from one bard to another. They are chanted or sung by specially trained individuals or groups before
mixed audiences during social gatherings convened for weddings, wakes, and other special
feasts. Epics are also called ethnoepics not only because they are created by an ethnic group, but
also because they serve to codify the values of that group, thereby strengthening the basis of unity
among members of the group.

Epics revolve around supernatural events and heroic deeds deemed to have occurred in some
undated past, and deal with relations among mortals in the earthworld, and between mortals and
the immortals who dwell in the skyworld. Supernatural beings such as the diwata (nature spirits)
and the anito (ancestral spirits) appear, and natural objects like water, trees, rocks, fire, animals, and
fruits (the betel nut is a favorite) acquire magical potencies. They often aid the heroes in their feats.
In Tuwaang, the wind is the heros messenger; and the lightning, his vehicle.

Epics go back to the beginnings of animist consciousness among the group they belong to. Philippine
epics depict a precolonial society, although in some cases, elements from foreign cultures have crept
into them, as in the Ilocano Lam-ang and the Kalinga Ullalim. To date, only about 30 epics have been
recorded, published, or translated out of supposedly over a hundred. Among them are Biag ni Lam-
ang (Life of Lam-ang) of the Ilocos region, Handiong of the Bicol area, Ullalim of the Kalinga, Alim
and Hudhud of the Ifugao, Kanag Kababagowan of the Tinguian, Biwag and Malana of the Gaddang,
Kudaman of Palawan, Hinilawod of the Sulod of Panay, Ag Tobig nog Keboklagan (The Country of
Keboklagan), Keg Sumba neg Sandayo (Life of Sandayo), and Guman of the Subanon, Agyu of the
Arakan-Arumanen, Ulahingan of the Livunganen-Arumanen, Tuwaang of the Manuvu, Ulod of the
Matigsalug, Manggob of the Mansaka, Todbulol of the Tboli, and Darangen of the Maranao.

ESSAY
As expository prose, the essay is a most versatile genre, ranging in tone from the intimate and
conversational to the clinically analytical and scientifically rational. It uses narration, description, and
humor to impart either factual information or insights into human experience, or both. The
structure is either loose or compact. There is no limit to its range of subject matter and purpose.
Styles are as diverse as the personalities of the essayists, because every essay draws upon its
authors judgments and concerns, values and tastes. The term sanaysay, the Tagalog word
for the essay, was coined by poet and critic Alejandro G. Abadilla in 1938 to mean pagsasanay
(exercise) or pagsasalaysay ng isang sanay o nakasulat na karanasan ng isang sanay sa
pagsasalaysay (the narrative of one accustomed to writing or the written experience of one
accustomed to narrating). In Cebuano, it is called gumalaysay.

In Cebu, newspapers carried commentaries on local politics, history, culture, places, and
personalities. Essayists from the 1920s to 1940 were Vicente Sotto, Filemon Sotto, Vicente Rama,
Tomas Alonso, Vicente Flores, Marcos Trinidad, and Maria Kabigon. Essays and articles compiled in
books were Vicente Sottos Mga Handumanan sa Sugbu (Reminiscences of Cebu), 1926; and
Pantaleon V. Kardenas In Memoriam, 1937, and Naglantaw sa Kagahapon (Looking
Towards the Past).

FOLK NARRATIVE

The folk narrative may be any story, tale, account, or reconstruction, told in prose among the people
of a cultural group or a national community, based on some past event which is either accepted as
fictional or believed to have some historical basis. It is called kuwentong bayan in Tagalog, sugilanon
in the Visayan languages, sarita in Ilocano, sussur/sutsut/tudtud/appoyaw in Isinay, and tuturan in
Batak.

There are three general types of folk narratives: myths, legends, and folktales. Myths are considered
to have a validating purpose in society: they are commonly regarded as vehicles of transmitted
values, beliefs, and practices, and are therefore held sacred. Legends narrate extraordinary events in
a societys past, and are sometimes believed to have actually happened, because they often serve to
explain the origin of objects, places, or phenomena; or to educate people about lessons derived
from certain human experiences. In contrast, folktales are not regarded as moral dogma or sacred
truth requiring belief. The events that folktales narrate may or may not have happened, and
generally occur in an indefinite time and place. Furthermore, they are told primarily for
entertainment, although they do also have instructional value, as in the case of religious and didactic
tales, as well as animal fables which play up the conflict between positive and negative values by
presenting a world parallel to that of human society. Folktales are almost always idealistic in content,
and often have a happy ending.

Myth

A myth is a prose narrative explaining how the world and people came to be in their present form. It
is usually associated with theology, religion, and ritual. It is called alamat in Tagalog, gugud or batbat
in Bukidnon, and ituan in Mandaya. An origin myth is called babarawon in Mansaka, usulan kissa in
Tausug, and tuturan at kagunggurangan in Palawan. A creation myth is called kaawn kisa in Mansaka.
An oggood is a mythological narrative about the Bontoc culture hero, Lumawig. A recited, rather
than chanted, narrative in the current Bukidnon idiom about the epic hero Agyu is called mantukaw.
The characters in a myth include beings in the supernatural or spirit world and beings in the world of
people. Thus, deities, gods, goddesses, ancestral spirits, male and female culture heroes, sacred
animals and objects, and supernatural phenomena may coexist in the world of myth.

The early Filipinos believed in one supreme god and in a number of lesser gods, with each
ethnolinguistic group having its own version of a supernatural hierarchy and its relationships with
the world of human beings. Thus, the supreme being is called a variety of names in Philippine
mythology: Bathala (Tagalog), Mangetchay (Pampango), Gugurang (Bikol), Lumauig or Kabunian
(Bontoc), Liddum (Ifugao), Mahal Makaako (Mangyan), Laon (Visayan), Magbabaya (Bukidnon), Melu
(Bilaan), Makalidung (Manobo), Manama (Manuvu), Ampu (Palawan), and Apo Namalyari (Aeta).

Legend

This form goes by various terms in the Philippines: alamat (Tagalog), osipon (Bicol), sarita (Ilocano),
istorya (Pangasinan), kasugiran or sumatanon (Cebuano), gintunaan (Ilongo), kissa (Tausug), kabbata
(Ivatan), tutul sa pakapoon (Maranao), and so on. In terms of subject matter, Philippine legends may
be classified into the following groups: heroic and historical, religious, supernatural, toponymic, and
miscellaneous.

Heroic and historical legends are accounts of episodes in the lives of great women and men: culture
heroes, epic heroes, prominent men and women, and individuals possessing extraordinary power or
gifts. The Muslim groups of southern Philippines have genealogical narratives tracing the noble
descent of certain individuals. These are called tarsila by the Maguindanao and salsila by the
Tausug and the Sama. The Manobos historical accounts are called guhud. There are legends about
Jose Rizal which underscore his unusual qualities as a renaissance man with multiple callings
painter, doctor, swordsman, scientist, novelist, patriot. There are also legends about earlier culture
heroes, such as Palaris, the leader of a Pangasinan uprising early in the Spanish rule; Datu
Sumakwel, who was among the legendary ten Bornean datu who settled in Panay; and Lapu-Lapu,
native chieftain of Mactan whose forces defeated Ferdinand Magellan. Still an object of discussion
among social scientists is the historical provenance of Urduja, the woman warrior whom the
Pangasinan claim as their own.

Folktales

Folktales are classified into animal tales or fables, magic tales, humorous tales, novelistic tales,
religious and didactic tales. They are called kuwento by the Tagalog, sarita by the Ilocano, sudsud by
the Kankanay, istorya by the Ivatan, dimolat by the Ilongot, oman-oman by the Mandaya, tudtul by
the Maguindanao, nanangen by the Bukidnon, pangumanon or teterema by the Manobo, babatukon
or human-human by the Mansaka, tutul by the Maranao, uliran by the Pangasinan, and katakata by
the Sama and Tausug.

Fables are short tales that impart a lesson usually in morality and in virtue. Because the fable is a
popular folk genre, the ideas contained in it normally reflect the ideas and values of ordinary people
about the conduct of life. Among the homely virtues implicit or explicit in the message of fables are
loyalty, gratitude, prudence, moderation, resignation, industry, thrift, and the like. The two essential
parts of a fable are the narrative text and the normative message. Although the majority of fables
are stories about animals, a few are about plants or natural elements, such as the sea, river, sun, and
wind; some others are about human beings as well. The Maranao call their fables tutul a
pangangayaman and stories about birds and fishes, tutul o manga suda ago papanok.

FOLK POETRY

Folk poetry refers to poems belonging to an oral tradition that dates back to centuries before the
colonial period and continued to develop through the colonial periods. Among the early poetic
forms of the indigenous Filipinos were riddles, proverbs, short poems, and poetic exchanges or
jousts. Riddles, proverbs, and short poems like the Tagalog tanaga and Mangyan ambahan are the
simplest forms of primordial oral literature, centered around the talinghaga, a single metaphor
which establishes an analogy between human experience and an aspect of [a persons]
environment (Lumbera 1986:12). Collectively, riddles and proverbs are known as folk speecha
spoken code utilizing images, symbols, and ideas, as distinguished from plain, everyday social and
private communication. The main distinction lies in the purpose of communication; the manner,
mood, or medium of conveyance; and the structure, style, and substance of the message. Many, if
not most, riddles and proverbs are conveyed in verse form, and so they are also considered as
among the earliest types of folk poetry.