POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES 1

QUEZON CITY BRANCH

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

A Case Study on Fiction and Non-Fiction Books: Influences on the Social Aspect of the

students in Polytechnic University of the Philippines Quezon City Branch

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the

Humanities and Social Sciences Strand

In the Course of Inquiries, Investigations and Immersion

Presented by:

Cerbo, Sophia Veinne B.

Letran, Patricia Jhoy E.

Llave, Mary Jane E.

Perez, Czarina Angelika V.

Plaza, Joana P.

Villanueva, Justine Alyssa M.

Presented to:

Prof. Celhes De Leon

January 2019

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page i.

Table of Content ii.

Executive Summary 1-3

Introduction 4-6

Key Issues/Goals/Problems 7

Decision Criteria 8

Assumptions 9

Data Analysis 10-14

Preferred Alternative with rationale 15-17

Justification/Predicted Outcome or Recommendations 17

Conclusion 18

References 19

Appendices 20

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Executive Summary

Reading is basic to achievement in our society. The capacity to read is

exceptionally esteemed and vital for social and financial progression. Obviously, most

youngsters figure out how to read genuinely well. Current challenges in reading to a great

extent start from rising requests for proficiency, not from declining supreme dimensions of

education. In an innovative society, the requests for higher proficiency are regularly expanding,

making progressively heavy consequences for the individuals who fell short. To the senior high

school students read with accuracy and expression with succesive readings and comprehend

literature well.

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INTRODUCTION

Reading Books of any kinds such as Non-fiction, Fictional or Academic are

activities that people organize and carry out on their daily lives. Reading helps people to

customize and comprehend experience and such that can be assessed over time. According to

(Bashir & Mattoo, 2012) Reading habits are well-planned and deliberate pattern of study which

has attained a form of consistency on the part of students toward understanding academic

subjects and passing at examinations. Reading habits determine the academic achievements of

students to a great extent. Understanding it’s basic principles from their ability to attend to and

analyze. However, it’s no accident that books of any kinds are important in making a society

better. It’s clear that powerful fiction has changed society in the past.

Reading is one of the first skills a child learns in school. Traditionally,

teachers have taught children to read by using fictional stories for several reasons. Stories not

only capture children's vivid imagination but also hold their interest. (Appley, 2007) One study

revealed by Gow (2019), the Social impact of books, fictional stories tap into our emotions,

their effects can often have deep impact on us as people and as a society. Reading a fictional

book can change readers’ self and social observation. Additionally, they were able to relate the

struggles in a story into their personal life and in a societal problem. Readers will know their

personal characterization of oneself as well as others. In contrast, as a literary reader they will

have knowledge of people’s behaviour and lessons for life. They were able to use their minds

with their own representation or expectations of what they have read.

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According to P. Matthijs (2013) It has been argued that fiction may elicit

stronger emotional and behavioral effects than nonfiction reading (e.g., newspapers and

nonfiction books). Furthermore, a reader will be affected by a fictional narrative only when it

creates a narrative world that is real within its context, and more importantly, when it is

realistic for the reader, thereby creating an opportunity to be drawn into the story, which is

discussed in more detail later on. On this note, it has also been described that “Fiction” refers to

literature created from the imagination. While Non-fiction has been elicitly referred as

literature based in fact. It is the broadest category of literature. As he deliberately discussed in

the nonfiction novel, reality is presented imaginatively; the writer imposes a novelistic structure

on the actual events, keying sections of narrative around moments that are seen (in retrospect)

as symbolic.

Moreover, In the article Why fiction is good for you, (Gottschall, 2012)

concurred the beautiful lies of novels, movies, and TV stories have surprisingly powerful

effects — and may even help make society tick. Fiction comprehends the world in an alternate

sort of way. It improves out capacity to associate with one another. It makes us somewhat

progressively mindful and educated. In addition, They have been presented to a mind blowing

abundance of pictures of "reality" as it occurs in to the point of being unimaginable.

Individuals, including the youth, still read books, certainly, yet a huge move is occurring on the

social scene

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Furthermore, Gottschall (2012) added that fiction is often treated like a

mere frill in human life, if not something worse. But the emerging science of story suggests that

fiction is good for more than kicks. By enhancing empathy, fiction reduces social friction. At

the same time, story exerts a kind of magnetic force, drawing us together around common

values. In other words, most fiction, even the trashy stuff, appears to be in the public interest

after all.

Based on the research of P. Matthijs (2013) Fiction is primarily aimed at

eliciting emotions. To become engaged in a fictional story, a reader suppresses the notion of

fictionality of the story and the characters to experience the emotions of the characters. He

added, fiction does not follow the reader into real life, the reader can allow oneself to freely

experience strong emotions, without immediate transfer of these emotions to real life.

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Key Issues/Goals/Problems:

In a world bound by numerous genre of books that is prevalent within

variety of ages, fiction and non-fiction books are one of those many genres that is popular,

mostly among teenagers. Most believe that in reading these preffered books of an individual,

we would like to prompt that there are several factors that influences them with in terms of

social impact of selected students in Polytechnic University of the Philippines Quezon City

Branch. Many researchers have questioned the repercussions of the increased use these books

that is highly prevalent in different social platforms applications, bookstores and even in their

nearest stores of books. Also, in line with this, we would like to know how the readers of

fiction and non-fiction books has a significant relationship in terms of: Age, Sex and Strand

that may vary their likeness in choosing a good book to read.

While studying the research available in different numbers of case studies,

research, journals and online websites, we are aiming to know why readers of fiction and non-

fiction are highly engaged in reading these books and what are their possible outlooks and

frame of mind with regards in this matter. Additionally, we would like to identify how those

influences depicts their way of thinking in reading fiction and non-fiction books with reputes of

social aspect.

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Decision Criteria

 Have frequent and intensive opportunities to read

 Have interest and motivation in reading

 Sufficient and wide understanding of different meanings that fiction and non-fiction

books offers

 Reading creates rich representation and interpretation of ones’ own influence about

reading in terms of social aspect

 Have caught a glimpse into others principles, beliefs and views about certain things

 Understands the structure of spoken words

 Reading primarily aimed at eliciting emotions

 Customize and comprehend experience and such that can be assessed over time by

reading fiction and non-fiction book

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Assumptions

 Students who is frequent and has interest in reading have a higher knowledge in

depicting social issues

 Students who read fiction or non-fiction books have better understanding about

 social issues

 Students will have a widened and broad perspective in terms in social aspect

 It will shape us from knowing ones habits, behaviors, ethics and manners

 Reading is learning, therefore the more you read books either fiction or non-fiction you

can learn something. Every day in every success classroom, students read books of their

choice and learn something from it

 As of now many teenagers are more interested in fiction books than non-fiction books

 Students who are engage in reading fictional and non fictional books catches ideas of

framework for dealing with the book as a literary form as a social force

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Data Analysis

The following findings below show the responses from the interview

consisting of ten questions. There were six (6) respondents in total from different strands. Two

students from the Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM), General Academic Strand

(GAS) and Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS). They were asked to give their honest

answers about reading fiction and non-fiction books.

Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM)

Raymond Pascual

According to Raymond Pascual from ABM 12-1, most of the time when

he read books he tends to relate with the main character for example if the protagonist is an

introvert he builds empathy with it because he feels the same way based on his real experiences.

It became easier for him to understand other people’s point of view and opinions because

sometimes he encounters characters that threatens him to build an argument and after that he

begins to understand the character’s opinions and if ever he encounter someone with the same

character in real life it is easier for him to deal with that person. He said that reading books has

negative social impact because based on his own experiences as a boy others tend to question

him because a lot of people think that if you’re a boy you should be playing sports instead of

reading books. There are times that he wants to read books rather than dealing with the real

world because life inside of book him is too good to be true that’s why he prefers living in his

imaginary world. Having people around him who are also book readers is a good factor in

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exposing himself according to him because he knows that a lot of people will relate on him and

they can share suggestions on books that they can read next. Reading fiction and non-fiction

books helped him

exercise his critical thinking and also his conversation skills to other people.

Krystel Lipana

According to Krystel Lipana from ABM 12-1, she is an avid reader of manga

that’s why her emotions are easily tapped by the characters. A lot of books that she read are

relatable and she can apply the situations that she encountered while reading books she can apply

it also to real life and it’s simpler for her to understand others situation. Reading manga gave her

a lot of friends even though manga readers are rare whenever they meet they exchange and share

ideas. Since she read books most of the time whenever she’s not reading sometimes it’s hard for

her to differentiate reality from imagination. Based on her experience reading books doesn’t help

in exposing herself to others because while reading she gets too attached to the book and she

prefer reading than socializing.

General Academic Strand (GAS)

Shymrock Saylon

According to Shymrock Saylon from Gas 12-1, he depicted that stories

indeed creates empathy that tap his emotions. He concurred that stories were created by authors

depending on what was/is happening to them during the creation, to express their different

emotions base on the part where the story goes. Moreover, he said that reading books may it be

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non-fictional or fictional has embedded (moral) stories in it that will open some of the readers

point of view and opinions to particular things. Thus, it creates social impact by saying some

readers see things differently that causes this influence. Moreover, reading makes him

differentiate reality and imagination. With that, he conjured that reading books exposes himself

in the way of by knowing where will he grow and choosing a group of friends that might help

him. Furthermore, he said books and reality has some similarity, and that is exposure.

Zsyrill Soria

According to our interviewee Zsyrill Sorilla from GAS 12-1, some but not all

of story creates empathy itself. “If it is not well written, it may not influence readers in contrast

to those stories that are well written” she added. Reading books makes readers understand

different point of views and opinions of others. For Zsy different books meant different

characters. Different characters meant different worlds, and issues. Each story introduces a

diverse way of thinking and the only way to enjoy it is to comprehend what the author is trying

to convey through their work. Reading books fiction or non-fiction creates impact in social

aspect. It helps students understand the different traits of different people in society, how

different social issues arise and get solved. It also prompted people to act on from that story that

would help others understand society. Zsy agrees that reading books expose the readers to others.

Although we could say that a literary piece is “fictitious”, reflecting on it makes you learn

something beneficial that would be suitable to some of the problems in the real world. Reading

makes me embrace who I really am and because of reading I learned how to reach out to others.

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Humanities and Social Science (HUMSS)

Elijah Caldona

According to Elijah Caldona of HUMSS 12-1, reading fiction and non-

fiction books doesn't necessarily create a wider social impact but he believes that it creates a safe

environment of understanding but also equally admiring every humans' strengths and

individuality. He agreed that stories itself create empathy for their lead characters but it still

depends whether the character is admirable in ways that he see growth and development in the

process. He also said that he gets emotional because of the characters, but as long as lead

characters remain noble that doesn't affect the story's whole plot. In reading books, he learned

how to connect and understand other people. He was able to relate from their own standpoints

and it helped him to tolerate people's differences in any circumstances. There are million issues

that news and websites that don't deeply tackle more than what books do. As he said, reading

books helped him be aware of recent events and what social issues are happening today. What

makes it interesting in fictional books is the fact that they utilize metaphorical methods in

discussing important issues of today.

Joryn Louise Merino

According to Joryn Merino of HUMSS 12-1, stories itself create empathy for

their lead characters that tap her emotions because she can see the overall perspective of the

character and fully understand their decision since she saw how the character’s life went because

according to her knowing the perspective of a person builds empathy to those who really know

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them, same thing applies with the story. She even added that reading books make her understand

the point of view and opinions of others because she can it herself into their shoes and she aware

with every detail of the story, understanding person is really easy when you’ve been with the

person when they face difficulties. Also, she stated that reading fiction and non-fiction books,

create social impact as per fiction and non-fiction books, it helps other people to understand how

to communicate in some way by means of the book they are reading.

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Preferred Alternative with rationale

Alternative 1: Help students to comprehend and recognize ones differences in creating a

view of point while reading fiction and non-fiction books

Rationale: Ideally, reading fiction and non fiction widens and broads ones perspectives and

point of view of people together with their shortcomings as well as other societal structure

because you will never understand a person without being sensitive and considerate and

empathetic to one’s frame of mind and feelings

Advantages:

1. Reading fiction and non-fiction books helps us to develop skills

2. It teaches us philosophy

3. Reading shape us from knowing others habits, behaviors, ethics and manners caused by

different people (it may be within your family, friend, peers or at school)

4. You can apply all of the advices and morals that you have learned by reading fiction and

non-fiction books in the society

5. You have a wide scope knowledge about people and its environment together with their

course of living

6. It can reduce happiness

7. By being considerate and respecting ones opinions and views, there is chance you’ll

strengthen on how you handle your problem and conflicts in the process

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Alternative 2: The schools or library must post an age requirement for a book, because some

books are not suitable for young ones.

Rationale: It can effect on how they apply the things they learned from books to daily living

and how they look the things around them.

Advantages:

1. Reading allows us to experience more sensations

2. It makes us more empathetic

3. Books provide plenty of mental stimulation

4. We become less stressed when we read regularly

5. Reading can improve our memory

6. Reading reduces stress

7. Reading helps build a better vocabulary

8. Reading stimulates imagination

9. Reading improves focus and concentration

10. Reading improves your memory

11. Reading improves our language skills

12. Reading gives us new knowledge

13. Reading makes you smarter

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Disadvantages:

1. Unsure of What to Believe

2. It encourages you to be lazy

3. Sifting through the unreal information

4. What you’ve learned might be worthless

5. Knowledge is useless if you don’t understand it

Justification/Predicted Outcome or Recommendations

Students should at least read one book for a month. This will help them

to understand the perspective of other people and give them more knowledge on what is

happening in our society nowadays. In reading books, they can get lessons and solutions that

can contribute in solving societal problems. You must turn your imagination into reality. Books

will give you an idea on what action should be taken in every problem that is happening in our

society.

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Conclusion

The researchers have conducted a case study about the Influences of Fiction and

Non-Fiction on the social aspect of the selected students of Polytechnic University of the

Philippines Quezon City Branch and based on the data that the researchers had gathered through

series of interview reading is essential for anyone’s success. Books are a convenient device for

avoiding other people, distance from other individuals. However, it turns out books can also

enhance your social skills not simply your capacity to avoid from utilizing them. Different kinds

of books can cause different impacts to every reader such as in the way an individual socializes.

Social skills are a vital part of a student’s growth and development. While we are progressively

associated with the advanced front, we are likewise winding up less associated with regular day

to day existence. Students nowadays are exposed to different genres.

Most of the students said that books make them understand the point of view of

others because they can also relate to them. Reading fictional and non-fictional books make them

differentiate reality and imagination. They prefer to live with imagination by reading books

because for them life seems easier there. Books make them be aware of what is happening in

their society nowadays. It helps them understand other people and as well as on how societal

problem can be solved. Upon reflecting on what they have read, they were able to get something

beneficial that can help them solve their social problems.

All of the respondents said that fiction and non-fiction books has a social impact to them because

they were able to show empathy to other people.

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REFERENCES:

 Bashir, I.& Mattoo, N. H. A Study on Study Habits and Academic Performance Among
Adolescents (14-19) years. International Journal of Social Science Tomorrow. Vol.1, No.
5, pp. 1-5., 2012.
 Gottschall, Jonathan. "Why fiction is good for you." Boston Globe (APRIL 29, 2012): 1-
2.
 Gow, K. How Fiction Impacts Fact: The Social Impact Of Books. [online] Fast
Company. Available at: https://www.fastcompany.com/1842370/how-fiction-impacts-
fact-social-impact-books . 11 Jan. 2019.
 P. Matthijs Bal Martijn Veltkamp. . How Does Fiction Reading Influence Empathy? An
Experimental Investigation on the Role of Emotional Transportation. . January 30, 2013.

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Appendices

QUESTIONS:

Do you read fiction and non-fiction books? If so, proceed to the following questions:

1. Do stories itself create empathy for their lead characters that tap your emotions? Why?

2. Does reading books make you understand the point of view and opinions of others?

Why?

3. Does reading fiction and non-fiction books creates social impact?

4. How do fiction and non-fiction books influence you in terms with social impact?

5. Does reading books makes you differentiate reality and imagination?

6. Does reading books makes you expose yourself to others? How?

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