SH1903
Introduction to 21st Century Literature
I. A Review about Literary Devices
Literary devices refer to techniques that writers use to create
a special and pointed effect in their writing, to convey
information, or to help readers understand their writing on a
deeper level (Muniz, 2018). Listed below are the definition
and examples of common literary devices:
A. Allusion
This happens when an author refers to the events or
characters from another story in her own story with the
hopes of those events will add context or depth to the
story she/he is trying to tell. Allusions are commonly
used within a metaphor or a simile. The only difference
between allusion and a normal simile and metaphor is the
former makes an indirect reference to a speech, text,
song, event, or figure, while the latter does not.
Example:
Night after night, our hero lay in bed with the flu,
hacking mucus and blood and seeing behind his
eyelids the angels or devils come to collect him. But
one morning, like Lazarus, he was whole again.
B. Diction
It is the choice of words and style of expression that an
author makes and uses in his/her work. An author is not
only limited to a word when describing the events of her
story. She/he may consider choosing from words which
that have similar denotative meaning to his/her chose
idea but different connotative meanings. The decisions
the author makes with these words are what we call
"diction." Diction is not only about the writer's choice
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of words but also includes the mood, attitude, dialect,
and style of writing.
Example:
To impress upon the relationship and the age gap
between the two (2) characters of the story, the writer
chose to use "I'll do it right away, sir" instead of
"Yeah, just in a sec" in the dialogue.
C. Euphemism
It refers to the use of milder or indirect word to substitute
a harsh or blunt word when referring to something
unpleasant (e.g. sex, violence, death, crimes) or
embarrassing.
Examples:
• "Gone to heaven" or "passed away" instead of
died
• "Correctional facility" instead of jail
D. Foreshadowing
This is a literary device in which a writer gives an
advance hint of what is to come later in the story. It is
done through dialogue, description, or character's
actions.
Example:
In the movie, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral, Gregorio
del Pilar's nightmare where he nearly drowns,
bleeding from the mouth, is a foreshadowing of his
death at Tirad Pass.
E. Imagery
This is used when an author describes a scene, thing, or
idea so that it appeals to our senses. This device is often
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used to help the reader clearly visualize parts of the story
by creating a strong mental picture.
Example:
The girl ran her hands on a soft satin fabric.
F. Hyperbole
It is the use of exaggeration to make a point. The
hyperbole should not be taken literally and is often used
for comedic effect and/or emphasis.
Example:
I am so tired I cannot walk another inch.
G. Metaphor or Simile
Metaphors are when ideas, actions, or objects are
described in non-literal terms. In short, it is when an
author compares one thing to another. The two (2) things
being described usually share something in common but
are different in all other respects.
A simile is a type of metaphor in which an object, idea,
character, action, etc., is compared to another thing using
the words "as" or "like."
Examples:
• Tonyo's sweet is as big as a pearl due to the
humid weather. (simile)
• The book is a doorway to different parts of the
world. (metaphor)
H. Personification
It is the technique where inanimate or nonliving objects
were described as having human-like characteristics or
qualities.
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Examples:
• The fire swallowed the entire building.
• "A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray"
— "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer
I. Point of View
The point of view determines the angle and perception in
which the story is narrated or depicted. The first and third
person point of view are the most common types that are
used by writers.
Examples:
• First person
It’s midnight and the moon shined so bright when
I came to see my love. I was contemplating with
the thought that I am so bad for killing my mother
just to give her heart to the maiden I love. I’m on
my way to my maiden, my legs were shaking,
and my heart kept on pounding. The rain fell and
I was so wet and I fell down to the ground crying,
thinking of my mother who loved me so much.
• Third person (unreliable)
It’s dark and the moon shined so bright when the
boy came out holding a heart. He left the dead
body of a woman with a breast cut open. He was
teary-eyed staring at the dead body but smiled
when he opened his wallet and stared at the
picture of a beautiful young lady. He glanced at
the heart and said: “this is for the beautiful
maiden.” He ran out holding the heart when it
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rained and he fell down and started to cry. He
remembered the old woman he left at the house.
• Third person (omniscient)
It’s midnight and the moon shined so bright when
the boy came to see the maiden he loves. He was
contemplating with the thought that he is so bad
for killing his own mother just to give her heart
to the maiden. On his way, his legs were shaking,
and his heart didn’t stop pounding. The rain fell
and he was so wet when he fell to the ground,
crying, thinking of his mother who loved him so
much.
J. Irony
Irony is when a statement is used to express an opposite
meaning than the one literally expressed by it. There are
three (3) types of irony in literature:
Verbal irony: It is when someone says something but
means the opposite (similar to sarcasm).
Example:
On the way to school, the school bus gets a flat tire,
and the bus driver says, "Excellent! This day couldn't
start off any better!"
Situational irony: It is when something happens which is
the opposite of what was expected or intended to happen.
Example:
A traffic cop gets a traffic violation ticket due to an
expired license.
Dramatic irony: It is when the audience is aware of the
true intentions or outcomes, while the characters are not.
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SH1903
As a result, certain actions and/or events take on different
meanings for the audience than they do for the characters
involved.
Example:
In Romeo and Juliet, the audience knows that Juliet
is only asleep, not dead, but Romeo does not and kills
himself.
K. Onomatopoeia
It is the process of creating and using a word that
phonetically imitates, resembles, or suggests the sound
that it describes.
Example:
Justin was startled by the hiss of the approaching
venomous snake.
L. Metonymy and Synecdoche
A metonym is when a related word or phrase is
substituted for the actual thing to which it is referring.
This device is usually used for poetic or rhetorical effect.
Example:
"The pen is mightier than the sword." This statement,
which was coined by Edward Bulwer-Lytton in
1839, contains two (2) examples of metonymy: "the
pen" refers to "the written word," and "the sword"
refers to "military force/violence."
A synecdoche is a literary device in which part of
something is used to represent the whole or vice versa. It
is similar to a metonym; however, a metonym does not
have to represent the whole—just something associated
with the word used.
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Example:
The orator began his speech by saying, "Ladies and
gentlemen, lend me your ears!"
M. Paradox and Oxymoron
A paradox is a statement that appears illogical or self-
contradictory but, upon investigation, might actually be
true or plausible. Meanwhile, an oxymoron is a
combination of two (2) words that expresses a
contradictory meaning. This device is often used for
emphasis, for humor, to create tension, or to illustrate a
paradox.
Note that a paradox is different from an oxymoron: a
paradox is an entire phrase or sentence, whereas an
oxymoron is a combination of just two words.
Examples:
• Deafening silence, original copy, clearly
confused (oxymoron)
• High walls make not a palace; full coffers make
not a king. (paradox)
N. Rhythm and Rhyme
Rhyme refers to the recurrence of similar sounds in prose
and poetry, while rhythm is the pattern of the poem,
marked by stressed and unstressed syllables.
Example:
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high.
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
O. Characterization
Characterization in literature refers to the step-by-step
process wherein an author introduces and then describes
a character. The character can be described directly by
the author or indirectly through the actions, thoughts, and
speech of the character.
Example:
Danny was a poor fellow who lived in a small house.
In spite of this, he is a jolly and generous person.
P. Symbolism
It refers to the use of an object, figure, event, situation,
or other idea in a written work to represent something
else.
Examples:
"Gold" as a symbol of wealth and power
"Dove" as a symbol of peace
II. Popular Themes and Forms in 21st Century
Philippine Literature
A. Themes
According to Uychoco (2016), the prevalent themes
in 21st Century Philippine Literature are poverty,
gender inequality, identity, racism, justice system,
and homesickness. The said themes mirror the day-
to-day struggle and success of the Filipinos in the
country and overseas. On the other hand, the
technological advancements and events in this era
resulted in the rise of themes such as technology and
information age in World Literature (Walton, n.d.).
Although themes such as uncontrolled and malign
artificial intelligence technology, global warming,
and international conflict seem appealing, not all the

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writers of this era embraced it. Many were still more
disposed to look back because they find greater
imaginative stimulus in the past than in the present
and the future (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2019).
The aforementioned themes are evident in the
literary pieces included in The Journal of
Contemporary Philippine Literature by University
of the Philippines. Try reading the short story Troll
by Nicko Manipis de Guzman and Ang Paglalakbay
ng Isang Kwento: Si Guacu, and Hunk na Lumpo by
Jov Almero, the poem Tarpo and Panalangin ng
Isang Pedicab Driver by Genaro Gojo Cruz, and the
essay "Ang Mapa ng Taglagas sa Aking Maleta" by
Eugene Evasco, and see how ideas in the said pieces
revolved around themes such as poverty, justice,
technology, history, and identity.
B. Forms
The contemporary forms of Philippine literature
evolved from the old forms from the previous
centuries. In poetry, we have textula, textanaga, rap
battle or FlipTop, and spoken word poetry. Textula
and textanaga, an amalgam of "text messaging" and
poetic forms tula and tanaga, are brought by the
booming use of text messaging in the country
(Yuson, 2003). The rap battle or FlipTop started in
2010 and considered by many as the modern
balagtasan infused with hip hop culture (Angeles,
2014). Lastly, with the help of artists such as Sarah
and Phil Kaye and Juan Miguel Severo, the love of
the Filipinos for spoken word poetry has been
rekindled (Guariña, 2016).
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References:
Angeles, M. (2014, March 1). Is FlipTop the modern-day Balagtasan?
Retrieved from
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/350760/is-
fliptop-the-modern-day-balagtasan/story
Guariña, C. (2016, October 9). Watch: 10 Pinoy spoken word artists who
caught our attention! Retrieved from https://myx.abs-
cbn.com/features/3722/watch-10-pinoy-spoken-word-artists-who-
caught-our-attention
Kemp, P. (2019, February 4). The 21st century. In Encyclopaedia
Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/art/English-
literature/The-21st-century
Literary devices. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://literary-
devices.com/content/allegory
Literary devices. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.literarydevices.com/diction
Literary devices: definition & examples. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://study.com/academy/lesson/literary-devices-definition-examples-
quiz.html
Muniz, H. (2018, June 21). The 31 literary devices you must know.
Retrieved from https://blog.prepscholar.com/list-of-literary-devices-
techniques
Onomatopoeia. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/words-that-sound-like-the-
thing-they-describe
Uychoco, M. (2016). 21st century literature from the Philippines and the
world. Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.
Walton, A. (n.d.). Themes in literature in the 21st century. Retrieved from
https://classroom.synonym.com/themes-literature-21st-century-
8320321.html
Yuson, A. (2003, February 17). Singatoons & textanaga. Philstar. Retrieved
from https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-
culture/2003/02/17/195759/singatoons-amp-textanaga
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