SHS

IMUS UNIDA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Quality. Christian. Education.

21st Century Literature from

the Philippines and the World
Quarter 1 Module 3: Lesson 3
Stylistics Literary Devices
 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Quarter 1: Module 3 Lesson 3

MELC 3: Discuss how different contexts enhance the text’s meaning and enrich the
reader’s understanding.

Specific Objectives:
1. Identify the figures of speech used in the text.
2. Analyze the literary techniques and devices in the text.
3. Read and understand the meaning conveyed by the author in his written works; and
4. Reflect on the importance of literary devices in the text.

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the
Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks,
etc.) included in this book are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has
been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective
copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.

I. Introduction

What makes us understand literary pieces? There are many styles in understanding the
power of prose and poetry. These styles will lead us to get many beautiful insights from the
literary pieces that we are interested in.

In this lesson, you will be able to identify and analyze what are those literary devices and
techniques present in a particular literary piece. It is very important for the students and readers
to identify and analyze each of them particularly its function or role present in a text for deeper
understanding and as well as appreciation of the beauty of a certain literature. For you to be
able to understand a literary piece, it is necessary that we should know what the different literary
devices are, so that we can eliminate confusion and struggle in understanding the text in depth.
 After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. identify the figures of speech used in the text;

2. analyze the literary techniques and devices in the poem;
3. read and understand the meaning conveyed by the author in his written works;
4. reflect on the importance of literary devices in the text.

II. Pre-Test

Activity 1: Figure it Out

Let us see how many figures of speech you can still recall by answering some teaser
questions. Write the letter/s of your answer in a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which expression/quotation uses hyperbole?

A. “A writer who is afraid to overreach himself is as useless as a general who is afraid to be

wrong.”

― Raymond Chandler, Pearls are a Nuisance

B. I will take you to the bed of roses in the paradise you have been dreaming of.

C. ”Hurt me with a truth but never comfort me with a lie.”

D. I know that if I give in, I’ll get burned so deeply, there might be nothing left once I come out the
other side. But, god, I want to step into that flame.”
― D.L. Hess, Sir

2. Which of the following is a simile?

A. “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and

entrances.”

― Shakespeare
B. “A room without books is like a body without a soul.”
― Marcus Tullius Cicero

C. “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
 ― Albert Einstein

D. He is a tree standing in the middle of the court.

3. Look at the sentence. What type of figurative language was used?

“Kae was so bored he was pulling his hair out!

A. Metaphor B. Simile
C. Alliteration D. Hyperbole

4. Teachers have eyes like a hawk.

A. Simile B. Metaphor
C. Idiom D. Personification

5. Which sentence contains personification?

A. The day was sunny and clear.
B. The sun shone brightly in the morning.
C. The sun greeted me with a warm smile.
D. The sun looked like a big yellow ball of Fire.

Here we go! How did you find the activity? Was it easy? How about a try on connotation
and denotation?

Activity 2: Connotative or Denotative?

Get all these questions right, ok? Write your answers in a separate sheet of paper.

______1. What is the difference between connotation and denotation?

A. Denotation is the literal, explicit meaning of a word; connotation is the implied

association(s) of a word.
B. Denotation is figurative language; connotation is the dictionary definition of a word.
C. Connotation is the overuse of a word or phrase; denotation is a figure of speech that only
makes sense in context.
D. Connotation is the literal, explicit meaning of a word; denotation is the implied
association(s) of a word.

______2. Which statement about connotation and denotation is NOT true?

A. Fiction writers rely on denotations while scientists rely on connotations.
B. Words with similar denotations can have very different connotations.
C. Denotation and connotation are equally important to consider when choosing
precise language.
D. Denotations can be found in a dictionary, but connotations come from usage and
context.
______3. Connotation and Denotation are two ways to describe the meanings of __________?

A. planets B. birds C. words D. sentences

______4. Connotations refers to a meaning that is implied by a word. Connotations are often
decided by cultural and emotional meanings. If someone called you childish, would it be
considered a negative or positive connotation?

Positive Negative

_____5. A denotation is a literal or specific dictionary meaning. Many use context clues to
decide on the meaning of a word that they may not be familiar with.

True False

How well did you answer the brain teaser on connotation and denotation? Later, find out
if your answers are correct, meanwhile focus on the new words that you will encounter in this
journey.

Building Your Vocabulary

Activity 3: Vocabulary Exercises

Before getting into the succeeding activities, let’s explore your word pool. Write your answer in
a separate sheet of paper.

For you to fully understand the two poems in this module literally and their in-depth
meaning, unlocking of difficult words is essentially important. For the first poem, Match column
A to Column B, write your answer in a separate sheet of paper. For the second poem, answer
the short cross-word puzzle.

A.
PEDAGOGIC
By: Cirilo F. Bautista

COLUMN A COLUMN B
___1. Interested to learn everything hate A. Virtue of
 ___2. Teacher is teaching the student about everything Dolor B. Speaking

___3. Full of sorrow finger flaming C. Stood with

___4. Have an air of being lost in thought D. Teach the trees

___5. Perfect, righteous hatred E. Serious Mien

B.
A EULOGY OF ROACHES
By: Bienvenido Lumbera

1.R R U S

2.A 2.S

3.W 4.F

5.R
3.D
4.A

5.R

ACROSS:
1. A cockroach
2. Historical record
3. Smell that is only smelled briefly or faintly
4. Means a fright 5. Reddish brown color
DOWN:
1. When a person is being rude.
2. To plant a seeds
3. Dirty looking
4. Unpleasant dirty
5. To gather a crops
Study These

Activity 4: Read to Learn; Learn to Read

Copy the poem in your answer sheet and underline as many as figurative language as you
can. It may be a word or a phrase.

PEDAGOGIC
By: Cirilo F. Bautista

I walked towards the falling woods

To teach the trees all that I could
Of time and birth, the language of men
The virtues of hate and loving They stood
with their fingers flaming Listened to me
with a serious mien: I knew the footnotes,
all the text,
My words were precise and correct-
I was sure that they were learning- till one
tree spoke, speaking in dolor,
to ask why I never changed color.

Activity 5: Literary Engagement

Answer the following questions by writing the correct answer in a separate sheet of paper.

1. Where is the setting of the poem?

___________________________________________________________________

2. Explain the meaning of the following phrases:

a. Falling woods ________________________________
b. Fingers flaming_______________________________
c. Serious mien_________________________________

3. What does the poem, “Pedagogic” suggest?

___________________________________________________________________
4. In your own understanding, what message does the poem convey?
___________________________________________________________________

5. What figure of speech is used in the poem? Explain your answer.

___________________________________________________________________

In the previous module, you learned how to take note of literary meaning from literal
language based on usage. It makes it easier for you to analyze the words used by the writer in
his literary piece. Knowledge of the figurative language can also help you to understand the
essential representation of an idea or to fully recognize a literary lesson. This time, you will be
learning more about this figurative language through figures of speech and other literary
techniques and devices in the text. It can change ordinary descriptions into creative ones and
boosts the emotional appeal of passages. Are you ready to learn more of this figurative
language?

Study some more of these figures of speech, literary devices and techniques, these are:
Source: www.learnhive.com

Figurative languages, figures of speech and literary devices are almost the same. These
are forms of expression used to convey meaning. Why do literary devices or figurative
language or figures of speech are important? Writers use literary devices in expressing ideas
to enhance the writing skill use literary devices. Literary devices highlight important concepts in
a text, strengthen the narrative, and help readers connect to the characters and themes. These
devices serve a wider range of purposes in literature. Below is a list of more literary devices
and their meanings, most of which you’ll often come across in both prose and poetry.

Figures of Speech/Literary Devices

1. SIMILE – simile in which object, idea, character, or action is compared to another thing using
the words “as” or “like”.
“She is as vicious as a lion” is an example of simile.
2. METAPHOR – when ideas, actions, or objects are described in non-literal terms is metaphor.
Ex. “What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”- is a
metaphor.
3. PERSONIFICATION – is when a nonhuman figure or other abstract concept or element is
described as having human-like qualities or characteristics. Ex. “The wind moaned,
beckoning me to come outside.”
4. HYPERBOLE – is an exaggerated statement that’s not meant to be taken literally by the
reader.
Ex. “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse”
5. IRONY – is when a statement is used to express an opposite meaning that the one literally
expressed by it.
 6. ALLUSION – is when an author makes an indirect reference to a figure, place, event, or idea
originating from outside the text.
Ex. “Stop acting so smart- it’s not like you’re Einstein or something”
7. JUXTAPOSITION – is the comparing and contrasting of two or more different ideas,
characters, objects, etc.
Ex. Charles Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities; “It was the best of time, It was the worst of
time.”
8. EUPHEMISM – is when a more mild or indirect word or expression is used in place of
another word or phrase that is considered harsh, blunt, vulgar, or unpleasant.
Ex. “I’m so sorry, but he didn’t make it” is a more polite and less blunt way of saying that
someone has died.
9. OXYMORON – is a combination of two words that, together, express a contradictory
meaning.
Ex. Deafening silence, organized chaos, cruelly kind
10. EPIGRAPH –is when an author inserts a famous quotation, poem, song, or other short
passage or text at the beginning of a large text.
11. ALLITERATION – is a series of words or phrase that all start with the same sound.
Ex. “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”
12. SYMBOLISM – refers to the use of an object, figure, event, situation, or other idea in written
work to represent something else.
Ex. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel “The Great Gatsby” , “the green light that sits across
from Gatsby’s mansion symbolizes Gatsby’s hopes and dreams.
There you have it, the 12 most commonly used literary devices in a poetry or prose, their
meanings and examples. Keep in mind the fresher input. You will need these in the succeeding
modules.

Enrichment Activities

Activity 6: What’s the Figurative Language?

Choose the best or appropriate figurative language from the given items. Write ypour answer in
a separate sheet of paper.

1. “I am as hungry as a bear!” The kind of figurative language used here is _____

A. Simile
B. Personification
C. Metaphor
D. Oxymoron

2. “Time flies by!” The kind of figurative language used here is _____

A. Allusion
B. Simile
C. Onomatopoeia
D. Metaphor
3. “The raindrops danced on the table top.” The kind of figurative language used here is ____
A. Alliteration
B. Simile
C. Personification
D. Hyperbole

4. “The last day of school is like a day at the beach- easy and relaxing.” The kind of figurative
language used here is ______

A. Personification
B. Hyperbole
C. Metaphor
D. Simile

5. A comparison of two unlike things without using like or as is ____

A. Simile
B. Metaphor
C. Hyperbole
D. Personification

6. What’s the meaning of this simile?

“My mom can be as fiery as a volcano when I don’t do my chores on time.” A. Her hair
is red.

B. She talks really loudly.

C. She gets really angry.
D. She spits when she talks.

7. What’s the meaning of this metaphor?

“After all the fans left the stadium, the bleachers were a disaster area.” A. Trash
and leftover food and drinks littered the ground.

B. Lots of caution tape was used to block off sections.

C. Reporters were everywhere trying to catch a story.
D. After the game, a tornado hit.

8. What’s the meaning of this personification?

“The camera loves me!”

A. Photography is one of my hobbies.

B. I own an expensive camera.
C. Photos of me are always really good.
D. I like to visit art museums.
9.The “car is a dinosaur” so we better buy a new one, this means ____?
A. The Car is very old.
B. The car was truly made in prehistoric times.
C. The car is very new.
D. The car is expensive.

10. An extreme exaggeration used for effect.

A. Metaphor
B. Personification
C. Hyperbole
D. Simile

Activity 7: Where’s the Figurative Language?

Copy all statements that express figurative Language/ meaning. (4points)

1. Grant always turns in his homework.

2. The water was rising in the river because of the rain.
3. Her teeth are like stars because they come out at night.
4. When she sings, her voice is like velvet.
5. Half of the class did not complete the assignment. 6. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
7. Mike was so angry that steam was coming out of his ears.
8. The zebras cried when the wise old elephant died. 9. I’ve told you a million
times to clean your room.
10. The snow was coming down by the bucket-fulls.
To deepen your understanding about literary devices, I have here different activities or tasks
that will help you learn more about literary devices, figurative language and techniques.
Activity 8: Symbolic Meaning
Based on the same poem, “Pedagogic”, find the symbolisms by answering the questions on
the left. Fill in the boxes on the right with your answers.

What does the line of birth and time

symbolize based on the author’s
ideas?

What does language of men

represent in the poem?

The phrase the virtues of hate and

loving symbolizes?

The word color at the end of the poem

means?

Since you have already answered all the activities given in this module, this time let’s
have a sort of comprehension check.
• Which tasks did you find easy?
• Which one is difficult for you to answer, why?
• Do you find the ideas, knowledge or information in this module relevant to
your day to day actuation? Why or why not?
• What part of this module helps you in answering the different tasks?
• Did they help you get the important information you need in answering the
questions?

Did you get it right? Congratulations! You’ve learned a lot of things in this module.

Generalization

You are almost done with your first learning journey, and I think you enjoyed your tasks.
Answer the questions below for me to know if you could still remember what you have learned
in the first part of this module.
TASK 9: Things I Remember
1. What is a figurative language?
___________________________________________________________________

2. Give at least 5 examples of figurative language and their meanings.

_________________________________________________________________

3. What do you think is the purpose of a particular author, why he/she needs to include
figurative language, figures of speech or literary devices in a certain text?
__________________________________________________________________

Application
TASK 10: Poem Analysis
Read the following poem then answer the questions below.

A EULOGY OF ROACHES
By: Bienvenido Lumbera

1. Blessed are the cockroaches.

2. In this country they are the citizens who last.

They need no police to promulgate their peace because they tolerate each other’s smell
or greed.

3. Friends to dark and filth, they do not choose their meat.

Although they neither sow nor reap, a daily feast is laid for them in rooms and kitchens of
their pick.

4. The roaches do not spin, and neither do they weave. But note the russet coat the sluggards
wear: clothed at birth, roaches require no roachy charity.

5. They settle where they wish and have no rent to pay. Eviction is a word quite meaningless to
them who do not have to own their dingy crack of wall.

6. Not knowing dearth or taxes, they increase and multiply. Survival is assured even the
jobless roach; his opportunities pile up where garbage grows.

7. Dying is brief and cheap and thus cannot affright. A whiff of toxin mist, an agile heel, a stick
– the swift descent of pain is also final death.

8. Their annals may be short, but when the simple poor have starved to simple death, roaches
still circulate in cupboards of the rich, the strong, the wise, the dead.
1. How did the author feel about the poor people? How did he characterize them in the poem?
__________________________________________________________________________
2. In our society today, you see a lot of people without a job, a home or even a family. How do
you feel about them?
__________________________________________________________________________
3. Identify the FIGURE OF SPEECH employed in the poem. Copy the lines that express
figurative meaning.
__________________________________________________________________________
4. What is the THEMATIC MESSAGE of this poem? In other words, what lesson is the author
attempting to express with this poem? Explain your answer.
__________________________________________________________________________

IV. Assessment

TASK 11: Quizalize Player

Answer the following questions below. Every question has an appropriate time of 10
seconds. Once you exceed to the time allotment there is a deduction to your score. So be
conscious to the time! Are you ready?

1. A comparison between 2 unlike things without using like or as is?

A. Simile
B. Personification
C. Metaphor
D. Alliteration

2. I am as hungry as a bear!” The kind of figurative language used here is______

A. Metaphor
B. Personification
C. Simile
D. Oxymoron

3. “The raindrops danced on the table top.” The kind of figurative language used here is_____

A. Allusion
B. Personification
C. Simile
D. Onomatopoeia

4. “The last day of school is like a day at the beach- easy and relaxing.” The kind of figurative
language used here is_____

A. Hyperbole
B. Simile
C. Metaphor
D. Asyndeton

5. “A good book is a friend. It provides entertainment and insight. It keeps you company and
helps you feel connected to others.” The kind of figurative language used here is_____
A. Metaphor
B. Symbolism
C. Imagery
D. Personification

V. Enrichment/ Additional Task

TASK 12: Words of Thanks

Our health workers during the time of Covid19 Pandemic deserve our appreciation for their
many sacrifices. Express your thanks by writing a two-paragraph message or a two-stanza
poem using various figures of speech.

Scoring Rubric
Features 10 7 Good 3 Poor
Excellent
Content The message or The message or poem The message or
poem clearly stated somewhat poem was unable to
the sacrifices and the stated the sacrifices state the
heartfelt and the heartfelt sacrifices and the
appreciation/thanks appreciation/thanks heartfelt
to the health to the health appreciation/thanks to
workers workers the health
workers

Figurative 6 Figures of 5-3 Figures of 2-1 Figures of

Language Speech are written Speech are written Speech are written
correctly correctly correctly
Grammar and No spelling, Few spelling, Many spelling,
Mechanics punctuation or punctuation or punctuation or
grammar error. grammar error. grammar errors.
 Answer Key
Activity 1
1. b 2. b 3. c 4. a 5. c
Activity 2
1. a 2. a 3. c 4. Negative 5. True

Activity 3

A. 1. c 2. d 3. b 4. e 5. a

B. ACROSS
1. roaches
2. annals
3. whiff
4. affright
5. russet

DOWN

1. roachy
2. sow
3. dirty
4. filth
5. reap
Activity 4
PEDAGOGIC By: Cirilo F. Bautista

I walked towards the falling woods

To teach the trees all that I could
Of time and birth, the language of men
The virtues of hate and loving They stood
with their fingers flaming Listened to me
with a serious mien: I knew the footnotes,
all the text,
My words were precise and correct-
I was sure that they were learning- till one
tree spoke , speaking in dolor,
to ask why I never changed color.
Activity 5

1. The setting is in the classroom.

2. a. old classroom b. students eager to learn c. students with focus 3. It suggests
education/teaching the youth.
4. It conveys that education must be genuine. The teacher must walk his talk.

Activity 6
1. a 2. a 4. c 5. d 6. C 7.a 8. C 9. a 10. d

Activity 7

3. Her teeth were like stars because they came out at night.
4. When she sings, her voice is like a velvet.
6. I am so hungry that I could eat a horse.
8. The zebras cried when the wise old elephant died.

Activity 8

1. life
2. communication
3. values
4. characteristics

Activity 9
 1. A form of expression used to convey meaning.
2. IRONY – is when a statement is used to express an opposite meaning that the one literally
expressed by it.
ALLUSION – is when an author makes an indirect reference to a figure, place, event, or idea
originating from outside the text.
JUXTAPOSITION – is the comparing and contrasting of two or more different ideas,
characters, objects, etc.
EUPHEMISM – is when a more mild or indirect word or expression is used in place of another
word or phrase that is considered harsh, blunt, vulgar, or unpleasant. OXYMORON – is a
combination of two words that, together, express a contradictory meaning.
EPIGRAPH –is when an author inserts a famous quotation, poem, song, or other short
passage or text at the beginning of a large text.

3. Figurative language can change ordinary descriptions into creative ones and boosts the
emotional appeal of passages.

Activity 10

1. He worries for the poor people because of how they are treated in the society. Descriptions:
They are the citizens who last. They need no police. They do not choose their meat.
2. Answer may vary.
3. Metaphor. Blessed are the cockroaches
4. Blessed are the poor.

Activity 11
1. c 2. c 3. b 4.b 5. a

Activity 12
Be guided by the scoring rubric