GE 13 MODULE 1  INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

GE 13. World Literature

This module consists of seven VI. Assessment

PARTS:
Checking your understanding of the
input by answering the questions
I. Module Overview

Introduction to World Literature

VII. References
 Qualities of a Literary
Masterpiece
1. Saymo, A., Igoy, J., et al. 2004.
 Classification of Literature
World Literature, Trinitas Publishing,
II. Desired Learning Outcomes Inc.

The objectives is stated and 2. Hernandez, C., Romero, C., et al.

what is expected for the 2005. MSA Comprehensive English
learners to acquire Handbook, Gerpress Printing.

At the end of this unit, the students

should be able to:

III. Takeoff Motivation

Think.Pair.Share

IV. Content Focus / Discussion

Discussion proper
V. Take Action

 Illustration
 Identification
 GE 13 MODULE 1  INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

I. MODULE OVERVIEW
Literature, considered as the soul of a nation, greatly influences society
indifferent aspects. Since time immemorial, men, regardless of race, creed,
ideology orsocial standing have tried their best to put their lofty ideas into
writing, enabling us tohave a glimpse of their glorious past and therefore, gain a
better understanding of theworld we live in.
This module is intended to introduce students to the teaching of World
Literature in schools and more generally, particularly how organic personal
response to literature can be reconciled with formal literary-critical approaches. It
will approach this through literary works often encountered in schools and the
works of different writers around the world.

II. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES

 Develop a close knowledge of some key literary texts in the genres of

poetry, prose and drama;
 Extend their critical analysis skills, objectively assessing a range of factors
and theories which may affect the ways in which texts are written, read
and understood.
Academic and graduate skills

 Students will be expected to locate and engage with a variety of literary,

literary critical and theoretical sources. They will practice extracting key
points from articles, identifying arguments and the evidence which support
these. Students will be asked to engage with debates on set texts and
resources. They will be required to communicate effectively orally and in
writing.

III. TAKE OFF MOTIVATION

Think.Pair.Share
 What is your idea of the word “Literature”?
 What is the importance of studying World Literature?
 Make a graphic organizer displaying the importance of World Literature.

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 GE 13 MODULE 1  INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

IV. CONTENT FOCUS

Introduction to World Literature
LITERATURE from the Latin word – littera which means “a letter of the alphabet”

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary

- writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent

or universal interest.
Walter Pater

- the matter of imaginative or artistic literature as a transcript, not of mere fact, but of fact in
its infinitely varied forms.

World Literature

• first used by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a German writer

• refers to the dissemination of literature from and to countries across the globe.

• refers to literary works that are translated into multiple languages and circulated to an
audience outside their country of origin.

Qualities of a Literary Masterpiece

Intellectual Value

A literary work stimulates thoughts. It makes readers realize the different fundamental t
ruths about life and human nature.

Suggestiveness

Associated with the emotional aspect of literature. It moves the readers deeply and stir up
their imagination.

Spiritual Value

Literature puts the spirits high by bringing out the understanding of moral values.

Permanence

A great work of literature can endure the test of time.

Universality

Great literature observes no limits.

Language

Style makes a piece of writing literary.

A particular literary piece must possess the so called SEVEN LITERARY STANDARDS in order to be
called a peerless epitome of artwork capable of enduring the inexorablegusty tides of alteration. To
criticize it is to consider the seven literary standards. Be critical.Ask yourself once in a while.

Does it move you?

Does it tickle your imaginations?
What does it suggest?
What moral lessons can be drawn out?
Would it still be read and make a good reference hundreds of years from now?
Does it possess multifaceted natures for all sorts of audience?
Does the style fascinate you?Is the style used unique or forgery?

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 GE 13 MODULE 1  INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

Classifications of Literature

Poetry
• refers to those expressions in verse, with measures, rhymes, lines, stanzas, and melodious tone.

• Two-fold function: to delight and to instruct

• It usually centers on comments and ideas that are necessary to human needs.

A. Lyric Poetry

• a genre of poetry that expresses personal and emotional feelings. In the ancient time, lyric
poems were sung to the accompaniment of a musical instrument called lyre.

• It usually dwells on love, death, grief, religion and feelings, etc.

• Song – a lyric poem intended to be sung with melodious harmony and rhythm. It can be
religious or secular.

• Sonnet – a lyric poem of 14 lines with a formal rhyme.

• Ode – a lyrical poem praising or glorifying an event or individual, describing mature intellectually
as well as emotionally.

• Elegy – a lament for the dead

B. Narrative Poetry

• A form of poetry which tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters
as well, the entire story is usually written in metered verse.

• Epic – a narrative poem which tells the adventures of a traditional hero and the development of
a nation.

• Ballad – a short simple narrative poem composed to be sung, and is orally told from one
generation to another.

• Metrical Romance – depicts a fictitious, supernatural, and idealized adventures of famous kings
and/or knights.

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 GE 13 MODULE 1  INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

C. Dramatic Poetry

• It suggests a story but with more emphasis on the characters than the narration.

• Comedy – serious and full of deep meaning infused with wit, sparkle, delicate satire and new
ideas. It usually has a happy ending.

• Tragedy – generally portrays pain, hopelessness, despair, suffering, and death of people that
have social significance.

Prose
• Is the most typical form of language, applying ordinary grammatical structure and natural flow
of speech rather than rhythmic structure.

• Generally concentrates on the familiar and the ordinary, but may also deal with subjects such as
heroism, beauty, love and nobility of spirit.

A. Fiction

• Is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information
or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary – that is invented by the author.

• Fable – are tales in which animals are the main characters.

• Fairy Tale – a simple narrative of folk and is oral in origin. The stories involve supernatural or
magical elements such as fairies, wizards, witches, and the like.

• Frame-Tale – a story within a story.

• Novel – a long narrative that contains a greater number and a variety of characters, a more
complex plot, and a more elaborate use of the setting than that of short story.

• Parable – story used by Jesus in teaching the Good News

• Legend – story about the origin of a place or a thing.

• Short story – a story centered on a single main incident and is intended to produce a single
dominant impression.

B. Non-Fiction

• Is the form of any narrative, account, or other communicative work whose assertions and
descriptions are understood to be factual.

• Autobiography – life story of a person written by himself.

• Biography – a person’s life story written by another individual.

• Diary – a daily record and reflection of personal experiences, thoughts, feelings, fears, etc.

• Essay – a piece of writing that attempts to explain, define, and/or discuss a specific subject
ranging from a few paragraphs to several pages.

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 GE 13 MODULE 1  INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

V. TAKE ACTION
A-MAZED.
Directions: Encircle the letters of the words identified in column A in the word maze.

1. a lyric poem intended to be sung with melodious harmony and rhythm

2. a lyric poem of 14 lines with a formal rhyme
3. a lament for the dead
4. A great work of literature can endure the test of
5. Style makes a piece of writing literary
6. a short simple narrative poem composed to be sung, and is orally told from one
generation to another
7. are tales in which animals are the main characters
8. a daily record and reflection of personal experiences, thoughts, feelings, fears, etc. -
9. person’s life story written by another individual
10. serious and full of deep meaning infused with wit
11. generally portrays pain, hopelessness, despair, suffering
12. story used by Jesus in teaching the Good News
13. a story centered on a single main incident
14. a long narrative that contains a greater number and a variety of characters
15. a simple narrative of folk and is oral in origin

W D S H O R T S T O R Y P Y S

O I L A N G U A G E F V N D A

B L F A I R Y K T A L E A E I

A S F P B I O G R A P H Y M S

L A J H A O G H K S K L R O S

L E G Y A R A A D O D G A C O

A G P E R M A N E N C E I C N

D K F A B L E B E G I E D B N

F R N O V E L A L I I O H R E

R D I H K T R A G E D Y D G T

Y U I D G F F E L E G Y R Y U

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 GE 13 MODULE 1  INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

IV. ASSESSMENT
Directions: In the activity, write a brief explanation about each of the literary standards and illustrate
how it is relevant to studying literature.

LITERARY STANDARD MY THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS…

Intellectual Value
A literary work stimulates thoughts. It makes
readers realize the different fundamental truths
about life and human nature.

Suggestiveness
Associated with the emotional aspect of
literature. It moves the readers deeply and stir up
their imagination
Spiritual Value
Literature puts the spirits high by bringing out the
understanding of moral values.

Permanence
A great work of literature can endure the test of
time.

Universality
Great literature observes no limits.

Language
Style makes a piece of writing literary.

VII.REFERENCES

1. Saymo, A., Igoy, J., et al. 2004. World Literature, Trinitas Publishing, Inc.

2. Hernandez, C., Romero, C., et al. 2005. MSA Comprehensive English Handbook, Gerpress Printing.

7 | P a g e Instructor: PAMELA R. OCAP II o c a p p a m e l a 7 7 @ g m a i l . c o m II 09380843244