Genres and Sub-genres of Literature: Elements and Structure

Genre Sub-genre Elements Structure

Written in lines and
stanzas
Lyric (sonnet, ode, elegy), Rhyme, meter, 2 lines- couplet
Poetry dramatic (soliloquy, figurative devices, 3 lines –tercet
monologue, dialogue), symbolism 4 lines – quatrain
and narrative (epic) 5 lines - cinquain
6 lines – sestet
7 lines - septet
8 lines - octave
Fiction (stories fantasy, plot, characters,
that did not folklore, theme setting, Written in
happen in mystery, suspense or point-of-view, paragraphs
reality thriller, literary devices
historical fiction, science
fiction, romance
Nonfiction biography, references
(factual stories, (encyclopedia, plot, characters, Written in
with real dictionary, thesaurus), theme setting, paragraphs
characters and autobiography, narrative point-of-view,
setting) (memoir, testimonio), literary devices
and periodicals
(newspapers, magazines,
journal that are written
regularly)
Literary element
(script), The script serves as
Technical element, the text and it is
Drama tragedy, comedy (scenery performed before an
(set),makeup, audience
costume, lights,
and sound)
performance
element
(acting, character
analysis, character
motivation…)

The given genres with their elements and structures are further discussed in detail below:

A. Poetry
Poetry is one of the earliest genres of literature. It was either recited or sang back to prehistoric
times to call for help from a deity, narrate a hero’s life and victories, tell about the love story of their
rulers, or describe someone who inspires them. In order to understand or even write a good poem,
you must know the elements of poetry:

1. Rhyme – it is the identical rhyme if the last words or sounds match each other.
alliteration : followed, flats, front
bother, back
assonance: big, slipper
picked, slimy

2. Meter – it is also called the rhythm in poetry. It is the pattern of beats ( foot) (stressed and
unstressed syllables in a line). It is also called foot.
There are four basic rhythms in poetry:
 2.1 Iamb -unstressed / stressed (buh BUH ) buh BUH/ buh BUH
Today, / we live /
2.2 Trochee- stressed / unstressed (BUH buh)
BUH buh BUH buh BUH buh
Captain/ it’s gone/ hold it
2.3. Anapest- unstressed / unstressed / stressed. ( buh buh BUH ) buh buh
BUH buh buh BUH
If I cry/ If I leave/
2.4. Dactyl- stressed / unstressed / unstressed (BUH buh buh )
BUH buh buh / BUH buh buh / BUH buh buh
Carnage is / horrible / heritage

3. Imagery and Symbolism

The beauty of poetry is on the carefully chosen words that rhyme and the lines and
stanzas with uniform rhythm. Poetry must also employ figurative language to creatively express
emotions, feeling and ideas.

Here are the commonly used literary devices in poetry:

Metaphor Simile Onomatopoeia

Direct comparison of two
unlike things.
Ex. He is a strong lion.
Alliteration
The repetition of the same
initial sound of the words.
Ex. Be brave, be
boundless
Beauty is a bouquet of
blue baby’s breath
Two unlike things compared to
each other using “like” or “as”.
Ex. He is strong like a lion.
Assonance
The resemblance of a sound in
words or syllable.
Ex. Who knows how hollows
snore.
Words that imitate a sound
Ex. The gushing of wind
and gnashing of teeth
Repetition
A word, a phrase, or a
sentence repeated to
emphasize its importance in
the entire text.
Ex. Not yet Rizal,
Not yet….

Synedoche Personification Hyperbole

A part is made to Giving human attributes to an It exaggerates the meaning
represent the whole or object or animal of a sentence.
vice-versa
Ex. The wind spoke of hope and Ex. I am so thirsty that I
Ex. Hundred heads of redemption. could drink an ocean.
cattle bought at a good
price.
Symbols
It is the use of symbols to convey ideas. A symbol represents various ideas or things at one time.
Like darkness or color black may symbolize death, uncertainty, failure, or an end. A white rose
may mean purity, freshness, new beginning, or death.

Example : The cold wind blew my heartaches away

(the cold wind can mean inspiring words, new ideas, new hope)

The warm sunshine filled my emptiness with joy .

(the warm sunshine can mean a person whom the author loves, or an event that made him be filled
with joy)

To appreciate and write a good poem, it is also essential to know its structure. Poems are
written in lines that comprise a stanza. Thus, each type of poem differs from each other because of
its structure.
To identify a poem’s structure is to count the lines of every stanza:
Couplet - 2 lines
Tercet - 3 lines
Quatrain - 4 lines
Cinquain - 5 lines
Sestet - 6 lines
Septet - 7 lines
Octave - 8 lines
Below is a sample of a free-verse poem which the author used symbols and imagery to convey
his thoughts and feeling.

Moonset at Central Park Station of St. Paul

Subterranean River National Park
John Iremil E. Teodoro

This morning, after the faint s cent

of sea grasses
awakened me,
I followed
the setting moon
in the reefs flats
in front of my
bamboo cottage.

I nearly stepped on
a parrotfish
that was caught
by the low tide.
It was as big
as my slipper.

I picked its slimy body

and returned it to the sea.
In its excitement it forgot
to thank me

It didn’t even bother to look

back—
it swam quickly
away from me
It dived towards the direction
of the horizon
where the moon was hiding.

Perhaps in my next visit that

parrotfish
will surprise me with a
greeting.
It shall brag to me about
its scales painted by the
setting moon.

*[Teodoro, J. I. ](2016). Moonset at Central Park Station of St. Paul Subterranean River National Park. In N. C.
Moratilla. Claiming Spaces: Understanding, Reading and Writing Creative Nonfiction (pp. 6-7). Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing
House.

The given poem is free-verse and unmetered. It has no rhythm but it uses alliteration,
assonance, repetition, and symbolism.
alliteration : followed, flats, front
 bother, back
dived, direction
horizon, hiding
perhaps, parrotfish

assonance: big, slipper

picked, slimy
body, forgot, to

symbols: moon - dreams to be fulfilled, fulfilled dreams,

inspiration
horizon - a place to find or to keep your dreams, a
place which promises good fortune or good life
parrotfish - a gay/ LGBTQ member because of its color
- an ungrateful person
- someone passive
- someone who has a very colourful life
- an experienced person
- a person who picks up someone else’s trash
words/ lines used repeatedly: - sea, moon, parrotfish B. Fiction:

Fiction is a story of make believe. It is a story made by the author’s creative imagination. It
has various sub-genres like mystery, fantasy, suspense, historical fiction science fiction, realistic
fiction and folklore (myths, fables, legends).
To understand fiction and to write a good fictional story, you must be able to identify and
understand its elements that comprise the texts’ contents and message the story wanted to impart
to its readers.
Now, you will read a legend that tells how a great lake was formed. It was retold by one of the
writer’s former senior high school student who lived a in village near Lake Sebu.
Located in South Cotabato, Lake Sebu is considered as the “Summer Capital of Southern Mindanao”
because of the cool weather and uphill location of the town. It is the home of the T’boli, a tribe famously
called as “Dreamweavers” because of their colorful bead works and hand-woven cloth called T’nalak.
The Legend of Lake Sebu
(A T’boli Folktale)
Once there was a beautiful. yet mysterious princess, who came to the
land of the T’bolis. She was loved by the locals. However, she met a
mythical frog whom she angered. To avenge himself, the frog opened
a big lotus flower that gushed water and flooded the entire land.
The princess’ brother saw this from the heavens. He threw leaves and
pythons that became land mass so that his sister can pass through.
From that day on, the village was covered with water. The eleven islets
became the home of the locals.
*Narrated by Moreno, M. E., Legend of Lake Sebu, June 20, 2020 Activity

2: Let’s Take Note (Noting Details by Employing the Elements of Fiction)

Directions: Answer the following questions briefly:

1. Where can Lake Sebu be found? ____________________________________ (setting)
2. What is another name for Lake Sebu ? _______________________________ (setting)
3. Who once lived on the land of the T’bolis? ___________________________________
_____________________________________________________(characters/ plot-exposition)
4. What problem did the princess had during her stay in the place?
__________________________________________________ (plot/rising action and conflict)
5. What did the frog do to avenge himself?
____________________________________________________________________(plot/climax)
6. Who helped the princess? How was he able to help her? ______________
_________________________________________________________(plot/falling action)

7. How did the princess survived the flood made by the angry mythical frog??
_________________________________________________________________ (plot)

Fiction uses the basic elements of a story, namely; the plot, setting, characters, and conflict
, to convey its ideas.

Fiction follows the Freytag’s Pyramid to create an interesting and detailed narrative.
Below is an illustration of the story pyramid which consists also the parts of a plot.

The following are the elements of short story according to Freytag:

1. Exposition tells about the background of the story. The information can be about the setting,
characters’ back stories, or historical contexts.
2. Rising action is the part of the story after the characters and setting are introduced and events in
the story begin to reveal probable conflicts that the protagonist must resolve. It also involves
events that lead to the climax of the story.
3. Climax is the highest point of tension in the story. It is usually the most interesting part.
4. Falling action is the part of a story after the climax and before the very end.
5. The denouement is the final outcome of the story and it is where other secrets are revealed, if
there is any.
The setting includes the time or period and place where the event happened. The
characters are the persons/ animals/ or any inanimate object that functions as the protagonist,
antagonist and other minor entities that perform the actions, speak dialogue and moving the story
along a plot line.
Conflict creates tension in the story and it involves the struggle of between two opposing
forces/ characters, usually the protagonist and the antagonist.
Conflict can be internal and external. Internal conflict is a psychological conflict which
arises when the character experiences two opposite emotions (like love and hate, patriotism and
devotion) or aspirations ( like career and marriage, fame and peace of mind) which usually involves
good and evil.
External conflict is the struggle of a protagonist against outside forces that hamper his/ her
progress and hinders him/her to achieve his/ her goal.

C. Non- fiction: Memoir

Nonfiction is a literary genre that tells about stories that actually happen in real life. The sub genres
of literary nonfiction are biography, memoir, autobiography, journals, diaries, periodicals and
references. These works of literary nonfiction have character, setting, plot, conflict, figurative
language, and theme just like literary fiction, fiction and thriller or suspense. To interpret fiction, we
must analyze and interpret using the elements of fiction. The story below was a personal account of
the author about his ordinary encounter with a Champorado vendor which made him realized how
lucky he was.

Another Universe
Kurt Joshua O. Comendador
 He was about my age and about my size. He first
approached us while we were eating at a cottage at a spring
resort.
“Champorado mo, Ma’am. Sir”, he said. “Init pa.”
Champorado. Chocolate porridge. Still hot.
I declined.
I watched him as he went on his way, selling champorado
in a small pot to other resort- goers. He might have more
customers if only he has better container than peddle an
iron pot.
I took a plunge into the cold. Everything was familiar. Too
familiar even: The laughter of the persons around me, the giant splash as a kid cannonballs into the
water, the off-key singing from a karaoke booth, the jovial mood, and the calming effect as I float in the
spring water. I always believe that cold waters cleanse the body and the mind from any stress. It’s like
floating in your own universe, as I like to describe it.
Then there he was again, walking on top of the wall that separates the water into smaller pools.
“Champorado, Champorado. Init pa,” he shouted, hoping someone would buy his hot champorado.
“I want to eat some more. Do you like to have some champorado?” I
asked my girlfriend.
“No, would you like to buy?”
“We still have siopao in the bag.”
From the water, I watched him as he peddled his pot. I noticed that it was not only small, it was also
blackened by soot; he must’ve used it over open fire frequently.
We kept swimming until twilight. The people began to thin down; but he kept on peddling his
champorado.
I let my girlfriend change her clothes first while I sat on a circular bench nearby. I noticed a guy, looking
so miserable, sitting next to me. On his side, on the bench, was the small, sooty pot. He must be the
champorado vendor. I figured. On his other hand was a slipper. I saw that the front strap broke.
He remorsefully shook his head. I held back tears.
I watched as he tried reattaching the broken strap. Unconsciously, I followed him with my eyes as he
softly placed his slipper on the ground. He tried wearing it, but it immediately broke again. Then I
noticed something- he was wearing two different footwear. On his left foot is a slide slipper, the one
athletes commonly wear, while on the other foot, the one that broke, is a traditional flip-flops.
I wanted to help him - maybe give him some money to buy a new pair of slippers. But money, I have
none too plenty, I might need it on the way home. Give him my old pair of shoes? I can’t drive my
motorcycle bare-footed. I might get caught by the traffic enforcers. I saw plenty of slippers repaired by
sticking a wire through the rubber to hold it down. The least I can do is to help him fix his slipper, but
the resort is too dark to find any wire that might be laying on the ground.
I wanted to say something, but no words came out of my mouth.
After a while, he went inside the changing room, carrying his pot on one hand, and his slipper on the
other. He also had a backpack, I concluded that he might have carried his utensils there.
I was left alone. Trapped in another universe.
He was about my age and about my size. We could’ve been similar in many ways; he might also be the
eldest, he might also have four siblings. He might also want to plunge into the cold, spring water. I liked
to ask him questions: Where he lives, was the champorado sold out, what happened to his slippers and
what he would do next.
But the biggest question was for myself: would I do the same if circumstances dictate me so?
My girlfriend finished changing. It was already my turn. He still didn’t come out. I tried to take my mind
off of him while I change into dry clothes. It bothered me why it took so long inside the changing room.
Was he able to fix his slipper? I had no way of knowing. When I got out, out of the dusk, at a distance, I
saw the vendor. He had backpack to be exact., there was a little light to see him clearly. He was sort of
walking with a drag. I just hoped he gets home safe and sound.
It was already dark when we were ready to leave. The frogs already began their chorus.
To me, it sounded like a woeful dirge.
I wanted to jump into the cold again- to wash my guilt away.

*Comendador, K. J. (2018). Another Universe. Bagwis: The Paradigm has Shifted, p. 9.

Study the table below to check on the elements of Non-fiction used in the memoir, “ Another
Universe”:
Elements Aspects and Analysis
1. A young man was trying to help a champorado vendor,
yet, he could not do anything because he only had enough
Plot (Synopsis) money for him to go home.
Setting Time 2. late afternoon at a spring resort
Place
Theme 3. an attempt to help
Characters and
Characterization
Main Character/s: 4. the author
Other Characters: 5. author’s girlfriend
6. Champorado vendor
Point-of-view Used 7. first person
Atmosphere/ Mood 8. sad
Narrative Time 9 It happened before the essay was written
Conflict of the Story 10. man against himself
Symbols Used 11. sooty pot – it was used to symbolize the life and
future of the vendor. It may be dark and sooty but inside is
a satisfying meal for a hungry soul. He is poor but his
dreams of a better life could lead him far.

12. water- represents the need to cleanse himself from

guilt of not helping the vendor.

13. universe- it symbolizes the author’s conscience. He

Important Lines/ Dialogue
Other Literary Device Cited
tries to think of ways to help the vendor.
- it may also be the different worlds where the
vendor and the author dwells. The author is a student
supported by his parents while the vendor, as old as the
author, peddled champorado to support himself and family.
14. I wanted to jump into the cold again- to wash my guilt
away.
15. Repetition - sooty pot was repeatedly mentioned to give
emphasis to the vendor’s plight as someone from a very
poor family.

D. Drama
A script may only come to existence once it is performed before an audience. Its basic elements
include the literary element (script), technical element (scenery set, make-up, costume, lights, and
sound) performance element (acting, character analysis, character motivation…)
A script is a written text of a play. It is consist of the dialogues or words that will be spoken by the
actors and the stage directions which give instructions about the position and movement of the
actors and other aspects of the set.
The technical element of a play is complicated. It includes scenery set, make-up, costume, lights,
and sound.
A scenery set can be chair, a house or a forest and other properties used to identify the location and
period of the dramatic production. Make-up is used in drama to aid the actors in taking the
appropriate appearance of the character they play. Costumes are clothes, garments or attires worn
by actors on stage to aid dramatic actions and interpretations. There various types of lights used on
stage. It provides not only visibility of the actors but also creates and enhance the mood and
atmosphere. Sound can be produced by actors or by props, musical instruments, and recorded
music and effects that can help engage the audience and bring them into another time.
Performance element includes acting, character analysis and character motivation. Acting is the
enactment of an actor or actress who portrays a character, character analysis is evaluating the
character’s traits, his/ her role in the story, and the conflicts they experience, character motivation
is the element that drives the character to achieve his goal.
That is how complicated a drama is! It is more complicated than other genres of literature because
aside from the script, other elements must suit and work together to the theme of the show and
make the audience feel the plight of the protagonist, antagonist and other characters in the story
effectively.
Below is an excerpt from the script of a one-act play which is included in the literary element.
The Adopted Healthy Baby by Layeta
P. Bucoy (2015)
(Beat. Howell goes out. Mila continues boxing things. Her cell phone rings. Its ringing tone is an
ordinary one taken from her bag. She answers the call.)

Mila: Hello? Yes, Dad… No, were still boxing ma’am Mendoza’s things… Yes, but Val texted he’s still
caught in the traffic. An hour more, maybe … No, Benjie is not with me. He’s still in the lab … He
can’t force organometallics to catalyse even if it’s for his thesis … No, don’t wait for us. You have to
take your medicine by seven. Eat your dinner now … Don’t start with your fish bone story. You
haven’t had a fish bone pulled from your throat since Benjie was born … No, Val won’t join us for
dinner. It’s a three-hour drive He has to start back home after he gets his mother’s stuff … I don’t
know about Howell… Now, stop with your excuses, Dad we’ll have meat once your arteries are de-
clogged … Of course I won’t bend.

I don’t care if you hate fish. It’s what’s good for you now. And I already told Manang to spy on you.
So don’t you dare go out to have meat. (Laughs a little) She’ll drag you back to the house with all the
might of her sumo wrestler weight … Dad, dad, listen. You know I have to keep you alive ‘til we visit
Mabel and MArnie at Texas next year. We’ll take Benjie with us then show them where they were all
convinced … (Laughs a little) Now don’t be coy, Dad. Come on. Have fish for dinner, take your
medicines, I’ll be home in an hour. Bye, Dad.
(Mila terminates the call, returns her cell phone to her bag. She tries to carry the filing cabinet.
She gives up after two attempts. Them, she starts pushing it. Howell enters.) Howell: Just
three students.

Mila: Three is fine.

Howell: All girls.
Mila: (Pushes the filing cabinet). We don’t need to carry this after all.

Howell: The girls said they’re going to a party.

Mila: It’s a party, Howell. They can be a little late.
Howell: They were also required.
Mila: Even attending parties are required now?
Howell: Dean Ramos required them.
Mila: He must be desperate.
Howell: Do you know how much does it cost to keep someone who’s in a coma alive, Ma’am?
Mila: I know about your mother, Howell.
Howell: But do you know how much I pay for just to keep her alive?
Mila: You’re not the only one who has –
Howell: Where will I get the money when I lose job?

*[Bucoy, L. P.] (2015). The Adapted Healthy Baby. In SyGaco, S. B. (2017). Writing
Techniques in Creative Nonfiction(pp. 14-15). Quezon City. Great Books Trading.

The New Genres of Literature

The various genres of literature and its sub-genres changes through time. The invention of
electricity, use of electronics and other modern technology affected how people view life and express
themselves differently from their contemporaries 10 years, 20 years, or a hundred years ago.
Technology made our lives easier than the last decade. It made people work fast. Beating deadlines
and presenting marketing and management strategies creatively. These changes have also brought
new literary genres that gave us new avenues of expressing ourselves; like cell phones and computer
screens.
 These new genres include mobile textula, hyperpoetry, flash fiction, chick lit and blogs.
To understand these new genres, their definitions are given below to give you clue on how
similar or different they are from the major genres of literature.

1. Hyperpoetry- It is poetry uploaded in the internet. Its medium is the computer screen .

Pain is earthly and temporal

Sacrifice is surely irrational
Hope is hazily conventional
Existence is hastily corporeal
2. Mobile Textula - It is a short poetry in a form of tanaga, that is sent through SMS on mobile
phone. It consists of 4 lines with 7 syllables using (/)to end a line and (//) to end the stanza.
From: MaryelKate

Mamamaya’y balisa /
Gobyerno’y aligaga /
Salut na karamdaman /
Hinde nalulunasan //
3. Flash Fiction – It is telling a story in a few words, usually about 100-1000 words or less. A
flash fiction can be as short as Earnest Hemingway’s 6-word memoir, “For sale:
baby’s shoes; never worn.”

The example below was written by former student to express a person’s many facets as
an individual:

They have known him as a weakling and a loser. He never said a word or done a thing to defend
himself or speak what was on his mind.
“Stupid, unworthy, a menace….has no future..”
Those were his father’s words. He just shrug his shoulders and did what he thought was the best
to prove them wrong.
Ten years have passed and here I am waiting for my son’s return from Manila. There he is…
accomplished, full-fledged doctor, and a hero of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

I am a book with hidden chapters..

4. Chick Lit - It is a heroine-centered fiction narrative; usually focus on the trials of the
protagonist. Below is an excerpt of a chick lit taken from Wattpad. One needs to download
the Wattpad App and the story to experience reading chick lit.

An Extraordinary Love Story (An Excerpt ) by

Mariel Kate Q. Liwag

It was a wonderful day because it is our 4th wedding anniversary. We took a day off to
celebrate it. I woke up at 2:30 in the morning to cook and to prepare a little surprise. He usually
surprises me but this time I wanted him start and enjoy the day differently.
When I was done cooking, I cleaned our living room. I set a table for two with wine at the
center and partially covered the floor with petals .
When I set it all up I texted him.
“Hon, let us go downstairs. Don't forget to wear white, I love it when you wear white. I said with
a smile.
. “Okay, I'll be there in a minute.” He texted back.
I put down the mobile phone and waited for him. I turned on the CD player with our
favorite song, “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain.

18

I was wearing a white jumper suit and as the song started to play, a handsome man in white shirt
and pants walked down the stairs .

“Happy 4th anniversary, Hon.” I said as I came close to him and hugged him tight.
 “Hon, you surprised me. Thank you and I love you. ” He said smiling at me.

5. Blog - a regularly updated web page or website that is written in conversational style. Here is
a sample blog uploaded on March 15, 2020 on the author’s Facebook page.
From Words to Action
In a sudden horror, the world is facing a ‘doomsday -like' scenario as an aftermath of the
controversial virus, the CoVID-19. The wave of this pandemic is continually raging and it never fails to
haunt lives of many people. However, amidst this, people are screaming online–filling bogus claims
derived from online trolls, spreading unfavorable conspiracies, and fabricated news

that led people to grave fear. The said premise is a clear evidence of how the situation is worsened. Instead
of doing such, why not be part of the solution? Why not uphold responsibility in every action? Why not
spread goodwill rather than fear? Why not try to meditate for a second, at least for just a span of
seconds, and contemplate? Why not try to uphold God’s promises? Lastly, why not strengthen your faith
and find refuge in prayer? Sometimes, it is not the stigma itself that inevitably thrusts us towards danger,
it is how we set our minds to think it would happen and
so it did.

Let’s refrain from overthinking, God is not sleeping. He is working, so should you. In

these trying times, we need cooperation and not abomination because in the end, our unified action
amidst this pandemic outweighs the overall cost.
Raniel Cuñado
Grade 12 HUMSS A, FNHS 2019-2020

What’s More

It’s time to have a feel of the 21st century literary genres. Do the activities below.
Activity 3:
3.1. Directions: Read and study the poem below and copy and fill-in the chart on a separate
sheet.

Seat Owner ( An Excerpt)

Being on that seat is a huge profession,
To folks who are in deep degradation, To broods
dreaming of a better nation,
All eyes longed for this be the medication.

As part of list of least qualification,

What I can do is to continue hoping, Dreaming of that
owner as inspiration,
The author of change for a peaceful nation.

By: Kenneth O. Yecyec,

11
 Bula NSF, 12- HUMSS, 2019-2020
Title:
Literary Genre:
Structure:
ELEMENTS: Line/s from the poem which show/s the element

3.2. Directions: Read and study the short story below and copy and fill-in the chart on a
separate sheet.

THE STORY OF THE FIRST DURIAN

(The Hermit’s Three Wishes)

Barom-Mai was an old and ugly king who lived in a kingdom called Calinan in the Visayas
hundreds of years ago. Although he was powerful, he was helpless when it came to winning the love
of his young bride, Madayaw-Bayho (daughter of Tageb, king of the pirates).
Barom-Mai asked his advisers to help him win his bride’s love, and Matigam (the wisest of
advisers) told him about Impit Purok, a hermit who lived in a cave in Mt. Apo.
They went to the hermit and he asked for three things: the egg of the black tabon bird, twelve
ladles of fresh milk from a white carabao without blemish, and the nectar from the flower of the tree-
of-make-believe.
The egg will be used to soften the bride’s heart; the milk, to make her kind; and, the nectar, to
make her see Barom-Mai as a young and handsome king.
The king finds the egg through the help of Pawikan, the king of the sea turtles. He luckily gets
milk from a white carabao the following breakfast, thanks to his cook. HanginBai, the nymph of the
air, leads him to her sister, the wood nymph who had the magic flower in her hair.
Barom-Mai gives the three things to Impit Purok, who asked him to prepare a big feast after
Barom-Mai wins his queen back, and to invite Impit Purok as the king’s guest of honor.
Impit Purok mixes the three ingredients and instructs Barom-Mai to plant the mixture in the
royal garden. The morning after it was planted, a tree grew. It had a sweet smell and its fruit tasted
good. When Madayaw-Bayho was given the fruit, she fell in love with Barom-Mai.
The king throws a big feast but forgets to invite Impit Purok. In retaliation, Impit casts a
curse upon the fruit: The sweet smell was replaced with a foul odor while the smooth skin of the
fruit was covered with thorns, which is how the durian smells and looks today.
Source: Lacia, F., Libunao, L., Fabella, M & Buhain, V.(2016) The
Literature of the Philippines.3rd Edition. Rex Bookstore: Manila, p.126

Elements Aspects and Analysis

Plot (Synopsis)

12
 Setting Time
Place
Theme

Characters and
Characterization
Main Character/s:
Other Characters:
Point-of-view Used

Atmosphere/ Mood

Narrative Time

Conflict of the Story

Symbols Used

Important Lines/ Dialogue

Other Literary Device Cited

Activity 4: I Can Write

Try your writing skills by choosing one (1) task from the given tasks below. Write on a
separate answer sheet and submit it to your teacher with this module (as needed).
1. Write an original poem and upload it in the internet using Facebook. It must consist of 3
quatrains, must have rhythm or rhyme, and remember to use literary devices to provide vivid
description and intense feeling
2. Send your teacher a mobile textula through SMS. Write a poem using the tanaga format
about your feeling, ideas, opinions, love, or frustration about the current pandemic and community
quarantine. Remember to use / to end your lines and // to end your stanza.
3. Write a flash fiction using 150 words with 1 setting and 2-3 characters about your parents’
and your experience on they dealt with the scarcity of income during the CoVid-19 Pandemic.
.
Activity 6: Give ME...
Find time to access the internet. Search for samples of the 21 st century literary genres. Select
one type and take a screenshot of it. Have it printed and submit it together with this module.

What I Have Learned

Identify what is being described in each statement. Write your answer on the space provided.
____________________1. These are written works such as poems, plays, and novels that are considered
to be very good and have lasting importance. It could be printed materials that provide information
about something.

____________________2. These are narratives that were based on the creative imagination of the
author.
_____________________3. It is a literary genre that tells about stories that actually happen in real life.
The sub-genres are biography, memoir, autobiography, journals, diaries, periodicals and references.
13
_____________________4. It is more complicated than other genres of literature because aside from the
script, other elements must suit and work together to the theme of the show and make the audience
feel the plight of the protagonist, antagonist and other characters in the story effectively.

_____________________5. It is one of the earliest genres of literature. It was either recited or sang back
to prehistoric times to call for help from a deity, narrate a hero’s life and victories, tell about the love
story of their rulers, or describe someone who inspires them. It uses rhyme, meter, and imagery to
convey its ideas.

_____________________6. It is poetry uploaded in the internet. Its medium is the computer screen.
_____________________7. It is a short poetry in a form of tanaga, that is sent through SMS on mobile
phone. It consists of 4 lines with 7 syllables using / to end a line and // to end the stanza.
_____________________8. It is telling a story in a few words, usually about 100-1000 words or less.
_____________________9. It is a heroine-centered fiction narrative; usually focus on the trials of the
protagonist.
____________________10. It is a regularly updated web page or website that is written in conversational
style.
____________________11. It is the repetition of consonants to achieve rhyme in poetry.
____________________ 12. It is the most interesting and important part of a story.

_____________________ 13. It is the problem encountered by the protagonist in the story.

_____________________14. It is the used to convey ideas. It represents various ideas or things at one
time. Like darkness or color black may symbolize death, uncertainty, failure, or an end. A white rose
may mean purity, freshness, new beginning, or death.

_____________________15. It refers to a literary device that uses a part to represent the whole or vice-
versa.

Additional Activities

Congratulations! You’ve come this far. You’ve learned a lot about the different literary genres
and their elements as well as their structures. To further test your knowledge about our topic, do the
activities below:

Activity 7: Blogged
Our country and the world are suffering from the COVID19 pandemic. Write a blog about the
effects of COVID-19 to our country, its economy, and its people. Don’t forget to write about the
lessons we have learned during this pandemic. End your blog with a suggestion on how to deal with
the effects of COVID-19. ( If this is not possible, your blog can be uploaded on FB and make sure you
tag your teacher).

Activity 8: Voice Acting 101

The pandemic will not allow you to stage a drama, but you can still write a two-minute script that
can be performed as a radio drama. Do not forget to incorporate music.
Your performance will be judged based on these criteria:
Criteria Score
Fluency 4 points
Voice Expression 4 points
Voice Projection (volume) 3 points
Creativity / originality of the script 3 points

14
Character 3 points
Sound Effect and Music 3 points
TOTAL 20 points

15