INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

LITERATURE is an enduring expression of

Significant Human Experience (SHE) in
words well chosen and arranged. It comes from
the latin word “litera” which means an
acquaintance with letters and can be defined as
anything in print.
Demarcating a literary text from non-literary text
follow these criteria:
1. FICTIONALITY – specifies that literature is
a product of one’s imagination.
2. SPECIALIZED LANGUAGE- differs
considerably from those language people normally
use.

3. LACK OF PRAGMATIC FUNCTION- written

not for a specific purpose but develops range of
purposes depends on the readers.
4. AMBIGUITY- open for interpretation

NATURE OF LITERATURE
“Literature is language in use that provides
insights and intellectual stimulation to the reader.
As one explores literature, he likewise discovers
the beauty of language.”
THE FUNCTIONS OF LITERATURE
DULCE & UTILE

DULCE
To entertain, gives pleasure and enjoyment

The beautiful side of the literary works for the reader

UTILE
to instruct

The benefit of the literary works for the reader

 4Rs of Literature
Recreation – Literature is a means of
reassembling reality. We want to see what we
cannot see in reality.
Recognition – Literature helps us recognize the
people and their contribution.
Redemption – Literature is a means of
modification of behavior.
Revelation – Literature is a means of recording
history. It reveals the past, the present, and the
future.
7 LITERARY STANDARDS
 Artistry
-sense of beauty
 Intellectual Value
-stimulates the thought
 Suggestiveness
- emotional power of literature
 Spiritual Value
-moral values that makes an individual a better person
 Permanence
-endures forever, giving fresh delight
 Universality
-appeals to all anytime and anywhere
 Style
-author’s peculiar way of forming and expressing ideas
 MAJOR FORMS OF LITERATURE

1. NARRATIVE/PROSE FICTION- narrative

literary work which content is a product of one’s
imagination
2. POETRY- verse and rythmic writing that evokes
emotional response and deeper interpretation of
symbols and imagery “literature in a metrical form”
3.DRAMA- a fictional representation of a story
through dialogue and action
4. NONFICTION PROSE- information that is based
on fact in presented in a format of telling a story
 NARRATIVE GENRES
MEMOIR/BIOGRAPHY/
AUTOBIOGRAPHY ADVENTURE

DRAMA CRIME

COMEDY PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER

HORROR HISTORICAL

REALISTIC FICTION SCIENCE FICTION

LITERATURE IS:
 Literature is imaginative

 Literature expresses thoughts and feelings

 Literature deals with life experiences

 Literature uses words in a powerful, effective

and yet captivating manner
 Literature promotes recreation and revelation of
hidden facts.
 Literature expresses thoughts, feelings, ideas or
other special aspects of human experiences.