SAN MIGUEL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
San Miguel, Leyte
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
S.Y. 2021-2022
LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS IN 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE IN THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD
(Quarter 2- MODULE 3)
NAME:_________________________________________________GRADE LEVEL SECTION:___________________________
TEACHER: JANICE P. BERNAL DATE RECEIVED:_______________DATE
SUBMTTED:__________________
21ST CENTURY LITERARY GENRES AND THEIR ELEMENTS,
LESSON 2 STRUCTURES AND TRADITIONS
Learning Competency: Compare and contrast the various 21st century literary genres and their elements, structures, and
traditions from across the globe, EN12LitIId-25
WHAT I KNOW
INSTRUCTIONS: Read and answer the following statements. Write your answer in your notebook.
1. What is a genre?
a. a type of recipe c. a gendered story
b. a category of literature d. a rhyming poem
2. Which of the following is not a main genre of literature?
a. poetry b. drama c. myth d. prose
3. Which of the following does not have genres?
a. poetry b. sonnets c. hairstyles d. movies
4. How is style related to genre?
a. Genres are not related to styles c. A style is a type of genre
b. A genre is a type of style d. Genres are characterized by different styles
WHAT IS IT
To move on with this lesson, let us unlock important terms:
• 21st century literature - refers to all literary works written and published at the latter part of the 21st
century (from 2001 onwards). These works are often characterized as gender sensitive, technologically alluding,
culturally pluralistic, operates on the extreme reality or extreme fiction, and questions conventions and supposedly
absolute norms. - SHS Curriculum Guide, 21st Century Literature of the Philippines and the World
• literary genre - is a category of literary composition. Genres may be determined by literary technique, tone,
content, or even (as in the case of fiction) length. The distinctions between genres and categories are flexible and
loosely defined, often with subgroups.
The most general genres in literature are (in loose chronological order) epic, tragedy, comedy, and creative
nonfiction. They can all be in the form of prose or poetry. Additionally, a genre such as satire, allegory or pastoral might
appear in any of the above, not only as a sub-genre, but as a mixture of genres.
Finally, they are defined by the general cultural movement of the historical period in which they were composed.
Genre should not be confused with age categories, by which literature may be classified as either adult, youngadult, or
children's. They also must not be confused with format, such as graphic novel or picture book. -SHS Curriculum Guide,
21st Century Literature of the Philippines and the World
Genre, in broad terms, refers to any works that share certain characteristics. If enough characteristics are in
common, then the pieces are said to be in the same genre.
21st Century Literary Genres, Traditions and Forms from Different Cultures
• Contemporary literature
- Reflects current trends in life and culture and because these things change often, contemporary
literature changes often as well.
- Reflects author's perspective and can be cynical.
- Questions facts, historical perspectives and presents 2 contradictory arguments side by side
Contemporary literature began in the 1940s or so. A few of its qualities:
- Reality-based stories with strong characters and a believable story;
- Well-defined, realistic, highly developed characters in realistic, sometimes harsh environments;
- Often the stories are character driven;
- The literature is ironic and reflects current political, social and personal issues;
- May reflect a personal cynicism, disillusionment and frustration;
- Facts are questioned as are historical perspectives;
- Often presents two contradictory arguments;
- The literature may reflect a growing skepticism in the existence of God as well as distrust or lack of
faith in traditional institutions
• The 2000s
- Saw a steep increase in the acceptability of literature of all types, inspired by the coming of age of millions of people
who enjoyed the work of writers of speculative fiction
Speculative fiction - an umbrella term encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres, specifically science fiction, fantasy,
horror, weird fiction, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic
fiction, and alternate history in literature as well as related static, motion, and virtual arts. - SHS Curriculum Guide, 21st Century
Literature of the Philippines and the World
• Chinese literature
- Affected by the impact of the Internet, which has become an important medium for the
dissemination of politically sensitive works.
- Resurgence of science fantasy not seen since the late Qing dynasty
- No epics of either folk or literary variety and hardly any narrative or descriptive poems that are
long by the standards of the world literature
Sinophone literature- Redefines Chinese literature as a field determined by language rather than purely by geography
Modern Chinese poetry- Depends on end rhyme and tonal metre for its cadence and characterized by its compactness and
brevity
• Japanese literature
- Marked by a strong and intentional break with tradition and the nationcentered and group
orientation values.
- This break included:
strong reaction against established religious, political, and social views.
- Feminism, individualism, internationalism, liberalism, and proletarian emerged during this period -
Concerned with the subconscious.
- New literary forms and style like:
novel in 1st POV is written like an autobiographical confessional type of narration
• Indian Literature
- Simultaneous co-existence of the postcolonial state apparatuses with an ideology which was: Liberal
and Humanist, seen in the areas of public life like the academic scene
Realism- Outcome of the creation of a reading public which was trying to construct an identity in the context of the anti-
colonial struggles and nation building.
-This combined liberal-reformist ideology with an affirmation of an 'Indian' cultural specificity.
-This concept however was middle-class and Hindu
The realist novel-it focus on growth and individual freedom is transformed in the Indian context with the economic conditions
uneven capitalism.
Basis for Realism- the economic: seen the existence of capitalist exploitation political and social conditions
African Literature- Distinct influence from African current events and recent history.
- Themes:
-Post imperialism
-Cultural upheaval
-Violence
- These are topics present in previous centuries which are still very much relevant in modern day
African nations.
African poetry- This a form of protest.
- Theorists describe it as having a post colonial viewpoint, referring to: The period after European
nations tried to govern African nations
Africa's modern history- It is Influenced by neocolonialism, cultural change, and clashes between political parties and
religious ideologies
Modern African writer- Look away from the internal, individual struggle and instead shift the focus to the: Struggles of
African nations still trying to develop after gaining independence from European imperialism
-economic struggles of the people
-divisions of classes
-and various other conflicts that modern day African nations face
• American literature
- Concerned with relationships and connections between people and emotion-provoking storytelling
is common.
The value of media in culture is changing the way this movement is perceived
- Diversity and acceptance
- Address universal themes seen through the eyes of their culture
juxtaposition of the ordinary with magical elements
- Fantastic elements are interwoven into realistic fiction
• English Literature
- As the 21st century got underway, history remained the outstanding concern of English literature.
Although contemporary issues such as global warming and international conflicts (especially the Second
Persian Gulf War and its aftermath) received attention, writers were still more disposed to look back.
- Although they had entered into a new millennium, writers seemed to find greater imaginative
stimulus in the past than in the present and the future.
Most Notable Literary Genres in the 21st Century
a. Poetry - It is a type of literature that conveys a thought, describes a scene or tells a story in a concentrated,
lyrical arrangement of words. Poems can be structured, with rhyming lines and meter, the rhythm and emphasis of
a line based on syllabic beats.
Poems can also be freeform, which follows no formal structure. It is further subdivided into different genres,
such an epic poem, narrative, romantic, dramatic, and lyric. Dramatic poetry includes melodrama, tragedy, and comedy,
while other poems includes ode, sonnet, elegy, ballad, song, and epic.
Poetry today is usually written down but is still sometimes performed.
i. Hyperpoetry – It is a form of digital poetry that uses links using hypertext mark-up. It is a very
visual form, and is related to hypertext fiction and visual arts. The links mean that a hypertext poem has no
set order, the poem moving or being generated in response to the links that the reader/user chooses. It can
either involve set words, phrases, lines, etc. that are presented in variable order but sit on the page much as
traditional poetry does, or it can contain parts of the poem that move and /or mutate. It is usually found
online, though CD-ROM and diskette versions exist. The earliest examples date to no later than the mid
1980s.
ii. Spoken word poetry – It can be described as poetry that is written to be performed. Spoken word
utilizes concrete language, word play, and rhythm to tell stories. Through the use of vivid imagery, the
listener is able to “feel” the words as they are being spoken. Many literary devices, like metaphor, can be
used to help the audience visualize the story. And although the stories may be humorous, serious, sad, or
painful, they remain true to the emotion of the speaker. Some pieces may lack a definite beginning, middle,
or end, but it may be in that absence that the audience finds something to relate to. The beautiful thing
about spoken word is that a person is allowed to give his or her perspective on a certain topic without fear
of debate. It is an open display of the soul. With this medium, an individual is able to express feelings of
anger and grief about current events, and the audience is given a front row seat to the inner workings of the
artist’s mind. Spoken word pieces can involve any life experience from losing a first tooth to losing one’s
virginity to losing one’s child. The range is endless.
a. Drama- It is the genre of literature with stories composed of verse or prose which is meant to be dramatically or
theatrically performed. Its emotions and conflicts are expressed through dialogue and movements or action.
b. Blog - A weblog: a website containing short articles called posts that are changed regularly. Some blogs are written by one
person containing their own opinions, interests and experiences, while others are written by many different people.
c. Creative nonfiction – it is also known as literary nonfiction or narrative nonfiction. It is a genre of writing that uses
literary styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives. Creative nonfiction contrasts with other nonfiction,
such as technical writing or journalism, which is also rooted in accurate fact, but is not primarily written in service to its
craft. As a genre, creative nonfiction is still relatively young, and is only beginning to be scrutinized with the same critical
analysis given to fiction and poetry.
d. Fiction- It is a literature created from the imagination, not presented as fact, though it may be based on a true story or
situation.
i. Short story – It is a brief fictional prose narrative that is shorter than a novel and that usually deals with only a
few characters. The short story is usually concerned with a single effect conveyed in only one or a few significant
episodes or scenes. The form encourages economy of setting, concise narrative, and the omission of a complex
plot; character is disclosed in action and dramatic encounter but is seldom fully developed. Despite its relatively
limited scope, though, a short story is often judged by its ability to provide a “complete” or satisfying treatment
of its characters and subject.
Chick-lit – It is a genre which addresses issues of modern womanhood, often humorously and light-heartedly. The genre became
popular in the late 1990s, with chick-lit titles topping best seller lists and the creation of imprints devoted entirely to chick-lit.
Although it sometimes includes romantic elements, chick-lit is generally not considered a direct.
i. subcategory of the romance novel genre, because the heroine's relationship with her family or friends is often just
as important as her romantic relationships.
ii. Illustrated novel – It is a story through text and illustrated novels.
iii. Digi-fiction – It is a triple media literature. It combines three media:
book, movie/video and internet website.
iv. Graphic novels – These are narratives in comic book formats.
v. Manga – This is a Japanese word for comics
Example: Naruto, Bleach, One Piece
vi. Doodle Fiction – It is a literary presentation where the author incorporates doodle writing and drawings, and
handwritten graphics in place of traditional font.
Example: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
vii. Text-Talk Novels- These are stories that are told almost completely in dialogue simulating social network
exchanges.
viii. Flash fiction – This is a style of fictional literature of extreme brevity.
ix. Six-word flash fiction – It is a flash fiction done in six words only.
x. Speculative fiction – It is an umbrella term encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres, specifically science
fiction, fantasy, horror, weird fiction, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction,
apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history in literature as well as related static, motion, and
virtual arts.
a. Science fiction – It is a genre dealing with imaginative concepts such as futuristic science and
technology, space travel, time travel, faster than light travel, parallel universe and extraterrestrial life.
Ex. The Hunger Games
b. Fantasy – It is a genre that concentrates on imaginary elements (the fantastic). This can mean magic,
the supernatural, alternate worlds, superheroes, monsters, fairies, magical creatures, mythological
heroes—essentially, anything that an author can imagine outside of reality.
b. Horror – It is a genre whose purpose is to create feelings of fear, dread, repulsion, and terror in the audience—in other
words, it develops an atmosphere of horror.
ASSESSMENT
Instructions: Select the best answer. Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper.
1. A relatively new and popular type of contemporary world literature is the _____, which uses illustrations and dialogue to
create the story.
A. Graphic novel B. Comic book C. Memoir D. Descriptive piece
2. One of the biggest thematic trends of contemporary world literature is _____, which seeks to represent minorities, oppressed
peoples, and people from non-Western countries.
A. Post-colonialism B. Fiction C. Realism D. None of these
3. A major type of literature that makes use of imagery, figurative language, and sometimes rhyme. Rather than paragraphs it is
written in stanzas. A. Drama B. Informational C. Poetry D. Fiction
4. Fiction → Writing that contains true facts, & tells about real people, places, objects, etc.
A. True B. True C. Maybe D. I don’t know
5. Science Fiction → Fictional story that combines elements of fantasy and scientific facts. Often set in the future.
A. True B. False C. Maybe D. I don’t know
6. It is a story through text and illustrated novels.
A. drama B. Illustrated novel C. Digi-fiction D. Blog
7. It a style of fictional literature of extreme brevity.
A. non-fiction B. fiction C. flash fiction D. short story
8. It is a form of digital poetry that uses links using hypertext mark-up.
A. chick-lit B. spoken poetry C. drama D. hyperpoetry
9. It utilizes concrete language, word play, and rhythm to tell stories.
A. chick-lit B. spoken poetry C. drama D. Hyperpoetry
[Link] is a genre which addresses issues of modern womanhood, often humorously and light-heartedly.
[Link]-lit B. spoken poetry C. drama D. Hyperpoetry
WHAT’S MORE
ACTIVITY 1
Instructions: Choose from among the various literatures across the globe and accomplish the Compare/Contrast Tower below by
citing the similarities and differences in their literary genres and their elements, structures, and traditions. Do this in a long bond
paper. (10 pts).
Answer Key
What I know
1. b
2. c
3. c
4. d
