Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region IX, Zamboanga Peninsula
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE
Liloy III District
COMPRA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Compra, Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte

CREATIVE WRITING – NON FICTION

Name of Learner: _________________________________________ Score: _________
Grade – Section: _____________________ Date: _________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET 3.1

Title: A CLOSE LOOK AT A LITERARY GENRES

Background Information for Learners

VOCABULARY LIST
1. Literature is an art form, usually written. It includes prose and poetry.
2. Fiction uses ordinary language that depicts significant human. It has its elements such character, setting, plot, and
point-of-view. Its kinds are short stories and novels.
3. Poetry uses figurative language. It may be lyric, narrative or dramatic.
4. Drama refers to a life story of actors and actresses, usually is performed on a stage.
5. Other literary genres are speeches, diary entries, memoirs, etc.

Introduction to Literary Genres

Defined simply as the “art of words,” literature comes in various meanings. Rexroth (2020) defines literature as “those imaginative
works of poetry and prose distinguished by the intentions of their authors and the perceived aesthetic excellence of their execution.”
Citing the 11th edition of Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Rexroth adds that literature is “writings having excellence of form or
expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest.” These definitions point out two important aspects of literature:
excellence and expression. For a work to be considered literature, it should not simply express humankind’s thoughts, feelings,
experiences and aspirations, but should also reflect merit and brilliance of expression.
Due to the depth and breadth of literature, various academics have classified it based on its different aspects such as content,
technique, tone, or simply definition. On the basis of content, literature is divided into two major forms – fiction and nonfiction. As to
techniques used, literature is also classified into prose and poetry.
Genre refers to a type of art, literature, or music characterized by a distinct form, content, and style. In literature, there are four
literary genres: poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction. All these literary genres have specific functions and features which distinguish one
from the others. As readers of literature, part of understanding a text is knowing to which genre a material belongs since the message it
conveys may be affected by certain conventions. When you have mastered what distinguishes one from the other, it is easier to grasp
what the writer is trying to tell you hence putting you in a better position to think critically about the material you have read.

Fiction Defined

Fiction refers to a literary work which comes from the author’s imagination. Through the fictional narrative, a writer may inform,
entertain, inspire, or even persuade (Littlehale, 2020). Fiction has three categories: realistic, non-realistic, and semi-fiction. Masterclass
(2019) classifies fiction into 14 different forms including the following: literary, mystery, thriller, horror, historical, romance, western,
bildungsroman, speculative, science, fantasy, dystopian, magical realism, and realist literature. On the other hand, some academics
also classify fiction into sub-genres: short story, novel, myth, legend, and fable.

Poetry Defined

Poetry is a means of sharing experiences, telling a story, or expressing feelings or ideas through the use of language in a
particular way. As opposed to prose writing, poetry in written form has a distinct structure and words may form patterns of sound, verse
or thought. The creation of pictures with words is very important in poetry, hence poets carefully choose words which will appeal to the
imagination of the readers and create vivid visual images. There are some distinctive characteristics of poetry which sets it apart from
prose:
 the visual patterning of lines of unequal and shorter length;
 the frequent division into stanzas (verses);
 the possibility of unusual shapes; and,
 the distinctive use of white space which draws our eye into the compressed essence of feelings and ideas.

Poems are usually shorter than novels, may come in many shapes and forms, and are often (but not always) divided into
stanzas (or verses). But just like prose, poems also share similar features like subject (what it is about), theme (what it says about the
subject), and a mood/feeling/tone (how the author feels about this or how the author wants the readers to feel). To make meaning out
of poems, two broad approaches can be used:

Narrative poem – It tells a story with an orientation, complication, crisis, and resolution, or
Lyrical poem – It conveys an experience, or ideas, thoughts or feelings about a subject without necessarily having
‘something
happen.’

Drama
A drama is a composition in either verse or prose presenting a story through pantomime or dialogue. It contains conflict of
characters, particularly the ones who perform in front of the audience on the stage. The person who writes drama for stage directions is
known as a “dramatist” or “playwright.” The term “drama” is also used for the type of play written for theater, television, radio, and film.
Because of the combination of performance, music, dance, props, and others which enable the audience to feel like a part of
the action, drama is considered a unique and distinctive genre of literature. There are four distinct types of drama: comedy, tragedy,
melodrama, and musical drama.
Other Forms of Literary Genres

Diaries/Journals
Diaries and journals both contain records of experiences by its writer. A diary records events, transactions, or observations
daily or at frequent intervals. A journal, on the other hand, contains one’s experiences, ideas and reflections but not necessarily on a
daily basis.

Memoirs
A memoir is an author’s narrative of his or her experiences, which makes it similar to an autobiography, but with certain
distinguishable characteristics. In terms of focus, memoirs highlight what the writer has witnessed, more than the telling of his or her
own life, character, and developing self. Secondly, while a memoir talks about how one remembers one's own life, an autobiography is
history, requiring research, dates, and facts double-checked.

Speeches
Merriam-Webster defines speech as “the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words.” Although speeches are not
primary genres of literature, its significance lies in the fact that these are important historical documents or moments and literature. A
formal address meant to be given to an audience, speeches can be found in prose, drama, and poetry, and their primary goals are to
persuade, inform, demonstrate, or entertain a reader, an audience, or other characters. They can also be used in nonfiction or fiction,
depending on their purpose and use. Some of the primary speech forms include persuasive, informational, demonstrative, special
occasion speech, and debate.

Learning Competency with Code

In this module, you are expected to attain the following objective:

1. Identify dominant literary conventions of a particular genre;

2. Compare and contrast how the elements are used in the different genres.

WHAT I KNOW

Directions: Let’s see how well you can recall some important facts about literature. In your notebook, write AGREE if you think
the statement is true and DISAGREE if it is not.

1. Literature encompasses works of varying forms from student’s classroom essays to famous writers’
masterpieces.
2. Fiction is an imaginative work.
3. A poem could have an unusual shape on the page.
4. A drama is intended to be performed before an audience.
5. Speeches are not literary works.
6. Both poetry and fiction utilize the same literary elements.
7. There are various literary genres.
8. Journals and diaries are also considered literary genres.
9. Any artistic literary work can be considered literature.
10. Since nonfiction work is based on truth, it makes use of different literary elements when written.
Reflection

References for Learners

Department of Education. (February 2014). K to 12 Senior High School Humanities and Social Science Strand – Creative Nonfiction
Curriculum Guide.
Rexroth, K. (2020). Literature. From [Link]
Littlehale, K. (2020). Literary genres. From [Link]
Masterclass. (July 2, 2019). What are the different genres of literature? From [Link]
different-genres-of-literature-a- guide-to-14literary-genres#the-14-main-literay-genres
“Short story.” [Link] Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https:[Link]/dictionary/short%20story.
Accessed 16 Jun. 2020.
Prahl, a. (2019). “What Is a Novel? Definition and Characteristics.” [Link] Accessed 16
Jun. 2020.

1. Disagree: 1, 6, 8
2. Agree: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
Prepared by:

EMELYN A.
REBOSURA
Note: Practice Personal Hygiene Protocol at all times.