Lesson 1a The Nature of Literature and Its Genres
Lesson 1a The Nature of Literature and Its Genres
"Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary
competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts
that our lives have already become.”
C.S. Lewis
The goal of the K to 12 English Language Arts curriculum is for learners to achieve
communicative competence and multiliteracies. Through a good mix of theories in language
teaching, language acquisition, and linguistics plus a smooth flow of macro skills and an
understanding of cultures, strategies and language itself, our learners can make MEANING
through language. Where does literature fall into this framework?
Definitions of Literature
Scylar (1998: 83) defines literature as “ any writing on a subject: the body of published
work concerned with a particular subject.”
Hancock (2006) believes that literature is a body of written works : the body of written
works of a culture, language, people or a period of time.
Hancock (2006) also defines literature as being written works of fiction and non fiction
in which compositional excellence and advancement in the art of writing are higher
priorities than are considerations of profit or commercial appeal.
Encarta (2009) states that Literature is the use of well-chosen words to tell a story
through narrative, involving characters in conflict, or to express an emotion or idea
through artfully arranged images.
Del Castillo and Medina (1964) states that literature is a faithful reproduction of life,
executed in an artistic pattern. It is the orchestration of the manifold but elemental
experiences of man blended into harmonious and desired patterns of expressions.
Parkinson and Reid Thomas (2000: 9-11) listed benefits of teaching literature.
3. Mental training. Better than any other discipline, literature trains the mind and
sensibility.
7. Rhythmic resource. Poems assist the learner in assimilating the rhythms of a language
(Maley and Moulding 1985).
8. Motivating material. Literature is more likely to engage with and motivate a learner
than artificial teaching inputs because it is generated by some genuine impulse on the
part of the writer and deals with subjects and themes which may be of interest to the
learner (Duff and Maley 1990).
9. Open to interpretation. Because literature is open to interpretation, it can serve as a
basis for “genuine interaction” between learners (Duff and Maley 1990).
The list can be summarized in three purposes and benefits of studying and learning
literature:
Real-life issues and experiences – Literatures can communicate to the learner and
to everyone else how life can be relatable, relevant, inspiring, and interesting
through the real life depiction of existing personal and social issues
These literary theories are schools of thought or style of analysis that gives the
readers or scholars with another lens in viewing or in critiquing the literary text
as a work of art and a product of the author. Some literary theories are:
Formalism
Deconstructivism
Marxism
Feminism
Post-modernism
Reader’s response
Psychoanalytic interpretations
A certain genre can predict the form of a literary piece and provide a set of
expectations a reader will have to follow while reading the text.
A knowledge of authors and their texts will also help literature teachers identify
which will be appropriate to a certain period, location, genre, and set of
language competencies.
3. Cultural and Historical Contexts
Cultural model
Language model
Personal Growth Model
Stylistic Approach
Moral -Philosophical Approach
Paraphrastic Approach
Language-based approach
Personal-Response Approach
Information-Based Approach
Name: _______________________________________
LEARNING TASK 1
Complete the table below. Read the questions and answer them.
LEARNING TASK 2
Which personal and/or academic value do you like to pursue when teaching literature to
your English language students? Why? How will you teach your literary texts with these values
in mind?
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LEARNING TASK 3
Which benefits in the list of Parkinson and Thomas (2000) conform with the values
presented? Which benefit/s are unique in this list?
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To help you remember the purposes, values and benefits of literature, act out these
benefits and take a photo of your still representation. Have your photos printed to form a
photo essay. Place literary title and captions to encapsulate the idea of the photo essay. If
taking photos will be difficult, you may draw an icon or a scenario to represent each of these
benefits. Place your photos in the spaces.
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Title of Photo Essay
Literature and Language Acquisition (developing writing voice and style, learning content-area
knowledge, improving the language macro skills)
Caption: ______________________________________________________________________
Literature and Cultural Competence (promoting cultural heritage and art appreciation, learning
about other cultures, improving imagination and inspiration in a social context)
Caption: _____________________________________________________________________
Literature and Real-Life Issues and Experiences (understanding and empathy with others, moral
and ethical, achieving vicarious experiences)
Caption: _____________________________________________________________________
Comprehension
Levels in
Reading
Literature