Literature is any written or oral expression of ones feelings, ideals, thoughts,

and aspirations. It is the artistic form of expressing oneself which could be in the
form of poems, songs, short stories, essays, novels, etc.
There are two divisions of literature: poetry and prose. Poetry is in the form of
lines or stanzas with rhythm or rhyme, while prose is written in ordinary language
without a meter or rhyme. Poetry usually appeals to the emotion, while prose
appeals to the intellect.
Three main classes of poetry:
1. Narrative Poetry A poem that tells a story, relating events in order of
time
a. Epic A long, narrative poem, celebrating in stately, formal verse
heroic or grandiose events or achievements. The hero in the story has
supernatural powers.
b. Ballad A narrative poem or song of popular origin in short stanzas,
often with refrain and sentimental in nature.
c. Metrical Tale A narrative poem of real or fictitious events usually of a
single series of connected events which do not have a plot.
d. Metrical Allegory A narrative that teaches a moral or truth by using
people, animals, events, etc., as symbols of that moral or truth.
e. Metrical Romance A narrative form of medieval legend usually
involving heroes like knights in strange adventures and affairs of love.
2. Lyric Poetry This is intended to be sung. It is very personal in nature,
since it contains the thoughts, feelings, and reflections of the writer in
musical language.
a. Song, History or a Drama A short musical composition with metrical
pattern set to music. It is either secular or sacred and includes hymns
and anthems.
b. Ode A lyric poem originally intended to be sung or chanted, typically
marked by lofty tone, dignified theme, and often in the form of an
address.
c. Elegy A meditative poem with a sorrowful theme usually about
lamentation with the death of an individual or group.
d. Sonnet A lyric poem containing fourteen iambic pentameter lines and
a complicated rhyme scheme.
e. Simple lyric A poem which does not belong to any of the types of lyric
poetry. It touches every mood and emotion of the heart.
3. Dramatic Poetry This form is used to portray life and character by means
of dialogues and action. Characters here speak with other characters, to
themselves, or to the readers.
a. Melodrama A drama with a romantic story or plot, sensational
incidents, and usually including some music and song which aim to
arouse tears or fears.

b. Tragedy A form of drama in which the protagonist comes to disaster,

as through a flaw in character, and in which the ending is usually
marked by sorrow or pity.
c. Comedy A literary work with a nontragic view of life characterized by
a humorous treatment of characters, situations, etc., and having a
happy ending.
d. Farce A short comedy with exaggerated effects and incidents that do
not stimulate thought. It aims to arouse boisterous laughter.
e. Masque A form of dramatic poetry that aims to entertain visiting
royalties and gives more emphasis on the costumes, music, tableaux
and dancing. It is more related to opera than drama.
f. Monologue A poem or drama told or performed by one person who
reveals in his/her speech his/her own nature, and the dramatic
situation.
g. History A poetic play based on historical facts. The history playwright
chooses a period in the lives of some national heroes and builds up
around these as a center.
Other forms of Poetry
1. Descriptive poetry This aims to create a vivid picture in the mind through
the words used in the poem. It presents details of time, place, and character
so as to make impressions and images and to stir emotions.
2. Didactic poetry A form of poetry intended for instruction such as for
knowledge or to teach.
3. Satiric poetry A form of poetry that uses sarcasm, irony, or wit in ridiculing
and denouncing abuses, follies, customs, etc.

Prose
Different types:
1. Prose Fiction This type uses imaginary characters and events.
a. Short Story A work of prose fiction that is shorter than a novel.
b. Novel A fictional prose narrative of considerable length with a
complicated plot and numerous characters. It has a broader scope than
the elements of a short story.
c. Legend An authenticated story from early times; usually explains the
origin of things preserved by tradition and popularity thought to have a
basis in fact.
d. Fable A brief story embodying a moral, often with animals as the
characters that act and speak like people.
e. Mythology A traditional story, presented as historical, often
purporting to explain some natural phenomenon, as the creation of life,

and expressive of the character of a people, their gods, culture, heroes,

religious beliefs that explain the mysteries of the world.
f. Folktale A traditional poetry handed down by the common people in
either oral or written form.
g. Tale of Adventure A story which is unbelievable but full of daring
experiences, exploits and adventure.
2. Prose Nonfiction
a. Letter A written or printed communication which usually contains the
writers message.
b. Diary A written record of a persons day-to-day activities or
experiences, feelings, thoughts, observations, and aspirations.
c. Essay A literary composition that deals with a single subject from a
personal point of view. It has two forms: the formal and informal. A
formal essay is serious and impersonal in nature and aims to inform,
educate, persuade or instruct. An informal essay usually treats the
subject in a light approach and aims to entertain while it informs.
d. Journal Any periodical or magazine especially of a serious or learned
nature.
e. Biography A written account of a persons life and character written
by someone other than the subject.
f. Autobiography A story of a persons life written by the person
himself/herself.
Other forms of Prose
Character Sketch A short literary composition that aims to describe the qualities
and traits of a person.
Pamphlet A printed publication having relatively few pages and unbound, either
stapled or stitched.
Eulogy A spoken or written composition in praise of a persons life or character,
especially one in honor of a deceased person.
Travelogue A written account of the writer on the trips, journeys or tours he/she
had taken.
Anecdote A short narrative of an interesting or entertaining nature concerning a
particular individual or incident.
Parable A short, simple tale based on familiar things, meant to convey a moral or
religious lesson.
Speech A discourse that expresses a persons thought and emotion by spoken
words either in the form of an address, oration, lecture, talk, or sermon.
Philosophy A narrative that deals with the search for knowledge of general
principles, elements, powers, or causes and laws that explain facts and existence.

Historical Prose A written text that uses the past and includes real events and
people from that period.
Satirical Prose A discourse that uses irony or sarcasm to attack or ridicule the
vices or follies of humankind.
Scientific Prose Writings that are related to science or its principles.
Book Review A discourse written by a reader on what he/she thinks about the
material he/she reads, usually a story, novel, or any book.
Literary Criticism Similar to a book review but this is concerned more with literary
articles and the critiquing of its content.
Current Publications These are published materials such as newsletters, brochures,
and the like.