SH1701

Literature as an Enduring Expression

I. Defining Literature.
According to Vinuya (2011), literature is man’s vehicle for self-expression: a form of catharsis
(relief) and feelings of friendship. It is the preserver of the culture of a nation that preserves it; the
showcase of people’s national upheavals (struggles); and, more importantly, it is a means or a tool
for cultural transmission. It is through literature (along with other arts) that the cultural heritage of
the people is passed on from one generation to the next. Of course, the primordial aim of literature
is to entertain.

II. Prose vs. Poetry

This text is written by

This text is written sentences or
by sentences or Both text paragraph and
paragraph and express intended to be read.
intended to be read.
nationalism
This text This text
communicates or and communicates
delivers its patriotism casually as if it’s
message or simply just discussing
figuratively like a using the words
love for the communicatively
poem. country or deliberately.

III. Forms and Genres

• Literary Forms pertain to the structure or the way a piece was published. (short story, novel,
poem, drama, or play)
• Literary Genres pertain to the category determined by the technique of the author in delivering
his content (Comedy, Tragedy, Horror, Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Mythology, Historical,
Musical)
LITERATURE
(Major Forms)
Short Story, Poem, Novel, Drama or Play
(Genres)
Fiction Non-Fiction
Comedy, Tragedy, Horror, Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Mythology, History, Musical, Epic/Action
(Division)
Prose Poetry
Poem, Haiku, Ballad, Sonnet
Short Story, Parable, Fable, Novel, Essay, News,
(Note that any literary work that uses rhyme,
Drama, Magazine
rhythm, measurements and/or written in lines,
Encyclopedia (Reference Materials)
stanzas, and verses are considered under this
Fiction and non-Fiction Writings Myth, Folktale
division.
(anything written in sentences and paragraphs)

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IV. Figurative Language

1. Alliteration - This is a very common figure of speech that involves using words that begin with
the same sound.
For instance, “Sally sells seashells by the seashore” is alliteration – and try saying it fast to see
how difficult it is! It is often used in advertising slogans to create something catchy that more
people will remember.
2. Anaphora - This figure of speech uses a specific clause at the beginning of each sentence or
point to make a statement.
For instance: “Good night and good luck” is an example of the beginning word being the same.
The more it is used, the more of an emotional effect it can evoke from those who are listening.
Another example is "Mad world! Mad kings! Mad composition!" from King John, III by
William Shakespeare.
3. Assonance - Remember the phrase “I Like Ike”? It was a very common phase for those who
supported Dwight Eisenhower during his presidential run. This is a figure of speech that
focuses on the vowel sounds in a phrase, repeating them over and over to create a great effect.
4. Hyperbole - “It was as big as a mountain! It was faster than a cheetah! It was dumber than a
rock!” This figure of speech makes things seem much bigger than they really are by using
grandiose depictions of everyday things. Hyperbole is often seen as an exaggeration that adds
a bit of humor to a story.
5. Irony - This figure of speech tries to use a word in a literal sense that debunks what has just
been said. “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!” from Dr. Strangelove
is a great example. It is often used to poke fun at a situation that everyone else sees as a very
serious matter.
6. Metaphor - The use of metaphor compares two (2) things that are not alike and finds something
about them to make them alike.
“My heart is a lonely hunter that hunts on a lonely hill” from a book by William Sharp is a
good example of a metaphor. Some writers try to use this style to create something profound
out of comparing two things that appear to have nothing at all in common.
7. Simile - In this figure of speech, two (2) things are compared that are not really the same but
are used to make a point about each other.
“Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get” is a famous line
from the movie Forrest Gump that illustrates the simile. This is often used to make an emotional
point about something. The difference between simile and metaphor is that you can obviously
see words "like" in the sentence.
8. Metonymy - In this figure of speech, a word that has a very similar meaning can be used for
another. Using the word “crown” for “royalty” or “lab coats” for “scientists” are two (2)
examples. In some ways, it can be seen as a nickname for something else; for instance, “The
White House said” doesn’t actually mean the White House said it (a house can’t speak!) but
that the President said it. However, we all understand the meaning, and so the words are
interchangeable.

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9. Onomatopoeia - This is the use of a word that actually sounds like what it means. Good
examples include “hiss” or “ding-dong” or “fizz.” These words are meant to describe
something that actually sounds very much like the word itself. This is a trick often used in
advertising to help convey what something is really like.
10. Paradox - This figure of speech completely contradicts itself in the same sentence. Famous
quotes that illustrate this from George Orwell’s “1984” include: “War is peace. Ignorance is
strength. Freedom is slavery.” Though we know these things aren’t true, they present an
interesting paradox that makes a person think seriously about what they have just read or heard.
11. Personification - This is a way of giving an inanimate object the qualities of a living thing.
“The tree quaked with fear as the wind approached” is an example; “The sun smiled down on
her” is another. This can sometimes be used to invoke an emotional response to something by
making it more personable, friendly and relatable.
12. Pun - This play on words uses different senses of the word or different sounds that make up
the word, to create something fun and interesting. For instance: “I would like to go to Holland
someday. Wooden shoe?” is a pun that actually means “wouldn’t you?” Sometimes puns are
so subtle that they can be tough to pick up unless you are really listening to them.
13. Synecdoche - This is a figure of speech in which one thing is meant to represent the whole. A
few good examples include “ABCs” for the alphabet, “new set of wheels” for the car, or “9/11”
to demonstrate the whole of the tragedy that happened in the United States on September 11,
2001. This is often used in journalism as a type of shorthand.
14. Understatement - This is a situation in which the thing discussed is made to seem much less
important than it really is. This famous line from Catcher in the Rye is a good example: “I have
to have this operation. It isn’t very serious. I have this tiny tumor on the brain.” Understatement
can often be used to comedic effect.
15. Antithesis - This is a contradiction that pits two (2) ideas against each other in a balanced way.
“You’re easy on the eyes, hard on the heart” is a line from a country song that illustrates this
perfectly. This is often used to indicate just how something can be more than one thing at the
same time.
16. Euphemism - Words that are used to soften the message are often considered euphemisms.
“Passed away” is often used in place of “died” or “killed.” A “misunderstanding” might be
used in place of “fight” or “argument.” And who could forget “wardrobe malfunction,” which
is a fancy way of saying “your clothes fell off.”?
17. Oxymoron - This puts two (2) words together that seem to contradict each other. “Military
intelligence,” “real phony,” “civil war,” and “silent yell” are all examples of an oxymoron.
Many people use these to promote the humor in a situation.

References:
Figurative language definition. (n.d.). Retrieved on July 14,
2016 from http://www.enkivillage.com/figure-of-speech.html
Tomeldan, Yolanda V. et al. (1986) Prism: An introduction to Literature. National Bookstore
Vinuya, Remedios V. (2011) Philippine literature a statement of ourselves. Metro, Manila: Granbooks
Publishing Inc.

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