Introduction to LITERATURE

Characteristics
Divisions/Genres
 Figures of Speech
Characteristics of Literature
1. Universality
2. Permanence
3. Artistry
4. Suggestiveness
5. Intellectual value
6. Spiritual value
 LITERATURE

Prose Poetry Drama

Fiction Non fiction Creative Non fiction Lyric prose drama

Narrative Verse drama

Personal essay ode epic

Short story Formal Essay
Novel tragedy
ballad
Memoir elegy
Fables Bildungsroman Scientific prose
comedy
Autobiography song idyll
Folktales and *Mystery Historical prose
fairytales Travel writing sonnet lay Dramatic history
*Science fiction Technical writings
*Ghost and Food writing simple lyric metrical tale
horror stories Farce
*Fantasy Economic writings
Profiles haiku Metrical romance
*Crime and
mystery stories *Thriller Literary criticism
Melodrama

*Adventure stories *Romance

*Love stories

*Science fiction

Legend:
*Popular Genres

Note: There are several ways of classifying the divisions of Literature and this is one way of
doing it . This classification is for the purpose of our future class discussions of the selected
texts . There are other examples on the subtypes and only the basic types were mentioned here.
 References

Abrams, M. (1999). A glossary of literary terms. Seventh edition. Massachusetts: Heinle &
Heinle.

Dickey, N. (ed). (1992).Figures of speech. In Funk & Wagnalls new encyclopedia. Vol. 10.,
USA: Funk & Wagnalls Corporation

Garcia, C.(1993). Philippine literature. Quezon City : National Bookstore.

Niewman, E., & Safier, F. (1979). Adventures for readers. Heritage edition. Book 2. New York:
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.