REVIEWING THE FORMS AND GENRES OF LITERATURE
commentaries may be framed and expressed in the form of
 Creative and imaginative expression as exhibited in a
literary work can be established and framed in
various forms.
 Each form differs in terms of features and
conventions.
 Thus, the way how language is utilized to create a
certain pattern or style is an indicator of a certain
form of literature that one may consider.
 Though forms may be different but the attempt to
showcase a significant human experiences is known
to be evident in all forms of literature.
MAJOR FORMS OF LITERATURE
A. Prose – this prose is mainly ascribe to be composed freely.
- this form does not have any measurement scheme
for it is known to have a free-flow of sentences.
- has a greater irregularity and the language used in
this form is ordinary for it has a close resemblance to man’s
pattern of everyday speech.
Prose fiction – this is mainly characterized by scholars as
any literary work that is an imaginative recreation and
reconstruction of life.
- type covers short stories and novels in which these
are said to be manifestations of the creative and imaginative
thinking of a particular writer.
- recounts the flow and development of actions and
events involving an identified number of characters who deal
and react to certain conflicts and human issues.
B. Poetry – it is a form of literature characterized by its
highly controlled manner of choosing and arranging language
with the use of regulating devices such as for sound and
rhythm to aesthetically convey a meaning which may call for
a specific emotional response.
– ascribed as the most economical means of
expression since it only uses limited number of words.
- its beauty is mainly forced by the intricate and
careful use of words, figurative expression, imagery, rhythm
and sound.
OTHER GENRES OF LITERATURE
C. Drama – involves stories involving significant human
encounters which are intended to be performed on stage.
- involve a certain numbers characters who also deal
with some complications and issues.
- it presents fictional or imaginative events
presented or portrayed by actors and actresses before an
audience.
D. Non- fiction – this genre mainly attempts to present, to
interpret, or to describe facts.
- with such, judgements, opinions, and
essays, feature articles, editorials and the like.
POETRY: NATURE, STRUCTURE, AND FORMS
Greek term “poesis” which means “to create” or “to
make” is said to be the derivation of the word
poetry.
It is indeed a majestic form of literature for it
manifest aesthetic value relative to how carefully
language is used by a certain poet.
This is an art of communicating meanings, emotions,
and values which leave an effect or impact on its
readers.
Evokes emotions, aspirations, conditions despite its
shortness.
This can be delivered in both spoken or written
forms.
Considers the rhythmic and other tonal aspects
which are perceived to be intricate and complex.
The creative use of these aspects may help in
establishing the beauty of poetry.
ELEMENTS OF POETRY
A. Sense – this elements it involves diction or known as the
word choice, imagery that can truly appeal to the senses,
and lasting, figurative expression.
Sense of Poetry
1. Diction -denotative and connotative meanings/ symbols
 Denotation - dictionary meaning of the
word.
 Connotation - suggested or implied meaning
associated with a word beyond its dictionary
definition.
2. Imagery - otherwise known as “sense of the mind”.
- use of sensory details or descriptions that
appeal to one or more of the five senses: sight,
hearing, touch, taste and smell.
3. Figures of Speech - these are specific devices or a kind of
figurative language that uses words, phrases, and
sentences in a non-literal definition but, rather gives
meanings in abstractions.
Literal vs. Figurative Language
• Literal Language – You say exactly what you mean.
You make no comparison, and you do not exaggerate
or understate the situation.
• Figurative Language – You DON’T say exactly what
you mean. You DO compare, exaggerate, and
understate the situation. You use similes,
metaphors, hyperboles, and other figures of speech
to make your writing more exciting.
Seven Types of Figurative Language
• Simile - Comparing two unlike things using the words
“like” or “as”.
• Hyperbole - An exaggeration so dramatic, no one
could believe it; overstate to emphasize a point.
• Alliteration - The repeating of the same letter or
sound, especially consonant sounds….Including
tongue twisters.
• Metaphor - Comparing two unlike things without
using like or as. Calling one thing, another. Saying
one thing is something else.
• Personification - Giving human characteristics to
things that are not human.
• Onomatopoeia - The use of a word to describe or
imitate a natural sound made by an object or action.
Words that sound like what they mean.
• Oxymoron - Words or phrases in which
contradictory or opposite terms are used together
B. Sound – this element is an offshoot of a variety of
elements like tonal patterns, rhythm, and measurements.
1. Tone Color - it is achieved through repetition.
a. Repetition of Single Sounds
• Alliteration
• Assonance
• Consonance
• Rhyme
Repetition of Single Sound
 Alliteration - Is the repetition of similar and
accented sounds at the beginning of words
Example: The fair breeze blew, the white
foam flew,
The furrow followed free;
We were the first that ever burst
Into that silence sea.”
- The rime of the ancient mariner
 Assonance - Is the repetition of similar accented
vowel sounds
Example: Thou still unravished bride of
quietness.
Thou foster child of silence and
slow time.
-Ode on a grecian urn
 Consonance - Is the repetition of similar consonant
sound typically within or at the end of words
Example: “Out of this house” – said rider to
reader
“Yours never will” – said farer to
fearer
“They’re looking for your” – said
hearer to horror,
- O where are you going?
 Rhyme - is the repetition of the same stressed vowel
sounds and any succeeding sounds in two or more
words.
Example: I think that i shall never see
A poem as lovely as a tree
- Trees
Poetry Devices: 3 Types of Rhyme
• End Rhyme: the rhyming of words at the end of
a line.
example: They could not excuse the sin.
That was committed by his kin.
• Internal Rhyme: rhyme that occurs within a
single line of poetry.
example: No, baby, no, you may not go.”
• Slant Rhyme: two words sound similar, but do
not have a perfect rhyme.
example: The words jackal and buckle.
 Rhyme Scheme - pattern of rhyme form that ends a
stanza or a poem.
- is designated by the assignment of
a different letter of the alphabet to each new rhyme.
Repetition of Words
Example: My dreams are dreams of thee, fair maid.
- Rural maid
Repetition of Sentences or Phrases
Example: I dream that one day our voices will be heard
I dream that one day our hopes become worth
- Paraiso
 Rhythm -pattern of beats created by the
arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables
-the effect is derived from the sounds
employed, the varying pitches, stresses, volumes and
durations.
C. Structure – this elements pertains to the way how words
and lines are organized, sequenced, arranged and formed to
ensure unity of form.
Structure of a Poem
1. Word and its Order – Grouping of words and choosing of
words and verses where more often, poets arrange them in
the unnatural order to achieve an effect
2. Syntax – Is an effect achieved where words are fractured
to have a desired effect
3. Ellipsis – Is the omission of words or several words that
clearly identify the understanding of an expression
4. Punctuation – Is the use of meaningful symbols that help
provide meaning clues
DIFFERENT POETIC FORMS • Theme – this mainly involves the significant truth or
a. Dramatic poetry – this is a lyric work that exhibits dialogue the central idea that the writer attempts to disclose
and characterization which are known to be elements of and to communicate to its readers.
drama. • Appeal – this pertains to your impressions about the
monologue – which is specifically a speech delivered by an poem.
individual in a dramatic performance
soliloquy – which monologue used to develop the character
of a speaker by providing information by the revelation of
the character’s personal thoughts, emotions and feelings
both belong to this type.

b. Lyric poetry – this mainly discloses a poet’s feelings and

emotions which can be perceived to be subjective and
personal.
simple lyric – which includes pastorals that describe scenes
and objects of nature
songs – which are emotional verses sung during special
occasions
odes – which are extended lyric poems ascribed to be more
serious and complex in form than a simple lyric
sonnets – which are commonly composed of 14 lines,
elegy – which mainly laments of death of a person or group
of individuals

c. Narrative poetry – this is mainly a poem that is non-

dramatic in which the prime goal of the author is to narrate a
story.
- it has a variety of length and of complexity.
- examples of this poems are epics, metrical
tales and romances, and ballads.

POETRY ANALYSIS AND APPRECIATION

Considerations in analyzing a poem
• Author – know who the writer of the poem
• Title of the poem – title bears important information
about a poem.
• The persona and the addressee – persona refers to
the one speaking in the lines of a poem, while the
addressee is the receiver or the one being talked to
by the persona.
• Tone, attitude, motifs and conditions – the
prevailing emotion of the persona towards the
addressee can be discerned and elucidated by
looking into the choice of words of the writer.
• Imagery and symbolism – a poem to the senses,
thus, words may also be effective tools to create
connections between the poem and its readers
making them see, hear, taste, smell, and feel
whatever the poem presents.
• Genre – it is a requisite to know how to classify the
poetic work based on its prevailing features.
• Structure – look whether the poem has regular or
irregular structure. consider the length and measure
of the poem.