Forms of Literature

Nonfiction prose is literature that is written in ordinary, non-metrical

language and communicates facts or opinions about reality. Every time
you read a science textbook or a how-to article, you are reading
nonfiction prose. Nonfiction meanings are usually pretty straightforward
because the writer's primary purpose is to convey information or
persuade readers.

Fiction prose is also written in ordinary, non-metrical language, but it is

the product of the writer's imagination. You've probably been reading
novels and short stories for years; if so, you already know a lot about
fiction prose. The meaning of fictional works can stretch all the way from
obscure and difficult to clear and direct.

Poetry, on the other hand, uses metrical language with lots of rhythm
and rhyme to create word pictures. Poetry employs all kinds of word
play, figurative language, and imagery to send its messages, which are
often rather obscure and need to be dug out with some effort on the
part of the reader.

Drama combines elements of prose and poetry into plays that are usually
intended to be performed on stage. Drama joins monologues and
dialogues by characters with stage directions and occasionally narrative
sections that explain the action. Like poetry, drama can feature hidden
meanings and messages that take some work to decipher.

Divisions of Literature
A. Prose
- a division of literature which covers a literary work that is
spoken or written within the common flow of language in
sentences and in paragraphs which gives information,
relate events, express ideas, or present opinions. Under this
division, we have two sub-divisions: the Fiction and Non-
Fiction.

1. Non-Fiction is a sub-division of prose which covers a literary

work of imaginative narration, either oral or written,
fashioned to entertain and to make readers think and more
so, to feel. It normally came from the writer’s imagination.

a. Legend
b. Short story
c. Novel
d. Novella
e. Fable
 f. Parable

2. Fiction is a sub-division of prose which covers a literary work of

“real life” narration or exposition based on history and facts whose
main thrust is intellectual appeal to convey facts, theories,
generalizations, or concepts about a particular topic.

a. Biography
b. History
c. News
d. Diary
e. Anecdote
f. Essay

B. Poetry
-a division of literature works which covers a literary
work expressed in verse, measure, rhythm, sound, and
imaginative language and creates an emotional response to an
experience, feeling or fact. Traditionally, it has three sub-
divisions namely: Narrative poetry, Lyric poetry, and Dramatic
poetry.

1. Narrative Poetry is a sub-division of poetry which tells or

narrates a story. It may be lengthy as an epic, or short as a ballad
and typically measured as a metrical tale.

a. Epic
b. Ballad
c. Metrical

2. Lyric Poetry is a sub-division of poetry which features poems

intended to be sung with the accompaniment of the musical
instrument called “lyre” hence, lyric poetry.

A. Lyric Poetry
B. Ode
C. Elegy
D. Sonnet
E. Idyll

3. Dramatic Poetry
- is a sub-division of poetry which features poems meant to
be performed on stage. Theater plays and dramatic
presentations belong to this type.
 a.Tragedy
b. Comedy
c. Melodrama
d. Farce
e.Social Play

Paruparong Bukid
Paruparong bukid na lilipad-lipad
Sa gitna ng daan papaga-pagaspas
Isang bara ang tapis
Isang dangkal ang manggas
Ang sayang de kola
Isang piyesa ang sayad
May payneta pa siya — uy!
May suklay pa man din — uy!
Nagwas de-ohetes ang palalabasin
Haharap sa altar at mananalamin
At saka lalakad nang pakendeng-kendeng.
May payneta pa siya — uy!
May suklay pa man din — uy!
Nagwas de-ohetes ang palalabasin
Haharap sa altar at mananalamin
At saka lalakad nang pakendeng-kendeng.
Paruparong bukid na lilipad-lipad
Sa gitna ng daan papaga-pagaspas
Isang bara ang tapis
Isang dangkal ang manggas
Ang sayang de kola
Isang piyesa ang sayad
May payneta pa siya — uy!
May suklay pa man din — uy!
Nagwas de-ohetes ang palalabasin
Haharap sa altar at mananalamin
At saka lalakad nang pakendeng-kendeng.
May payneta pa siya — uy!
May suklay pa man din — uy!
Nagwas de-ohetes ang palalabasin
Haharap sa altar at mananalamin
At saka lalakad nang pakendeng-kendeng.