This document provides an overview of literature and its study. It defines literature as creative works that express human thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The document outlines several learning outcomes related to understanding and appreciating literature. It discusses reasons for reading literature such as entertainment, cultural understanding, and self-improvement. Finally, the document identifies several key features of literature such as it being a form of communication, an art, dealing with noble thoughts, having timelessness and universality, and being useful.

1. 21st
Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
1
A Glimpse to the Study and
Appreciation of Literature
Literature is truly a lasting memorabilia of man’s inner thoughts, feelings, desires and significant
experiences. It mainly serves as our foremost source of sound ideals to better understand and
appreciate life.
Desired Learning Outcomes
To make your learning experience productive and meaningful, you are expected to:
a. Discern and note the various views about literature.
b. Discuss the key features and characteristics of literature.
c. Explain the significance of literary study and appreciation.
d. Express ideas and perception about literature interactively.
e. Imbibe and demonstrate a higher degree of interest in literary study and appreciation.
Scaffolds for Learning
A. Perhaps the word “literature” is familiar one to you. What are your perceptions
about it? How would you like to write these ideas you have i mind?
B. Accomplish the table below by providing the responses for each column.
Learning Explorations
A. Reasons for Reading
It has been a common understanding among people that reading is mainly for the acquisition
of relevant information and also entertainment.
With this, it is necessary to discern that much information concerning man as well as all the
other related aspects and dimensions of his entirety can be best obtained through reading
literature.
Also, most people are engaged in reading different materials like books, magazines and the
like which mainly contain stories of various subjects for entertainment and amusement purposes.
The idea of obtaining enjoyment or pleasure through literature is somewhat broad depending on
LITERATURE
WHAT I KNOW ABOUT
LITERATURE
WHAT I WANT TO KNOW
MORE ABOUT LITERATURE

2. 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
how a literary work affects people. Perhaps there are other good reasons to read literature like to
satisfy one's curiosity, to uplift cultural understanding, to escape reality, and lastly, to fulfill one's
desires and aspirations.
Mainly, interest in literature is attributed to one's desire to better understand life. With
literature, man has the power to enrich his experiences and to explore the world which may
propel to great discoveries and genuine realizations about the various dimensions of life and of
the world in a broader sense.
B. Defining Literature
Scholars have given some legitimate definitions pertaining to how they perceive literature.
Hereunder are some useful descriptions of what literature is.
 Looking into the etymology of the word literature, it was said to be derived from the
Latin word litteratura which means writing, from litteratus, learning.
 Literature covers both oral and written forms of works which manifest expressive or
imagi7native quality, nobility of thoughts, timelessness, and lastly, universality.
 It is also described as for having an excellent form which the expression of permanent
and universal ideas can be established aesthetically.
 Literature takes significant human experiences as its main subject. It mainly discusses
various dimensions of life as well as its miseries and glories.
C. Different Views about Literature
Various scholars and sources have provided some insights with regards to how they perceive
literature.
 Webster Comprehensive Dictionary denotes literature as the collective production of the
human mind that deals with permanent and universal themes ascribed by creativity and
grace of expression.
 Webster 9th New Collegiate Dictionary defines literature as writings manifesting
excellence of form which also covers the expression of ideas of permanent and universal
interest produced in a particular language, country, or age.
 Brooks et. al. in their published book noted that literature mainly provides a unique
depiction of life which is different from what science provides. It enables people to have
an imaginative experience the "lived" meanings of a piece of life.
 According to Tiempo et.al. literature as a general term used for poetry, fiction, and drama
is mainly the expression of meaning articulated through form.
 Baritugo et. al. described literature as the artistic reproduction of human experiences in
either poetry or prose.
D. Key Features of Literature
Below are some of the important features of literature.
 Literature is a form of communication
Montealegre described literature mainly as a product or a commentary on the life process.
Thus, man's inner thoughts, feelings, and conditions can be disclosed and revealed through
the power of literature. As we read stories from the past, our forebears communicated with us
through literature. Thus, it goes across time and space. Truly, literature engages us to share
and to impart a portion of ourselves which may be interesting and benefiting to other people.
 Literature is an art
"Dulce" is a term which refers to beauty and magnificence. Literature takes an excellent
form. Its beauty is a deliberate manifestation of the mind's ability to create and imagine. In
addition, it is said to be an artistic expression of man's desires, aspirations, and conditions.
The appeal of a literary work mainly intensifies its value to the people depending on how
they judge and perceive the beauty and quality of a work.

3. 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
 Nobility of Thoughts
It is necessary to highlight ideas of great importance and significance. Literature should
deal with ideas that can lead to new responses to the world and can move people to achieve great
discoveries of the dimensions of human life and experience.
 Timelessness
The significant truth about life that a literary work reveals should not wane and dissipate
as time passes by. A work must have an enduring quality in which its beauty as well as its
applicability can withstand the change of time. For example, the famous novels written by Rizal
during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines reveal issues and themes which are still
perceived to be in existence.
 Universality
A work must have global applicability in which a work transcends across space. For
example, many Filipinos love to watch dramas and movies of foreign origin. Though these
stories are set in a different locale, Filipinos can effectively connect themselves to and
understand these foreign stories.
 Literature has utility
The term “utile” refers to intellectual emotional and social function of any creative
creative or literary work. Through literature, we can obtain relevant information to better
understand people, society, and culture. Also, with what literature can share, it can lead to
personal renewal and transformation. Montealegre once noted that literature can liberate
our minds and can uplift our spirits. It has the power to influence perspectives about the
self and the world in general.
Journey to Meaningful Learning
A. The lesson started with an opening task whereby you need to complete a table with 2
columns that state what you know and what you want to know more about literature.
Now, to complete the KWL chart, accomplish the third part which highlights newly
learned and discovered ideas.
B. Draw some images that will best represent what literature is all about. Write a short
description about it.
Keep on Learning
Answer the question or perform the task that follows:
1. Search the internet and find out what other scholars say about the nature of literature.
Indicate the proponents and the sources.
2. As students, how do you benefit from literature?
3. How will you explain this statement: “Literature teaches nothing except the
significance of life”?
WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED NEW ABOUT LITERATURE