Unit 1: Introduction to Literary

Genres
Lesson 1.1

Creative Nonfiction and Other Literary Genres

Tech Road Map

Introduction 1

Techno Goals 2

Acumen Benchmark 3

Initializing Brain Boost 3

Knowledge Builder (with Barrier Demolition) 5-6

Creative Nonfiction 4
Fiction 8
Poetry 11
Drama 13

Test Yourself! 20

Integration Hub 21

Escape Ticket Pass 21

Skill Verification 22

Bibliography 24
Unit 1: Introduction to Literary
Genres

Lesson 1.1

Creative Nonfiction and Other

Literary Genres

Introduction
If you want to learn how to write creative nonfiction, it’s not enough to familiarize
yourself with the elements, techniques, methods, and more of creative nonfiction. The
genre does not stand separate from the other major literary genres. In fact, the more
familiar you are with the different genres like fiction, poetry, and drama, the better you’ll
become at writing nonfiction. Think of it as eating a complete meal with an appetizer, a
main course with rice or bread, and a drink; you can eat any of these on their own, but
a meal is even more
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Genres
satisfying if you have all of them. Your skill as a writer can improve if you are familiar with
all of the literary genres. What do the literary genres have in common? How can knowing
about one help you in being more familiar with the others as well?

Techno Goals DepEd Learning Competency

This lesson serves as a prerequisite lesson for the
In this lesson, you should be able to do the following DepEd competency:
following:
Create samples of the different literary elements
● Identify the characteristics of the
based on one’s experience (e.g., metaphor to
traditional literary genres. describe an emotion) (HUMSS_CNF11/12-Ib-d-4).

● Differentiate the traditional

literary genres from one another.
● Engage in various exercises to
improve writing skills
● Analyze and interpret the themes
and techniques used in a certain
text
● Appreciate the importance of
literary genres in real life events

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Acumen Benchmark
Directions: Read and understand the following question. Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. What element in fiction or drama shows the overall message of the story?
a. plot b. setting c. character d. theme
2. What part of a plot introduces the conflict in the story or play?
a. exposition b. rising action c. falling action d. climax.
3. What narrative device uses the past event to better understand the present?
a. flashback b. conflict c. deus ex machina d. irony
4. What narrative device provides a hint on what will happen next in the story
a. foreshadowing b. conflict c. deus ex machina d. conflict
5. Determine among the choices below the type of fiction that covers several plots complications and
is composed of chapters.
a. short story b. flash fiction c. novella d. novel
6. What part of the plot introduces the moment of insight or revelation?
a. falling action b. climax c. exposition d. denouement
7. What narrative device is used when the author or character shows the opposites of what they
mean?
a. flashback b. conflict c. deus ex machina d. irony
8. What narrative device refers to a contrived element in the plot used to solve a problem?
a. flashback b. conflict c. deus ex machina d. irony
9. What narrative device uses the past event to better understand the present?
a. flashback b. conflict c. deus ex machina d. irony
10. What is a series of imagined facts which illustrates truths about human life?
a. drama b. fiction c. fantasy d. poetry

Initializing Brain Boost

My Favourite Genre 1O minutes

This may be your first time trying to write in creative nonfiction or any literary genre, but
surely you have encountered texts and works in these genres before. Let us try and see
what parts and elements of the literary genres you can already identify.

Instructions
1. Recall a text you have read before. It can be a short story, a novel, a creative essay,
a poem, or a drama.
2. If you can find a copy of your chosen text, you may bring it out for the activity.
3. Read through your chosen text and try to identify its defining characteristics.

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Unit 1: Introduction to Literary
Genres 4. Find the features of the text that define its genre. (What makes a short story a
fiction piece? What makes a poem a poem?)
5. Then, partner or group up with classmates who have a different genre and compare
characteristics.

Guide Questions
1. What characteristics did you find from your chosen work?

2. How do the characteristics you found demonstrate the genre of your chosen work?

3. What similarities and differences did you see between the work you chose and
that of your classmates?

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Knowledge Builder
Before we find out more about creative nonfiction, let us first familiarize ourselves with
the other literary genres. This lesson offers a quick overview of the four major literary
genres before diving deeper into each one in the next lessons.

How does being more familiar with one literary genre

help in learning more about the others?

Creative Nonfiction
Readers and writers of creative nonfiction should take note of its five main elements. These
elements are setting, descriptive imagery, figurative language, plot, and
character. Aside from these elements, the defining characteristic of creative nonfiction is
that while works in the other genres often come from their writers’ imagination, creative
nonfiction is always true. Works in creative nonfiction are taken from the experiences of
the author, and their creativity comes in how the memories are told and described.
The setting is the time and place in which the story happens. An effective work in creative
nonfiction would typically establish this early to give readers an easier time to visualize the
story and immerse themselves in it. One way to clearly establish the setting is to use
descriptive imagery, which is another main element of creative nonfiction. This is the
way the author presents the scene or an image in the readers’ minds, and it usually involves
one or more of the five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. Figurative
language, another main element, is vastly different from descriptive imagery but is often
used alongside it. It is the use of language in unusual or surprising ways to describe literary
moments in the story. Familiar examples of this would be metaphors, similes, hyperboles,
and the like.

Plot is a basic element in every story, even in creative nonfiction. While our everyday lives
do not follow a coherent plot, it is the job of creative nonfiction writers to tell a story from
their memory in a way that follows a plot. Having a clear plot in a work of creative
nonfiction helps readers identify the main subject of the story or the reason why the story
is being told. Characters are also a vital part of creative nonfiction. Characters in creative
nonfiction are the people involved in the author’s memories. They must be described and
characterized in the same way as characters in fiction so that the readers may have an
easier time sympathizing or understanding them. The author may also appear as a
character in his or her work of creative nonfiction.
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Read the following excerpt from a nonfiction work and identify the main elements of
creative nonfiction that can be found in it.

It was late at night and a fine rain was swirling softly

down, causing the pavements to glisten with hue of steel and Barrier Demolition
blue and yellow in the rays of the innumerable lights. A youth
was trudging slowly, without enthusiasm, with his hands glisten: to
buried deep in his trousers' pockets, toward the downtown give off a sparkling
places where beds can be hired for coppers. He was or lustrous
clothed in an aged and tattered suit, and his derby was a reflection of or as
marvel of dust-covered crown and torn rim. He was going if of a moist or
forth to eat as the wanderer may eat, and sleep as the polished surface
homeless sleep. By the time he had reached City Hall
Park, he was so completely plastered with yells of "bum"
derby: a
and "hobo" and with various unholy epithets that small boys
man's stiff felt
had applied to him at intervals, that he was in a state of the
hat with dome-
most profound dejection. The sifting rain saturated the old
shaped crown
velvet collar of his overcoat, and as the wet cloth pressed
and narrow brim
against his neck, he felt that there no longer could be
pleasure in life. He looked about him searching for an
outcast of the highest degree that they too might share epithet: a
miseries, but the lights threw a quivering glare over rows disparaging or
and circles of deserted benches that glistened damply, abusive word or
showing patches of wet sod behind them. It seemed that phrase
their usual freights had fled on this night to better things.
There were only squads of well-dressed Brooklyn people
who swarmed toward the bridge.

The young man loitered about for a time and then went
shuffling off down Park Row. In the sudden descent in
style of the dress of the crowd he felt relief and as if he
were at last in his own country. He began to see tatters that
matched

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his tatters. In Chatham Square there were aimless men

strewn in front of saloons and lodging-houses, standing
sadly, patiently, reminding one vaguely of the attitudes of
chickens in a storm. He aligned himself with these men
and turned slowly to occupy himself with the flowing life of
the great street.

Through the mists of the cold and storming night, the cable
cars went in silent procession, great affairs shining with red
and brass, moving with formidable power, calm and
irresistible, dangerful and gloomy, breaking silence only by
the loud fierce cry of the gong. Two rivers of people
swarmed along the sidewalks, spattered with black mud,
which made each shoe leave a scar-like impression.
Overhead elevated trains with a shrill grinding of the wheels
stopped at the station, which upon its leglike pillars seemed
to resemble some monstrous kind of crab squatting over the
street. The quick fat puffings of the engines could be heard.
Down an alley there were somber curtains of purple and
black, on which street lamps dully glittered like embroidered
flowers.

A saloon stood with a voracious air on a corner. A sign

voracious:
leaning against the front of the door-post announced "Free
excessively eager
hot soup tonight!" The swing doors, snapping to and fro like
ravenous lips, made gratified smacks as the saloon gorged
itself with plump men, eating with astounding and endless
appetite, smiling in some indescribable manner as the men
came from all directions like sacrifices to a heathenish
superstition.

Caught by the delectable sign the young man allowed

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himself to be swallowed. A bartender placed a schooner of
dark and portentous beer on the bar. Its monumental form schooner:
upreared until the froth atop was above the crown of the a larger-than-
young man's brown derby. usual drinking
glass (as for
"Soup over there, gents," said the bartender affably. A little beer)
yellow man in rags and the youth grasped their schooners
and went with speed toward a lunch counter, where a man
with oily but imposing whiskers ladled genially from a kettle
until he had furnished his two mendicants with a soup that
was steaming hot and in which there were little floating
suggestions of chicken. The young man, sipping his broth,
felt the cordiality expressed by the warmth of the mixture,
and he beamed at the man with oily but imposing whiskers,
who was presiding like a priest behind an altar. "Have some
cordiality:
more, gents?" he inquired of the two sorry figures before
sincere
him. The little yellow man accepted with a swift gesture, but
affection and
the youth shook his head and went out, following a man
kindness
whose wondrous seediness promised that he would have a
knowledge of cheap lodging-houses.

An excerpt from “An Experiment in Misery”

Stephen Crane

This excerpt follows a young man, seemingly without a home as he wanders from place
to place. While it starts out looking hopeless, things begin to look up for the youth by the
end of the excerpt when he is able to eat for free and follow a man who might know
where he could stay the night. Were you able to identify the main elements of creative
nonfiction in the excerpt?

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Fiction
The genre of fiction probably has the most in common with creative nonfiction. The biggest
difference between fiction and creative nonfiction is that works of fiction aren’t
necessarily factual. They don’t have to be about real events with real people in real
places. Works of fiction are products of the author’s imagination. Despite this significant
difference, creative nonfiction still takes many cues from fiction. Earlier, the main
elements of creative nonfiction were discussed. Fiction shares a number of these main
elements, and they are used similarly as well.

Table 1. Elements of fiction and creative nonfiction

Creative Nonfiction Fiction

The setting is established early and The setting serves the same purpose, but it
defines when and where the story takes does not have to be an existing place and
place. time.

Characters are the important people Characters are people in the author’s story
involved in the author’s memories. that move the plot. They are not necessarily
people that exist in real life.

The plot organizes the author’s The plot shows the order of the events that
memories. It helps readers identify the take place. It helps tell the story the
main purpose of the text. author wants to convey and is normally
centered around a conflict.

Descriptive imagery and figurative Descriptive imagery and figurative

language are essential parts of language immerse the audience more and
creative nonfiction and serve to enrich its improve storytelling.
storytelling.

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The genre of fiction has many more elements; some of them are shared with creative
nonfiction, and some aren’t, but these are their biggest similarities. A later lesson will
discuss these even further. For now, read an excerpt from a work of fiction below and spot
any similarities with works in creative nonfiction.

It was still quite light out of doors, but inside with the her
curtains drawn and the smouldering fire sending out a dim,
uncertain glow, the room was full of deep shadows.

Brantain sat in one of these shadows; it had overtaken

him and he did not mind. The obscurity lent him courage to
keep his eyes fastened as ardently as he liked upon the
girl who sat in the firelight.

She was very handsome, with a certain fine, rich coloring

that belongs to the healthy brune type. She was quite
composed, as she idly stroked the satiny coat of the cat
that lay curled in her lap, and she occasionally sent a slow
glance into the shadow where her companion sat. They
were talking low of indifferent things which plainly were
not the things that occupied their thoughts. She knew that
he loved her—a frank, blustering fellow without guile
enough to conceal his feelings, and no desire to do so.
For two weeks past he had sought her society eagerly and
persistently. She was confidently waiting for him to declare
himself and she meant to accept him. The rather
insignificant and unattractive Brantain was enormously
rich; and she liked and required the entourage which
wealth could give her.

During one of the pauses between their talk of the last tea
and the next reception the door opened and a young man
entered whom Brantain knew quite well. The girl turned

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Unit 1: Introduction to Literary
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smoldering (American English spelling): burning sluggishly,
without flame, and often with much smoke

blustering: speaking loudly and aggressively

1.1. Creative Nonfiction and Other Literary Genres 1

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Unit 1: Introduction to Literary
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face toward him. A stride or two brought him to her side,
and bending over her chair—before she could suspect his
intention, for she did not realize that he had not seen her
visitor—he pressed an ardent, lingering kiss upon her lips.

Brantain slowly arose; so did the girl arise, but quickly,

and the newcomer stood between them, a little
amusement and some defiance struggling with the
confusion in his face.

“I believe,” stammered Brantain, “I see that I have stayed too

long. I—I had no idea—that is, I must wish you good-by.” He
was clutching his hat with both hands, and probably did
not perceive that she was extending her hand to him, her
presence of mind had not completely deserted her; but
she could not have trusted herself to speak.

“Hang me if I saw him sitting there, Nattie! I know it’s

deuced:
deuced awkward for you. But I hope you’ll forgive me this
complete, utter
once—this very first break. Why, what’s the matter?”
—often used as an
intensive
“Don’t touch me; don’t come near me,” she returned angrily.
“What do you mean by entering the house without ringing?”

“I came in with your brother, as I often do,” he answered

coldly, in self-justification. “We came in the side way. He
went upstairs and I came in here hoping to find you. The
explanation is simple enough and ought to satisfy you that
the misadventure was unavoidable. But do say that you entreated:
forgive me, Nathalie,” he entreated, softening. pleaded with
especially in
“Forgive you! You don’t know what you are talking about. Let order to persuade
me pass. It depends upon—a good deal whether I ever : asked urgently

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forgive you.”

An excerpt from “The Kiss”

Kate Chopin

The excerpt demonstrates an encounter between Nathalie and Brantain in which the latter
steals a kiss from the former. This clearly introduces the story’s conflict, seen especially in
Nathalie’s anger toward Brantain. What similarities with creative nonfiction did you
spot?
Did you notice any other elements of fiction that are used?

Check Your Progress

Why do you think creative nonfiction and fiction share many
elements?

Poetry
Poetry is a genre that has works that structurally look nothing like works of creative
nonfiction. In fact, if we take a look at poetry’s main elements, many of them are not
shared by creative nonfiction.

The structure of a work is very important in poetry. Structure here refers to how a poem is
organized, and poems have many forms, from a set form like a sonnet to a free form
without “rules” to follow. Related to structure is how poetry also focuses on rhyme,
rhythm, and meter. These are various techniques employed in poetry that can organize
emotion, highlight a particular word or phrase, emphasize certain emotions or actions, and
more. Many poems use these techniques to convey as much as they can within a number of
lines. Since most works of creative nonfiction are written in prose, there is not much
emphasis on these same elements.

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What creative nonfiction shares with poetry is the use of figurative language. Poetry
employs figurative language to add to its depth. While sentences in creative nonfiction
can be written differently compared to lines in poetry, both can freely use figurative
language to add new meaning to the words and phrases used.

Writing Tip
Unlike fiction and creative nonfiction, poetry does not often use
characters. In poetry, the most important character is the persona
or the speaker of the poem. When writing poetry, keep in mind
that the speaker is not always you or the author. In this sense, it is
similar to the narrator of fiction, which can be a character in the
story or an outsider observing the story.

Read the example of a poem below and compare it to the creative nonfiction and fiction
works that you read earlier. How does a poem employ figurative language compared to how
prose works use them?

Hero
William Carlos Williams

Fool,
put your
adventures into
those things which
break ships— not
female flesh.
Let there pass
over the mind
the waters of

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four oceans, the airs

of four skies!

Return hollow-bellied,
keen-eyed, hard!
A simple scar or two.

Little girls will come

bringing you
roses for your button-hole.

The poem is a lecture for young men who are too busy trying to woo women when they
do not yet have the experience that would make them attractive. Note how poetry shows more
unique ways of using figurative language that further differentiate it from the other
genres.

Drama
The genre of drama more obviously has more in common with fiction and creative
nonfiction than poetry. In fact, the three genres share many of their main elements, as
can be seen in the table below.

Table 2. Elements of creative nonfiction, fiction, and drama

Creative Nonfiction Fiction Drama

The setting is established The setting serves the The setting serves the
early and defines when and same purpose as in creative same purpose as in creative
where the story takes place. nonfiction but does not nonfiction and fiction, but it
have to be an existing place is usually stated outright at
and time. the start.

Characters in creative Characters in fiction are Characters in drama also

nonfiction are the people in the author’s story progress the plot and

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important people involved that move the plot. They are interact with other
in the author’s memories. not necessarily people that characters, but more
exist in real life. emphasis is placed on their
spoken lines, be it in
dialogues, soliloquies, or
other forms.

The plot organizes the The plot shows the order of The plot works nearly the
author’s memories. It helps the events that take place in same way as in fiction and
readers identify the main them. It helps tell the story creative nonfiction. In plays,
purpose of the text. the author wants to convey the plot can be organized
and is normally centered into “acts” or major
around a conflict. divisions to distinguish key
parts of the plot.

Descriptive imagery and Descriptive imagery and Figurative language, often

figurative language are figurative language found in the characters’
important parts of creative immerse the audience more spoken lines, often adds
nonfiction and serve to and improve storytelling. layers of depth and allows
enrich its storytelling. for further analysis.

These are the basic elements of a drama as compared to those of creative nonfiction
and fiction. One major difference drama has with fiction and creative nonfiction is that
texts in drama are often written to be performed. Many dramas that are written are also
performed on stage, and that characteristic of drama dictates how many of its other
elements are used and employed. Drama can also have more in common with poetry than the
first two genres. Many dramas are written like poetry, with the characters’ lines following a
specific rhyme, rhythm, and/or meter. Many of William Shakespeare’s works are written
in this manner, for example. This means that these elements can also be considered when
reading and writing dramas.

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To further demonstrate this, here is an excerpt from one of William Shakespeare’s
works. Look at how the characters’ lines are written and observe their similarities with poetry.
Also, note how it is similar to creative nonfiction and fiction in terms of the earlier
elements discussed.

Dramatis Personæ PYRAM

US,
THISBE,
THESEUS, Duke of Athens WALL,
MOONS
HIPPOLYTA, Queen of the Amazons, bethrothed to Theseus HINE,
EGEUS, Father to Hermia LION;
Characte
HERMIA, daughter to Egeus, in love with Lysander rs in
HELENA, in love with Demetrius
LYSANDER, in love with
Hermia DEMETRIUS, in love
with Hermia
PHILOSTRATE, Master of the Revels to Theseus

QUINCE, the Carpenter

SNUG, the Joiner
BOTTOM, the Weaver
FLUTE, the Bellows-mender
SNOUT, the Tinker
STARVELING, the Tailor

OBERON, King of the Fairies

TITANIA, Queen of the Fairies
PUCK, or ROBIN GOODFELLOW, a Fairy
PEASEBLOSSOM, Fairy
COBWEB, Fairy
MOTH, Fairy
MUSTARDSEED,
Fairy

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dramatis personae: the characters or actors in a drama

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the Interlude performed by the Clowns

Other Fairies attending their King and Queen

Attendants on Theseus and Hippolyta

SCENE: Athens, and a wood not far from it

ACT I
SCENE I. Athens. A room in the Palace of Theseus

Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Philostrate and Attendants.

THESEUS.
Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour
nuptial: of
Draws on apace; four happy days bring in
or relating to
Another moon; but oh, methinks, how slow
marriage or the
This old moon wanes! She lingers my desires,
marriage
Like to a step-dame or a dowager,
ceremony
Long withering out a young man’s revenue.

HIPPOLYTA.
Four days will quickly steep themselves in
night; Four nights will quickly dream away the
time; And then the moon, like to a silver bow
New bent in heaven, shall behold the night
Of our solemnities.

THESEUS.
Go, Philostrate,
Stir up the Athenian youth to
merriments; Awake the pert and nimble
spirit of mirth; Turn melancholy forth to
funerals;

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The pale companion is not for our pomp.

pomp: a
[Exit Philostrate.] ceremonial or
festival
Hippolyta, I woo’d thee with my sword, display
And won thy love doing thee injuries;
But I will wed thee in another key,
With pomp, with triumph, and with revelling.

Enter Egeus, Hermia, Lysander and Demetrius.

EGEUS.
Happy be Theseus, our renownèd Duke!

THESEUS.
Thanks, good Egeus. What’s the news with thee?

EGEUS.
Full of vexation come I, with complaint
Against my child, my daughter Hermia.
Stand forth, Demetrius. My noble lord,
This man hath my consent to marry her.
Stand forth, Lysander. And, my gracious Duke,
This man hath bewitch’d the bosom of my child.
Thou, thou, Lysander, thou hast given her rhymes,
And interchang’d love-tokens with my child.
Thou hast by moonlight at her window sung,
With feigning voice, verses of feigning love;
And stol’n the impression of her fantasy
With bracelets of thy hair, rings, gauds, conceits,
Knacks, trifles, nosegays, sweetmeats (messengers
Of strong prevailment in unharden’d youth)

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With cunning hast thou filch’d my daughter’s

heart, Turn’d her obedience (which is due to me) filched:
To stubborn harshness. And, my gracious Duke, stolen secretly
Be it so she will not here before your grace or casually
Consent to marry with Demetrius,
I beg the ancient privilege of Athens:
As she is mine I may dispose of her;
Which shall be either to this gentleman
Or to her death, according to our law
Immediately provided in that case.

An excerpt from A Midsummer Night’s Dream

William Shakespeare

In the excerpt, Theseus and Hippolyta discuss their marriage with other characters in the
drama, all the while speaking with the same rhythm and meter as poetry. As the excerpt
continues, even Egeus’ complaint against his daughter’s union with Lysander is written
poetically and with the intention that it is spoken before an audience.

Note how the characters and setting are introduced in the example. Also, observe how
the lines of the characters are written like poetry. Aside from the elements already
discussed, what other elements of drama did you notice in the excerpt? A later lesson is
dedicated to analyzing these further.

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Integration Hub
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Activity: Comparative Analysis of Literary Genres

Instructions:
● Divide the participants into small groups or pairs.
● Assign each group or pair a literary genre to focus on, such as creative nonfiction, poetry,
drama, short story, or another genre of your choice.
● Provide the groups or pairs with relevant reading materials or excerpts from different
works within their assigned genre. Alternatively, they can conduct research online or use
books from a library.
● Instruct each group or pair to analyze and discuss the following aspects of their assigned
genre:
o Key characteristics and defining features
o Purpose or objectives of the genre
o Examples of well-known works or authors within the genre
o Techniques or literary devices commonly used in the genre
o Impact or influence of the genre on readers or society
● Encourage the groups or pairs to take notes and engage in thoughtful discussions to
deepen their understanding of their assigned genre.

After a suitable amount of time for analysis and discussion, bring the groups or pairs together for
a synthesis activity.
● Each group or pair should present a brief summary of their assigned genre, highlighting
the key aspects discussed earlier. They can use visual aids, handouts, or slides to
support their presentations.
● Facilitate a class discussion where participants compare and contrast the different genres
based on the presentations. Encourage them to identify commonalities, differences, and
unique characteristics of each genre.
● Engage the participants in a reflective discussion by asking questions such as:
o How does creative nonfiction differ from other genres in terms of purpose and
techniques?
o What are the similarities and differences between poetry and drama in terms of
language use and structure?

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o How do different genres impact readers in terms of emotional engagement or

intellectual stimulation?
o Conclude the activity by summarizing the main points discussed and encouraging
participants to explore various literary genres further on their own.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Test Yourself!
TEST I: IDENTIFICATION
Directions: Identify what is being referred to. Write your answer on the space provided.
______________1. This figurative language is used when we want to soften the blow or lessen the
impact of harsh truth.
______________2. This literary element used for extreme exaggeration gives humorous effect to
emphasize meaning.
______________3. This literary element is used when inanimate objects or inhuman beings, like an
idea or an animal are given human characteristics or attributes.
______________4. This refers to the implicit comparison between two or more things. Unlike simile,
it does not include the words, “like or as.”
______________5. This could be presented through thoughts and different actions of the characters
in a story or text.

TEST II: TRUE OR FALSE

Directions: Read carefully each item. Write T if the statement is true about Literary elements and F if it
is not on the space provided before the number.
______ 6. Plot serves as a framework for the story.
______ 7. The third element of plot is the conflict.
______ 8. Only abstract things are symbolized.
______ 9. Setting is always located in the author’s home.
______ 10. Symbols are used to represent some things indirectly.
______ 11. Perspective identifies from whose angle the story is being told.
______ 12. Dialogue refers to the verbal exchange between the characters.
______ 13. Symbolism is created when abstract things are concretized.
______ 14. Theme is the supporting idea of an entire literary work.
______ 15. Third person point of view is used in personal narrative.

TEST III: READING COMPREHENSION

Directions: Read and analyze the text below. Write your answer on the space provided.

1.) In our six years together, I can think of more instances in which our separate worlds collided
and caused aftershocks in my marriage. 2.) But none of it rivaled what I thought was the worst
affront to me. 3.) My mother-in-law is Cancerian, like me, so her house is a pictorial gallery of her
children and their achievements. 4.) She had a wall with enlarged and framed wedding photos of
her children. 5.) Through the years, her exhibit grew, and expectedly, I and my husband didn’t
have a photo on this wall. 6.) I figured it was because we had not had a church wedding. 7.) In fact,
when we told them I was pregnant with our second child, they requested that we hold a church
weddingNonfiction
1.1. Creative already. and
8.) Other
They Literary
even offered
Genres to share the expense. 9.) But I preferred to save 21my
money for the birth of the baby. 10.) However, given my theater background, I once tried to
 Unit 1: Introduction to Literary
Genres

my money for the birth of the baby. 10.) However, given my theater background, I once tried to
convince my husband to just rent a gown and tuxedo and then have our “wedding” photo taken so
we’d finally get on “The Wedding Wall.”

- Excerpt taken from Jhoanna Lynn Cruz’ Sapay Koma

______16. Which sentence contains a literary element?

A. 3 B. 5 C. 7 D. 9

______17. What literary element is exemplified in that sentence?

A. Hyperbole B. Metaphor C. Personification D. Simile

______18. Which sentence explains the line “a pictorial gallery of her children and their achievements”?
A. 4 B. 5 C. 6 D. 7

______19. Which words are being compared in the text?

A. Aftershocks - marriage C. Pregnant – second child
B. House – pictorial gallery D. Photo – wedding wall

______20. What is referred to by the writer when she mentioned ‘The Wedding Wall’ in sentence 10?
A. Her house C. Their photo
B. Gown and tuxedo D. Wall of pictures

Escape Ticket Pass

COMPOSITION

Directions: For items 21-30, write about an experience when you were at the lowest
point of your life. Narrate how you dealt with it and how you coped up. Employ
necessary literary elements in your composition. Write your answer on a separate sheet
of paper. [ NOTE: Your answer will be scored using the following conventions. ]

Excellent – 1O points Good – 8 points Poor – 5 points

The composition focused The composition focused on The composition partly

on the specified subject and the specified subject and focused on the specified
supplied the needed supplied the needed subject and supplied some
information. It also information. It also employed information. It used minimal
employed necessary literary necessary literary elements. literary elements.
elements. Organization is Organization is quite Organization is very
logical ang grammar is incoherent and there are incoherent and there are
flawless. several grammar lapses. several grammar lapses.
1.1. Creative Nonfiction and Other Literary Genres 22
Unit 1: Introduction to Literary
Genres

Skill Verification
To practice what you learned in terms of how the four genres are the same and how
they are different, read the following questions and write your answers on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. What is creative nonfiction?

a) Fictional stories with invented characters and events.
b) Nonfiction writing that incorporates literary techniques and storytelling elements.
c) Poetry that focuses on personal experiences and emotions.

2. Which of the following is an example of creative nonfiction?

a) A biography of a famous historical figure.
b) A fantasy novel set in a magical world.
c) An essay recounting a personal travel experience.

3. What is the primary purpose of creative nonfiction?

a) To entertain readers with imaginative stories.
b) To inform and educate readers about real-life events or topics.
c) To challenge readers' beliefs and opinions.

4. Which literary genre typically involves the use of rhyme, rhythm, and figurative language?
a) Poetry b) Drama c) Biography

5. What is the main characteristic of a short story?

a) Length, typically shorter than a novel.
b) Nonlinear narrative structure.
c) Multiple main characters and storylines.

6. Which genre often explores the complexities of human emotions and relationships?
a) Drama b) Science fiction c) Literary fiction

7. Which literary genre focuses on expressing personal thoughts, feelings, and reflections?
a) Memoir b) Mystery c) Satire

8. What distinguishes historical fiction from other genres?

a) It is based on real events and people from the past.
b) It incorporates supernatural elements.
c) It primarily focuses on scientific concepts and theories.

9. What is a common characteristic of a play or drama?

a) It is written in verse or poetic form.
b) It is meant to be performed on stage.
c) It is primarily intended for individual reading.

1.1. Creative Nonfiction and Other Literary Genres 23

Unit 1: Introduction to Literary
Genres

10. What is the purpose of satire in literature?

a) To entertain readers with humorous stories.
b) To criticize or ridicule human vices, follies, or societal issues.
c) To provoke fear and suspense in the audience.

1.1. Creative Nonfiction and Other Literary Genres 24

Unit 1: Introduction to Literary
Genres

Bibliography

Elements of Drama. Lumen. Accessed March 5, 2021.

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-fscj-literatureforhumanities/chapter/
element s-of-drama/.

Elements: Poetry. Accessed March 5, 2021.

https://org.coloradomesa.edu/~blaga/Theory/poetry_elements.html.

Lesson 3: Elements of Fiction. Lumen. Accessed March 5, 2021.

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-distanceminnesota-creativewriting/chapter/l
esson-3-elements-of-a-fiction/.

2.2: Elements of Creative Nonfiction. Humanities LibreTexts. Libretexts, July 1, 2020.

https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Literature_and_Literacy/Writing_and_Critic
al_Thinking_Through_Literature_(Ringo_and_Kashyap)/02%3A_About_Creative_Nonfic
tion/2.02%3A_Elements_of_Creative_Nonfiction.

“Writing Creative Nonfiction: Definition, Subgenres, and Key Elements.” Author Learning
Center. Accessed March 5, 2021.
https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/nonfiction/w/elements/6847/writing-
creative-nonfiction-definition-subgenres-and-key-elements.

1.1. Creative Nonfiction and Other Literary Genres 25