HAND-OUT FOR 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

2ND SEM S.Y. 2023-2024

3RD QUARTER LESSONS

GEOGRAPHIC, LINGUISTIC, AND ETHNIC DIMENSIONS OF PHILIPPINE LITERARY HISTORY FROM PRE-
COLONIAL TO THE CONTEMPORARY

Our forefathers already have a body of Pre-Spanish Poetry

literature even before the arrival of the 1. Epics. Epics are long narrative poems in
Spaniards. They have customs and traditions which a series of heroic achievements
comparable to other parts of the globe. They or events usually of a hero involving
have their own system of writing, alphabet, supernatural forces/phenomena.
and other nuance of a working body of Listed below are some of the epics
literature. They are trading with the celebrated among the various groups
neighboring countries of Japan, China, in the country.
Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Arabia. In 1. Biag ni Lam-ang – Ilokanos
short, they are not savages nor uncivilized as 2. Hudhod hi Aliguyon – Ifugaos
maliciously declared by some friars during the 3. Alim – Ifugaos
Spanish colonization. 4. Ibalon – Bicol
5. Handiong – Bicol
Our many language are related to the 6. Hinilawod – Bicol
Malaya-Polynesian Family of Languages 7. Maragtas – Visayan
spoken in vast areas covering mainland 8. Haraya – Visayan
Southeast Asia, East Timor, Polynesia, 9. Lagda – Visayan
Micronesia and South Pacific Islands. We have 10. Hari sa Bukid – Visayan
our own system of writing called Baybayin 11. Kumintang – Tagalog
consisting of 3 vowels and 14 consonants. 12. Bernardo Carpio – Tagalog
Baybayin came from the word “baybay” 13. Parang Sabir – Moro
which means “spelling”. The image below 14. Darangan – Moro
shows the Baybayin characters and the 15. Indarapatra at Sulayman – Moro
corresponding sound represented. 16. Dagoy – Tagbanua
17. Sudsod – Tagnbanua
Pre-Spanish Prose 18. Tatuaang – Bagobo
1. Legends. Pre-Spanish legends are 2. Folksongs. Folksongs are the oldest
fictitious narratives which explain the forms of Philippine Literature that
origin of things, places, or names. The emerged which are composed mostly
early Filipino customs are also depicted of 12 syllables per line of four in a verse.
in them as it entertains the people These songs mirrored the culture of
during gatherings and occasions. each group singing specific song per
1. Examples include “The Legend occasion/celebration/activities. Listed
of the Tagalog” of the Tagalogs below are some of these songs and the
and corresponding
2. “The Legend of the Philippine occasion/celebration/activities.
Archipelago” of the Visayans. 1. Kundiman – Songs of
We will study the Legend of the Love/Serenading songs
Tagalog and the legend Why 2. Kumintang – War/Battle songs
the Sea is Salty, both Ilokano 3. Dalit – Worship songs
and Tagalog versions. 4. Oyayi/Hele – Lullaby songs
2. Folktales. Folktales are stories made up 5. Diana/Danaya – Wedding songs
about life, adventures, love, horror and 6. Soliraning – Laborer/Workmen
humor where one can derive lessons songs
about life. 7. Talindaw – Fisher/Fishing songs
1. Popular examples include “The 3. Epigrams. Epigrams are more
Sun and the Wind” and commonly called Salawikain. These
2. “The Boy who became a have been customarily used and
Stone” of the Tingguians. served as laws or rules on good
behavior. These are like allegories or
 parables that impart lessons for the SPANISH PERIOD (1521-1871)
youth consisting of couplets (2-lines)
which usually have rhyming end- Literature in this period may be classified as
syllables. These lessons in life that they religious prose and poetry and secular prose
wish to impart are and poetry.
usually implied. Popular examples ● Spanish Influences on Philippine Literature
include: The first Filipino alphabet, called ALIBATA, was
1. “Aaanhin pa ang damo, kung replaced by the Roman alphabet. Also, the
patay na ang kabayo.” teaching of the Christian Doctrine became
2. “Sa marunong umunawa, sukat the basis of religious practices. European
ang salita.” legends and traditions brought here became
4. Riddles. They are called “Bugtong” by assimilated in our songs, corridos, and moro-
the Tagalogs and “Burburtia” among moros.
the Ilokanos. These are made up of one
or two measured lines which may ● Folk Songs
consist of 4 to 12 syllables. They are It manifests the artistic feelings of the Filipinos
often used to stir a thought-provoking and shows their innate appreciation for and
questions. They are often used for love of beauty. The examples are Leron-Leron
entertainment purposes during Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy, Sarong
gatherings and celebrations. Each Banggi, and Atin Cu Pung Sing-sing.
group/region feature unique riddles.
Some of which are: ● Recreational Plays
1. Riddle: “Maliit pa si kumpare, There were many recreational plays
umaakyat na sa performed by Filipinos during the
torre.” Answer: Langgam (ant) Spanish times. Almost all of them were in a
2. Riddle: “Isda ko sa Mariveles, poetic form such Cenaculo,
nasa loob ang Panunuluyan, Salubong, Embayoka,
kaliskis.” Answer: Sili (bell Lagaylay, and Zarzuela.
pepper)
5. Chants. Chants are customarily PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT (1872-1898)
called “Bulong” or “Pasintabi” by the In the 19th Century, Filipino intellectuals
Tagalogs and referred to as “Bari- educated in Europe called Ilustrados began
bari” by the Ilokanos. These are to write about the hitch of colonization.
sometimes in witchcraft or The Propaganda Movement (1872-1896)
enchantment often with an This movement was spearheaded mostly by
accompanying “Anting- the intellectual middle-class like Jose Rizal,
anting” (amulet or talisman). Examples Marcelo del Pilar; Graciano Lopez Jaena,
are: Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, Jose Ma.
1. Among the Visayans: “Ikaw na Panganiban, and Pedro Paterno.
nagnakaw ng mais ko, lumuwa o Some of Rizal’s writings: Noli Me Tangere, El
sana ang mga mata mo, Filibusterismo, Mi Último Adios, Sobre La
mamaga sana ang kamay mo, Indolencia De Los Filipinos and Filipinas Dentro
parusahan ka ng mga anito.” De Cien Aňos.
2. Among the Tagalogs: “Tabi-tabi
po kayo, ako’y magbubuhos ng o Some of Del Pilar’s writings: Pagibig sa
tubig at mainit ito, kung Tinubuang Lupa (Love of Country), Kaingat
masaktan ko kayo, Kayo (Be Careful), and Dasalan at Tocsohan
pagpasensiyahan niyo na po.” (Prayers and Jokes).
6. Sayings. Sayings are more commonly
called Sawikain. They are used to o Some of Jaena’s writings: Ang Fray Botod, La
emphasize lessons for the youth and Hija Del Fraile (The Child of the Friar), Sa mga
these lessons are explicitly stated. Filipino, and Everything Is Hambug (Everything
Examples are: is mere show), Sa Mga Pilipino...1891), and
1. “Pag may itinanim, may Talumpating Pagunita Kay Kolumbus (An
aanihin.” Oration to Commemorate Columbus).
2. “Ang maglakad ng matulin, pag
natinik ay malalim.”
THE AMERICAN REGIME (1898-1944) 1941-1945. Philippine literature in English came
Linguistically, Americans influenced Filipino to a halt. This led to all newspapers not to be
writers to write using the English language. circulated in the community except for
Jose Garcia Villa became famous for his free TRIBUNE and PHILIPPINE REVIEW.
verse.
Filipino Poetry during this period
Characteristics of Literature during this period: The common theme of most poems during the
The languages used in writing were Spanish Japanese occupation was nationalism,
and Tagalog and the dialects of the different country, love, and life in the barrios, faith,
regions. But the writers in Tagalog, continued religion, and the arts.
in their lamentations on the conditions of the
country and their attempts to arouse love for Three types of poems emerged during this
one’s native tongue and the writers in English period:
imitated the themes and methods of the a. Haiku, a poem of free verse that the
Americans. Japanese like. It was made up of 17
syllables divided into three lines and
THE JAPANESE PERIOD (1941-1945) b. Tanaga – like the Haiku, is short, but it has
Philippine Literature was interrupted in its measure and rhyme.
development when another foreign country, c. Karaniwang Anyo (Usual Form)
Japan, conquered the Philippines between

Because of the strict prohibitions imposed by the Japanese on the writing and publishing works in
English, Philippine literature in English experienced a dark period. For the first twenty years, many
books were published in Filipino and English. In the New Filipino Literature, Philippine literature in
Tagalog was revived during this period. Most themes in the writings dealt with Japanese brutalities,
the poverty of life under the Japanese government, and the brave guerilla exploits.

PERIOD OF ACTIVISM (1970-1972)

According to Pociano Pineda, youth activism in 1970-72 was due to domestic and worldwide
causes. Because of the ills of society, the youth moved to seek reforms.

• THE LITERARY REVOLUTION

The youth became completely rebellious during this period. This was proven not only in the
bloody demonstrations and in the sidewalk expressions but also in literature.

PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY (1972-1980)

The period of the New Society started on September 21, 1972. The Carlos Palanca Awards
continued to give annual awards. News on economic progress, discipline, culture, tourism and
the like were favored more than the sensationalized reporting of killings, rape and robberies.

PERIOD OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC (1981-1985)

After ten years of military rule and some changes in the life of the Filipino which started under the
New Society, Martial Rule was at last lifted on January 2, 1981. The Philippines became a new
nation and this; former President Marcos called “The New Republic of the Philippines.” Poems
during this period of the Third Republic were romantic and revolutionary. Writers wrote openly of
their criticism against the government. The supplications of the people were coached in fiery,
colorful, violent, profane and insulting language.

POST-EDSA 1 REVOLUTION (1986-1995)

History took another twist. Once more, the Filipino people regained their independence which
they lost twenty years ago.

In the span of four days from February 21-25, 1986, the so-called People Power (Lakas ng Bayan)
prevailed. In the short span of the existence of the true Republic of the Philippines, several
changes already became evident. This is noticed in the new Filipino songs, in the newspapers, in
the speeches, and even in the television programs. The now crony newspapers that enjoyed an
overnight increase in circulation were THE INQUIRER, MALAYA, and the PEOPLE’S JOURNAL.

21ST CENTURY PERIOD

The new trends have been used and introduced to meet the needs and tastes of the new
generation. 21st Century learners are demanded to be ICT-inclined to compete with the style and
format of writing as well. New codes or lingos are used to add flavor in the literary pieces produced
nowadays.

GEOGRAPHIC, LINGUISTIC, AND ETHNIC DIMENSIONS OF PHILIPPINE LITERARY HISTORY FROM PRE-
COLONIAL TO THE CONTEMPORARY
(IDENTIFYING REPRESENTATIVE TEXTS FROM THE REGIONS’)

IMAGERY is a poetic element that tries to create a picture in the mind of the reader or a mental
image through the use of figural language. It represents objects, places, ideas, or even actions
that appeal to the senses of the readers.

Gabu

by Carlos A. Angeles

The battering restlessness of the sea

Insists a tidal fury upon the beach

At Gabu, and its pure consistency

Havocs the wasteland hard within its reach.

Brutal the daylong bashing of its heart

Against the seascape where, for miles around,

Farther than sight itself, the rock-stones part

And drop into the elemental wound.

The waste of centuries is grey and dead

And neutral where the sea has beached its brine,

Where the split salt of its heart lies spread

Among the dark habiliments of Time.

The vital splendor misses. For here, here

At Gabu where the ageless tide recurs

All things forfeited are most loved and dear.

It is the sea pursues a habit of shores.

1. What image does the poem, Gabu, try to create?

A TASTE OF PHILIPPINE POETRY

Located in the northwest of Luzon, the Ilocos Region or Region 1 is comprised of four provinces,
namely: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan. It is bordered to the west by the
turbulent South China Sea, to the east by the Cordillera Administrative Region, the northeast and
southeast by Cagayan Valley and the South by Central Luzon. Most of the inhabitants of the
Ilocano homeland are concentrated along a narrow coastal plain. Because of geographical
boundaries, these people often experience heavy rains and violent typhoons, especially during
rainy seasons.

The region, then, takes pride in long stretches of white sand and clear waters alongside its rich
cultural heritage. What you are about to read is a poem written by a Carlos Palanca Memorial
Awardee in Poetry in 1964, Carlos A. Angeles. His collection of poems entitled, Stun of Jewels, also
bagged him the Republic Cultural Heritage Award in Literature in the same year.

A TASTE OF TAGALOG ESSAY

More popularly known now as the CALABARZON referring to the provinces of Cavite, Laguna,
Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, Region IV-A is home to Tagalog-speaking people in the Philippines.
Recognized all over the country for their bravery and fearlessness in battles, CALABARZON has
participated actively in the country’s fight for freedom and democracy. It is home to many
Philippine heroes foremost, and among them are Rizal of Laguna, Mabini of Batangas, and
Aguinaldo of Cavite.

A TASTE OF CREATIVE NONFICTION

The island of Visayas is one of the major geographical divisions in the Philippines, the other two being
Luzon and Mindanao. It is divided into Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas. The Visayas region is
comprised of several islands circling the Visayan Sea. Its people, therefore, share a sea-based
culture and tradition that may be rooted in a strong religious foundation. The dwelling place of
many festivals such as the Ati-Atihan, Di-nagyang, Sinulog, Pintados, and Maskara, the Visayas may
indeed be considered as one of the cradles of Philippine civilization.

Performance Task (INDIVIDUAL)

DRAW ME THE IMAGE

DIRECTIONS: Illustrate the poem GABU based on the poetic imagery.

Rubric:

a. Illustration (Poem is illustrated neatly; It is appropriate and well-drawn. (10 pts)

b. Theme (The illustration is related to the theme) (10 pts)

Total 20 pts

POST ASSESSMENT – GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

DIRECTIONS: Delve deeper into the poem Gabu by Carlos A. Angeles using the graphic organizer.
You may re-read the poem to get the details that would complete the organizer.

Title of the text:

Author:
QUESTIONS RESPONSE
TOPIC: What is the text all about?
SITUATION: What is the setting referred to?
CLIENT: Who is the target group of readers of
the text?
 PURPOSE: Why was the text written? What
does it hope to achieve especially among its
clients?
MAJOR CONVENTIONAL LITERARY GENRES

• POETRY is an imaginative awareness of experience expressed through meaning, sound, and

rhythmic language choices so as to evoke an emotional response. Poetry has been known to
employ meter and rhyme, but this is by no means necessary. Poetry is an ancient form that has
gone through numerous and drastic reinvention over time. The very nature of poetry as an
authentic and individual mode of expression makes it nearly impossible to define.

• DRAMA is a composition in prose or verse presenting in dialogue or pantomime a story involving

conflict or contrast of character, especially one intended to be acted on the stage; a play. It
may be any situation or series of events having vivid, emotional, conflicting or striking interest.

• FICTION Is literature created from the imagination, not presented as fact, though it may be
based on a true story or situation.

• NON-FICTION IS based on facts and the author’s opinion about a subject. The examples are
biographies, articles from textbooks and magazines, and newspapers.

21ST CENTURY LITERARY GENRES

ILLUSTRATED NOVEL
• is a story or narrative told through words complemented by illustrated images.
• 50% of the narrative is presented without words while some may not contain any text at all.
• so the reader must interpret the images to comprehend the story completely.
Ex.: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
The Arrival by Shaun Tan.

DIGI-FICTION
• Triple Media Literature
• It uses the combination of three media: book, movie/video, and internet website to tell a
narrative
• so readers must engage in navigating, reading, and viewing in all three forms to comprehend
the full story.
Ex.: Patrick Carman’s Skeleton Creek
Anthony Zuiker’s Level 26.

GRAPHIC NOVEL
• told in comic-strip formats and published as a book.
• To differentiate from illustrated fiction, graphic novels tell a story using a combination of words
and pictures in a sequence across the page.
Ex.: Archie Comics by John Goldwater and illustrator, Bob Montana
The Death of Captain Marvel by Jim Starlin

MANGA
• Manga is the Japanese word for comics.
• Manga-style comics created by American artists are sometimes called Ameri -manga.
Ex.: Shonen-Boy’s Manga (Naruto, Bleach, One Piece)
Shojo-Girl’s Manga (Sailormoon)
Seinen-Men’s Manga (Akira)
Josei-Women’s Manga (Loveless, Paradise Kiss)
Kodomo-Children’s Manga (Doraemon, Hello Kitty)

DOODLE FICTION
• It is a literary presentation where the author incorporates doodle writing, drawings, and
 handwritten graphics in place of the traditional font.
• simple drawings or random shapes and lines that may or may not have concrete
representational meanings.
Ex.: The Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Timmy Failure by Stephan Pastis.

CHICK LIT/CHICK LITERATURE

• It is an often humorous and lighthearted fiction that addresses issues of modern womanhood.
• Stories may include romantic relationships, friendships, and issues in the workplace.
• It generally targets young women readers.

Ex. Scarlet Bailey’s The Night Before Christmas

Miranda Dickinson’s It Started with a Kiss

FLASH FICTION
• Fictional literature of extreme brevity.
• No widely accepted definition of the length and category.

CREATIVE NONFICTION
• It is also known as literary nonfiction or narrative nonfiction.
• It is a genre of writing that uses literary styles and techniques to create factually accurate
narratives.
• In contrast with other nonfiction, such as technical writing or journalism, which is also rooted in
accurate fact, it is not primarily written in service to its craft.

Ex.1000 Gifts by Ann Voscamp

Wind, Sand, and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

SCI-FI/SCIENCE FICTION
• imaginative concepts such as futuristic science and technology, space travel, time travel,
faster-than-light travel, a parallel universe, and extraterrestrial life.
• It often explores the potential consequences of scientific and other innovations and has been
called a “literature of ideas”.

Ex. Suzanne Collins’ Mockingjay

Sarah Maas’ Kingdom of Ash.

BLOG
• A Blog (shortened form of Weblog) is a website containing short articles called posts that are
updated regularly.
• Some blogs are written by one person containing his or her own opinions, interests, and
experiences, while others are written by different people.

Ex. 1. Kryz Uy’s Break My Style which includes stories of her travel and style is one of the most
followed blogs in the country.

HYPER POETRY
• It is digital poetry that uses links and hypertext markup.
• It can either involve set words, phrases, lines, etc. that are presented in variable order but sit
on the page much as traditional poetry does, or it can contain parts of the poem that move
and transform.
• It is usually found online, but CD-ROM and diskette versions exist.
The earliest examples date to no later than the mid-1980s.

CONTEXT AND TEXT’S MEANING

CONTEXT originates from the notion of weaving together. It is defined as the circumstances that
form the setting of events, statements, or ideas and in the way of which it can be fully understood
and assessed. Reading a literary piece may contribute to the production of the author and the
reception of the reader as they appreciate and explore.
• The writer’s context is knowing about the writer’s life, values, assumptions, gender,
race, sexual orientation, and the political and the political and economic issues related
to the author.
• Reader’s context is about the reader’s previous reading experience, values,
assumptions, and political and economic issues.
• The text’s context is about its publishing history. It is part of the larger text such as
newspaper, history, events, translated in it,
• Social context and socio-cultural of a text feature the society in which the characters
live and in which the author’s text was produced.

MULTIMEDIA FORMATS IN INTERPRETING LITERARY TEXT:

“How my brother Leon Brought a Wife” – Manuel Arguilla

Have you found studying literature more exciting with multimedia supports where you can actively
and collaboratively build knowledge structures using technology?

Marshall (2001) defined multimedia as the computer-controlled integration of text, graphics,

drawings, still and moving images (video), animation, audio, and any other media where every
type of information can be represented, stored, transmitted, and processed digitally.

Here are some of the multimedia formats that you can use to creatively interpret various genres
of literary texts.

1. BLOG OR A “WEBLOG” is a website containing informational articles about a person’s own

opinions, interests, and experiences. These are usually changed regularly (DepEd 2013, 9).

2. MIND MAPPING is a graphical technique to visualize connections of ideas and pieces of

information. This tool structures information to better analyze, comprehend, synthesize, recall, and
generate new ideas. You can use Microsoft Word or online mind-mapping tools to create a mind
map (Pasuello 2017).

3. MOBILE PHONE TEXT TULA is a traditional Filipino poem. A particular example of this poem is a
tanaga that consists of 4 lines with 7 syllables each with the same rhyme at the end of each line.
(DepEd 2013, 8).

4. SLIDESHOW PRESENTATION is created with the use of Microsoft PowerPoint. It contains a series of
pictures or pages of information (slides) arranged in sequence and often displayed on a large
screen using a video projector (Computer Hope 2018).

5. TAG CLOUD is a visual, stylized arrangement of words or tags within textual content such as
websites, articles, speeches, and databases (Techopedia 2020).

6. VIDEO is an electronic device used to record, copy, playback, broadcast, and display moving
visual media (Lexico 2020).

APPLYING ICT SKILLS IN INTERPRETING LITERARY TEXTS:

“Home of the Ashfall” (an excerpt) – John Jack G. Wigley

Have you read an anecdote?

Have you ever retold a personal experience to someone?
How do you find recalling past experiences?

ANECDOTE
• Short entertaining or interesting story about a real incident the person (Nagpal 2016)
• Tell about a variety of stories and tales, since they can be about any topic under the sun.
• Short story about a real person or event that usually intends to make the listeners laugh or
ponder over a topic (Your Dictionary 2020).

PURPOSES OF ANECDOTES:
1. TO BRING CHEER
Stones pop up anywhere and these are just sometimes making people laugh to brighten
their mood.
Ex: At the dinner, a grade II Learner shared his story on his first day at school when he got
cast and attended the wrong class

2. TO REMINISCE
in most anecdotes, people are talking about their experiences in the past. They try to look
back on moments in their lives and share the pay of that time with others
Ex: A mother tells her children a story about her life in the province when she was a teenager.

3. TO CAUTION
Sometimes, just giving rules to individuals is not effective sharing the frightening stories of
dangers can be helpful for them to realize the possible consequences of their actions.
Ex:• Before beginning a lecture on not following traffic rules, a father tells his son about an
incident of collision that caused many lives due to ignoring traffic signs.

4. TO PERSUADE
Sometimes, people share stories of how they surpassed their Struggles in Life.
Ex:• Before beginning a remedial class, the teacher tells the students how a boy who used
to struggle in reading managed to be a proficient reader

PERFORMANCE TASK (DOODLE FICTION)

READ THIS:

HOME OF THE ASHFALL(an excerpt)

by John Jack G. Wigley

The eruption of Mount Pinatubo was recorded as the second-largest terrestrial eruption of
the 20th century, and the largest eruption-populated area. Ash fall affected almost the entire
island of Luzon, and even reached the neighboring countries of Malaysia and Vietnam. To the
Kapampangans and to the people affected by this tragedy, it would serve as a testament to
their irrepressible attribute of rising about their plight and predicament.

I was no longer living in Angeles City when Mt. Pinatubo erupted on June 15, 1991. I was
promoted from being a crew member at Pizza Hut Dau to a management trainee at Pizza Hut
Harrison Plaza in December 1990. It was my first time to work in Manila. Ed Calupitan, a fellow
Pizza Hut crew member now based in Manila, offered me a place to stay in his two-bedroom
apartment.

Weeks before the eruption, I read several news and warnings about Mt. Pinatubo. Frankly,
I never knew there was a volcano in the Zambales mountain range. Nobody among my
Kapampangan friends did. I guess we were all clueless about the impending danger this world
causes in our lives. Later on, I realized that the summit of the volcano was just fourteen kilometers
away from the extent of Clark Air Base. I thought that volcanoes were conspicuous mountains
and had fierce-looking summits like Mayen’s and Haicon’s. But this one was deeply hidden
among several mountains called the “Cabusilan mountains” of Zambales.

Hell, I thought that if there was a mountain near us which I imagined would erupt anytime,
it would be the Arayat, which was located at the heart of Pampanga, with its open mouth and
forbidding countenance. Not this obscure mountain whose native inhabitants, the Aetas, never
knew about. I paid no more attention to warnings.
 I had only been to Manila for barely six months and was enjoying a new-found
independence. I would sometimes go to Angeles City to see my mother during days off.

That fateful day, after my opening shift, I went to see a film. It was “Hihintayin Kita sa Langit”,
a film adaptation of Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights” directed by Carlitos Siguion Reyna. The film
starred erstwhile lovers played by Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta. I was feeling all mushy and
melodramatic after watching the film when, once outside, I saw parked cars covered with what
seemed like a whitish-gray blanket. And so were the streets. “Is it finally showing in Manila?” I
thought, as I felt some of the particles in my hand and smudge my shirt. When I looked closely
and touched them, they were grainy. It was like ash from an ashtray.
(Ermino 2017)

DIRECTIONS: Interpret the story “Home of the Ashfall” written by John Jack Wigley through
doodle art. Make sure that you are also giving importance to disaster preparedness through a
doodle. (Note: be creative as you can)

RUBRICS
Creativity (10 points):
Uses imaginative and original ideas.
Demonstrates unique interpretation of the story.
Incorporates creative elements and designs.
Relevance to the Story (10 points):
Clearly reflects key elements or themes of the story.
Connects the doodle art to specific events, characters, or settings in
the story.
Demonstrates understanding of the story's plot or message.
Overall Impact (10 points):
Leaves a lasting impression on the viewer.
Evokes emotions or thoughts related to the story.
Demonstrates a deep understanding and appreciation of the story
through the doodle art.

BASIC ELEMENTS OF A SHORT STORY (CHARACTER) : Focusing on the chosen short story

What makes these authors such remarkable short story writers?

They are true masters at combining the five key elements that go into every great short story:
character, setting, conflict, plot and theme.

1. CHARACTER– A character in a short story is a person, in some stories an animal, who takes part
in the action of the story or other literary work. The way an author develops the character in a
story is very important in making the story appeal to the readers. It is said that the heart of the story
is the characters. The two most important characters in a short story are the protagonist and the
antagonist.

a. The PROTAGONIST is considered as the main character or most important of all the characters.
It is the character who learns something or undergoes some changes throughout the course of
the story. Some stories depict the protagonist as the hero of the story, while in other stories the
protagonist is not considered a hero as he has done nothing heroic. In any case, the story always
revolves around the protagonist.

b. The ANTAGONIST is the character that challenges the main character. It has no concern for the
well-being of the main character. The antagonist may be a person, the nature, the society, or any
intangible matter that contends with or creates a problem for the protagonist.
 TYPES OF CHARACTERS
1. Flat -character that have a very short role in the story and does not reveal much about the
self.
2. Dynamic- character that plays a role that develops and change during the events in the
story.
3. Static- A character that doesn’t undergo significant change.
4. Round- character that has something of the complexity, we find in real human beings.

SETTING
ü The place (locale) and time (period) when the story happens is called the setting.
ü The setting may be based on real place and real time or it may also be based on the author’s
imagination.
When analyzing the setting of the story, consider where the action is taking place. Most authors use
descriptive words to describe the landscape, scenery, buildings, season, or weather to provide a
strong sense of setting which will help the reader visualize the story and connect to the story’s plot.

PLOT
ü A plot is the actual story.
ü It is what the story is all about.
ü It is also the series of events and characters’ actions that lead to the highest point of interest in
a short story.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF A STORY’S STRUCTURE:

a. Exposition –This is the beginning of the story. This is where the author introduces the characters,
identifies where the story is happening, and establishes the main conflict.
b. Rising Action–This event occurs as you begin to move throughout the story. This is where conflicts
start to build.
c. Climax– It is the most exciting part of a short story. This is the part in the story when important
decisions are made or important things are discovered.
d. Falling Action– This point occurs after the climax as the problems in the story start to work
themselves out. The excitement becomes less and less as the conflict is resolved.
e. Resolution– This is the solution to the problem in a story. The solution may not be what you hoped
for but as long as it fits the story in tone and theme, the conflict has been resolved.

CONFLICT– Every story needs to have a problem and this problem is called conflict. The main
character, also called the protagonist, needs to have someone or something to challenge him.
Without conflict, the story will not go anywhere and will not be very interesting to the readers. The
main character may be faced with one of the four different types of conflict. These four types of
conflict are:
1. man versus man;
2. man versus nature;
3. man versus himself; and
4. man versus society.

Theme- This is the central idea in a short story and a general truth. This is considered as the
author’s message to the readers.

Point of View – This is the way the story is told or narrated. It is also known as the vantage point that
a writer uses to narrate the story. The following are the types of point of view in a short story:
a. First Person – the narrator participates in and tells the story using the pronoun ‘I’.
b. Limited Third Person – the narrator is not in the story and narrates using the pronouns ‘she’ or ‘he’.
Also, the narrator is unable to see into the minds of the characters.
c. Omniscient Third Person – the narrator is not in the story and tells the story using the pronouns
‘she’ or ‘he’. In this point of view, the narrator can tell the thoughts of the characters as he can
see into their minds.