CONTEMPORARY,

POPULAR, AND
EMERGENT OF
LITERATURE
R O D N E Y A . F E L A R C A , L P T, M I E
LIT315, INSTRUCTOR
SHORT STORY
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Defi ne short story;
2. Discuss the characteristics, types , and
elements of short story; and
3. Apply the fi ve diff erent confl icts of the
contemporary short story.
Short Story

• A short story is a brief work of fiction that

typically focuses on a single event,
character, or theme. It is shorter than a
novel and usually ranges from 1,000 to
7,500 words, though some may be shorter
or longer.
Elements of Contemporary Short Story

• Plot is an order of events that

constitute the narrative structure of
the short story.
Elements of Contemporary Short Story

Parts of the Plot

1. Exposition – a detailed information from the
beginning of work in which the author provides a
necessary background information, sets the
scene, and establishes the situation and dates of
the action for the reader to understand the story.
Elements of Contemporary Short Story

Parts of the Plot

1.1 Setting is the location of the story.
The term has two features: time
setting and place setting sometimes
called physical and/or spiritual.
Elements of Contemporary Short Story

Parts of the Plot

1.2 Characters are the people and
sometimes are the animals that
participate in the action of a story or
other literary works.
Elements of Contemporary Short Story

Parts of the Plot

1.2 Kinds of Characters
a.Protagonist
b.Antagonist
Elements of Contemporary Short Story

Parts of the Plot

1.2 Characters Development
a. Flat or Static
b. Dynamic
c. Foil
Elements of Contemporary Short Story

Parts of the Plot

2. Confl ict – crisis or problem that
refers to the struggle of the main
character and those who oppose
him/her.
Elements of Contemporary Short Story

Parts of the Plot

3. Rising Action – refers to all events
that take place leading to the climax.
Elements of Contemporary Short Story

Parts of the Plot

4. Climax is the peak of the story
wherein the crisis reaches its highest
point.
Elements of Contemporary Short Story

Parts of the Plot

5. Falling Action – means the event
that happen the climax leading to the
resolution.
Elements of Contemporary Short Story

Parts of the Plot

6. Resolution – is considered as the
conclusion of the story. It is where all
the conflicts have been resolved.
Interpretation and Treatment of Short
Story

Point of View – refers to how the reader perceives events

in the story.
Four Basic Points of View
1. Omniscient point of view
2. Limited Omniscient POV
3. First-person POV
4. Dramatic POV
Interpretation and Treatment of Short
Story

Symbolism – uses an object, person,

situation, event, or action with a
deeper meaning.
Interpretation and Treatment of Short
Story

Allegory – is general concept usually

moral, religious or political in nature.
Relies heavily on symbolism to teach a
lesson or explain an Idea.
Interpretation and Treatment of Short
Story

Style – is the way in which a piece of

literature is written. It refers to works,
sounds, and allusions.
Interpretation and Treatment of Short
Story

Tone – creates the mood, which is how

the work makes the reader feel. This is
also how the writer feels about the
subject, which might be funny,
sorrowful, or happy.
Interpretation and Treatment of Short
Story

Irony – Is a term wherein a character

says one thing but means the
opposite. It can be contradictory
statements, events, and ideas.
POETRY
Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Diff erentiate poetry from prose;
2. Identify the four groups of poets according to the
time in which they lived and wrote their poems;
and
3. Discuss how poems are read to understand them
better.
PROSE VS. POETRY
Poetry

- is a form of literary expression that uses rhythm,

imagery, and fi gurative language to convey
emotions, ideas, or stories in a creative and
impactful way. It often follows a structured or free-
fl owing format and can evoke deep feelings,
inspire thought, or capture the beauty of language.
Poets four Major Groups

a. Traditional – poems were written

with the required number of syllables,
rhyme, and meter. The sonnets of
Shakespeare are examples of
traditional poems.
Poets four Major Groups

b. Modern – poems characterized by the

presence of stream of consciousness, that is
poets present what exactly is in their mind
without regard of logic and order. Known to
have free verse and explore societal problems
like love, death, disillusion, or estrangement.
Poets four Major Groups

c. PostModern – poems deal with subjects

like restlessness or impatience, and they
are written in free formats like erratic line
breaks, which are actually intentional
representing what the author thinks or
feels.
Poets four Major Groups

d. Contemporary – poems are poems written

today. Most are written in free verse, but some
writers agree that there are contemporary poems
that move back toward traditional forms.
Contemporary writers include Pablo Neruda, Maya
Angelou, Rita Dove, and Filipino poets like
Marjorie Evasco, Edith Tiempo, to name few.
Types of Poetry

1. Haiku (Japanese Origin)

• A three-line poem with a 5-7-5 syllable pattern.
• Often focuses on nature, seasons, or emotions with a simple
yet deep meaning.
Example:
Gentle winds whisper (5)
Cherry blossoms start to dance (7)
Spring awakens bright (5)
Types of Poetry

2. Cinquain (Five-Line Poem)

• Has a structured syllable or word-based format.
• Two common types:
Syllabic Cinquain: Follows a 2-4-6-8-2 syllable
pattern.
Word Cinquain: Follows a 1-2-3-4-1 word pattern.
Types of Poetry

Example (Syllabic Cinquain):

Night falls (2)
Stars shine brightly (4)
Moonlight bathes the still sea (6)
Waves whisper in the quiet air (8)
Dreaming (2)
Types of Poetry

3. Sonnet (European Origin)

• A 14-line poem, usually with a specific rhyme
scheme and meter (iambic pentameter).
• Two famous types:Shakespearean Sonnet
(English): ABABCDCDEFEFGGPetrarchan
• Sonnet (Italian): ABBAABBACDCDCD or similar
Types of Poetry

• Example (Opening Lines of a Shakespearean

Sonnet):
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? (A)
Thou art more lovely and more temperate: (B)
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, (A)
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date: (B)
Elements of Poetry

1. Structure/Form- refers to the selection

and arrangement of materials to create a
meaningful and pleasing order. It includes
the number of syllables in each line, rhyming
or words or phrases, number of lines in each
stanza just to name some.
Elements of Poetry – STRUCTURE/FORM

a. Continuous Form - A poem written without stanza

breaks, often fl owing like a paragraph. It may still use
rhythm, rhyme, or free verse.
Example:
"The river fl ows endlessly to the sea,
A whisper of time, a call to eternity,
No breaks, no pauses, just movement free,
Like the breath of the wind through an ancient tree."
Elements of Poetry – STRUCTURE/FORM

b. Stanzaic Form - A poem divided into stanzas, each with

a specifi c number of lines and rhyme scheme.
Common stanza forms include:
Couplet (2 lines)
Tercet (3 lines)
Quatrain (4 lines)
Sestet (6 lines)
Octave (8 lines)
Elements of Poetry – STRUCTURE/FORM

Example: (Quatrain)
"The stars shine bright in velvet night,
A silver glow so soft, so light,
The world in dreams drifts far away,
Until the dawn brings back the day."
Elements of Poetry – STRUCTURE/FORM

c. Fixed Form - Poems that follow specifi c patterns, including

line numbers, rhyme schemes, and meter.
Common types include:
Sonnet – 14-line poem with a strict rhyme scheme
(Shakespearean or Petrarchan).
Haiku – 3-line poem (5-7-5 syllables).
Limerick – 5-line humorous poem (AABBA rhyme scheme).
Villanelle – 19-line poem with repeated lines (e.g., Dylan Thomas’
Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night).
Elements of Poetry – STRUCTURE/FORM

4. Visual Form (Concrete Poetry) - The shape

or layout of the poem visually represents its
theme. Words may be arranged into a shape
(e.g., a heart for a love poem, a tree for a nature
poem).Often used in experimental poetry.
Example: A poem about a tree shaped like a
tree! 🌳
Elements of Poetry – RHYME AND RHYME
SCHEME

2. Rhyme and Rhyme Scheme – are

the repetition of the accented vowel and
all succeeding sounds. It is called
masculine when the sounds involve only
one syllable, as in flame, brave, reign,
etc.
Elements of Poetry – RHYME AND RHYME
SCHEME

It is called feminine when the rhyme

sounds involve two or more syllables as
in delicate, daff odils, imagery. Rhyme
scheme is the pattern of rhyming
patterns of words in a line or stanza of a
poem.
Elements of Poetry – RHYME AND RHYME
SCHEME

a. End Rhyme
b. Internal Rhyme
Elements of Poetry – Figurative Language

is a form of language used in which the

writers and speakers mean something
other than the literal meaning of the
words.
Elements of Poetry – Figurative Language

1. Simile – involves comparison between

unlike things using like or as.
2. Metaphor – a comparison between
essentially unlike things without a
word such as like or as.
Elements of Poetry – Figurative Language

3. Antithesis – is the contrast of words

and are found in the same sentence.
Example: Many are called but few are
chosen
Elements of Poetry – Figurative Language

4. Oxymoron – refers to the use of words

with contradicting meanings.
Example: Consumed by words unsaid
Elements of Poetry – Figurative Language

5. Alliteration – is the repetition of initial

sounds on the same line or stanza.
Example: Live, laugh, love
Elements of Poetry – Figurative Language

6. Epigram is the use of clever or witty

remark.
Example: Candy is dandy
Elements of Poetry – Figurative Language

7. Consonance is the repetition of

consonant sounds (anywhere in the
middle or end of a line or stanza)
Example:
all that I love, all that like, I leave it all.
Elements of Poetry – Figurative Language

8. Onomatopeia are words that sound

like that they describe.
Example: “Crash!” “Boom”
Elements of Poetry – Figurative Language

9. Irony are words used have another

intended meaning or that what is said is
not what it means.
Example: He is an employee in the land
he owns
Elements of Poetry – Figurative Language

10. Assonance is the repetition of vowel

sounds (anywhere in the middle or end
of a line or stanza)
Example: The mellow bell tolled in the
golden glow
Elements of Poetry – Figurative Language

11. Synecdoche is when you use a part

of a thing to represent the whole thing.
Example:
The White House issued a statement
today."
DRAMA
Drama

• Refers to plays that reflect the current

cultural, social, and political issues of a
given society (Kroot, 2015).
• It is a type of theater that explores and
challenges modern perspective and
ideas.
Drama

Contemporary drama often deals with

issues such as identity, race, gender,
sexuality, and politics.
Elements of Drama

1. Plot – sequence of events in a story

that follows a logical and meaningful
pattern.
2. Character – are people or animals in a
story who perform the actions and
drive the plot forward.
Elements of Drama

3. Setting – time and place in which the

story takes place.
4. Dialogue – spoken words of the
characters in a story. It reveals their
thoughts, feelings, and motivations.
Elements of Drama

5. Theme – the underlying message or idea

of a story. It can be explicit or implicit.
6. Spectacle – refers to the visual and
auditory elements of a play, including
costumes, lightning, music, and stage
design.
Characteristics of Contemporary Drama

1. Realism
• Focuses on real-life situations and characters rather than
exaggerated or fantastical elements.
• Natural dialogue and authentic emotions make characters
relatable.
• Often explores social issues, relationships, and personal
struggles.
Example: Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman – a play about an
aging salesman facing fi nancial struggles and personal failures.
Characteristics of Contemporary Drama

2. Nonlinear Structure
• The story is not told in chronological order.
• Uses fl ashbacks, multiple timelines, or fragmented
scenes to present events.
• Can create mystery, suspense, or deeper emotional
impact.
Example: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – a story
about a man aging in reverse, making time a central theme.
Characteristics of Contemporary Drama

3. Multiculturalism
• Represents diverse cultures, ethnicities, and perspectives
in storytelling.
• Addresses immigration, identity, cultural confl ict, and
heritage.
• Highlights the voices of underrepresented communities.
Example: Hamilton – A Broadway musical that reimagines
American history with a diverse cast and hip-hop
infl uences.
Characteristics of Contemporary Drama

4. Political Commentary
• Criticizes governments, societal structures, and power
dynamics.
• Raises awareness about injustice, inequality, and
corruption.
• Encourages social change and activism.
Example: George Orwell’s 1984 – A dystopian drama about
government surveillance and totalitarian control.
Approaches of Analyzing Contemporary
Drama

1. Formalist Approach
• Focuses on the form, structure, and literary elements of a text.
• Analyzes language, symbols, plot, and style rather than
historical or social context.
• Ignores the author’s background or reader’s interpretation—
only the text itself matters.
Example: Studying Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 by analyzing its rhyme
scheme, metaphors, and iambic pentameter rather than its
historical meaning.
Approaches of Analyzing Contemporary
Drama

2. Psychological Approach
• Explores the psychological motivations and behaviors of
characters.
• May apply Freudian, Jungian, or other psychological
theories.
• Examines unconscious desires, trauma, mental health, and
motivations.
Example: Analyzing Hamlet’s indecision and possible Oedipus
Approaches of Analyzing Contemporary
Drama

3. Sociological Approach
• Examines how social structures, class, and historical
context infl uence a text.
• Often focuses on power, economy, race, and class
struggles. Related to Marxist criticism (which looks at
class confl ict).
Example: Studying Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist as a critique
of poverty and social inequality in Victorian England.
Approaches of Analyzing Contemporary
Drama

4. Feminist and Gender Studies Approach

• Analyzes how gender roles, stereotypes, and feminism are
represented in literature and drama.
• Examines women’s voices, LGBTQ+ themes, and
patriarchal systems.
• Questions the traditional roles of men and women in
society.
Example: Examining how Ophelia is silenced and controlled by
Approaches of Analyzing Contemporary
Drama

5. Postcolonial and Cultural Studies Approach

• Studies colonialism, oppression, and cultural identity in
literature.
• Explores how colonized people and their cultures are
represented.
• Often looks at racism, nationalism, and hybrid identities.
Example: Analyzing Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart as a
response to European colonial narratives.
Approaches of Analyzing Contemporary
Drama

6. Reader-Response Approach
• Focuses on the reader’s interpretation rather than the
author’s intent.
• Believes meaning changes based on individual
experiences and perspectives.
• Encourages multiple valid interpretations of a text.
Example: A reader might see The Great Gatsby as a romantic
tragedy, while another sees it as a critique of capitalism.
Approaches of Analyzing Contemporary
Drama

7. Performance Analysis
• Studies how a play is staged, acted, and directed rather than just
the written script.
• Looks at lighting, set design, costumes, body language, and
audience interaction.
• Recognizes that diff erent productions of the same play can convey
diff erent meanings.
Example: Comparing two productions of Romeo and Juliet—one set in
Shakespearean times, another in modern-day America—to see how
performance choices aff ect interpretation.
THANK YOU