✮⋆˙ PHILIPPINE LITERATURE ✮⋆˙ SOMETHING TO PONDER UPON
TOPIC 1: DEFINITIONS, LITERARY Can we consider history book literature? How about
STANDARDS, AND LITERARY HISTORY a cookbook or the manual of your I-phone? Can
⋆˚✿˖° @writtenbyella ⋆˚✿˖° we consider Mathematics book literature? Think of
a Mathematics formula? Does it express a
language “worth calling as literature?” What about
1.1 DEFINING LITERATURE YouTube videos, blogs, and podcasts?
Literature has a plethora of definitions. Have you WHY ARE THESE DEFINITIONS OF
ever questioned the inadequacy of literature LITERATURE NARROW IN SCOPE ACCORDING
definitions? Is there a definition that will cover the TO BENSON?
broad spectrum of literature? This lesson provides 1. Scylar (1998: 83) defines literature as “any
some literature definitions and the arguments writing on a subject: the body of published
raised for them. The readings and videos will help work concerned with a particular subject.”
you internalize the meaning of literature. By the end 2. Pollanen (1997) says that “literature refers
of the lesson, you should find a literature definition to published writings in a particular style on
from a reliable source given by an author, agree or a particular subject.”
disagree with it, and formulate your definition of
literature. CAN YOU USE THIS WORKING DEFINITION OF
LITERATURE?
“WHY LITERATURE HAS MANY DEFINITIONS?”
Encarta (2009) defines literature as “the use of
The essay written by Sitwe Benson defines well-chosen words to tell a story through narrative,
literature and “brings out the inadequacies attached involving characters in conflict, or to express an
to the definitions.” emotion or idea through artfully arranged images.”
The essay concludes that the presence of the Why does this view about literature contradict the
different genres of literature makes it difficult to concept that literature is “anything written”?
have one working definition attached to it.
The purpose of literature is to entertain and instruct
LITERATURE IS A LATIN WORD “LITERA” WHICH (or to delight and enlighten) the reader through the
MEANS “WRITING.” use of the imagination. Literature can also shock,
Argument: Saying that literature is any written amaze, or provide readers with an escape from
material is too limiting because literature may be reality for a while.
both oral and written forms. Twenty-first century WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF “GOOD
literature that considers the influence and LITERATURE” ACCORDING TO THIS
prominence of technology goes beyond the DEFINITION?
meaning of text as more than just words on page.
Hancock (2006) defines literature as “being written
WHAT ARE THE FLAWS OF THESE works of fiction and non-fiction in which
DEFINITIONS OF LITERATURE? compositional excellence and advancement in the
Literature is literally “an acquaintance with letters.” art of writing are higher priorities than are
considerations of profit or commercial appeal.”
As a common noun, the word „literature‟ can refer
to any form of writing, such as essays or poetry. As Davids (1983) says that “literature is a creative
a proper noun, literature refers to a whole body of writing of artistic value.”
literally work, worldwide or relating to a specific SUMMING UP WHY IS LITERATURE DIFFICULT
culture (Wikipedia, 2008). TO DEFINE?
Literature is a body of written works of a culture, 1. The body of literature is encompassing and
language, people or a period of time. has many forms.
2. Some definitions of literature do not
consider the “orature” component.
TOPIC 1: DEFINITIONS, LITERARY Can we consider history book literature? How about
STANDARDS, AND LITERARY HISTORY a cookbook or the manual of your I-phone? Can
⋆˚✿˖° @writtenbyella ⋆˚✿˖° we consider Mathematics book literature? Think of
a Mathematics formula? Does it express a
language “worth calling as literature?” What about
1.1 DEFINING LITERATURE YouTube videos, blogs, and podcasts?
Literature has a plethora of definitions. Have you WHY ARE THESE DEFINITIONS OF
ever questioned the inadequacy of literature LITERATURE NARROW IN SCOPE ACCORDING
definitions? Is there a definition that will cover the TO BENSON?
broad spectrum of literature? This lesson provides 1. Scylar (1998: 83) defines literature as “any
some literature definitions and the arguments writing on a subject: the body of published
raised for them. The readings and videos will help work concerned with a particular subject.”
you internalize the meaning of literature. By the end 2. Pollanen (1997) says that “literature refers
of the lesson, you should find a literature definition to published writings in a particular style on
from a reliable source given by an author, agree or a particular subject.”
disagree with it, and formulate your definition of
literature. CAN YOU USE THIS WORKING DEFINITION OF
LITERATURE?
“WHY LITERATURE HAS MANY DEFINITIONS?”
Encarta (2009) defines literature as “the use of
The essay written by Sitwe Benson defines well-chosen words to tell a story through narrative,
literature and “brings out the inadequacies attached involving characters in conflict, or to express an
to the definitions.” emotion or idea through artfully arranged images.”
The essay concludes that the presence of the Why does this view about literature contradict the
different genres of literature makes it difficult to concept that literature is “anything written”?
have one working definition attached to it.
The purpose of literature is to entertain and instruct
LITERATURE IS A LATIN WORD “LITERA” WHICH (or to delight and enlighten) the reader through the
MEANS “WRITING.” use of the imagination. Literature can also shock,
Argument: Saying that literature is any written amaze, or provide readers with an escape from
material is too limiting because literature may be reality for a while.
both oral and written forms. Twenty-first century WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF “GOOD
literature that considers the influence and LITERATURE” ACCORDING TO THIS
prominence of technology goes beyond the DEFINITION?
meaning of text as more than just words on page.
Hancock (2006) defines literature as “being written
WHAT ARE THE FLAWS OF THESE works of fiction and non-fiction in which
DEFINITIONS OF LITERATURE? compositional excellence and advancement in the
Literature is literally “an acquaintance with letters.” art of writing are higher priorities than are
considerations of profit or commercial appeal.”
As a common noun, the word „literature‟ can refer
to any form of writing, such as essays or poetry. As Davids (1983) says that “literature is a creative
a proper noun, literature refers to a whole body of writing of artistic value.”
literally work, worldwide or relating to a specific SUMMING UP WHY IS LITERATURE DIFFICULT
culture (Wikipedia, 2008). TO DEFINE?
Literature is a body of written works of a culture, 1. The body of literature is encompassing and
language, people or a period of time. has many forms.
2. Some definitions of literature do not
consider the “orature” component.
