21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World – Introduction to Literature

Question-and-answer flashcards covering key definitions, forms, characteristics, and examples of literature from the lecture notes.

What is the traditional definition of literature?

A body of written works associated with imaginative and creative prose and poetry.

From which Latin word is the term “literature” derived, and what does it mean?

From “littera,” meaning “a letter of the alphabet.”

In what two forms can literature exist?

Oral and written.

What are products of written literature called?

Literary texts.

Name three common literary devices used in literature.

Simile, hyperbole, and personification (among others).

Give three characteristics of literary texts.

They narrate a story; express feelings, thoughts, and ideas; and deliver significant information across boundaries.

What does the term “literary structure” refer to, and what is the most common type?

The organizational method used in literature, with the narrative being the most common type.

Who is the author of “To Kill a Mockingbird”?

Harper Lee.

Who wrote “The Origin of Species”?

Charles Darwin.