SAMPLE MODULE USING THE THINK FRAMEWORK APPROACH

For Literature Subject

Module 1: Overview of Contemporary Literature
Lesson1: Introduction to Contemporary Literature

          TARGETS : 

                   At the end of the lesson students should be able to;

    a. define contemporary literature;

    b. understand the typical characteristics of contemporary literature ;

    c. Learn the key differences  between Modern Literature and Contemporary                 Literature;

    d. Compare contemporary literature with classic literature.

        HOOK

     

               What Is Contemporary Literature? What do you think is the difference between Modern Literature and Contemporary Literature?

A. The Contemporary Literature

             The word literature comes from the Latin word, “litera” which means letters. The word also refers to both poetry and prose, where prose includes works of fiction such as novels and novellas, essays, and dramatic works.

Contemporary literature is a vast group of written works produced from a specific time in history through the current age. Some scholars agree that the era of contemporary writing began in the 1940s. They claim this period started at the end of World War II. 

             Much of contemporary literature comes from Western authors, however, this literary period can apply to written works from anywhere in the world. In fact, with the advent og globalization, this literature opened the door to include contemporary works written by many literary figures in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

       IGNITE

  What are the typical characteristics of the contemporary literature? 

Among the typical characteristics of the contemporary literature period include:

1. Reality-based stories with strong characters and a believable story; 

2. Settings usually keep to the current or modern era, so futuristic and science fiction novels are rarely included in this category;

3. Characters are well-defined, realistic, and highly developed; and 

4. Most writing in this category features stories that are more character driven than plot driven.

Contemporary literature features a somewhat modern narrative, but it also contains a harsher reality. This is due to the influence brought about by the prosperous lifestyle that followed post war era. This literary class is also rooted in the devastation that war brought to the world. There was a new perspective in viewing reality that blossomed in the post-war mind, and some of these included personal cynicism, disillusionment, and frustration that is common to this period.

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                  In your opinion, why do you think the literary plots of the Cotemporary period are more character driven? Is this due to the new hope that the end of world war brings? 

Key Difference between Modern Literature and Contemporary Literature

What do you think is the key difference between these two literatures? 

The key difference between modern and contemporary literature is their time period. Modern literature refers to the literature dating from late nineteenth century (1900 onwards) to nineteen sixties (1960s), while the contemporary literature refers to the literature dating from the Second World War to the present. 

Contemporary Literature vs.  Classic Literatures

The works of classic authors like Shakespeare are widely taught because their work has stood the test of time and continues to inspire modern readers. However, the English in these works is not useful for modern speakers. It doesn’t seem productive to expose students to archaic English when many do not even have a firm grasp on the language they use every day. Teachers would like to teach contemporary literature because modern language is easier to understand, the social backdrop more relatable, and the books come in a greater variety of genres than older novels.

        NAVIGATE

Viewing Activities: 

1. Introduction to the study of Literature

          Intro to Literature

2. Types of Literature genre

         Genres of Literature

        KNOT

    Literary genres are categories of literature that are generally determined by technique, length, tone, and content. When we list literary genres in broader terms, they can be more abstract, flexible, and loosely defined.

    What are the different literary genres? Though we may think there are several types of literary genres, there are actually only 3 genres of literature. You may be wondering, what are the three genres of literature? Poetry, drama, and prose.

    The genre of literature can be classified in many ways. Understanding literary genres in English literature will not only enhance your students’ reading experience but improve their writing skills too.

Types of Literary Genres

A. Poetry

    Poetry is a genre of literature that uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language—such as phonaesthetics, sound symbolism, and metre — to evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, the literal or mundane meaning. Poetry has a very long history, dating back to prehistoric times with the creation of hunting chants and burial songs.

    Poetry is considered by many to be the most intense literature genre. It allows a writer to express their deepest emotions and thoughts in a very personal way. It relies heavily on figurative language, rhythm, and imagery to relay its message to readers. Poetry is a type of writing that uses beautiful language to express deep thoughts and feelings. Poetry can help you understand your emotions and thoughts better, and it also helps you learn how to write more expressively.

Sub-Genres of Poetry

Songs and Ballads

Lyric

Epic

Dramatic

Narrative

B. Drama

Drama is a mode of fictional representation through dialogue and performance. It is one of the kinds of literature which includes epic poetry, lyric poetry, and novel. Aristotle’s Poetics defines drama as “a representation of an action that is whole and complete and has a beginning, a middle, and an end.”

Drama is often performed on stage in front of a live audience, but it can also be presented in other forms, such as radio, film, and television. It is usually written by a playwright, although it can be adapted from other sources, such as novels, short stories, poems, or even real-life events. Or it can be read silently by individuals too.

It contains dialogue, and actors impersonate the characters. It is usually divided into acts or scenes and relies on props or imaginative dialogue to create a visual experience for the audience. Drama is a good place to start, as they are usually pretty easy to understand at face value and captivates the audience with cliff-hangers and mind-capitulating events.

Sub-Genres of Drama

Tragedy

Comedy

History

Melodrama

Musical

C. Prose

The prose is a form of language that has no formal metrical structure. It applies a natural flow of speech, and ordinary grammatical structure, rather than rhythmic structure, such as in the case of traditional poetry. The prose is typically written in paragraphs, although there are some exceptions, such as in the case of drama or fiction.

Prose can be found in books, magazines, newspapers, online articles, blogs, etc. It is the most common form of writing. Examples of famous works of prose include To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee & Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. The prose is simple, straightforward language. It can be either fiction or nonfiction. The prose is typically divided into paragraphs, and it uses regular grammar. It can be either serious or funny.

References: 

https://www.storyboardthat.com/articles/e/literary-genres