Lesson 1 Critical Reading Strategies in Contextualizing

Literature When you contextualize, you consider the historical,

cultural, or biographical context of the text. Identify the
What does it mean to be a Critical Reader? context(s) in which the text was written and determine
 Being a critical reader means that you do not aim to how this context differs from your own. Keep in mind
simply memorize facts and information in the text that your understanding of a particular concept is
that you are reading. Being a critical reader means influenced by these contexts, in the same way that they
that you are looking for ways of thinking about the influence an author’s.
subject matter of the text that you are reading.  
  Outlining and Summarizing.
What are the steps or modes of analysis that are reflected Outlining and summarizing the text help you identify the
in three types of reading? main ideas in the text and express them again in your
and discussion as presented by Daniel J. Kurland (2000): own words.
 What a text says is the restatement. At first, you  
simply talk about the same topic as what is written Analyzing
in the original text. Analyzing a text deals with examining the information
 What a text does is the description. Next, you presented to support the author’s argument(s). In
discuss and examine the aspects of the discussion analyzing a text, you look at the evidence, sources, and
or the content of the text. author’s bias(es). Consider the following questions:
 What a text means is the interpretation. As you  Is there enough evidence to support the author’s
read critically, you should analyze the text and argument? Does the evidence relate to and support
assert a meaning for the text as a whole. the thesis or the main point the author is trying to
  convey?
What are the three main goals of critical reading that  Are the pieces of evidence relevant, credible,
require inference from reading within the text (Kurland and up-to-date?
2000)?  Are the sources of information credible?
 First is to recognize the author’s purpose, which  Why did the author take that particular position?
involves inferring a basis for choices of content What is the author’s background that may have led
and language. to or influenced his or her position?
 Second is to understand the tone and persuasive  
elements of the text, which involves classifying Rereading
the nature of language choices used by the author. Rereading requires a repeated examination of the text to
 Third is to recognize bias, which involves enable you to improve your comprehension of the text
classifying the nature of patterns of choice and and to identify ideas that you may not have noticed in
language used in the text. initial reading. Critical readers read the text more than
  once to fully grasp the meaning of the text and what the
What are the Critical Reading strategies? author is conveying.
Previewing  
Before you begin reading the text, preview it by Responding
gathering important information about it. Previewing After you have developed a clear understanding of the
helps prepare your mind for the barrage of information text, you are now ready to respond to the text.
that is to come when you do the actual reading. When Responding to the text means drawing meaning from
you preview a text, you skim it to get the big picture or what you have read and presenting it in writing or
an overview of the entire text. Consider the following: talking about it to others.
 Who wrote the text? What are the author’s other  
works?
Lesson 2 Critical Reading Strategies in
 Where and when was the text published? What
Literature
were the major events around the time the text was
written or published? What is literature?
 What can you infer about the text based on the The word literature is derived from the Latin term litera
title? which means letter. It has been defined differently by
 What seems to be the general progression or various writers. These are the following:
organization of ideas based on the chapter titles or 1. Literature expresses the feelings of people to
section headings and subheadings? society, to the government, to his surroundings, to
 What is your purpose for reading the text? his fellowmen, and to his Divine Creator. (Brother
Azurin)
Annotating 2. Literature is anything that is printed as long as it
Annotating involves highlighting or making notes of is related to the ideas and feelings of the people,
important ideas in the text. This can be done by doing whether it is true, or just a product of one’s
the following: imagination. (Webster)
 With a pencil or a pen in hand, underline 3. “True literature is a piece of written work which
important ideas such as the thesis, topic sentences, is undying.
and key concepts. Also, highlight unfamiliar
words so you can look them up later.

4. It expresses the feelings and emotions of people

in response to his everyday efforts to live, to be
 Make notes such as questions and comments or happy in his environment and, after struggles, to
responses on the margins as you read. reach his Creator.” (PANITIKANG FILIPINO)
 
 Develop a symbol system. You may draw Because literature deals with ideas, thoughts, and
symbols to mark important words or sentences so emotions of man, it can be said to be the story of man.
that the text will not appear cluttered. Man’s loves, grieves, thoughts, dreams, and aspirations
  coached in beautiful language is literature.
  What are the Literary Influences during Spanish
What are the Philippine Literatures? colonization?
Philippine Literature is a diverse and rich group of a. Christian Doctrine or Doctrina Christiana was the first
works that has evolved side – by – side with the book ever printed in the Philippines in 1593 by the
country’s history. It had started with fables and legends Dominican press.
made by the ancient b. Libro de la Lengua Tagala by Fernando Bagongbanta
Filipinos long before the arrival of Spanish influence. is a tagalog translations to the Spanish lines, still with
The main themes of Philippine literature focus on the the superiority of the Spanish language.
country’s pre – colonial cultural traditions and socio – c. Pasyon is influenced by the Spanish contexts of
political histories of its colonial and contemporary Christianity. At least, they embodied several Filipino
traditions. sentiments and values (the feeling of Filipino mother
  towards a suffering son).
Literary History/Evolution of the Philippines:  
1. Pre – Colonial Period Who are the Filipino writers in Spanish that became
 The evolution of Philippine literature depended conscious for the search of freedom?
on the influences of colonization and the spirit of a. Pasyon Dapat Ipag-alab ng Puso by Marcelo H. del
the age. Pilar expressed his rebellious writing style and was
 The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was identified.
replaced by the Roman alphabet. b. Pascual Poblete’s Patnubay sa Binyagan associated
 Indigenous Philippine literature was based on Filipinos’ struggle forindependence with Jesus’ life.
traditions and customs of a particular area of the c. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
country. made a very powerful contributions to the awakening of
 Philippines is an archipelago. It consists of Filipinos as it introduce the rejection of Spanish rule. He
several islands, (approximately 7,107 islands), and also influenced the succeeding writers.
each of this island has a unique cultures and d. The narrative poems Awit and Corrido talked about
traditions, bearing different set of native literature. world of royals, warriors, and lovers (the basic concept
 Ancient literatures were written in a perishable in Florante at Laura).
materials like dried leaves, bamboo cylinder, and e. Komedya. Francisco Baltazar’s Florante at Laura
bark of the trees. embodied the concept of colonization and oppression
 Literatures were handed down to us orally. which gave voice to their revolutionary action towards
  freedom.
What were the two literary forms during the pre-colonial  
period? 3. The American Colonial Period (1898-1945)
Written literatures  Philippine literature in Spanish time started to
Examples: lose its track on the first decade.
a. Riddles or bugtong. These are effective ways to  The poems of Fernando Ma. Guerrero
inculcate the ability of logical thinking of a child. (Crisalidas), Balmori’s Se deshojo la Flor novel,
b. Epigrams or salawikain. It reflects the hidden meaning and many others discussed revolution and
through the good lines. It provides good values. sentiments for patriotism and reform proved that
c. Poems or tanaga – These are common forms of poetry Philippine literature was used to claim freedom
which has a quatrine with 7 syllables each with the same from the colonizers.
rhyme at the end of each line. It also expresses insights  Even though Philippine literature was in
and lessons in life. English, the preservation of the content for
  Filipino experiences was achieved.
Oral literatures  Short story writers in English like Manuel
Examples: Arguilla in his “A Son is Born,” were one of the
a. Chant foundations of Philippine literature. Poetry in
 It is used in witchcraft and enchantment. While, English was also founded. Sarzuela was
ambahan is a traditional poetry of Hanunoo overpowered by English drama.
Mangyans of Oriental Mindoro which teaches
lesson about life. 4. The Contemporary Period (1946 to present)
 It is recited by parents to educate their children  This period started during the rebirth of freedom
by the youth expressing their love, by the old to in (1946 to present).
impart experiences, or by the community in tribal  The Americans returned in 1945.
ceremony.  Filipinos rejoiced and guerrillas fled to the
mountain and joined the liberating American
b. Balagtasan Army.
 This is a Filipino form of debate done in verse.  On July 4, 1946, the Philippines regained its
 The term is derived from the surname of freedom and the Filipino flag waved joyously
Francisco Balagtas the author of Filipino epic alone.
Florante at Laura.  The chains were broken.
 

2. The Spanish Colonial Period (1565-1897) What is the state of Literature during this Period?
Sixteenth Century was the start of the deprivation of the The early post – liberation period was marked by a kind
indigenous Philippine literature. Spanish colonial of “struggle of mind and spirit” posed by the sudden
government finally got in the scene. They were able to emancipation from the enemy, and the wild desire to see
manipulate literature by monopolizing it under the print.
religious orders. Literature revolved mainly on the a. Heart of The Islands (1947) is a collection of
themes of Spanish/ European culture and of course, the poems by Manuel Viray
Roman Catholic religion. b. Philippines Cross Section (1950) is a collection
  of prose and poetry by
Maximo Ramos and Florentino Valeros
 c. Prose and Poems (1952) by Nick Joaquin The Play under the New Society
d. Philippine Writing (1953) by T.D. Agcaoili The government led in reviving old plays and dramas,
e. Philippine Havest by Amador Daguio like the Tagalog Zarzuela,
f. Horizons Least (1967) is a collection of works Cenaculo and the Embayoka of the Muslims which were
by the professors of UE, mostly in English (short presented in the rebuilt
stories, essays, research papers, poem, and drama) Metropolitan Theater, the Folk Arts Theater, and the
by Artemio Patacsil and Silverio Baltazar. The Cultural Center of the Philippines.
themes of most poems dealt with the usual love of  
nature, social and political problems. Radio and Television
Toribia Maño’s poems showed deep emotional Radio continued to be patronized during this period. The
intensity. play series like Si Matar,
g. Who Spoke of Courage in His Sleep by NVM Dahlia, Ito Ang Palad Ko, and Mr. Lonely were the
Gonzales forms of recreation of those without Television.
h. Speak Not, Speak Also by Conrado V. Pedroche  
i. Other poets were Toribia Maño and Edith L. Filipino Films
Tiempo, Jose Garcia Villa’s Have Come, Am Here A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulang Pilipino (Yearly
has won acclaim both here and abroad Filipino Film Festival) was held
  during this time. During the festival which lasted usually
What is the New Filipino Literature during this Period? for a month, only Filipino films
Philippine literature in Tagalog was revived during this were shown in all theaters in Metro Manila.
period. Most themes in writings dealt with Japanese
brutalities, of the poverty of life under the Japanese 1. Maynila...Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag was written by
government, and the brave guerilla exploits. Edgardo Reyes and filmed
  under the direction of Lino Brocka. Bembol Roco was in
a. Period of Activism (1970-1972) the lead role.
Many young people became activists to ask for change 2. Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo, Nora Aunor was the lead
in the government. In the expression of this desire for performer.
change, the writings of some youth who were fuelled 3. Ganito Kami Noon...Paano Kayo Ngayon was led by
with nationalism in order to emphasize the importance of Christopher de Leon and Gloria Diaz.
their petitions. 4. Insiang by Hilda Koronel
  5. Aguila was led by Fernando Poe Jr., Jay Ilagan, and
The Literary Revolution Christopher de Leon.
 The youth became completely rebellious during
this period. This was proven  Comics, Magazines and other Publications
not only in the bloody demonstrations in the In the period of the New Society, newspapers donned
sidewalk but also in literature. new forms. News on economic progress, discipline,
 Campus newspapers showed rebellious culture, tourism, and the like were favoured more than
emotions. the sensationalized reporting of killings, rape, and
 The once aristocratic writers developed robberies.
awareness for society.
 They held pens and wrote on placards in red c. Period of the Third Republic (1981-1985)
paint the equivalent of the word MAKIBAKA (To After ten years of military rule and some changes in the
dare!). life of the Filipino which started under the New Society,
Martial Law was at last lifted on January 2, 1981.
What were the writings during the Period of Activism?
The irreverence for the poor reached its peak during this 1. Filipino Poetry – Poems during this period were
period of the mass revolution. It was also during this romantic and revolutionary.
period that Bomba films started to come out to discredit
our ways as Filipinos.
b. Period of the New Society (1972-1980)
 The period of the New Society started on
September 21, 1972.
 Almost all themes in most writings dealt with
the development and progress of the country – like Writers wrote openly of criticism against the
Green Revolution, family planning, proper government. The supplications of the people were
nutrition, environment, drug addiction, and coached in fiery, colorful, violent, profane, and insulting
pollution. language.
2. Filipino Songs – Many Filipino songs dealt with
themes that were really True – to – life like those of
grief, poverty, aspirations for freedom, love of God,
country, and fellowmen.
 The New Society tried to stop pornography and  
those writings that badly influenced the moral of Philippine Films during the Period
the people. The yearly Festival of Filipino Films continued to be
 All school newspapers were temporarily stopped held during this period.
and so with school organizations.
  The people’s love for sex films also was unabated.
What were the Filipino Poetry during the Period of the Below is the table of the list of the Philippine Film
New Society? during the Third Republic.
Themes of most poems dealt with patience, regard for  
native culture, customs and the beauties of nature, and d. Rebirth of Freedom (1986-present)
surroundings.
 
  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.
 Together, the people barricaded the streets
petitioning the government for changes and
reforms.
 
Newspapers and other Publications
Newspapers, which were once branded crony
newspapers, became an instant opposition papers
overnight. This was true of BULLETIN TODAY which
became the opposition paper.
 
Books
The Philippine revolution of 1986 and the fire of its
spirit that carried the Filipinos through another epoch in
Philippine history is still being documented just as they
have been in the countless millions who participated in
body and spirit in its realization.