Topic 3: Prose vs. Poetry vs.
Drama
Introduction
Hello, future literature teachers! Today, we’re diving into three of literature’s greatest
“siblings”: Prose, Poetry, and Drama.
Think of them as three different ways of telling stories and sharing human experience —
each with its own personality, style, and rhythm.
By the end of this lesson, you’ll not only know how they differ, but also how they can be
used to inspire change, build peace, and promote a better world — aligning with the UN
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Objectives
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
1. Define and differentiate prose, poetry, and drama.
2. Identify examples of each form in world and Philippine literature.
3. Analyze how each form can be used to address social issues like disaster preparedness,
environmental care, and mental wellness.
4. Suggest ways to integrate these forms into K to 12 literature lessons.
Let’s Study This (Discussion)
Prose: The Everyday Storyteller
Prose is the most common form of written or spoken language. It follows natural speech
patterns, organized into sentences and paragraphs. Novels, short stories, essays, and even news
articles fall under prose. In teaching, prose allows readers to explore complex ideas in detail,
whether it’s a gripping tale about climate change, a biography of a peace advocate, or a short
story that shows how communities rebuild after disasters. Because of its flexibility, prose is ideal
for integrating topics like Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) or SDG 13:
Climate Action.
Poetry: The Language of the Heart
Poetry compresses feelings and thoughts into a few carefully chosen words. Its beauty lies
in its rhythm, imagery, and emotional depth. A short poem can convey the pain of loss, the joy of
peace, or the urgency of saving our forests more powerfully than pages of plain text. Filipino
poets like Jose Garcia Villa and Edith Tiempo have used poetry to capture the Filipino soul,
while international poets like Maya Angelou inspire hope and resilience — which ties in with
mental health advocacy and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.
Drama: Life on Stage
Drama brings stories to life through performance. It can be presented on stage, on screen,
or even in classroom role-plays. In drama, action and dialogue are the primary tools for
storytelling. Plays can highlight social injustices, promote intercultural understanding, or
dramatize environmental crises to inspire action — a great way to integrate Peace Education
and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions into your lessons.
How They Overlap and Support Each Other
While distinct, prose, poetry, and drama often blend. A novel may include poetic passages;
a play can have prose-like dialogue; a poem can be performed as dramatic monologue. This
blending allows teachers to design integrated lessons where students not only read but also
write, perform, and reflect — promoting higher-order thinking and creativity.
Using These Genres in the Classroom
As a future teacher, you can choose the right genre for your learning objectives. If you
want to explain a complex social issue, prose might be best. For stirring emotions and inspiring
empathy, poetry is your ally. For active participation and building collaboration, drama wins.
The important thing is to ensure that each genre is not just appreciated as art but is also used as a
tool for social awareness, environmental protection, and cultural understanding — contributing
to the global citizenship aspect of education.
Let’s Do This
Title: “Genre for a Cause”
Instructions: In groups, choose a current social issue (e.g., mental health, climate change,
peacebuilding). Present it in three forms:
1. A short prose paragraph (narrative or essay form).
2. A poem (free verse or structured).
3. A short dramatic scene (2–3 minutes). Outcome: Students will understand the strengths
and limitations of each genre and see how each can contribute to advocacy and education.
We Study that… (Generalization)
Prose, poetry, and drama are not just literary forms — they are tools for shaping thought,
inspiring change, and building a better society. As teachers, your role is to choose the right tool
for the right purpose.
Let’s Answer This (Short Quiz – Multiple Choice)
(Choose the best answer)
1. Which genre is written in natural language and organized into sentences and paragraphs?
a) Poetry
b) Prose
c) Drama
d) Narrative Verse
2. Which genre often uses rhythm, imagery, and figurative language to express emotions?
a) Prose
b) Drama
c) Poetry
d) Essay
3. Which form is meant to be performed rather than just read?
a) Prose
b) Poetry
c) Drama
d) Fiction
4. Which Filipino poet is known for his comma poems?
a) Nick Joaquin
b) Jose Garcia Villa
c) Edith Tiempo
d) Virgilio Almario
5. Which SDG is best connected to a poem about mental health?
a) SDG 3
b) SDG 4
c) SDG 13
d) SDG 15
6. A stage play about environmental destruction best integrates which SDG?
a) SDG 1
b) SDG 13
c) SDG 8
d) SDG 5
7. Which form would be best for explaining disaster preparedness steps in detail?
a) Poetry
b) Prose
c) Drama
d) Ballad
8. A monologue in a play is an example of:
a) Prose in drama
b) Poetry in prose
c) Drama in poetry
d) Fiction in essay
9. Who is an international poet known for themes of hope and equality?
a) Maya Angelou
b) Ernest Hemingway
c) William Shakespeare
d) Mark Twain
10. Which is the main strength of drama in teaching literature?
a) Deep analysis
b) Emotional connection
c) Active participation
d) Detailed description
Answer Key: 1-b, 2-c, 3-c, 4-b, 5-a, 6-b, 7-b, 8-a, 9-a, 10-c
5-item Recall
1. Define prose. Prose is written in natural language, organized in sentences and paragraphs.
2. Name one Filipino poet and one international poet. Jose Garcia Villa (Filipino), Maya
Angelou (International)
3. What is the primary tool for storytelling in drama? Action and dialogue
4. Give one example of a social issue that poetry can effectively address. Mental health
5. Mention one SDG that can be integrated into a prose narrative. SDG 13
Let’s Go Further (Enrichment Activity)
Task: Choose your favorite genre (prose, poetry, or drama). Create a short work using that genre
to address an SDG of your choice. Present it to the class with a short explanation of why that
genre was the best choice for your message.
I read a short story, a poem, and a drama script. Each taught me something different. The short
story details climate change and the human reaction to it. The poem is a description of feeling
about loss and hope. The drama is a window into conflict through action and dialogue.
The short story taught me facts and events. The poem is appreciation of feeling profoundly. The
drama is a way of seeing how people behave in real life. Each gives a different perspective on
social issues.
I would use all three forms to teach my students about an SDG in class. The short story could
illustrate how to reduce waste. The poem could convey the experience of environmental loss.
The drama could depict people cleaning up a river in unison.
This is why prose, poetry, and drama complement one another in showing students how to
acquire knowledge, feel emotions, and enact solutions. The lessons are active and meaningful.
Students understand issues much deeper and can think of all sorts of ways in which they may
take action.
References
Abad, G. (2018). A Gentle Subversion: Essays on Philippine Literature. Ateneo de
Manila University Press.
Kennedy, X. J., & Gioia, D. (2019). Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and
Drama. Pearson.
UNESCO. (2020). Education for Sustainable Development Goals: Learning Objectives.
Philippine Department of Education. (2016). K to 12 Curriculum Guide in English.
