CREATIVE WRITING

QUARTER 2 11 HUMSS

PREPARED BY: DELA ROSA, MA. THERESSA

Intertextuality: Definition Unfold
Perhaps, you have already applied intertextuality technique in your own literary works,
yet you do not know that that is how you call it in literature. Have you tried borrowing
phrases and concepts from other’s works and integrate them to your own literary work?
If so, then you have already done intertextuality without even knowing it.

By definition, intertextuality is the manner in which one text influences another. This
borrowing can be done by an author in either direct or indirect manner. Historically, it
was in 1960s that a French Julia Kristeva made the definition of intertextuality.
Accordingly, it originated from the Latin word intertexto which means “to intermingle
while weaving”. According to Kristeva, all literary outputs which are created
contemporarily are intertextual with the works that were created before them.

On the other hand, Merriam-Webster dictionary defines intertextuality as the “complex

interrelationship between a text and other texts taken as basic to the creation of
interpretation of the text”. Furthermore, the Glossary of Literary Terms written by M.H.
Abrams defines this technique as signifying multiple ways in which any literary text is
combined with other texts through open or covert citations and allusions, as well as
repetitions and transformations of the formal and substantive features of earlier texts.

For one to clearly identify intertextuality, it is important that he or she has a wide
knowledge of varied texts. Basically, this is where the need to read more and increase
your bank of books, poems, films and plays comes in.

There are two common ways in which a writer applies intertextuality in his or her works.
These are through:
➢Implicit reference
- It happens when the writer refers to a different text through the use of ideas, symbols,
genre or style
➢Explicit reference
- It happens when the writer mentions, quotes or cites another text in his or her work in
a direct manner.

Types of Intertextuality
While intertextuality as a technique in drama is only aimed at one thing – to produce
and shape meaning, it comes in various types with different characteristics.
1. Allusion
➢Among the types of intertextuality, this is perhaps the most common and effective
technique. It refers to an indirect reference in one text to another text, place, historical
period, or author for the purpose of enriching or developing meaning.

Below are the four types of allusion:

2. Parody
This type of intertextuality refers to the writer’s imitation of another text for the
purpose of exposing and discrediting one’s vice or follies. Often, a writer uses this type
to mock its targets who are usually celebrities, politicians, authors, a style or trend or
any subject which arouses anyone’s interest at the moment or at a specific period of
time.
Historically, the word “parody” comes from the Greek phrase parodia which is
a type of poem that copied the style of epic poems but with the characteristics of
mockery and light comedy.
Examples of Parody
The following are some of the examples of this type of intertextuality:
Example 1:
“Your little sister puts on your father’s big shoes and stomps around in them,
saying, ‘I need to make a business call. I am very busy, very important
businessman!’
”
This example shows that the father was being imitated by the girl who knows
that he works as a businessman. The statements suggest to show the image of many
businessmen as overly serious and acclaimed self-important.

Example 2:
“At the talent show, a group of boys wears matching outfits and prances
around
singing One Direction’s “Best Song Ever.” They sing very poorly and overly
dramatically.”
In this example, the boys are parodying the way a famous band dresses, sings,
and performs in a humorous way, commenting on how many pop stars are actually
low-leveled in terms of talent.
3. Quotation
This is another common type of intertextuality which involves a direct reference
to another text, giving citation to the owner of the text. Quotation is known to be a
device used for talking about language. It works in a somehow tricky way- that is, to
make its referent perform or participate in the referring. Placing quotation marks
around a certain word produces a device which infers that very word.
The most vital function of quotation marks is to set off and represent the exact
language which is either spoken or written by somebody else. This means that any
revision or edition of the exact statement or words defeats the purpose of quoting.
Example 1:
In the end, Albert Einstein was right when he said, “Life is like a bicycle. You
need to keep moving.”
Example 2:
Dr. King said, “I have a dream.”
4. Appropriation
This type of intertextuality allows the writer to make a reworking or re
imagination of a popular text for the purpose of changing or extending its meaning.
Typically, it creates a whole new product and domain away from its originating source.
One famous example of appropriation is L.H.O.O.Q, an artwork created by
Marcel Duchamp, is an appropriation of Mona Lisa which is created by Da Vinci. In his
version, Dumchamp took a picture of Da Vinci’s artwork and added a moustache on it.
Another example of appropriation is evident in Clueless where Emma appeared
differently from that of the 1800’s to a modernized version of her living in the 1990’s in
America. The sets and scenery, dialogue and costumes are generally different, too. The
appropriation technique was also applied in the main character’s attribute in which

she is now into online youtube and blog to go with the latest trend of Emma working
and blogging as a matchmaker online.
5. Adaptation
This type of intertextuality entails creating a film, TV drama or stage play based on a
specific written work. Perhaps one of the most common examples for this is the film
adaptation of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter which was originally, a written novel.
Historically, there are different reasons why a writer would want to employ adaptation in
his or her work. One of these is the desire to reconfigure a popular material into
becoming a more acceptable guise or introducing to the audience a whole new and
fresh literary style. Another reason is to get around censorship and push boundaries.
Significance of Intertextuality
While we are studying intertextuality in drama, you might as well wonder its significance
to drama is or to the world of literature as a whole. Below are some of the
known reasons why intertextuality in drama is important:

It provides readers with a much richer reading experience.

It helps give new interpretations of literary works as it comes with a different context,
idea, or story into the text.
It provides pleasure in terms of connection and continuity of cultures and texts.
It invites readers to revisit the earlier text, but this time, with new insights and
meanings relevant to the present time.
It causes readers and audiences to raise questions concerning the nature of
authorship and originality of the text.
It helps students write their own texts based on what they know from others.
It portrays a connection between two texts with certain messages and ideas.
It makes the readers think and re-interpret the meaning of the referenced text, as well
as find common ideals, issues or values embedded and discovered across the texts
used.

Intertextuality and plagiarism

In this world where anything can now be easily copied anytime over the Internet,
plagiarism is definitely a no-no and is in fact, considered a criminal offense. As
intertextuality involves a purposeful use of someone else’s work without proper citation,
will it be considered as plagiarism?
By definition, plagiarism is the act of “using or closely imitating the language and
thoughts of another author without authorization.” This, in its sense, may include
intertextuality. Nonetheless, it is the intention and the purpose for using someone else’s
work that excludes intertextuality from committing such offense.

Technically, intertextuality uses small excerpts of a hypotext which helps the readers or
audience get into the new hypertext’s original themes, characters or contexts. The writer
makes use of a portion of another text and alters its meaning by putting it into another
context. Basically, this means that the writers are simply using the ideas of others in
order to develop or enrich their own ideas and not plagiarizing them.

In general, while plagiarism is simply copying the texts from one’s work and putting it
into your own work, intertextuality is basically grounded on the purpose of creating new
ideas based on the researched ideas from others to confirm them.
Hence, intertextuality is not an act of plagiarism at all.
 SIBUGAY’S MATTHEW-JACKSON SCHOOL, INC.
Magsaysay St., Poblacion Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay
sibugaymatthewjacksonschoolinc@gmail.com

CREATIVE WRITING

ACTIVITY 1

Instruction: Let us check what you have known so far about intertextuality. Encircle
the letter of your answer.

1. Intertextuality is a powerful technique which is used by writers in order to make

“multiple layers” of _______________.
a. feeling
b. meaning
c. questioning
d. acting

2. It occurs when the writer refers to another text through ideas, symbols, genre or style.
a. implicit reference
b. explicit reference
c. direct reference
d. indirect reference

3. It happens when the writer makes a direct mentioning, quoting or citing of another
text in his or her work.
a. implicit reference
b. explicit reference
c. direct reference
d. indirect reference
4. It is a type of intertextuality which is used for satirical purposes; oftentimes to mock.
a. allusion
b. parody
c. quotation
d. appropriation

5. In this type of intertextuality, the writer makes an indirect reference to another text,
historical period or religious belief.
a. allusion
b. parody
c. quotation
d. appropriation

6. This type of intertextuality requires that the writer makes an acknowledgment of the
author of the text which will be directly referred to.
a. allusion
b. parody
c. quotation
d. appropriation
7. This type of intertextuality happens when the writer changes or extends the meaning
of a certain text by reworking or re-imagination.
a. allusion
b. parody
 c. quotation
d. appropriation

8. It is a type of intertextuality which uses a particular written work to create a film, TV

drama, or stage play.
a. adaptation
b. parody
c. allusion
d. appropriation
9. Intertextuality is a technique in which one text influences another.
a. True
b. False
10. Any text can be deemed a work of intertextuality.
a. True
b. False
ACTIVITY 2

I. Modified True or False. Read each statement below very carefully.

Write TRUE
if the statement is true. If it is not, replace the underlined word/s
with the right word/s which will make the statement true or correct.

_________1. Intertextuality is the manner in which one text influences another.

_________2. Explicit reference happens when the writer refers to a different text
through the use of ideas, symbols, genre or style.
_________3. Allusion refers to a direct reference in one text to another text, place,
historical period, or author for the purpose of enriching or developing meaning.
_________4.Parody refers to the writer’s imitation of another text for the purpose of
exposing and discrediting one’s vice or follies.
_________5. Quotation involves an indirect reference to another text, giving citation to
its owner.
II. Matching Type. Match the word/s in column A with the
descriptions in column
B. Write the letter of your answer in your activity notebook.

B
a. allows the writer to make a reworking or re
A
______1. Parody imagination of a popular text
b. “She is as beautiful as Venus.”
______2. appropriation
c. to intermingle while weaving
______3. historical allusion
d. used by the writer to mock its target
______4. intertexto
e. the act of “using or closely imitating the
______5. adaptation
language and thoughts of another author without
______6.quotation
authorization
______7. allusion
f. “Reflecting on her cruel behaviour,
______8. mythological allusion
Cinderella’s
______9. plagiarism
______10. religious allusion stepmother stood still like a pillar of salt.”
g. a writer creates a film, TV drama or play based
on a written work
h. “He was a Nero.”
i. an indirect reference in one text to another text,
place, historical period or author
ACTIVITY 3

ESSAY

1. What is intertextuality?
2. What is the importance of intertextuality as a technique in drama?