Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 10
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Literature-in-English
Curriculum Theme: Literature-in-English
Previous Lesson: Literary Appreciation.
Topic: Literary Appreciation II: Professional Terms Used in Literary Appreciation
Subject Matter: Theme, style, setting, tone, mood, symbolism, key terms used in literary appreciation

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define theme, style, setting, tone, mood, and symbolism.
Differentiate between tone and mood.
Identify theme, setting, tone, mood, and symbols in simple text extracts.
Use professional appreciation terms correctly in short discussion points.

Affective Domain:

Show interest in using correct literary terms when discussing texts.
Appreciate how writers communicate meaning through theme and symbolism.
Demonstrate willingness to participate in text discussion and group listing activities.

Psychomotor Domain:

Compile a neat list of professional literary terms on cardboard paper.
Underline phrases in a text that suggest tone, mood, or symbolism.

Work cooperatively to compile a class list of appreciation terms.
Participate in group discussion by supporting points with evidence from the text.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Literature-in-English textbook for SSS 1 (Literary Appreciation and Key Terms)
Sample prose and poetry extracts (class handouts)
Encyclopaedia Britannica: Literature
Poetry Foundation: Glossary of Poetry Terms
BBC Bitesize: Analysing Language and Effect

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Cardboard paper
Marker pens
Sample text extracts (short poem and prose passage)
Prepared appreciation terms chart
Marker board and markers

Rationale for the Lesson

Literary appreciation requires clear and correct use of key terms like theme, tone, and symbolism. Learning these terms helps pupils discuss texts confidently and answer examination questions properly.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can define literary appreciation and can identify some literary devices and simple themes in short texts.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Professional Terms Used in Literary Appreciation

Theme

Theme is the main idea, message, or lesson a writer communicates in a literary work.

The following are examples of common themes in literature:

Love
Honesty
Corruption
Hard work
Conflict
Freedom

Setting

Setting is the place, time, and social environment where the events of a story or poem take place.

The following are parts of setting:

Place – where the story happens.
Time – when the story happens (period, season, time of day).
Social setting – culture, class, and way of life of the people.

Style

Style is the special way a writer uses language to present ideas in a text.

The following are features of style:

Diction (choice of words)
Sentence structure
Use of imagery
Use of figures of speech and sound devices
Point of view and narrative voice

Tone

Tone is the writer’s attitude toward the subject or audience, shown through word choice and expression.

The following are examples of tone:

Serious
Angry
Humorous
Sad
Satirical
Hopeful

Mood

Mood is the feeling or atmosphere the reader experiences while reading a text.

The following are examples of mood:

Fearful
Joyful
Tense
Peaceful
Gloomy
Excited

Difference Between Tone and Mood

The following are differences between tone and mood:

Tone is the writer’s attitude, while mood is the reader’s feeling created by the text.
Tone is shown by the writer’s language choices, while mood is the atmosphere felt by the reader.

Symbolism

Symbolism is the use of an object, person, colour, or action to represent a deeper meaning beyond its ordinary sense.

The following are common examples of symbols and meanings:

Dove – peace
Darkness – danger, sadness, or ignorance
Light – hope or knowledge
Chain – oppression or captivity

Key Terms Often Used in Appreciation

The following are key terms often used in literary appreciation:

Theme
Setting
Style
Tone
Mood
Symbolism
Language/Diction
Imagery
Structure
Message

Simple Use of Terms in Discussion

The following are examples of how to use the terms in appreciation statements:

The theme of the passage is honesty because the character is rewarded for telling the truth.
The setting is a rural village, shown by references to farms and mud houses.
The tone is serious and warning, shown by words that express danger and caution.
The mood is tense because the speaker expects trouble.
The chain is a symbol of oppression in the poem.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents a short extract and asks pupils to state what it is about and how it makes them feel, then introduces the topic as key terms used in appreciation.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond with a simple theme idea and describe their feelings about the extract.
Learning Point: Texts can be discussed using correct appreciation terms.

Step 2: Theme and Setting

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains theme and setting and guides pupils to identify theme and setting from the sample extract.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils state the theme and mention place and time clues from the extract.
Learning Point: Theme and setting are basic terms needed for appreciation.

Step 3: Style

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains style and points out word choice and sentence patterns in the extract, including any devices used.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils mention one feature of the writer’s language and copy the summary points.
Learning Point: Style describes how the writer uses language to present ideas.

Step 4: Tone and Mood

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains tone and mood and demonstrates the difference using simple statements from the extract.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils state the tone and mood of the extract and give one reason each.
Learning Point: Tone is the writer’s attitude while mood is the reader’s feeling.

Step 5: Symbolism

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains symbolism and guides pupils to identify a possible symbol in the extract and its meaning.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils mention a symbol and state what it represents based on the text.
Learning Point: Symbols carry deeper meanings beyond their ordinary sense.

Step 6: Class Activity (Cardboard List and Text Discussion)

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to compile a neat list of professional terms on cardboard and directs pupils to use at least three terms to discuss the extract briefly.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils help write the class list on cardboard and make short appreciation statements using the terms.
Learning Point: Pupils can use professional terms correctly in simple appreciation points.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define theme and setting.
Differentiate between tone and mood.
State the meaning of symbolism and give one example.
List five professional terms used in literary appreciation.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 0 minutes
Teaching Skill: Closure
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key terms and gives a short assignment: pupils read a short text and write five appreciation statements using theme, setting, tone, mood, and symbolism.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils note the assignment and submit classwork where required.
Learning Point: Key appreciation terms are understood and applied to texts.

Lesson Keywords

Theme – the main idea or message in a literary work.
Setting – the time, place, and social environment of a story or poem.
Style – the writer’s way of using language.
Tone – the writer’s attitude shown in the text.
Mood – the feeling created in the reader.
Symbolism – using something to represent a deeper meaning.

Differentiation

Fast learners write a short appreciation of the extract using at least six terms and one symbol; average learners write five appreciation statements using the key terms; learners who need support fill a simple template for theme, setting, tone, mood, and one symbol based on guided clues.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Use very short extracts with clear clues for theme, setting, tone, and mood. Keep pupils’ responses brief and evidence-based, and preserve the cardboard list for revision and examination practice.