Literature: Narrative and Descriptive Prose for JSS 3

Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 7
Age: 14 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: English Studies
Curriculum Theme: Literature
Previous Lesson: Grammar/Structure: Adverbials and Tenses, Tenses in Global Warming and Drug Abuse
Topic: Literature
Subject Matter: Narrative and descriptive prose

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• State and explain types of prose.
• Describe relevant prose features such as plot, characters, setting, theme, and style.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the differences between narrative and descriptive prose.
• Show interest in reading various types of prose.

Psychomotor Domain

• Identify narrative and descriptive elements in given prose passages.
• Discuss the features of different prose types.

Social Domain

• Collaborate with peers to discuss literary features.
• Share interpretations of prose passages respectfully.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2014 Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable English Language textbook for JSS 3
• FCT ERC/NAPPS Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Whiteboard/Blackboard
• Markers/Chalk
• Selected short prose passages (narrative and descriptive)
• Chart showing definitions of prose features

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding narrative and descriptive prose is fundamental to appreciating literature and developing strong writing skills. This lesson helps students recognise different writing styles, which enhances their comprehension and ability to express themselves effectively. It also lays a foundation for more advanced literary analysis in higher classes.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of what literature is and have read simple stories or passages in previous classes.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Literature: Narrative and Descriptive Prose

Types of Prose

Prose refers to written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure. It is the most common form of writing, found in novels, essays, articles, and everyday conversation. The two main types of prose we will focus on are narrative and descriptive prose.

1. Narrative Prose: This type of prose tells a story. It focuses on a sequence of events, often involving characters, a plot, and a setting. Narrative prose aims to entertain, inform, or persuade the reader through storytelling. Examples include novels, short stories, fables, and biographies.
2. Descriptive Prose: This type of prose aims to create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind by detailing the characteristics of a person, place, object, or idea. It uses sensory language (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) to evoke emotions and impressions. Descriptive prose often appears within narrative prose but can also stand alone, such as in travelogues or detailed character sketches.

Relevant Prose Features

Prose, especially narrative and descriptive forms, often contains several key features that contribute to its overall meaning and impact:

1. Plot: This is the sequence of events in a story. It typically includes an exposition (introduction of characters and setting), rising action (development of conflict), climax (the turning point), falling action (events after the climax), and resolution (the outcome of the conflict).
2. Characters: These are the individuals (people, animals, or even inanimate objects given human qualities) who participate in the action of the story. Characters can be protagonists (main characters), antagonists (opposing the protagonist), or minor characters.
3. Setting: This refers to the time and place where the story’s events occur. It can include the physical location, historical period, social environment, and even the weather or time of day. The setting often influences the mood and atmosphere of the prose.
4. Theme: This is the central idea, message, or underlying meaning of the prose. It is often a universal truth or insight about life, human nature, or society that the author wants to convey. Themes are usually implied rather than stated directly.
5. Style: This refers to the unique way an author uses language to create their prose. It encompasses elements such as word choice (diction), sentence structure (syntax), use of figurative language (metaphors, similes), tone (author’s attitude), and rhythm. An author’s style can make their writing formal, informal, poetic, or journalistic.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Guided Reading, Question and Answer, Group Work, Individual Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating Prior Knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall what they understand by “literature” and to give examples of literary works they have read. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Narrative and Descriptive Prose.”

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Literature recall, topic introduction

Step 2: Explanation of Prose Types

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what prose is and then defines and differentiates between narrative prose and descriptive prose, providing simple examples for each type. The teacher writes key definitions on the board.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, ask questions for clarity, and note down the definitions.

Learning Point: Prose types explained

Step 3: Guided Reading of Narrative Prose

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Reading/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes a short excerpt of narrative prose (e.g., from a folktale or a simple story). The teacher guides students to read the passage aloud or silently and then asks questions to help them identify the story being told, the characters, and the sequence of events.

Pupils’ Activity: Students read the passage and discuss the narrative elements, identifying the plot and characters.

Learning Point: Narrative prose identification

Step 4: Guided Reading of Descriptive Prose

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Reading/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes a short excerpt of descriptive prose (e.g., a passage describing a market, a person, or a landscape). The teacher guides students to read and identify words and phrases that create a vivid picture or appeal to the senses.

Pupils’ Activity: Students read the passage, identify descriptive language, and discuss how the author creates imagery.

Learning Point: Descriptive prose identification

Step 5: Discussion of Prose Features (Part 1)

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitating Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces and explains the features of plot, characters, and setting, using the previously read narrative passage as a reference. The teacher encourages students to point out examples from the text.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the explanations and actively participate in identifying plot, characters, and setting in the narrative passage.

Learning Point: Plot, characters, setting

Step 6: Discussion of Prose Features (Part 2)

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Concept Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher continues by explaining the features of theme and style, relating them to both the narrative and descriptive passages where applicable. The teacher asks students to consider the overall message or the author’s choice of words.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, contribute their ideas about theme and style, and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Theme and style explained

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

1. What is the main difference between narrative and descriptive prose?
2. Mention three key features of prose.
3. Explain what “plot” means in a story.
4. How does “setting” contribute to a piece of prose?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Prose types and features assessed

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on types of prose and their features into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Board notes copied

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the lesson by reiterating the importance of understanding narrative and descriptive prose and their features in appreciating literature and improving writing. The teacher encourages students to read more widely.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the summary and prepare for the next lesson.

Learning Point: Lesson consolidated

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Read the following short passage and answer the questions below.

1. Identify whether the passage is primarily narrative or descriptive. Give two reasons for your answer.
2. Identify one character (if any) and describe the setting of the passage.
3. What do you think is the main theme or message conveyed in the passage?
4. Point out two examples of the author’s style (e.g., specific word choices, sentence structures) that you found interesting.

Lesson Keywords

• Prose – Written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.
• Narrative Prose – Prose that tells a story, focusing on a sequence of events.
• Descriptive Prose – Prose that creates a vivid picture by detailing characteristics using sensory language.
• Plot – The sequence of events in a story.
• Characters – The individuals who participate in the action of a story.
• Setting – The time and place where the story’s events occur.
• Theme – The central idea or message of the prose.
• Style – The unique way an author uses language, including word choice and sentence structure.

Differentiation

Support: Provide simpler, shorter passages for struggling learners and guide them with specific questions to identify features. Pair them with stronger students for discussion.
Extension: Encourage advanced learners to write a short paragraph, either narrative or descriptive, applying the features discussed. They can also analyse a more complex passage.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for: narrative and descriptive prose jss3