Literature: Types of Literature for JSS 1

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 12 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: English Studies
Curriculum Theme: Literature
Focal competence: Identifying the meaning, functions and types of literature
Skills:

• Identify types of literature (oral & written)

Previous Lesson: Letter Writing: Meaning, Purpose, Parts and Characteristics of In
Topic: Introduction To Literature
Subject Matter: oral literature, written literature, prose, drama, poetry

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Define literature in simple terms.
• Identify the two main types of literature (oral and written).
• State the major genres of literature (prose, drama, and poetry).
• Mention at least three functions of literature.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate literature as an expression of human experience.
• Show interest in exploring different forms of literature.

Psychomotor Domain

• Give examples of oral and written literature.
• Categorise given literary examples into their respective genres.

Social Domain

• Discuss with peers the importance of literature in cultural preservation.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• New Concept English for Junior Secondary Schools 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Audiobooks
• Interactive Videos
• Audio-visual materials (e.g., projector, speakers)
• Course books (English Studies textbook for JSS 1)
• Various short passages (oral stories, poems, drama excerpts)
• Whiteboard/Blackboard and markers/chalk

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson lays the foundation for understanding literature, which is essential for developing critical thinking, language skills, and cultural awareness. By introducing students to the different forms and purposes of literature, it helps them appreciate storytelling and its role in reflecting human experiences and preserving cultural heritage.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic reading and comprehension skills and be familiar with listening to stories and reading simple texts.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Introduction To Literature

Meaning of Literature

Literature is the art of written or oral works that express human experiences, thoughts, feelings, and ideas. It uses language creatively to tell stories, convey messages, or describe events.

Types of Literature

Literature is broadly divided into two main types:

1. Oral Literature: This refers to stories, poems, songs, and proverbs that are passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. It is not written down but is remembered and retold. Examples include folktales, myths, legends, and oral poetry.
2. Written Literature: This refers to literary works that are recorded in written form, such as books, magazines, and digital texts. It allows for wider distribution and preservation over long periods. Examples include novels, written plays, and published poems.

Major Genres of Literature

Within both oral and written literature, there are three major genres:

1. Prose: This is literature written in ordinary language, without a rhythmic structure. It includes novels, short stories, essays, and biographies.
2. Drama: This is literature meant to be performed on a stage by actors. It tells a story through dialogue and action. Examples include plays and scripts.
3. Poetry: This is literature that uses concise language, rhythm, and often rhyme to express feelings and ideas. It includes sonnets, odes, and free verse.

Literature as an Expression of Human Experience

Literature reflects and explores various aspects of human life, such as love, loss, joy, sorrow, conflict, and ambition. It helps us understand ourselves and others better by presenting different perspectives and situations.

Functions of Literature

Literature serves several important functions in society:

1. Entertainment: It provides enjoyment, pleasure, and an escape from reality.
2. Education: It teaches moral lessons, historical facts, and cultural values.
3. Cultural Preservation: It helps to preserve the traditions, beliefs, and history of a people or society.
4. Social Reflection: It mirrors society, highlighting its issues, challenges, and triumphs, thereby encouraging critical thinking and social change.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Guided Practice, Group Work, Demonstration, Storytelling

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating prior knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them about their favourite stories, songs, or plays they have watched or heard. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Introduction to Literature.”

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond by sharing their favourite stories, songs, or plays. They listen attentively to the introduction of the topic.

Learning Point: Familiarity with stories

Step 2: Meaning of Literature

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of literature as the art of expressing human experiences through written or oral works. The teacher gives simple examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and ask questions for clarification. They attempt to define literature in their own words.

Learning Point: Definition of literature

Step 3: Types of Literature (Oral and Written)

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Classification/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains and differentiates between oral literature (e.g., telling a folktale) and written literature (e.g., reading from a textbook). The teacher uses audio-visual materials or models examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, observe, and identify examples of oral and written literature. They participate in a short oral story session.

Learning Point: Oral and written literature

Step 4: Major Genres of Literature (Prose, Drama, Poetry)

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Examples

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the three major genres: prose, drama, and poetry. The teacher provides short, clear examples for each (e.g., a short story excerpt for prose, a dialogue for drama, a simple rhyme for poetry).

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the explanations and examples. They try to identify the genre of each example presented.

Learning Point: Literary genres identified

Step 5: Literature as Expression of Human Experience

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Connection

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on how literature reflects human experiences, feelings, and ideas. The teacher asks students how stories or poems make them feel or think about life.

Pupils’ Activity: Students share their thoughts and connect literary examples to real-life experiences or emotions.

Learning Point: Literature and human experience

Step 6: Functions of Literature

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the functions of literature: entertainment, education, cultural preservation, and social reflection. The teacher provides an example for each function.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and discuss how different literary works fulfil these functions. They give their own examples.

Learning Point: Functions of literature

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 literature?
2. Mention the two main types of literature.
3. Name three major genres of literature.
4. State two functions of literature.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding literature basics

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the meaning, types, genres, and functions of literature into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson content

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reminds students that literature is all around us and helps us understand the world and ourselves better. The teacher encourages them to read and listen to different forms of literature.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and acknowledge the importance of literature.

Learning Point: Literature’s importance reinforced

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook.

1. Find an example of a Nigerian folktale (oral literature) and write a short summary of it.
2. Identify a book you have read or a movie you have watched and state whether it is an example of prose, drama, or poetry, giving a reason for your answer.
3. Why is it important to preserve oral literature?

Lesson Keywords

• Literature – written or oral works expressing human experiences.
• Oral Literature – stories, poems, etc., passed down by word of mouth.
• Written Literature – literary works recorded in written form.
• Prose – ordinary language writing (e.g., novels, short stories).
• Drama – literature meant for stage performance (e.g., plays).
• Poetry – rhythmic and often rhyming language expressing feelings.
• Genre – a category of artistic composition.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, the teacher will provide simpler examples of oral and written literature and focus on identifying just one function of literature. Faster learners will be encouraged to identify sub-genres within prose, drama, and poetry and discuss more complex functions of literature.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for: JSS1 introduction to literature types genres

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, prepare short, engaging examples of oral stories (e.g., a popular folktale), a brief written passage (e.g., from a short story), and a short poetic verse. Audio-visual aids can greatly enhance understanding, especially for oral literature and drama. Guide students through the definitions and examples, encouraging them to share their own experiences with stories. During the activities, ensure all students participate in identifying types and genres. Supervise group work closely to ensure productive discussions. Students should copy the Board Summary notes after the main teaching points have been covered and evaluated to consolidate their learning.