Features and elements of a narrative for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: Second Term
Week: 2
Age: 15 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: English Language Studies
Curriculum Theme: Writing
Focal competence: Narrating personal experience appropriately
Key competencies/values: Communication; ICT and Digital Competencies; Digital Competencies; Entrepreneurship; Critical Thinking; Collaboration

Skills:

• discuss the types of narrative composition

Previous Lesson: Purpose of summary writing
Topic: Narrative Composition: Features/Elements Of A Narrative
Subject Matter: Features/elements of a narrative

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• discuss the types of narrative composition.
• identify the key features of a narrative.
• explain the essential elements that make up a narrative.

Affective Domain

• appreciate the importance of structure in storytelling.
• show interest in reading and analyzing narrative texts.

Psychomotor Domain

• analyse sample narrative compositions to identify their features and elements.

Social Domain

• collaborate effectively in groups to discuss narrative samples.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable English Language textbook for SS 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work For The New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Course books
• Sample narrative compositions (e.g., short stories, excerpts from novels, personal anecdotes)
• Whiteboard/Blackboard and markers/chalk
• Projector (if available) for displaying samples

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding narrative composition is fundamental to effective communication, enabling students to tell stories clearly and engagingly. This lesson helps students develop critical thinking skills by analysing how stories are constructed and how different elements contribute to their overall impact. It also lays the groundwork for students to produce their own well-structured and coherent narrative writing.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of what a story is and have read various simple stories in their earlier classes.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Narrative Composition: Features and Elements

What is Narrative Composition?

Narrative composition is a form of writing that tells a story, whether real or imagined. It involves presenting a sequence of events, usually in chronological order, to convey a message, entertain, or inform the reader. A good narrative has a clear beginning, middle, and end, and often includes characters, a setting, and a plot.

Features of a Narrative

The key characteristics that define a narrative composition include:

1. Storytelling: The primary purpose is to recount events or experiences.
2. Sequence of Events: Events are presented in a logical order, often chronologically, to show progression.
3. Characters: Individuals or entities who perform actions and interact within the story.
4. Setting: The time and place where the story’s events occur.
5. Plot: The series of events that make up the story, including a conflict and its resolution.
6. Point of View: The perspective from which the story is told (e.g., first person, third person).
7. Theme: The central idea or underlying message the story conveys.
8. Conflict: The struggle between opposing forces, which drives the plot forward.
9. Resolution: The outcome or conclusion of the conflict and the story.

Elements of a Narrative

These are the fundamental components that structure and develop a story:

1. Character:
   1. Protagonist: The main character, often the hero or the one the story revolves around.
   2. Antagonist: The character or force that opposes the protagonist.
   3. Minor Characters: Other characters who support the main characters or contribute to the plot.
2. Setting:
   1. Time: When the story takes place (e.g., morning, 19th century, future).
   2. Place: Where the story takes place (e.g., a village, a school, a spaceship).
   3. Atmosphere/Mood: The emotional tone created by the setting (e.g., gloomy, cheerful).
3. Plot: The sequence of events in a story, typically following a structure:
   1. Exposition: Introduces characters, setting, and basic situation.
   2. Rising Action: The series of events that build suspense and lead to the climax. Conflicts are introduced and developed.
   3. Climax: The turning point of the story, the moment of highest tension or drama.
   4. Falling Action: Events that occur after the climax, leading towards the resolution.
   5. Resolution (Denouement): The conclusion of the story, where conflicts are resolved, and loose ends are tied up.
4. Conflict: The central struggle between two opposing forces.
   1. Internal Conflict: A struggle within a character’s mind (e.g., man vs. self).
   2. External Conflict: A struggle between a character and an outside force (e.g., man vs. man, man vs. nature, man vs. society).
5. Theme: The main idea, moral, or message that the author wants to convey through the story. It is often a universal truth or insight about life.
6. Point of View (POV): The perspective from which the story is told.
   1. First Person: The narrator is a character in the story and uses “I” or “we.”
   2. Third Person Omniscient: The narrator is outside the story and knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters.
   3. Third Person Limited: The narrator is outside the story but knows the thoughts and feelings of only one character.

Types of Narrative Composition

Narrative compositions can be classified based on their content, purpose, or form:

1. Personal Narrative: A story about a personal experience or event from the writer’s own life. It is usually told in the first person.
   1. Example: An essay recounting a memorable holiday trip or a challenging experience.
2. Fictional Narrative: A story that is entirely made up or imagined. This includes novels, short stories, and fables.
   1. Example: A fantasy story about dragons, a detective mystery, or a science fiction tale.
3. Historical Narrative: A story based on real historical events, often with fictionalised characters or dialogue to make the events more engaging.
   1. Example: A story about the Nigerian Civil War from the perspective of a fictional family, or a novel set during the colonial era.
4. Biographical Narrative: A story about the life of a real person, written by someone else.
   1. Example: A book detailing the life and achievements of Nelson Mandela.
5. Autobiographical Narrative: A story about the life of a real person, written by that person themselves.
   1. Example: A memoir written by a famous musician about their career.
6. Myth/Legend: Traditional stories, often ancient, that explain natural phenomena, cultural beliefs, or heroic deeds, often involving supernatural beings.
   1. Example: The story of Sango, the Yoruba god of thunder, or the legend of Queen Amina of Zazzau.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to share their favourite stories (e.g., movies, books, folktales) and what they enjoy about them. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Narrative Composition: Features and Elements.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share their favourite stories and listen attentively.

Learning Point: Introduction to narratives

Step 2: What is Narrative Composition?

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what narrative composition is, emphasising that it is storytelling, whether real or imagined, with a sequence of events. The teacher provides simple examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions, and contribute to the discussion.

Learning Point: Meaning of narrative

Step 3: Features of a Narrative

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the general features of a narrative, such as storytelling, sequence of events, characters, setting, plot, point of view, theme, conflict, and resolution. The teacher uses a familiar short story or anecdote to illustrate these features.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the features in the teacher’s example and ask for clarification.

Learning Point: Narrative characteristics identified

Step 4: Elements of a Narrative

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Detailed Explanation/Analysis

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher delves deeper into the specific elements of a narrative: Character (protagonist, antagonist), Setting (time, place, mood), Plot (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution), Conflict (internal, external), Theme, and Point of View. Each element is explained with examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and discuss how these elements work together.

Learning Point: Narrative elements understood

Step 5: Types of Narrative Composition

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Classification/Examples

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces and explains the different types of narrative composition, such as personal, fictional, historical, biographical, autobiographical, myths, and legends, providing a brief example for each.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and differentiate between the various types of narratives.

Learning Point: Narrative types discussed

Step 6: Group Activity: Analysing Narrative Samples

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Collaboration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into groups and provides each group with a short sample narrative composition. The teacher instructs them to read the sample and discuss its type, identify its features, and pinpoint its elements (characters, setting, plot, conflict, theme, point of view). The teacher moves around to facilitate discussions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils work in groups, read the samples, discuss, and identify the narrative components.

Learning Point: Narrative analysis skills

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 narrative composition?
2. Mention three features of a narrative.
3. List any three elements of a narrative and briefly explain one.
4. Differentiate between a personal narrative and a fictional narrative.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding narrative components

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 narrative composition, its features, elements, and types into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Narrative concepts recorded

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarising

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the main points of the lesson, reinforcing the importance of understanding narrative structure for both reading and writing effectively. The teacher encourages students to pay attention to these elements when they read stories.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask any final questions.

Learning Point: Narrative understanding consolidated

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Practice Exercise

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Choose one of your favourite short stories or a movie you recently watched. Identify and describe its:
   1. Main characters (protagonist and antagonist if any)
   2. Setting (time and place)
   3. Central conflict
   4. Theme or message
   5. Point of view
2. Write a short personal narrative (about 150-200 words) about a memorable event from your life. Ensure it has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Lesson Keywords

• Narrative – A story or account of events.
• Composition – The act of writing or creating.
• Features – Characteristics or distinguishing qualities.
• Elements – Basic components or parts of something.
• Plot – The sequence of events in a story.
• Character – A person or entity in a story.
• Setting – The time and place of a story.
• Conflict – The struggle between opposing forces in a story.
• Theme – The main idea or message of a story.
• Point of View – The perspective from which a story is told.

Differentiation

For students who need additional support, the teacher can provide simpler narrative samples for analysis and offer sentence starters or a graphic organiser to help them identify features and elements. For advanced learners, the teacher can challenge them to analyse more complex narratives, identify sub-plots, or discuss the author’s purpose and tone.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, students can search on YouTube for: features elements narrative composition SS1 English