Narrative Composition, Structure and Steps for JSS 2

Class: JSS 2
Term: First Term
Week: 4
Age: 13 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: English Language Studies
Curriculum Theme: Writing
Previous Lesson: Meaning of Words Using Surrounding Context Clues
Topic: Writing
Subject Matter: Types of composition; Narrative; Identify a narrative composition; Steps in composition writing; Introduction; Body; Conclusion

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Define composition and identify narrative composition as a type.
• State the key features that identify a narrative composition.
• Outline the three main steps in writing any composition: introduction, body, and conclusion.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of planning before writing a composition.
• Develop an interest in writing creative and engaging narrative pieces.

Psychomotor Domain

• Identify elements of narrative composition in given texts.
• Draft an introduction, body, and conclusion for a simple narrative essay.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable English Language textbook for JSS 2
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Whiteboard or blackboard
• Markers or chalk
• Examples of short narrative stories or passages
• Charts showing the structure of a composition

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding narrative composition is fundamental to developing effective writing skills. This lesson equips students with the knowledge to structure their thoughts, tell coherent stories, and communicate experiences clearly. It provides a framework that is essential for academic success and everyday communication.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of sentence construction, paragraph writing, and general essay writing concepts.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Writing: Narrative Composition, Structure and Steps

What is Composition?

Composition is the act or skill of writing a piece of work, such as an essay, story, or article. It involves organizing thoughts and ideas into a coherent and meaningful whole.

Types of Composition

There are different types of composition, each serving a unique purpose. Some common types include:

1. Narrative Composition: Tells a story or recounts an event.
2. Descriptive Composition: Creates a vivid picture of a person, place, or thing using sensory details.
3. Expository Composition: Explains or informs about a topic.
4. Argumentative Composition: Presents an argument and tries to persuade the reader.

What is Narrative Composition?

A narrative composition is a piece of writing that tells a story. It recounts a series of events, usually in chronological order, involving characters, a setting, a plot, and a conflict that leads to a resolution. Narrative compositions can be personal experiences, fictional stories, or historical accounts.

How to Identify a Narrative Composition (Features)

A narrative composition can be identified by the following features:

1. Plot: A sequence of events that make up the story.
2. Characters: The people, animals, or figures involved in the story.
3. Setting: The time and place where the story happens.
4. Conflict: A struggle between opposing forces, which drives the plot.
5. Theme: The central message or idea the story conveys.
6. Point of View: The perspective from which the story is told (e.g., first person “I”, third person “he/she/they”).
7. Chronological Order: Events are usually presented in the order they occurred.

Steps in Composition Writing

Every well-written composition, especially a narrative, follows a basic three-part structure:

1. Introduction

The introduction is the beginning of the composition. Its purpose is to grab the reader’s attention and introduce the main idea or the story’s context. For a narrative, it sets the scene, introduces the main character(s), and hints at the conflict or the events to follow. It should be engaging and make the reader want to continue reading.

2. Body

The body is the main part of the composition where the story unfolds. It consists of several paragraphs, each developing a specific event, idea, or aspect of the narrative. In a narrative composition, the body paragraphs describe the rising action, the climax (the peak of the story’s conflict), and the falling action leading to the resolution. Each paragraph should focus on a single point and flow logically from one to the next.

3. Conclusion

The conclusion is the end of the composition. It brings the story to a satisfying close, resolves the conflict, and provides a sense of completeness. For a narrative, it often summarizes the main events, reflects on the experience, or states the lesson learned. It should leave a lasting impression on the reader and tie up any loose ends.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Engaging

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them what they understand by “writing” or “composition”. The teacher then introduces the topic of narrative composition.

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

Learning Point: Introduction to composition

Step 2: Types of Composition

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Listing/Classifying

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what composition means and lists different types, focusing on narrative composition as the main topic for the day. The teacher asks students to give examples of stories they know.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, identify different types of composition, and mention stories they have read or heard.

Learning Point: Types of composition

Step 3: Meaning of Narrative Composition

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Defining/Illustrating

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines narrative composition, explaining that it is a story that recounts events. The teacher provides a very short, simple narrative example (e.g., “Last week, I visited my grandmother in the village…”).

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the definition and example, asking questions for clarity.

Learning Point: Meaning of narrative

Step 4: Identifying Narrative Composition (Features)

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Analyzing/Identifying

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the key features of a narrative composition (plot, characters, setting, conflict, theme, point of view, chronological order). The teacher uses the previously given short example or another simple story to illustrate these features.

Pupils’ Activity: Students identify the features in the given example and contribute their understanding.

Learning Point: Features of narrative

Step 5: Steps in Composition Writing – Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Structuring/Explaining

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the three main steps in writing a composition. The teacher explains the purpose and elements of a good introduction in a narrative essay.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and understand the role of the introduction.

Learning Point: Introduction writing steps

Step 6: Steps in Composition Writing – Body and Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Detailing/Summarizing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the body paragraphs (developing the plot, conflict, climax) and the conclusion (resolving conflict, summarizing, leaving an impression) of a narrative composition.

Pupils’ Activity: Students grasp the importance of the body and conclusion in storytelling.

Learning Point: Body and conclusion

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 a narrative composition?
2. Mention two features of a narrative composition.
3. Name the three main parts of a composition.
4. What is the purpose of an introduction in a narrative?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Narrative composition understanding

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 narrative composition and its structure into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Narrative composition notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 0 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reminds students that practice is key to becoming a good writer and encourages them to read more stories to improve their narrative skills.

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

Learning Point: Narrative writing importance

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Write a short narrative essay (about 150-200 words) on one of the following topics. Ensure your essay has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

1. My most memorable day at school.
2. A day I will never forget.
3. The day I helped a stranger.

Lesson Keywords

• Composition – The act or skill of writing a piece of work.
• Narrative – A story or account of events.
• Introduction – The beginning part of a composition that sets the scene.
• Body – The main part of a composition where the story or ideas are developed.
• Conclusion – The ending part of a composition that summarizes and resolves.
• Plot – The sequence of events in a story.
• Characters – The people or figures in a story.
• Setting – The time and place of a story.

Differentiation

For weaker learners: Provide sentence starters or a simple story outline to help them structure their narrative. Encourage them to focus on just one or two key events. Offer extra examples of simple narrative introductions and conclusions.
For faster learners: Challenge them to include more descriptive language (adjectives, adverbs) and dialogue in their narrative essays. Encourage them to experiment with different points of view or introduce a twist in their story.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search on YouTube for: JSS2 narrative composition writing lesson

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, prepare a short, simple narrative passage to use as an example for identifying features. Have charts or visual aids ready to display the structure of a composition. During the lesson, encourage active participation through questions and discussions. Guide students through each step of composition writing, emphasizing the logical flow from introduction to conclusion. Ensure students understand that the Board Summary should be copied after the main teaching points have been discussed and evaluated. Provide individual feedback during the activity of identifying narrative elements. For the homework, remind students to plan their stories before they start writing and to pay attention to sentence structure and grammar.