Structure of a narrative composition for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: Second Term
Week: 3
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:

• state the features/ elements of a narrative

Previous Lesson: Identifying main ideas in Reading
Topic: Narrative Composition: Structure Of A Narrative Composition
Subject Matter: Structure of a narrative composition

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• State the features/elements of a narrative composition.
• Identify the introduction, body, and conclusion in a given narrative composition.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of a clear structure in narrative writing.
• Show interest in reading and analysing narrative compositions.

Psychomotor Domain

• Outline the structural components of a simple narrative.
• Participate actively in group discussions about narrative samples.

Social Domain

• Collaborate effectively with peers to analyse narrative compositions.
• Communicate ideas clearly during group discussions.

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)
• Whiteboard/Blackboard and markers/chalk
• Projector (optional, for displaying samples)
• Internet access (for additional samples, if available)

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding the structure of a narrative composition is fundamental for students to write coherent and engaging stories. This lesson equips students with the knowledge to organise their thoughts logically, ensuring their narratives have a clear beginning, middle, and end. It supports the development of effective communication skills through structured written expression.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of sentence construction, paragraph writing, and the concept of storytelling from their Junior Secondary School English Language lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Narrative Composition: Structure Of A Narrative Composition

What is a Narrative Composition?

A narrative composition is a piece of writing that tells a story. It recounts a sequence of events, real or imaginary, involving characters in a particular setting. The purpose of a narrative is to entertain, inform, or persuade the reader through storytelling.

Features/Elements of a Narrative Composition

A good narrative composition typically includes the following key elements:

1. Plot: This is the sequence of events that make up the story. It includes the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
2. Characters: These are the people, animals, or entities involved in the story. They drive the plot and interact with each other.
3. Setting: This refers to the time and place where the story occurs. It helps to create the atmosphere and context for the narrative.
4. Conflict: This is the central struggle or problem that the characters face. It can be internal (within a character) or external (between characters, with nature, or society).
5. Theme: This is the underlying message or central idea that the story explores. It is often a universal truth or insight about life.
6. Point of View: This is the perspective from which the story is told (e.g., first person “I”, third person “he/she/they”).

Structure of a Narrative Composition

A narrative composition is generally organised into three main parts:

Introduction

The introduction is the beginning of the story. Its main purpose is to hook the reader’s attention and set the stage for the narrative. It typically includes:

1. Hook: An engaging opening sentence or paragraph that captures the reader’s interest (e.g., a question, a surprising statement, an intriguing description).
2. Setting the Scene: Introducing the time and place where the story begins.
3. Introducing Main Characters: Briefly presenting the main characters involved in the initial events.
4. Establishing the Conflict (or hint of it): Giving a slight indication of the problem or situation that will unfold.

Body

The body is the main part of the narrative where the story develops. It contains the sequence of events that lead to the climax and resolution. The body should be organised into paragraphs, with each paragraph focusing on a specific event, action, or development. Key aspects of the body include:

1. Rising Action: A series of events that build tension and lead to the climax. This is where the conflict becomes more apparent and characters face challenges.
2. Climax: The turning point of the story, where the main conflict reaches its peak. It is the most exciting or intense moment.
3. Falling Action: The events that occur after the climax, leading towards the resolution. Tension begins to decrease as the story winds down.
4. Sensory Details and Dialogue: Using descriptive language to engage the reader’s senses and dialogue to reveal character and advance the plot.
5. Chronological Order: Events are usually presented in the order they happen, though flashbacks can be used.

Conclusion

The conclusion brings the story to a satisfying end. It provides closure and often leaves the reader with a lasting impression. Elements of a good conclusion include:

1. Resolution: The outcome of the main conflict, where problems are solved or a new understanding is reached.
2. Summary of Theme/Lesson Learned: Reinforcing the central message or moral of the story, if applicable.
3. Final Thoughts/Reflection: The narrator’s or character’s final thoughts on the events, or a look towards the future.
4. Leaving a Lasting Impression: A memorable closing statement that resonates with the reader.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

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 any stories they have read or heard recently. The teacher then asks what makes a story interesting or easy to follow.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by mentioning stories and discussing elements that make them interesting, such as plot, characters, or suspense.

Learning Point: Recalling narrative experiences

Step 2: Defining Narrative Composition

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what a narrative composition is, emphasising that it is a story that recounts events involving characters in a setting. The teacher writes the definition on the board.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and ask questions for clarification. They attempt to define narrative composition in their own words.

Learning Point: Meaning of narrative

Step 3: Discussing Features of a Narrative

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to discuss the essential features or elements that make up a narrative composition, such as plot, characters, setting, conflict, theme, and point of view. The teacher lists these on the board.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute ideas based on their understanding of stories and identify the features as guided by the teacher.

Learning Point: Elements of narratives

Step 4: Introducing Narrative Structure

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the concept of narrative structure, explaining that a story needs a clear beginning, middle, and end. The teacher states that these are called the introduction, body, and conclusion.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and understand the basic components of narrative structure.

Learning Point: Basic narrative structure

Step 5: Group Activity – Analysing Narrative Samples

Time: 15 minutes

Teaching Skill: Group Work/Analysis

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into groups and provides each group with a sample narrative composition. The teacher instructs them to read the samples and identify the introduction, body, and conclusion, as well as discuss the features present in their assigned text.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the samples in their groups, discuss their findings, and identify the structural parts and features of the narratives.

Learning Point: Analysing narrative structure

Step 6: Group Presentations and Reinforcement

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Feedback/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher invites each group to briefly present their findings on the structure and features of their sample narrative. The teacher provides feedback and clarifies any misconceptions, reinforcing the understanding of introduction, body, and conclusion.

Pupils’ Activity: Groups present their analyses. Pupils listen to other groups’ presentations and engage in Q&A.

Learning Point: Identifying structural components

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 three features of a narrative composition.
3. What are the three main parts of a narrative composition’s structure?
4. What is the purpose of the introduction in a narrative?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding narrative structure

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 the structure and features of a narrative composition into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the lesson by reiterating the importance of a well-structured narrative for effective storytelling and encourages students to practice identifying these structures in their reading.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and acknowledge the summary, preparing for the next lesson.

Learning Point: Narrative structure importance

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Read a short story from your English textbook or a newspaper article that tells a story. Then, in your own words, identify and describe:

1. The introduction of the story.
2. The main events in the body of the story.
3. The conclusion of the story.
4. Two features of a narrative composition present in the story.

Lesson Keywords

• Narrative – A story or account of events.
• Composition – A piece of writing.
• Structure – The way in which something is organised or built.
• Introduction – The beginning part of a narrative that sets the scene.
• Body – The main part of a narrative where the events unfold.
• Conclusion – The ending part of a narrative that provides resolution.
• Plot – The sequence of events in a story.
• Characters – The people or entities in a story.
• Setting – The time and place of a story.

Differentiation

For students who grasp the concepts quickly, encourage them to identify different types of hooks or resolution styles in various narratives. For students needing more support, provide simpler narrative samples with clearly marked structural components and guide them through the identification process individually or in smaller groups.

Suggested Lesson Videos

YouTube search for “narrative composition structure SS1 English”