Writing narrative compositions for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: Second Term
Week: 5
Age: 15 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: English Language
Curriculum Theme: Writing
Focal competence: Narrating personal experience appropriately
Key competencies/values: Communication; ICT and Digital Competencies; Digital Competencies; Collaboration; Critical Thinking
Skills:

• write a narrative composition

Previous Lesson: Identifying topic sentences in Reading
Topic: Narrative Composition: Writing Narrative Compositions
Subject Matter: Writing narrative compositions

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify the features and structure of a narrative composition.
• Explain the appropriate language for narrative writing.

Psychomotor Domain

• Write a narrative composition based on a given topic or personal experience.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of clear and engaging storytelling.

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 (printed or digital)
• Internet access (if available for digital samples)
• Whiteboard/Blackboard
• Markers/Chalk

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for developing students’ ability to express themselves creatively and coherently through written stories. Mastering narrative composition enhances communication skills, critical thinking, and prepares students for academic writing tasks and real-life storytelling. It also helps students to structure their thoughts and present them in an engaging manner.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of sentence construction, paragraphing, and general writing skills in English Language.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Narrative Composition: Writing Narrative Compositions

Meaning of Narrative Composition

A narrative composition is a piece of writing that tells a story, either real or imaginary. It recounts a sequence of events, usually involving characters, a setting, a plot, and a theme. The primary goal is to entertain, inform, or persuade the reader through storytelling.

Types of Narrative Compositions

1. Personal Narratives: Stories based on the writer’s own experiences, memories, or observations.
2. Fictional Narratives: Imaginary stories, including short stories, novels, fables, and myths.
3. Biographical Narratives: Stories about someone else’s life.
4. Historical Narratives: Stories that recount past events, often based on historical facts.

Features of a Good Narrative Composition

1. Clear Plot: A logical sequence of events, including a beginning, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
2. Engaging Characters: Well-developed characters whose actions and motivations drive the story.
3. Vivid Setting: A clear description of the time and place where the story occurs, helping the reader visualize the scene.
4. Compelling Conflict: A central problem or struggle that the characters face, which creates tension and interest.
5. Consistent Point of View: The perspective from which the story is told (e.g., first-person ‘I’, third-person ‘he/she/they’).
6. Descriptive Language: Use of sensory details, imagery, and figurative language (similes, metaphors) to make the story come alive.
7. Dialogue: Realistic conversations between characters that advance the plot and reveal character.
8. Theme: The underlying message or moral of the story.

Structure of a Narrative Composition

1. Introduction:
   1. Hook: An opening that grabs the reader’s attention.
   2. Background: Introduces the main characters, setting, and initial situation.
   3. Thesis/Purpose: Briefly hints at the main event or conflict.
2. Body Paragraphs (Rising Action):
   1. Develop the plot by presenting a series of events that build tension.
   2. Introduce the conflict and show how characters react to challenges.
   3. Use transition words to ensure smooth flow between paragraphs.
3. Climax:
   1. The turning point of the story, where the conflict reaches its peak.
   2. It is the most exciting or intense part of the narrative.
4. Falling Action:
   1. Events that occur after the climax, leading towards the resolution.
   2. Tension begins to decrease as the story winds down.
5. Conclusion (Resolution):
   1. The end of the story, where the main conflict is resolved.
   2. Ties up loose ends and provides a sense of closure.
   3. May offer a reflection or a moral lesson.

Language of Narrative Compositions

1. Past Tense: Most narratives are written in the past tense (e.g., “He walked,” “She said”).
2. Descriptive Adjectives and Adverbs: Use words that create vivid images and enhance understanding (e.g., “The ancient, crumbling house stood silently”).
3. Figurative Language: Employ similes, metaphors, personification to add depth and interest.
4. Varied Sentence Structure: Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences to maintain reader engagement.
5. Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of directly stating emotions or facts, describe actions, thoughts, and dialogue that reveal them.

Steps to Writing an Effective Narrative Composition

1. Brainstorm Ideas: Think about experiences, imaginary scenarios, or topics that interest you.
2. Outline Your Story: Plan the plot, characters, setting, and the sequence of events (introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution).
3. Develop Characters: Give your characters distinct personalities, motivations, and conflicts.
4. Set the Scene: Describe the setting vividly to immerse the reader.
5. Draft Your Story: Write the first version, focusing on getting your ideas down.
6. Revise and Edit:
   1. Check for coherence, clarity, and flow.
   2. Improve descriptive language and sentence variety.
   3. Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and reviews the previous lesson briefly. The teacher then introduces the topic, “Narrative Composition: Writing Narrative Compositions,” by asking students if they enjoy telling or listening to stories and what makes a good story.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and share their thoughts on storytelling.

Learning Point: Lesson introduction

Step 2: Meaning of Narrative Composition

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what a narrative composition is, emphasizing that it is a story that recounts a sequence of events, real or imaginary. The teacher provides simple examples to make the concept clear.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Narrative composition meaning

Step 3: Types of Narrative Compositions

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Categorisation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to discuss different types of narrative compositions, such as personal narratives, fictional stories, and historical accounts, using examples from the sample compositions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion, identifying and giving examples of different narrative types.

Learning Point: Types of narratives

Step 4: Features of a Good Narrative Composition

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Analysis/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the key features of a good narrative composition, such as plot, characters, setting, conflict, and theme. The teacher refers to the provided sample compositions to illustrate these features.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and discuss the features in the sample narratives, noting down key points.

Learning Point: Narrative features

Step 5: Structure of a Narrative Composition

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Structuring/Illustration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher outlines the standard structure of a narrative composition: introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The teacher uses one of the sample compositions to demonstrate how these parts fit together.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the structure in the sample and ask questions about each part.

Learning Point: Narrative structure

Step 6: Language of Narrative Compositions and Writing Steps

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guidance/Instruction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the appropriate language for narrative writing, focusing on past tense, descriptive language, and varied sentence structure. The teacher then briefly introduces the steps to writing an effective narrative composition, from brainstorming to revision.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and grasp the importance of language and the writing process.

Learning Point: Narrative language, writing steps

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 types of narrative compositions.
3. List three features of a good narrative composition.
4. Outline the basic structure of a narrative composition.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding narrative composition

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, structure, and language 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: Summarising/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the key aspects of writing narrative compositions, encouraging students to practice storytelling in their daily lives. The teacher reminds them that good narratives require creativity, structure, and careful use of language.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and reflect on the lesson’s main points.

Learning Point: Narrative composition summary

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Write a narrative composition of about 250-300 words on ONE of the following topics. Ensure your composition has a clear plot, engaging characters, a vivid setting, and a proper structure (introduction, body, conclusion).

1. The Day I Will Never Forget
2. A Memorable Journey
3. How I Spent My Last Holiday
4. The Unexpected Visitor
5. A Story of Courage

Lesson Keywords

• Narrative – A story or account of events or experiences.
• Composition – A piece of writing, especially a school exercise.
• Plot – The sequence of events in a story.
• Character – A person or animal in a story.
• Setting – The time and place in which a story happens.
• Conflict – The struggle between opposing forces in a story.
• Climax – The most intense or exciting point in a story.
• Resolution – The conclusion of a story where the main conflict is settled.

Differentiation

Support for struggling learners: Provide sentence starters or a simple story outline template. Encourage them to focus on one or two key features of narrative writing. Offer simpler topics for their homework assignment.
Extension for advanced learners: Challenge them to incorporate more complex literary devices like foreshadowing or symbolism. Encourage them to experiment with different points of view or to develop more intricate plots for their compositions.

Suggested Lesson Videos

YouTube search for “writing narrative compositions SS1 English”