Writing: Types of Composition for JSS 3

Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 14 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: English Language Studies
Curriculum Theme: Writing
Previous Lesson: Reading: Critical Reading of Facts, Opinions and Deductions
Topic: Writing
Subject Matter: Types of composition: narrative, descriptive, argumentative and expository composition; Elements of composition

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Describe narrative composition.
• Describe descriptive composition.
• Describe argumentative composition.
• List the elements of composition.
• Identify the characteristics of expository composition.

Psychomotor Domain

• Write a short paragraph demonstrating one type of composition.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2014 Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable English Language textbook for JSS 3
• FCT ERC/NAPPS Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Whiteboard or blackboard
• Markers or chalk
• Prepared examples of narrative, descriptive, argumentative, and expository paragraphs
• Charts displaying elements of composition
• Students’ notebooks and pens

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding different types of composition is fundamental for effective communication and academic success. This lesson equips students with the skills to structure their thoughts and express themselves clearly, whether telling a story, describing an event, presenting an argument, or explaining a concept. It lays a strong foundation for more advanced writing tasks in higher classes.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of sentence construction, paragraph writing, and general grammar rules.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Writing: Types of Composition

Elements of Composition

The key elements that make up a good composition include:

1. Topic: The main subject or idea the writing is about. It should be clear and focused.
2. Audience: The intended readers of the composition. Understanding the audience helps in choosing appropriate language and style.
3. Purpose: The reason for writing (e.g., to inform, persuade, entertain, describe). This guides the structure and content.
4. Unity: All sentences and paragraphs must relate to the main topic. There should be no irrelevant information.
5. Coherence: The ideas in the composition should flow logically and smoothly. Transitions between sentences and paragraphs help achieve coherence.
6. Emphasis: Important ideas should be highlighted or given prominence to ensure the reader understands the main points.
7. Diction: The choice of words. Good diction involves using precise, appropriate, and vivid language.
8. Sentence Structure: The way sentences are constructed. Varying sentence structures makes writing more interesting.
9. Mechanics: Correct use of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

Narrative Composition

Narrative composition tells a story or recounts a sequence of events. It often includes characters, a setting, a plot (beginning, middle, and end), and a conflict or resolution. The purpose is usually to entertain or to convey a message through a story.

Features of Narrative Composition:

1. It tells a story.
2. It has a plot (sequence of events).
3. It includes characters and a setting.
4. It uses descriptive language to create imagery.
5. It often uses dialogue.
6. It typically follows a chronological order.

Example:

Last Saturday, the rain poured relentlessly, turning our street into a muddy river. My younger brother, Emeka, and I were stuck indoors, bored and restless. Suddenly, Emeka spotted a stray puppy shivering under the mango tree. Its fur was matted, and its eyes were wide with fear. Despite my initial hesitation, Emeka convinced me to help. We carefully brought the tiny creature inside, wrapped it in a warm towel, and offered it a bowl of milk. By evening, the puppy, whom we named ‘Lucky’, was wagging its tail, and our boredom had completely vanished.

Descriptive Composition

Descriptive composition aims to create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind by appealing to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch). It focuses on details and uses rich, evocative language to portray a person, place, object, or experience.

Features of Descriptive Composition:

1. It uses sensory details (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).
2. It employs vivid adjectives and adverbs.
3. It often uses figurative language (similes, metaphors).
4. It focuses on creating a clear mental image for the reader.
5. It does not necessarily follow a chronological order.

Example:

The old market buzzed with a symphony of sounds: the rhythmic haggling of traders, the distant blare of car horns, and the cheerful chatter of children. A rich aroma of smoked fish mingled with the sweet scent of ripe mangoes and the earthy smell of freshly dug yams. Stalls overflowed with vibrant colours – pyramids of red tomatoes, baskets of green peppers, and heaps of golden oranges. The air was thick with humidity, and the ground, damp from an earlier shower, reflected the bustling activity like a murky mirror.

Argumentative Composition

Argumentative composition presents a clear stance or opinion on an issue and provides evidence, reasons, and examples to convince the reader to agree with that viewpoint. It often acknowledges opposing views but refutes them with stronger evidence.

Features of Argumentative Composition:

1. It presents a clear thesis statement (main argument).
2. It provides logical reasons and supporting evidence.
3. It addresses counter-arguments (opposing views).
4. It aims to persuade the reader.
5. It uses formal and objective language.

Example:

Mobile phones should be allowed in schools for educational purposes. Firstly, these devices can be powerful learning tools, providing instant access to research materials, educational apps, and online tutorials that complement classroom instruction. Secondly, in emergencies, a student with a phone can quickly contact their parents or guardians, ensuring their safety and peace of mind. While some argue that phones cause distraction, strict policies and designated usage times can mitigate this issue, allowing students to harness technology responsibly for learning.

Expository Composition

Expository composition aims to explain, inform, or clarify a subject. It presents facts, definitions, processes, or comparisons in a clear, objective, and logical manner. The goal is to educate the reader without expressing personal opinions or trying to persuade.

Features of Expository Composition:

1. It explains or informs.
2. It presents facts and evidence objectively.
3. It uses clear and concise language.
4. It often uses logical structures like cause and effect, comparison and contrast, or problem and solution.
5. It avoids personal opinions or emotional language.

Example:

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy. This chemical energy is stored in carbohydrate molecules, such as sugars, which are synthesized from carbon dioxide and water. The process primarily takes place in chloroplasts, which contain chlorophyll, the green pigment that absorbs light energy. Oxygen is released as a byproduct. Without photosynthesis, most life on Earth, including humans, would not be able to survive, as it forms the basis of almost all food chains.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Explanation, Discussion, Question and Answer, Modelling, Guided Practice, Individual Practice

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 different ways they communicate ideas through writing, e.g., telling a story, describing something, or explaining a topic. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Today, we will learn about different types of composition and their elements.”

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

Learning Point: Introduction to composition types

Step 2: Elements of Composition

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Listing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what composition means and then lists and briefly explains the key elements of a good composition (topic, audience, purpose, unity, coherence, emphasis, diction, sentence structure, mechanics) using a chart or writing on the board.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions for clarification, and identify the elements of composition.

Learning Point: Elements of good composition

Step 3: Narrative Composition

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Description

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher describes narrative composition, explains its features, and reads a prepared example. The teacher then asks students to identify the story elements (characters, setting, plot) in the example.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation and example, then identify features of narrative composition.

Learning Point: Understanding narrative writing

Step 4: Descriptive Composition

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Description

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher describes descriptive composition, explains its features, and reads a prepared example. The teacher asks students to identify the sensory details and vivid language used in the example.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation and example, then identify features of descriptive composition.

Learning Point: Understanding descriptive writing

Step 5: Argumentative Composition

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Description

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher describes argumentative composition, explains its features, and reads a prepared example. The teacher asks students to identify the main argument and supporting points in the example.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation and example, then identify features of argumentative composition.

Learning Point: Understanding argumentative writing

Step 6: Expository Composition and Guided Practice

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher describes expository composition, explains its features, and reads a prepared example. The teacher then guides students to collectively brainstorm a short paragraph for one of the composition types, focusing on applying the stated features.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation and example, then participate in the guided writing practice.

Learning Point: Understanding expository writing

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 are three key elements of a good composition?
2. Describe narrative composition in your own words.
3. How is descriptive composition different from narrative composition?
4. What is the main purpose of an argumentative composition?
5. Give one characteristic of expository composition.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Assessment of composition knowledge

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 types and elements of 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 briefly recaps the main points of the lesson, emphasizing that understanding these composition types will help them become better writers in various situations. The teacher encourages students to practice writing different types of compositions.

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

Learning Point: Reinforcement of composition types

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Choose any two topics from the list below and write a short paragraph (5-7 sentences) for each, demonstrating the specified type of composition.

1. Narrative: “My most memorable holiday.”
2. Descriptive: “The view from my classroom window.”
3. Argumentative: “Children should have fewer hours of screen time.”
4. Expository: “How to prepare a simple Nigerian meal.”

Lesson Keywords

• Composition – A piece of writing.
• Narrative – Telling a story.
• Descriptive – Creating a vivid picture with words.
• Argumentative – Presenting a viewpoint with reasons.
• Expository – Explaining or informing objectively.
• Elements – Basic parts or features.

Differentiation

Support: Provide sentence starters or a word bank for students struggling with writing. Pair weaker students with stronger ones for brainstorming ideas. Focus on identifying key features rather than producing full compositions.

Extension: Challenge advanced students to write a short piece that combines elements of two different composition types, explaining their choices. Encourage them to use more complex sentence structures and varied vocabulary.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding of composition types, search on YouTube for: types of composition jss3 english