Prose and its Elements – JSS1 English Lesson Note (First Term)

Prose is a long narrative with a wide range of characters, events and experiences, written in straightforward language. Every prose story has elements: character, setting, plot, theme, point of view, style and tone. Readers use these elements to enjoy a story more and to understand and analyse it critically.

Behavioural objectives

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

• explain what prose is;
• list the elements of a prose story;
• explain character and character development;
• explain plot, chronological order and flashback.

What is prose?

A prose is a long narrative with a wide range of characters, events and experiences, written in straightforward language.

What are the elements of a prose story?

Readers can use the elements of fiction, and the elements of a story in general, to increase their enjoyment and understanding of different literary pieces. All stories have the elements of character, setting, plot, theme, point of view, style and tone. Once students are aware of this, they can be encouraged to ask themselves what each element is in a particular story. The more familiar they become with the different elements, the better they will understand and critically analyse stories.

1. Character: Character is the mental, emotional and social qualities that distinguish one entity from another (people, animals, spirits, automatons, pieces of furniture and other animated objects). Character development is the change that a character undergoes from the beginning of a story to the end. Even young children can notice this. The importance of a character to the story determines how fully the character is developed. Characters can be primary, secondary, minor or main.
2. Plot: Plot is the order in which things move and happen in a story. Chronological order is when a story relates events in the order in which they happened. Flashback is when the story moves back in time.

Evaluation

Explain the meaning of each of the following.

1. Characterization
2. Plot
3. Setting
4. Language

Assignment

Reading assignment: Essential Literature-in-English for SSS, pages 12 to 14.