Genre of Literature: Prose (Features, Types, Elements, and Other Aspects) – JSS1 Literature-in-English Lesson Note (First Term)

Prose is writing in ordinary language, arranged in sentences and paragraphs, that does not need special rhythm or rhyme. It can be fiction, such as novels and short stories, or non-fiction, such as essays and biographies. Every prose work has elements such as plot, character, setting, theme, conflict and point of view.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. Explain what prose means and state its main features.
2. Identify different types of prose with examples.
3. Discuss the basic elements found in prose.
4. Describe other aspects of prose writing: style, tone and mood, symbolism and dialogue.

Lesson details

• Subject: Literature in English
• Class: JSS 1
• Duration: 40 minutes
• Topic: Genre of Literature: Prose (Features, Types, Elements, and Other Aspects)

Previous knowledge

Students have learned about the three main genres of literature. They know that prose is one of the genres and that it is written in sentences and paragraphs.

Teaching aids

• Sample novels and short story collections
• Chart showing elements of prose
• Extracts from popular prose works
• Diagrams illustrating plot structure

Introduction (5 minutes)

The teacher shows students a storybook and asks:

• When you read a story, what do you notice first?
• Who are the people in the story called?
• Where does the story take place?
• What happens in the story?

These questions help introduce the elements and features of prose that students will learn today.

What are the features of prose? (8 minutes)

Prose has certain qualities that make it different from other genres.

1. Written in ordinary language. Prose uses everyday language arranged in sentences and paragraphs. When you read prose, it sounds like someone speaking naturally to you. The writer does not need to follow special rhythm patterns or make words rhyme.
2. Continuous flow of text. The writing moves smoothly from one sentence to another, filling the page from left to right. Unlike poetry with short lines and empty spaces, prose fills up most of the page.
3. Uses paragraphs. Ideas are organised in paragraphs. Each paragraph contains related sentences about one main idea. When the writer wants to discuss something new, a new paragraph begins.
4. Tells stories or presents information. Prose can be used for storytelling (fiction) or for sharing facts and real experiences (non-fiction). The writer has freedom to describe, explain, argue or narrate events.
5. Has clear structure. Most prose works follow a pattern with a beginning (introduction), middle (development) and ending (conclusion). This structure helps readers follow the story or information easily.
6. Contains descriptions. Prose writers describe people, places, objects and events in detail. These descriptions help readers picture what is happening.
7. Can be any length. Prose works can be very short (a few pages) or very long (hundreds of pages). The length depends on what the writer wants to achieve.

Class discussion: The teacher reads a short paragraph from a familiar story and asks students to identify the features they notice.

What are the types of prose? (10 minutes)

Prose comes in different forms depending on whether the story is real or imagined, and how long it is.

Fictional prose (made-up stories)

Novels

A novel is a long fictional story, usually more than 100 pages. Novels have complex plots with many characters and events. Reading a novel takes several hours, days or even weeks.

Characteristics of novels:

• Very long with multiple chapters
• Many characters with detailed descriptions
• Complex plot with several events and sub-plots
• Covers long periods of time
• Set in different locations

Examples:

• “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe
• “Purple Hibiscus” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• “Second Class Citizen” by Buchi Emecheta
• “Arrow of God” by Chinua Achebe

Short stories

A short story is a brief fictional narrative that focuses on one main event or experience. You can read a complete short story in one sitting, usually between 15 minutes and one hour.

Characteristics of short stories:

• Brief (usually 5 to 30 pages)
• Few characters (often 2 to 5 main ones)
• Single plot focusing on one event
• Limited time period (might cover a few hours or days)
• Usually set in one or two locations
• One clear theme or message

Examples:

• “The Voter” by Chinua Achebe
• “Dead Men’s Path” by Chinua Achebe
• “The Sacrificial Egg” by Chinua Achebe
• “Civil Peace” by Chinua Achebe

Novellas

A novella is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. It usually ranges from 50 to 100 pages. Novellas have more development than short stories but are not as complex as novels.

Examples:

• “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway
• “Animal Farm” by George Orwell

Non-fictional prose (true stories and facts)

Essays

Essays are short pieces of writing that present the writer’s thoughts, arguments or descriptions about a particular topic. Essays can be personal, formal or argumentative.

Types of essays:

• Narrative essays (telling true stories)
• Descriptive essays (describing places, people or things)
• Expository essays (explaining ideas or processes)
• Argumentative essays (presenting opinions with reasons)

Biographies

A biography is a true story about a person’s life written by another person. It covers important events, achievements and experiences in that person’s life.

Example: “Mandela: The Authorized Biography” by Anthony Sampson

Autobiographies

An autobiography is a true story someone writes about their own life. The author is also the subject of the book.

Example: “The Man Died” by Wole Soyinka

Memoirs

Memoirs are similar to autobiographies but focus on specific periods or themes in the writer’s life rather than covering their entire life story.

Other non-fictional forms

• Letters: personal or formal written communications between people.
• Diaries and journals: personal records of daily events, thoughts and feelings.
• Articles: short pieces of non-fiction writing found in newspapers, magazines and online publications.

Class activity: Students mention any novel or short story they have read and explain whether it is long or short, and how many characters they can remember.

What are the elements of prose? (15 minutes)

Elements are the building blocks that make up any prose work. Understanding these elements helps us analyse and appreciate stories better.

Plot

The plot is the sequence of events that happen in the story. It is what happens from the beginning to the end. A good plot keeps readers interested and wanting to know what happens next.

Parts of plot:

1. Exposition (introduction): This is the beginning where we meet the characters, learn about the setting and understand the situation. The writer introduces the basic information we need.
2. Rising action: Events begin to happen. Problems start developing. Tension and excitement increase as the story moves forward. The main character faces challenges.
3. Climax (turning point): This is the most exciting or intense moment in the story. It is the peak of tension where the main conflict reaches its highest point. This is usually the most dramatic part.
4. Falling action: After the climax, things begin to settle down. Loose ends start getting tied up. We see the results of the climax.
5. Resolution (conclusion): This is the end of the story where all problems are solved or explained. We learn how things finally turn out for the characters.

Example: In “Cinderella,” the exposition introduces Cinderella and her cruel stepmother. Rising action includes the ball invitation and the fairy godmother’s help. The climax is when the clock strikes midnight. Falling action shows the prince searching for Cinderella. Resolution is when they marry and live happily.

Character

Characters are the people or animals in the story. They are the ones who perform the actions and experience the events.

Types of characters:

1. Protagonist (main character): The most important character around whom the story revolves. We follow this character throughout the story. Example: Okonkwo in “Things Fall Apart”.
2. Antagonist: The character who opposes or creates problems for the protagonist. Not all stories have clear antagonists.
3. Supporting characters: Other characters who help develop the story but are not the main focus.
4. Minor characters: Characters who appear briefly and play small roles.

Character types by development:

• Round characters: Complex characters who show many different qualities and can change during the story.
• Flat characters: Simple characters with one or two main qualities that do not change much.

Setting

Setting is where and when the story takes place. It includes the physical location, time period, weather and social environment.

Components of setting:

1. Place: The physical location (village, city, school, forest, house).
2. Time: When the story happens (past, present, future, specific year, season, time of day).
3. Social environment: The customs, beliefs and lifestyle of the society in the story.

Importance of setting:

• Helps readers picture the story
• Influences characters’ behaviour
• Creates mood and atmosphere
• Can be symbolic or represent ideas

Example: In “Things Fall Apart,” the setting is Umuofia village in Nigeria during the late 1800s, when Europeans were arriving in Africa. This setting is very important to understanding the story.

Theme

The theme is the main idea or message in the story. It is what the story is really about beyond just the events. Themes are usually about life, society or human nature.

Common themes:

• Love and sacrifice
• Good versus evil
• Courage and bravery
• Coming of age (growing up)
• Tradition versus change
• Greed and its consequences
• Family relationships
• Justice and injustice

A story can have more than one theme. The theme is usually not stated directly. Readers find it by thinking about what happens in the story and what it means.

Example: The theme of “The Tortoise and the Birds” is that greed leads to downfall.

Conflict

Conflict is the problem or struggle in the story. Every good story has conflict because conflict creates tension and makes the story interesting.

Types of conflict:

1. Man vs. Man: One character fighting against another character.
2. Man vs. Self: A character struggling with their own feelings, decisions or conscience.
3. Man vs. Society: A character fighting against social rules, traditions or expectations.
4. Man vs. Nature: A character struggling against natural forces like storms, animals or wilderness.
5. Man vs. Fate/Supernatural: A character fighting against destiny or supernatural forces.

Point of view

Point of view refers to who is telling the story.

1. First person: The narrator is a character in the story using “I” and “we”. Example: “I woke up early that morning and went to the market.”
2. Third person: The narrator is outside the story using “he,” “she” and “they”. Example: “She woke up early that morning and went to the market.”

What are the other aspects of prose? (2 minutes)

1. Style: Style is the unique way each writer uses language. Some writers use simple words, others use complex vocabulary. Some write long sentences, others prefer short ones. Style makes each writer’s work recognisable.
2. Tone and mood: Tone is the writer’s attitude toward the subject. Mood is the feeling the story creates in readers (happy, sad, scary, mysterious).
3. Symbolism: Using objects, characters or events to represent deeper meanings beyond their literal sense.
4. Dialogue: Conversations between characters that reveal personality and move the plot forward.

Evaluation (3 minutes)

1. State three features of prose.
2. What is the difference between a novel and a short story?
3. Name and explain three elements of prose.
4. What is plot? Mention the five parts of plot.
5. Give two examples of non-fictional prose.

Assignment

1. Choose any story you know (from a book or oral tradition). Identify the protagonist, setting and main conflict in that story.
2. Think about the last storybook you read. Describe the plot by mentioning what happened at the beginning, middle and end.
3. Write a very short story (10 to 15 sentences) that has a clear setting, at least two characters and one problem that gets solved.
4. Explain in your own words what theme means. Give one example of a theme you have found in any story.