Junior Secondary · JSS1–JSS3
JSS1 Literature-in-English lesson notes
All JSS1 Literature-in-English notes (22)JSS2 Literature-in-English lesson notes
First TermJSS2 Literature-in-English First Term
Second TermJSS2 Literature-in-English Second Term
Third TermJSS2 Literature-in-English Third Term
JSS3 Literature-in-English lesson notes
First TermJSS3 Literature-in-English First Term
Second TermJSS3 Literature-in-English Second Term
Third TermJSS3 Literature-in-English Third Term
Senior Secondary · SS1–SS3
SS1 Literature-in-English lesson notes
All SS1 Literature-in-English notes (16)SS2 Literature-in-English lesson notes
All SS2 Literature-in-English notes (12)First TermSS2 Literature-in-English First Term
SS3 Literature-in-English lesson notes
First TermSS3 Literature-in-English First Term
Second TermSS3 Literature-in-English Second Term
Third TermSS3 Literature-in-English Third Term
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About Literature-in-English Lesson Notes
Literature in English is the study of creative writing and performance in the English language, covering prose, drama and poetry. The notes start with the meaning, history and functions of literature, oral and written literature, and the three genres. They go on to poetic devices and figures of speech, including simile and metaphor, and to literary appreciation.
In the senior classes the notes move to set texts and their analysis. These include Harvest of Corruption, Faceless, Wuthering Heights, Fences and Look Back in Anger, with poems by Birago Diop, Gabriel Okara, William Blake, John Donne and G.M Hopkins.
What students learn
By the end of SS3, a student who has worked through these notes should be able to:
- Explain the meaning, history and functions of literature
- Distinguish oral literature from written literature and name types of each
- Identify the features of prose, drama and poetry
- Recognise poetic devices and figures of speech, such as simile and metaphor
- Describe the setting, plot summary and themes of a play or novel
- Analyse characters and types of character in a drama text
- Appreciate and analyse a poem, such as Piano and the Drums or The Good Morrow
- Use literary terms correctly when writing about a text
What each class covers
Every topic is a separate lesson note, listed here in teaching order. Open any topic, or the term, to read it.
JSS1 Literature-in-English 22 notes
First Term 8 notes
- The Meaning, History, and Functions of Literature
- Types of Literature (Oral and Written Literature)
- Types of Oral Literature and Categories of Written Literature
- Genre of Literature: Prose (Features, Types, Elements, and Other Aspects)
- Genre of Literature: Drama (Features, Types, and Terms Used in Drama)
- Genre of Literature: Poetry (Features, Types, and Elements)
- Poetic Devices
- Figures of Speech
Second Term 6 notes
- Literary Appreciation: How to Appreciate a Literary Work
- Reading: Drama Reading of the Drama Text(s) for the Term
- Reading: Drama: Background of Dramatist, Setting, Plot Summary, and Themes
- Reading: Prose: Reading of the Novel(s) for the Term
- Reading: Prose: Background of Novelist, Setting, Plot Summary, and Themes
- Poetry: Analysis of Poems for the Term
Third Term 8 notes
- Types of Drama: Tragedy, Comedy, and Tragicomedy
- Features of Drama: Theme, Stage, and Costume
- Features of Drama: Play Director, Audience, and Performance
- Drama in Literature
- Definition of Figures of Speech II
- Use of Comparison: Simile and Metaphor
- Literary Appreciation of a Poem
- Poetry: Definition, Types, Features, and Analysis of a Poem
SS1 Literature-in-English 16 notes
Second Term 7 notes
SS2 Literature-in-English 12 notes
Second Term 4 notes
Third Term 8 notes
- Analysis of August Wilson's Fences
- Analysis of August Wilson's Fences II
- Analysis of Non-African Drama: Look Back in Anger by John Osborne
- Analysis of Non-African Drama: Look Back in Anger by John Osborne II
- Non-African Poetry: The Good Morrow by John Donne
- Non-African Poetry: The Good Morrow by John Donne II
- Analysis of Binsey Poplars by G.M Hopkins
- Analysis of Binsey Poplars by G.M Hopkins II
How we prepare our lesson notes
Each note covers one topic for one class and one term, and the notes follow teaching order. Every note has behavioural objectives, the lesson content in short sections, evaluation questions and an assignment, all drawn from the same note.
Before publication, notes are edited for accuracy, plain language and the right level for the class.
Every note is free to read online. A PDF or Word copy of one subject costs ₦1,000 for one term, or ₦2,000 for all three terms. If you find a mistake, tell us and we will correct it.
Recommended Literature-in-English textbooks
Books are grouped by class. The line under each title shows which list recommends it.
JSS1 Literature-in-English textbooks 6 books
| Name | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Excellence in Literature-in-English for NECO JSCE/BECE 2028-2031School booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)Edition: 2028-2031 | ||
| NECO Highest Grade Literature-in-English WorkbookSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned) | Christiana Uyanne | |
| Mary SlessorSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned) | Moses Oko | |
| The Sarkin Yarki's DemiseSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned) | Salis Sabo Muhammad | |
| Diary of RegretSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned) | Mathew Aaron | |
| Excellence in Literature-in-English for JSCE/BECE 2028-2031School booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned) |
JSS2 Literature-in-English textbooks 7 books
| Name | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Excellence in Literature-in-English for NECO JSCE/BECE 2028-2031School booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)Edition: 2028-2031 | ||
| NECO Highest Grade Literature-in-English WorkbookSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned) | Christiana Uyanne | |
| The Sarkin Yarki's DemiseSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned) | Salis Sabo Muhammad | |
| Diary of RegretSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned) | Mathew Aaron | |
| The RemunerationSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned) | Uche Nyagu | |
| Somayina: The Little Smart OrphanSchool booklist – Whitesands School, Lagos (private) | Chigbo Ugwuoke | |
| The Sarkin Yarki's DemiseSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned) | Salis Sabo Muhammad |
JSS3 Literature-in-English textbooks 5 books
| Name | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Excellence in Literature-in-English for NECO JSCE/BECE 2028-2031School booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)Edition: 2028-2031 | ||
| NECO Highest Grade Literature-in-English WorkbookSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned) | Christiana Uyanne | |
| SacrilegeSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned) | Adetutu Adeyeye | |
| SacrilegeSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned) | Adetutu Adeyeye | |
| Complete Guide to Junior Secondary English Language and Literature texts/poems for JS1-3 and Junior NECO Exams (anthology)School booklist – Whitesands School, Lagos (private) | E.O. Osajie |
SS1 Literature-in-English textbooks 5 books
| Name | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| The Marriage of Anansewa (African drama)WAEC (syllabus recommended/prescribed texts) | Efua Sutherland | Longman African Writers/Classics (per Amazon listing) |
| Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespearean text)WAEC (syllabus recommended/prescribed texts) | William Shakespeare | Various (not specified by WAEC) |
| So the Path Does Not Die (African prose)WAEC (syllabus recommended/prescribed texts) | Pede Hollist | Various (not specified by WAEC) |
| Redemption Road (African prose)WAEC (syllabus recommended/prescribed texts) | Elma Shaw | Various (not specified by WAEC) |
| To Kill a Mockingbird (non-African prose)WAEC (syllabus recommended/prescribed texts) | Harper Lee | Various (not specified by WAEC) |
SS2 Literature-in-English textbooks 5 books
| Name | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespearean text)WAEC (syllabus recommended/prescribed texts) | William Shakespeare | Various (not specified by WAEC) |
| So the Path Does Not Die (African prose)WAEC (syllabus recommended/prescribed texts) | Pede Hollist | Various (not specified by WAEC) |
| Redemption Road (African prose)WAEC (syllabus recommended/prescribed texts) | Elma Shaw | Various (not specified by WAEC) |
| An Inspector Calls (non-African drama)WAEC (syllabus recommended/prescribed texts) | J.B. Priestley (WAEC PDF spells 'J.D. Priestley') | Various (not specified by WAEC) |
| Exam Focus: Literature-in-English for WAEC (WASSCE) 2026-2030School booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)Edition: 2026-2030 edition | JOJ Nwachukwu-Agbada et al. | University Press PLC |
SS3 Literature-in-English textbooks 5 books
| Name | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| A Man for All Seasons (non-African drama)WAEC (syllabus recommended/prescribed texts) | Robert Bolt | Various (not specified by WAEC) |
| JAMB UTME literature texts: Harvest of Corruption (Frank Ogodo Ogbeche); Othello (William Shakespeare); Faceless (Amma Darko); Native Son (Richard Wright)JAMB (UTME syllabus recommended texts) | Various | Various |
| Exam Focus: Literature-in-English 2026-2030School booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)Edition: 2026-2030 edition | JOJ Nwachukwu-Agbada et al. | University Press PLC |
| Hidden Facts in SSCE Literature in EnglishSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned) | M. Akpofure | Not stated for this title |
| Exam Focus for Literature-in-English (2026-2030)School booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)Edition: 2026-2030 | JOJ Nwachuku Agbada et al. |
Based on the 2026/27 recommended lists. Editions change, so confirm the current edition with your school or bookseller.
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