Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary School 1

TERM: FIRST TERM

SUBJECT: LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

CLASS: SS 1

REFERENCE

• Exam Focus by J.O.J. Nwachukwu Agbada et al.
• Essential Literature-in-English for S.S.S. by Ibitola A.O.
• The Mastery of Literature by Iwuchukwu Chinweikpe Esq.
• A Handbook of Creative Writing by J.O.J Nwachukwu Agbada.

WEEK THREE

TOPIC: GENRES OF LITERATURE

CONTENT

• DEFINITION OF ‘GENRE’
• DIAGRAMMATIC DISPLAY OF GENRES OF LITERATURE

DEFINITION

The word ‘genre’ is a technical notation for the different branches or arms of literature. And these branches of literature include: Drama, Prose, and Poetry. It is important to note that in the oral literature before the advent or introduction of the writing skill, these genres of literature have unconsciously existed. That is, works of oral literature can be classified as drama, prose or poetry. Invariably, works of oral literature serve as source or raw materials for written literature. And this can be represented in a diagram.

                                                                  LITERATURE

        Oral Literature                                                                                              Written Literature

       Folklore                                                       Drama                           Prose                         Poetry

      Festivals                                                    Comedy                                                          Narrative 

      Rituals                                                       Tragedy          Fiction                Non-Fiction        Lyrical

         Myths                                                  Tragi-comedy           Fable                  Biography            Sonnet

      Legends                                                 History play     Allegory             Autobiography                                                                                     

     Oral poetry  

                                                                         Farce           Parable              Adventure/Travel

   Panegyric                                                                       

                                                                     Melodrama      Romantic                Essay

   Praise poem                                                                       

                                                                        Mime            Novel                    Criticism

   Epic                                                                                   

                                                                        Opera         Short-story                Journals

                                                                                            Novella                     Diaries

But basically, wherever genre is mentioned, students of literature narrow their minds to only literary (written) literature. Though, this is not completely erroneous, it helps to maintain focus in studying aspects of literature.

EVALUATION

1. Explain the phrase, ‘genres of literature’.
2. Oral literature is a source to written literature. Discuss.

DIAGRAMMATICAL DISPLAY OF GENRES OF LITERATURE

The genres of literature: Drama, Prose and Poetry, have their uniqueness and peculiarities, which make them distinct from one another. As they are all written works that are creative and imaginative, they also possess features that are particular to a type.

A proper understanding of the genres of literature means a proper understanding of drama, prose and poetry. The genres of literature will be properly treated in the subsequent chapters or weeks of this note.

DIAGRAM ON   GENRES OF LITERATURE 

                                                                   GENRES

                                     DRAMA                                                POETRY

                                                                     PROSE

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

1    Represent the genres of literature on a diagram.

2    Why is the term ‘genre’ used for written literature?

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. A term used in describing an effective choice of words in a literary work is (a) diphthong (b) diction (c) denotation (d) dialogue
2. The moment of heightened tension in a play is called (a) denouement (b) denotation

(c) conflict (d) climax

1. ‘I listened as the car screeched and squelched its tyres on the road; and mangy dogs roared and howled before I took another step.’ The above sentence is an example of the use of

(a) Onomatopoeia (b) Oxymoron (c) Enjambment (d) Metonymy

1. A figure of speech in which a part stands for a whole or a whole for a part is referred to as (a) Personification (b) Partition (c) Synecdoche (d) Metonymy
2. Another term for the denouement of a play or story is (a) Reference (b) Interlude

(c) Inference (d) Resolution

THEORY

1. In your own words, define the three genres of literature.
2. ‘Genre’ has existed in the oral literature. Discuss.

READING ASSIGNMENT

1    Exam Focus by J.O.J. Nwachukwu Agbada et al, pgs 1-10.

2    Essential Literature-in-English for S.S.S. by Ibitola A.O., pgs 4-25.