Introduction to Literature-in-English
Rudiments of Literary Appreciation
Subject: Literature-in-English
Theme: Introduction to Literature-in-English
Topic: Rudiments of Literary Appreciation
Sub Topic:
Date: dd/mm/yyyy
Class: S.S 1
Average Age: 14 years and above
Duration: 35 Minutes
No of Learners: 40
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the lesson learners should be able to:1. State the Functions of Literature.
The functions of literature are predominantly to entertain, educate and inform. Literature is the study of man; his feelings or emotions; his needs; his relationships to his society; his contractions within himself and his community and his responses to all these aspects.Hence, the function of literature is to discuss all these aspects and whole human relationships.
1. To Educate People: Literature teaches people on existing social, political and economic systems. After seeing a movie, what does the movie teach you?
2. To Entertain People: Literature as an art form gives those entertainments that appeal to human lives and evoke pleasure for the readers. Even though we live in the digital age with all forms of entertainment at our fingertips, a lot of people still enjoy reading books to entertain themselves.
3. To Express People’s Culture: Literature like language is an element of culture. It represents /explains people’s life and culture that they have from one generation to another. For example, after reading “Things Fall Apart”, what culture is conveyed in the story? (Details in students’ notes).
Thus basically, the function literature performs is to inform, entertain and educate/inform.2. Explain The Rudiments of Literary Appreciation
From the introduction to literature, it can be clearly deduced that literature is an imitation of life. One important medium adopted by most writers to make literature a true imitation of life is in the use of characters/casts/dramatic personae. In identifying characters in a literary piece; the reader must take into cognizance what a character says, what other characters in and around him say about him, his physiological makeup, what drives and motivates him and finally the ironies and contrast associated with his action and inaction which invariably affect the growth and changes seen in him as the literary piece progresses to its climax. The socio-political context of work of arts must also be identified so as to have a good understanding of the work, as well as the historical background of the work of the author should be taken into consideration for a better appreciation.3. List and Explain the Approaches to Literary Appreciation
For a reader to successfully appreciate a literary work, he must put the following basic principles in proper perspective - the context of the text, the structure of the text, the device used by the writer and their effectiveness, the setting of the text and the central ideas or themes which the text symbolizes.1. THE CONTEXT OF THE TEXT: One of the basic problems confronting readers of a text is the inability to fully appreciate the context referring to the actual meaning and background conveyed by the writer, which can be literal or metaphorical. Here, the point of view of the writer must be taken into cognizance, in order to have literal and metaphorical knowledge of the work. The content of any work of art centres on its plot and theme or central issues raised in the storyline.
2. THE STRUCTURE OF THE TEXT: Structure refers to the organization of the text. It is also known as the format of any work of art, that is, the way it is presented by the writer, his use of diction and its effectiveness, as well as, techniques used. All these constitute the structure.
3. THE POETIC DEVICES EMPLOYED IN THE TEXT: Sometimes, we do not get the correct meaning of a word in a text until we have decided whether it is used literally, that is, according to its basic original meaning, or metaphorically, which means applying one form of meaning to another. Hence, most writers make use of both literal and metaphorical words when writing. Due to this, it is very important for readers to have a good knowledge of diction and figurative devices adopted by the writer, as a way of appreciating the text.
4. THE THEMES OF THE TEXT: The theme means the central message conveyed in any piece of writing. A proper understanding of the theme in a text is very important, and it is a necessary tool for a good and detailed appreciation of the text itself. The theme of a text must not be mistaken for the subject matter, which may only be implied after a proper reading of the text.
4. Explain Concrete Issues in Literary Appreciation
The concrete issues in literary appreciation are nothing but the indispensable ingredients meant for the objective and apt understanding of any particular work of art. These are: 1. The plot - the storyline, which must be very detailed.2. The theme - the central issues raised in any work of art.
3. The style - style of any writing is the technical devices and the way the language is structured. A style is the manner the writing is done which can be classical, down to earth, simple or difficult.
4. The mood - the feeling of the writer when writing. This must be fully appreciated by the reader in other to understand the plot and characterization.
5. The diction - the effective use of language to carry the theme, plot and mood of the writer.
6. Literary devices used- which must be appropriate so as not to confuse the reader. It must give the reader the opportunity to understand the work of art.
Rationale:
One important medium adopted by most writers to make literature a true imitation of life is in the use of characters/casts/dramatic personae. In identifying characters in a literary piece; the reader must take into cognizance what a character says, what other characters in and around him say about him, his physiological makeup, what drives and motivates him and finally the ironies and contrast associated with his action and inaction which invariably affect the growth and changes seen in him as the literary piece progresses to its climax. The socio-political context of work of arts must also be identified so as to have a good understanding of the work, as well as the historical background of the work of the author should be taken into consideration for a better appreciation.Prerequisite/ Previous knowledge:
Storyings, songs, history etc.Learning Resources:
Flash cards, an audio video youtube examples, Available useful objects.Reference Materials:
J.O.J. Nwachukwu et al: Exam Focus: Literature-in-English 2021-2025Tony Duru: Standard Literature-in-English
Internet.
Lesson Development:
STAGE |
TEACHER'S ACTIVITY |
LEARNER'S ACTIVITY |
LEARNING POINTS |
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| STEP 1: PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE full class session (3 mins) |
The teacher Introduces the lesson by asking questions based on previous knowledge; 1. What is figurative language? 2. Explain with example three(3) thyes of figurative language. |
The students respond to the questions based on previous knowledge. 1. Figurative language is the language that suggests special meanings or effects such as metaphors or similes; not literal language. 2. (i) Similes: figures of speech that compares two unlike things, using the words like or as. E.g "His feet were as big as boats." (ii) Metaphor: a figure of speech that compares two unlike things, without the use of like or as. E.g "Her hair is silk." (iii) Personification: Object is made to sound like a „person‟ or given human characteristics. Conversely, When an animal is given human characteristics, the techniques used is not personification but anthropomorphism. E.g The sun is smiling. |
Reversing previous lesson |
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| STEP 2: INTRODUCTION full class session (3 mins) Identification of prior ideas. |
The teacher review/introduce what they are going to study today; State the Functions of Literature;Rudiments of Literary Appreciation; Approaches to Literary Appreciation and Concrete Issues in Literary Appreciation. Thereafter, the teacher asks the students to describe times they have acted in a stage play at one point of their lives or the other. |
The students listen attentively to the teacher. Thereafter, the students contribute by describing instances they have to be involved in imitation of life occurrences on stage. |
Introducing the topic for discussion. |
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| STEP 3: DEVELOPMENT Group Work (2 mins) |
The teacher guides the learners to form four groups and asks them to choose their leaders and secretaries. | Learners choose their group leaders and secretaries. | Inculcating leadership skills, competitive spirit, cooperation, teamwork and a sense of responsibility among learners. |
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| STEP 4: EXPLORATION 3 mins Mode: Individual |
The teacher presents to the class the instructional resources and leads the students
to air their views on them. Thereafter, the teacher guides the students to state the functions of literature |
The students state the function of literature: The functions of literature are predominantly to entertain, educate and inform. Aside these ones aforementioned, other functions are there. |
Functionsof literature. |
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| STEP 5: DISCUSSION 5 mins. Mode: Group |
The teacher guides the learners to explain the Rudiments of Literary Appreciation. | The students quickly explain the Rudiments of Literary Appreciation. From the introduction to literature, it can be clearly deduced that literature is an imitation of life. One important medium adopted by most writers to make literature a true imitation of life is in the use of characters/casts/dramatic personae. In identifying characters in a literary piece; the reader must take into cognizance what a character says, what other characters in and around him say about him, his physiological makeup, what drives and motivates him and finally the ironies and contrast associated with his action and inaction which invariably affect the growth and changes seen in him as the literary piece progresses to its climax. The socio-political context of work of arts must also be identified so as to have a good understanding of the work, as well as the historical background of the work of the author should be taken into consideration for a better appreciation. |
The Rudiments of Literary Appreciation |
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| STEP 6: APPLICATION 4 mins Mode: Group |
The Teacher guides the students to explain the approaches to literary appreciation | The students expected approaches to literary appreciation. For a reader to successfully appreciate a literary work, he must put the following basic principles in proper perspective - the context of the text, the structure of the text, the device used by the writer and their effectiveness, the setting of the text and the central ideas or themes which the text symbolizes. 1. THE CONTEXT OF THE TEXT: One of the basic problems confronting readers of a text is the inability to fully appreciate the context referring to the actual meaning and background conveyed by the writer, which can be literal or metaphorical. Here, the point of view of the writer must be taken into cognizance, in order to have literal and metaphorical knowledge of the work. The content of any work of art centres on its plot and theme or central issues raised in the storyline.2. THE STRUCTURE OF THE TEXT: Structure refers to the organization of the text. It is also known as the format of any work of art, that is, the way it is presented by the writer, his use of diction and its effectiveness, as well as, techniques used. All these constitute the structure.3. THE POETIC DEVICES EMPLOYED IN THE TEXT: Sometimes, we do not get the correct meaning of a word in a text until we have decided whether it is used literally, that is, according to its basic original meaning, or metaphorically, which means applying one form of meaning to another. Hence, most writers make use of both literal and metaphorical words when writing. Due to this, it is very important for readers to have a good knowledge of diction and figurative devices adopted by the writer, as a way of appreciating the text.4. THE THEMES OF THE TEXT: The theme means the central message conveyed in any piece of writing. A proper understanding of the theme in a text is very important, and it is a necessary tool for a good and detailed appreciation of the text itself. The theme of a text must not be mistaken for the subject matter, which may only be implied after a proper reading of the text. |
Being able to list and explain the Approaches to Literary Appreciation |
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| The teacher guides the students to explain Concrete Issues In Literary Appreciation | Students explain concrete issue in liteature appreciation. The concrete issues in literary appreciation are nothing but the indispensable ingredients meant for the objective and apt understanding of any particular work of art. These are: 1. The plot- the storyline, which must be very detailed. 2. The theme - the central issues raised in any work of art. 3. The style - style of any writing is the technical devices and the way the language is structured. A style is the manner the writing is done which can be classical, down to earth, simple or difficult. 4 The mood - the feeling of the writer when writing. This must be fully appreciated by the reader in other to understand the plot and characterization. 5. The diction - the effective use of language to carry the theme, plot and mood of the writer. 6. Literary devices used which must be appropriate so as not to confuse the reader. It must give the reader the opportunity to understand the work of art. |
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| STEP 7: EVALUATION Mode: Entire Class 5 mins |
The teacher asks the students the following questions: i. State the Functions of Literature. ii. The Rudiments of Literary Appreciation iii. Approaches to Literary Appreciation iv. Concrete Issues in Literary Appreciation |
The students expected answers (i) The functions of literature are predominantly to entertain, educate and inform. (ii) A true imitation of life is in the use of characters/casts/dramatic personae. What a character says, what other characters in and around him say about him, his physiological makeup, what drives and motivates him and finally the ironies and contrast associated with his action and inaction which invariably affect the growth and changes seen in him as the literary piece progresses to its climax. The socio-political context of work of arts. A good understanding of the work. the historical background of the work of the author. (iii) (a) The context of the text. (b) The structure of the text. (c) The poetic devices employed in the text. (d) The themes of the text (iv) 1. The plot - the storyline, which must be very detailed. 2. The theme - the central issues raised in any work of art. 3. The style - style of any writing is the technical devices and the way the language is structured. A style is the manner the writing is done which can be classical, down to earth, simple or difficult. 4. The mood - the feeling of the writer when writing. This must be fully appreciated by the reader in other to understand the plot and characterization. 5. The diction - the effective use of language to carry the theme, plot and mood of the writer. 6. Literary devices used- which must be appropriate so as not to confuse the reader. It must give the reader the opportunity to understand the work of art. |
Asking the learners questions to assess the achievement of the set objectives. |
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| ASSIGNMENT | The teacher gives learners take home Differentiate between English Literature and Literature-in-English in their own words. |
The learners copy the assignment | Better understanding Rudiments of Literary Appreciation. |
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| CONCLUSION 2 mins |
The teachers wrap up from the learners' contribution on Rudiments of Literary Appreciation. | The students listen to the teacher and copy down notes. | Consolidating and harmonizing scientific concepts. |