Introduction to Fiction and Non-Fiction

Lesson Plan: Introduction to Fiction and Non-Fiction

Subject: English Grammar (Literature)

Class: JSS 3

Term: First Term

Week: 1

Age: 13-14 years

Duration: 40 minutes

Topic: Introduction to Fiction and Non-Fiction

Sub-topic: Understanding the Differences and Elements of Fiction and Non-Fiction

Behavioural Objectives

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

1. Define fiction and non-fiction.
2. Identify examples of both fiction and non-fiction works.
3. Understand the elements that make up fiction and non-fiction.
4. Differentiate between biography and autobiography.

Keywords

• Fiction
• Non-Fiction
• Biography
• Autobiography
• Elements

Set Induction

The teacher narrates a short story about a fictional superhero and a real-life historical figure, asking students to identify which story is true and which one is imaginary.

Entry Behaviour

Students are already familiar with some stories and novels from past lessons, and can distinguish between real and imaginary events.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Examples of novels (fiction and non-fiction)
• Flashcards with key terms and definitions
• Whiteboard and markers

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

The teacher reviews storytelling, asking students to recall stories they’ve read and determine whether they were real or made-up.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Analytical skills
• Reading comprehension

Learning Materials

1. Copies of novels or excerpts from fiction and non-fiction books
2. Flashcards showing elements of fiction and non-fiction

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Junior Secondary School English Literature Textbooks

Instructional Materials

• Flashcards
• Novels (fiction and non-fiction)

Content

Understanding Fiction and Non-Fiction

1. Fiction
   • Fiction refers to stories that describe imaginary events and people.
   • The places and characters in fictional works are entirely unreal.
   • Examples: Sugar Girl, Animal Farm, The Concubine, The Boy Slave
2. Non-Fiction
   • Non-fiction is the true story of real-life events.
   • It is categorized into two types:
     a) Biography: A story written by someone else about another person’s life.
     Example: Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist
     b) Autobiography: A story about the life of a person, written by that person.
     Examples: Camera Laye’s The African Child, Kenneth Kaunda’s Zambia Shall Be Free

Elements of Fiction and Non-Fiction

1. Mood
   • The mood reflects the state of mind of the author and is conveyed through the tone of the writing. It can be happy, sad, tense, etc.
2. Plot
   • The plot is the sequence of events in the story, following a cause-and-effect pattern.
3. Style
   • This refers to how the writer chooses to tell the story, including language, tone, and structure.
4. Setting
   • The setting refers to the time and place where the events in the story occur.
5. Characterization
   • Characterization is the way the author presents and develops the characters in the story.
6. Characters
   • Characters are the people or beings who take part in the story.
7. Diction
   • Diction is the choice of language and words used by the author.
8. Suspense
   • Suspense is a technique used to keep readers interested and curious about what will happen next.
9. Flashback
   • Flashback is a literary device that allows the reader to see past events during the course of the story.

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

1. ______ is a story about imaginary events and people.
2. Non-fiction is based on ______ stories.
3. An autobiography is written by ______ about their own life.
4. ______ refers to the mood or feeling created in a story.
5. The ______ is the sequence of events in a story.
6. In fiction, the ______ are usually imaginary.
7. ______ is the choice of words used by the author.
8. A ______ is written by someone else about a person’s life.
9. ______ is used to keep readers interested in a story.
10. ______ allows the reader to see past events in a story.

FAQs with Answers

1. What is the difference between fiction and non-fiction?
   Fiction is imaginary, while non-fiction is based on real events.
2. What is a biography?
   A biography is a story about a person’s life written by someone else.
3. What is an autobiography?
   An autobiography is a story about a person’s life written by that person.
4. Give two examples of fiction works.
   Animal Farm and The Boy Slave are examples of fiction.
5. What does mood mean in literature?
   Mood refers to the atmosphere or feeling created in a story.
6. What is plot in a literary work?
   Plot is the sequence of events that occur in a story.
7. What is the purpose of suspense in a story?
   Suspense keeps the reader curious and interested in what will happen next.
8. How does the setting affect a story?
   The setting provides the background where the story’s events take place.
9. What is the difference between characters and characterization?
   Characters are the people in the story, while characterization is how the author develops those characters.
10. Why is flashback used in a story?
    Flashback is used to show events that happened earlier in the story’s timeline.

Presentation Steps

Step 1: The teacher explains the definitions of fiction and non-fiction, giving examples from well-known works.
Step 2: The teacher explains the difference between a biography and an autobiography.
Step 3: The teacher introduces the elements of fiction and non-fiction and provides examples from novels.

Teacher’s Activities

• Explain the differences between fiction and non-fiction.
• Provide examples of fiction and non-fiction novels.
• Help students identify the elements of fiction and non-fiction in the examples provided.

Learners’ Activities

• Participate in class discussion on fiction and non-fiction.
• Write down examples of fiction and non-fiction.
• Identify elements like plot, setting, and characters in sample novels.

Assessment

1. Define fiction and non-fiction.
2. What is the difference between a biography and an autobiography?
3. List three elements of fiction.
4. Give two examples of non-fiction works.
5. Write down one element of fiction and explain it.

Evaluation Questions

1. What is fiction?
2. Name two examples of fiction novels.
3. Define non-fiction.
4. What is the difference between autobiography and biography?
5. What is the meaning of setting in a story?
6. How does suspense function in a literary work?
7. What is characterization?
8. Define plot in a story.
9. Give an example of a novel that is a non-fiction work.
10. What is diction in literature?

Conclusion

The teacher moves around the class, checking students’ responses and providing feedback.