GENRES OF LITERATURE

Subject:

English Literature

Topic:

GENRES OF LITERATURE

Class:

SS 1

Term:

First Term

Week:

Week 3

Instructional Materials:

• Recommended Literature Text

 

Reference Materials

• Scheme of Work
• Online Information
• Textbooks
• Workbooks
• 9 Year Basic Education Curriculum

Previous Knowledge:

The pupils have previous knowledge of

 

THE RUDIMENTS OF LITERARY APPRECIATION

 

Behavioural Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the pupils should be able to

• SAY THE DEFINITION OF ‘GENRE’
• DRAW THE DIAGRAMMATIC DISPLAY OF GENRES OF LITERATURE

Content:

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 oral literature before the advent or introduction of the writing skill, these genres of literature 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.

A genre is a specific type of literature with its own distinctive style, form, or content. Genres of literature are often divided into categories, such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or drama. However, there are also many sub-genres within these larger genres. For example, within the category of fiction, there are sub-genres such as mystery, romance, and science fiction.

Some of the most common genres of literature are:

Fiction: This category includes works of literature that are imaginary or untrue. Examples of fiction include novels, short stories, and plays.

Non-fiction: This category includes works of literature that are based on real events or facts. Examples of non-fiction include biographies, history books, and autobiographies.

Poetry: This genre of literature includes works that are written in verse and often have a musical quality to them. Examples of poetry include sonnets, haiku, and odes.

Drama: This genre of literature includes works that are meant to be performed on a stage or screen. Drama can be either fiction or non-fiction. Examples of drama include plays and screenplays.

The five examples of genres of literature are:

1) Fiction

2) Non-fiction

3) Poetry

4) Drama

5) Comedy

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

• Explain the phrase, ‘genres of literature’.
• Oral literature is a source to written literature. Discuss.
• What is a genre?

   

• What are the different genres of literature?

   

•  What makes each genre of literature unique?

   

•  How are genres of literature divided into categories?

   

•  What are some examples of genres of literature?

 

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

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

(c) conflict (d) climax

• ‘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

• 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
• Another term for the denouement of a play or story is (a) Reference (b) Interlude

(c) Inference (d) Resolution

 

THEORY

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

 

 

 

 

 

Presentation

The topic is presented step by step

 

Step 1:

The subject teacher revises the previous topics

 

Step 2.

He introduces the new topic

 

Step 3:

The subject teacher allows the pupils to give their own examples and he corrects them when the need arises.

 

 

Revision 

1) A genre is a specific type of literature with its own distinctive style, form, or content.

2) The different genres of literature are fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, and comedy.

3) Each genre of literature is unique because of its own specific style, form, or content.

4) Genres of literature are often divided into categories, such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or drama. However, there are also many sub-genres within these larger genres.

5) Some examples of genres of literature are novels, short stories, plays, biographies, and history books.

 

Evaluation 

1) What is a genre?

A) A specific type of literature with its own distinctive style, form, or content.

B) The different genres of literature.

C) Each genre of literature is unique because of its own specific style, form, or content.

D) Genres of literature are often divided into categories, such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or drama.

2) What are the different genres of literature?

A) Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, and comedy.

B) Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama.

C) Fiction and non-fiction.

D) Non-fiction, poetry, drama, and comedy.

3) What makes each genre of literature unique?

A) Its own distinctive style, form, or content.

B) The different genres of literature.

C) Genres of literature are often divided into categories.

D) Its own specific style, form, or content.

4) How are genres of literature divided into categories?

A) By their own distinctive style, form, or content.

B) Genres of literature are often divided into categories, such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or drama.

C) There are also many sub-genres within these larger genres.

D) By their content.

5) What are some examples of genres of literature?

A) Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, and comedy.

B) Novels, short stories, plays, biographies, and history books.

C) Fiction and non-fiction.

D) Drama and comedy.

Conclusion:

 

The subject teacher wraps up or concludes the lesson by giving out a short note to summarize the topic that he or she has just taught.

The subject teacher also goes round to making sure that the notes are well copied or well written by the pupils.

He or she makes the necessary corrections when and where the needs arise.