Mastering the Art of Prose: Setting, Theme, Characterization, and Figures of Speech

Subject: English Literature

Class: JSS 2

Term: First Term

Week: 2

Age: 12-13 years

Topic: Features of Prose and Figures of Speech

Sub-topic: Revision of Setting, Theme, Characterization, Alliteration, and Personification

Duration: 60 minutes

Behavioral Objectives:

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

1. Identify and explain the features of prose including setting, theme, and characterization.
2. Recognize and use figures of speech such as alliteration and personification in sentences.
3. Relate the use of these literary devices to the overall meaning and style of prose.

Keywords:

• Prose
• Setting
• Theme
• Characterization
• Alliteration
• Personification

Set Induction:

The teacher will read a short passage from a well-known novel, asking students to identify the setting, theme, and main characters. The teacher will also highlight examples of alliteration and personification in the passage.

Entry Behavior:

Students are familiar with basic prose elements like characters and setting, and have encountered figures of speech in previous lessons.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Excerpts from novels or short stories
• Flashcards with definitions and examples of prose features and figures of speech
• Whiteboard and markers

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

The teacher will ask students to recall and discuss the basic elements of a story and identify any literary devices they remember from previous lessons.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Analytical skills
• Literary appreciation

Learning Materials:

• Novels or short stories
• English Literature textbooks

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Essential English Literature for Junior Secondary Schools
• Comprehensive English Literature Textbook for JSS

Instructional Materials:

• Excerpts from well-known literature
• Flashcards with examples of alliteration and personification

Content:

Features of Prose:

1. Setting: The time and place where a story takes place. It includes the physical environment, weather conditions, and social conditions.
2. Theme: The central idea or underlying message of the story. Themes could include love, war, friendship, or betrayal.
3. Characterization: The way in which characters are presented and developed in a story. This includes their physical appearance, behavior, thoughts, and interactions with other characters.

Figures of Speech:

1. Alliteration: The repetition of the initial consonant sounds in a series of words. Example: “She sells seashells by the seashore.”
2. Personification: Giving human traits or qualities to non-human entities. Example: “The wind whispered through the trees.”

Evaluation Questions:

1. The ______ is the time and place where a story takes place.
   a) Theme
   b) Setting
   c) Characterization
   d) Plot
2. Which of the following is an example of alliteration?
   a) “The sun smiled down on us.”
   b) “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”
   c) “The wind whispered through the trees.”
   d) “The stars danced in the sky.”
3. What is the central idea or underlying message of a story called?
   a) Characterization
   b) Setting
   c) Theme
   d) Plot
4. Giving human traits to non-human entities is known as ______.
   a) Alliteration
   b) Personification
   c) Simile
   d) Metaphor
5. The process by which the characters in a story are described and developed is called ______.
   a) Plot
   b) Setting
   c) Theme
   d) Characterization
6. Which figure of speech is used in the phrase “She sells seashells by the seashore”?
   a) Personification
   b) Alliteration
   c) Metaphor
   d) Simile
7. What role does the setting play in a story?
   a) It describes the physical appearance of characters.
   b) It provides the backdrop against which the story takes place.
   c) It highlights the main events in the plot.
   d) It explains the central idea of the story.
8. An example of personification is ______.
   a) “The leaves danced in the wind.”
   b) “The angry storm clouds gathered in the sky.”
   c) “He is as brave as a lion.”
   d) “Time flies.”
9. What is the function of characterization in prose?
   a) To describe the plot.
   b) To develop and explain the roles of characters.
   c) To set the tone of the story.
   d) To establish the setting.
10. Which of these is NOT a feature of prose?
    a) Setting
    b) Characterization
    c) Theme
    d) Simile
11. The central idea around which a story revolves is its ______.
    a) Characterization
    b) Theme
    c) Setting
    d) Plot
12. Which figure of speech is illustrated by the phrase “The trees whispered secrets to the wind”?
    a) Simile
    b) Personification
    c) Alliteration
    d) Metaphor
13. The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words is known as ______.
    a) Alliteration
    b) Onomatopoeia
    c) Metaphor
    d) Simile
14. Which of these best describes the setting?
    a) It is the series of events that make up a story.
    b) It is the time and place of the story’s events.
    c) It is the main conflict in the story.
    d) It is the perspective from which the story is told.
15. What is the main purpose of using personification in prose?
    a) To make non-human elements more relatable and vivid.
    b) To create a rhythm in the story.
    c) To compare two things using “like” or “as.”
    d) To exaggerate certain aspects of the story.

Class Activity Discussion:

1. Q: What is the significance of the setting in a story?
   A: The setting provides the backdrop and context for the events of the story.
2. Q: Can you give an example of a theme from a story you have read?
   A: One possible theme could be “friendship,” as seen in stories where characters help and support each other.
3. Q: How does characterization affect the story?
   A: Characterization helps the reader understand the personalities, motivations, and actions of the characters.
4. Q: What is alliteration? Can you create an example?
   A: Alliteration is the repetition of the initial consonant sounds in a series of words, like “Betty Botter bought some butter.”
5. Q: Why do authors use personification in their writing?
   A: Authors use personification to give human qualities to non-human things, making them more relatable and vivid.
6. Q: How does the theme differ from the plot?
   A: The theme is the underlying message or main idea of the story, while the plot is the sequence of events that happen.
7. Q: Can you identify the theme of a story based on its setting?
   A: Sometimes, the setting can give clues about the theme, but the theme is generally identified through the events and characters’ actions.
8. Q: How would you describe a character from a story you enjoy?
   A: I would describe the character by talking about their appearance, behavior, thoughts, and how they interact with others.
9. Q: What effect does alliteration have in a sentence?
   A: Alliteration can create rhythm, mood, and emphasis in a sentence, making it more memorable.
10. Q: Can personification change the mood of a story? How?
    A: Yes, personification can change the mood by making the scene more vivid and emotional, such as describing a storm as “angry.”
11. Q: How does a well-developed setting enhance the story?
    A: A well-developed setting helps the reader visualize the world of the story and understand the context in which the characters live.
12. Q: What role does characterization play in understanding the theme?
    A: Characterization helps reveal the theme through the actions, thoughts, and development of the characters.
13. Q: Can you find an example of personification in a poem or story you know?
    A: An example could be “The sun smiled down on us,” where the sun is given the human ability to smile.
14. Q: How does using figures of speech like alliteration enhance the quality of prose?
    A: Figures of speech like alliteration add musicality, emphasis, and mood to the writing, making it more engaging.
15. Q: In what ways can the theme influence the characters’ decisions in a story?
    A: The theme often guides the moral choices and actions of the characters, reflecting the central message of the story.

Presentation:

Step 1: Begin by revising the previous topic on prose features and figures of speech, asking students to recall what they learned.
Step 2: Introduce the new topic by explaining the importance of setting, theme, characterization, and figures of speech in prose. Use examples from well-known literature.
Step 3: Allow students to contribute by identifying these features and figures of speech in new examples provided during the lesson. Correct and guide them as necessary.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Guide the students through the definitions and examples of prose features and figures of speech.
• Provide different examples from literature and discuss them with the class.
• Encourage students to participate by asking them to identify features and figures of speech in sample texts.

Learners’ Activities:

• Participate in discussions by answering questions and providing examples.
• Work in groups to identify features and figures of speech in given passages.
• Share their findings with the class.

Evaluation Questions:

1. What is the setting of a story?
2. How can you identify the theme in a piece of prose?
3. What is the main purpose of characterization in literature?
4. Give an example of alliteration.
5. What does personification do in a story?
6. Why is the theme important in understanding the story?
7. How does setting contribute to the overall narrative of a story?
8. Explain the difference between alliteration and personification.
9. What role does characterization play in the development of a theme?
10. Provide an example of personification from a story or poem.

Conclusion:

The teacher will review the key points of the lesson, provide feedback on the students’ contributions, and assign a short passage for homework where students will identify the setting, theme, characterization, and any figures of speech used.