Composition: Writing a Report – An Accident I Witnessed (JSS 2)
Composition: Writing a Report – An Accident I Witnessed
JSS 2 Second Term Lesson Notes – Week 2
Lesson Details
- Subject: English Language
- Class: JSS 2
- Term: Second Term
- Week: 2
- Age: 11 – 13 years
- Topic: Composition – Writing a Report
- Sub-topic: An Accident I Witnessed
- Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioural Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Define a report and its purpose.
- Identify the key elements of an accident report.
- Organize ideas logically in writing a report.
- Use correct grammar and punctuation in report writing.
- Write a well-structured report on an accident they witnessed.
Keywords
- Report – A formal account of an event.
- Accident – An unexpected and unfortunate event.
- Eyewitness – A person who sees an event happening.
- Chronological Order – Arranging events in the order they happened.
- Formal Tone – Using professional and clear language in writing.
Set Induction (Entry Behaviour)
The teacher asks students if they have ever seen an accident and what their immediate reaction was. The teacher then explains that when accidents happen, it is important to report them accurately.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Sample accident reports
- Whiteboard and markers
- Chart showing the structure of a report
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
Students have learned about writing reports in the previous lesson. This lesson builds on that by focusing on a specific type of report—an accident report.
Embedded Core Skills
- Writing skills
- Critical thinking
- Communication skills
- Organizational skills
Lesson Content
Definition of a Report
A report is a structured piece of writing that presents facts about an event, incident, or topic. An accident report describes how an accident happened, including the time, location, cause, and impact.
Outline of an Accident Report
A well-organized accident report follows this structure:
- Title – A brief and clear heading (e.g., Report on a Road Accident at Ikeja Roundabout).
- Introduction – A short paragraph stating the nature of the accident, where and when it happened, and who was involved.
- Body – A detailed description of the accident in chronological order, including what led to it, how it happened, and its consequences.
- Conclusion – A summary of the incident and any recommendations or lessons learned.
Features of an Accident Report
A good accident report should:
- Be factual and objective.
- Provide specific details (date, time, location, people involved).
- Use simple, clear, and concise language.
- Follow a logical sequence of events.
- Use past tense, as it describes an event that already happened.
- Avoid personal opinions or emotional language.
Class Activity Discussion
10 FAQs with Answers
-
What is an accident report?
- It is a formal account of an accident that provides details of what happened.
-
What should be included in an accident report?
- The time, place, cause, events leading to the accident, and its effects.
-
Why is an accident report important?
- It helps authorities investigate, take action, and prevent future accidents.
-
What tense should be used in an accident report?
- Past tense because the accident has already happened.
-
Should opinions be included in an accident report?
- No, only factual details should be included.
-
How should events be arranged in a report?
- In chronological order (the order they happened).
-
Can an accident report include a recommendation?
- Yes, especially if it can help prevent future accidents.
-
What is the purpose of the title in a report?
- To briefly state the subject of the report.
-
How can one ensure clarity in a report?
- By using simple and straightforward language.
-
Who can write an accident report?
- Any eyewitness or concerned authority (e.g., police, school authorities).
Sample Report: An Accident I Witnessed
Report on a Road Accident at Ikeja Roundabout
Introduction
On Monday, February 12, 2025, at about 8:30 a.m., I witnessed a serious road accident at Ikeja Roundabout, Lagos. The accident involved a commercial bus and a motorcycle. It resulted in injuries to the motorcycle rider and a passenger.
Body
The accident occurred when the commercial bus, moving at high speed, tried to overtake another vehicle. Unfortunately, the driver did not notice the motorcycle ahead. As the bus attempted to change lanes suddenly, it hit the motorcycle, knocking the rider and his passenger onto the road.
Immediately, bystanders rushed to help, while traffic officers arrived to control the situation. The motorcycle rider sustained a deep cut on his forehead, and his passenger had minor bruises. A good Samaritan called an ambulance, which took the injured to the nearest hospital. The police also arrived to investigate the matter.
Conclusion
The accident was mainly caused by reckless driving and overspeeding. Drivers should be more careful and obey traffic rules to prevent such incidents. The authorities should also place more traffic signs in busy areas to ensure road safety.
Evaluation (Assessment Questions)
Fill in the blank with the correct option (a, b, c, or d):
-
A report is a structured piece of writing that presents ___.
a) Personal opinions
b) Factual information
c) Fictional stories
d) Rumors -
An accident report should include ___.
a) The writer’s emotions
b) The sequence of events
c) Imaginary details
d) A friendly greeting -
The body of an accident report should contain ___.
a) Jokes and entertainment
b) Details about how the accident happened
c) Personal opinions
d) Unrelated stories -
What should be avoided in an accident report?
a) Facts
b) Clear language
c) Personal opinions
d) Chronological order -
What is the purpose of an accident report?
a) To keep a record of accidents
b) To entertain readers
c) To express feelings
d) To confuse readers -
Which of these is a key feature of an accident report?
a) Fictional characters
b) Logical sequence
c) Lack of details
d) Informal tone -
What is the best way to write an accident report?
a) In past tense and factual manner
b) In present tense with exaggerations
c) In future tense with assumptions
d) In slang and informal words -
Who can write an accident report?
a) A police officer
b) An eyewitness
c) A journalist
d) All of the above -
What should the conclusion of an accident report contain?
a) A summary and recommendations
b) New unrelated facts
c) A poem about the accident
d) A personal story -
Which of these is NOT necessary in an accident report?
a) The date and time
b) The name of the accident victims
c) The cause of the accident
d) The order of events
Presentation Steps
- Introduction: The teacher explains accident reports and their importance.
- Development: The teacher discusses the outline and features using examples.
- Student Participation: Students share any accident they have witnessed and draft a report.
- Practice: Students write a short accident report using the correct format.
Conclusion
The teacher reviews key points, provides feedback on students’ reports, and emphasizes the importance of clear and factual reporting.