Language, Setting, and Characterization in Drama – JSS 2 Second Term Literature Lesson
Literature in English JSS 2 Second Term Lesson Notes – Week 4
Subject: Literature in English
Class: JSS 2
Term: Second Term
Week: 4
Age: 11 – 13 years
Topic: Language, Setting, and Characterization in the Recommended Drama Text
Sub-topic: Understanding Language, Setting, and Characterization in Drama
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioral Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Define language, setting, and characterization in drama.
- Identify the setting and language style used in the recommended drama text.
- Analyze the main characters in the recommended drama text.
- Explain how language, setting, and characterization contribute to the overall message of the play.
Keywords
- Language
- Setting
- Characterization
- Dialogue
- Diction
- Protagonist
- Antagonist
Set Induction
The teacher will ask students to describe their favorite drama or play and discuss how the location (setting) and characters influenced the story. This will introduce the concepts of setting, language, and characterization in drama.
Entry Behavior
Students have previously studied themes and plot in drama and are familiar with storytelling elements.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Copies of the recommended drama text
- Whiteboard and markers
- Character analysis charts
- Video clips or images related to drama performances
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
Students have encountered different language styles, settings, and characters in various stories, movies, and plays.
Embedded Core Skills
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Analysis of characters and setting
- Interpretation
Learning Materials
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- Approved JSS 2 Literature in English Textbooks
Reference Books
- Lagos State Scheme of Work for JSS 2
- The recommended drama text for JSS 2
- Online resources on drama analysis
Lesson Presentation
Step 1: Definition of Language, Setting, and Characterization in Drama
Teacher’s Activities:
- The teacher defines:
- Language: The style of speech and dialogue used by characters in a play.
- Setting: The time and place where the events of the drama occur.
- Characterization: The way a playwright develops characters through dialogue, actions, and interactions.
- The teacher gives examples of each term from familiar plays or movies.
Learners’ Activities:
- Students take notes and provide their own examples of language, setting, and characterization from plays they have watched or read.
Step 2: Identifying the Language Used in the Recommended Drama Text
Teacher’s Activities:
- The teacher explains that language in drama includes:
- Diction (choice of words)
- Dialogue (conversation between characters)
- Tone and Mood (emotions expressed)
- Figurative Language (use of similes, metaphors, and proverbs)
- The teacher guides students in identifying these elements in the recommended drama text.
Learners’ Activities:
- Students analyze excerpts from the drama text and discuss the playwright’s use of language.
- Students identify words or phrases that show emotions, status, or relationships between characters.
Step 3: Identifying the Setting of the Recommended Drama Text
Teacher’s Activities:
- The teacher explains that setting consists of:
- Physical Setting (location, environment, weather, buildings, etc.)
- Time Setting (historical period, season, time of day)
- Social Setting (culture, traditions, societal norms)
- The teacher guides students in describing the setting of the recommended drama text.
Learners’ Activities:
- Students discuss the setting of the drama text and how it influences the story.
- Students describe how the environment affects the characters’ actions.
Step 4: Analyzing Characterization in the Recommended Drama Text
Teacher’s Activities:
- The teacher defines characterization as the method used by a playwright to develop characters.
- The teacher explains different types of characters in drama:
- Protagonist – The main character, often the hero.
- Antagonist – The character opposing the protagonist.
- Foil – A character who contrasts with another to highlight their traits.
- Static Character – A character who does not change.
- Dynamic Character – A character who undergoes change.
- The teacher guides students in identifying the main characters in the recommended drama text.
Learners’ Activities:
- Students analyze the protagonist and antagonist in the play.
- Students discuss how characterization affects the development of the drama.
Evaluation Questions
-
What is the setting of a drama?
a) The people in the story
b) The time and place of the story
c) The title of the story
d) The dialogue in the story -
Which of the following is a function of language in drama?
a) To confuse the audience
b) To communicate ideas and emotions
c) To describe only the setting
d) To add unnecessary words to the play -
What is the main role of a protagonist?
a) To oppose the main character
b) To be the main character or hero
c) To cause problems in the story
d) To provide the setting of the play -
A character who changes during the course of the drama is called a ____.
a) Static character
b) Dynamic character
c) Antagonist
d) Foil -
Which of these is an example of social setting?
a) The weather in the story
b) The time of the story
c) The culture and traditions of the characters
d) The names of the characters -
The antagonist in a drama is the character who ____.
a) Supports the protagonist
b) Helps the audience understand the setting
c) Opposes the protagonist
d) Narrates the story -
The words spoken by characters in a play are called ____.
a) Narration
b) Dialogue
c) Monologue
d) Description -
Which of the following best describes diction in drama?
a) The arrangement of stage props
b) The words chosen by the playwright
c) The actions of the characters
d) The setting of the play -
How does language contribute to characterization in a play?
a) It confuses the audience
b) It reveals the personality of characters
c) It describes only the protagonist
d) It has no effect on the drama -
A drama set in a palace with kings and queens is an example of ____.
a) Social setting
b) Physical setting
c) Time setting
d) Characterization
Class Activity Discussion (FAQs and Answers)
-
What is the role of setting in a drama?
The setting creates the atmosphere and influences characters’ actions. -
Can a play have more than one setting?
Yes, plays often have multiple settings depending on the scenes. -
How does language affect a play?
Language expresses emotions, social status, and relationships between characters. -
Why is characterization important in drama?
It helps the audience understand the characters’ roles, emotions, and development. -
What is the difference between protagonist and antagonist?
The protagonist is the main character, while the antagonist opposes them.
Conclusion
The teacher summarizes the lesson and asks students to describe their favorite character from the recommended drama text, explaining their language, setting, and role in the play.