INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF LITERATURE Lesson Note
This SS1 Literature lesson note covers INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF LITERATURE for First Term, Week 1.
Lesson Note
A. INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF LITERATURE.
Literature is an important part of human life. It is used to express people's experiences, thoughts, feelings, beliefs and ideas.
Through Literature, we learn about different people, cultures, societies and ways of life. Literature can also entertain us, teach us important lessons and help us understand the world around us.
The word Literature is derived from the Latin word “Litera”, which means letter or writing. Literature can be presented in both oral and written forms.
B. DEFINITION OF LITERATURE
Literature can be defined as the creative use of language to express human experiences, thoughts, feelings and ideas.
In simple terms, Literature is the study of creative works such as stories, poems and plays which reflect human life and experiences.
Literature can also be described as a collection of creative works produced by people to communicate ideas, emotions, experiences and messages.
Examples of Literature are folktales, proverbs, riddles, myths, legends, songs, chants, novels, poems, plays and short Stories.
C. ENGLISH LITERATURE AND LITERATURE-IN-ENGLISH
Although English Literature and Literature-in-English sound similar, they have different meanings.
English Literature
English Literature refers to literary works that belong mainly to the English literary tradition. It is concerned with works produced by English writers and works connected with the history, culture and development of literature in England.
Examples of English writers include William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.
Literature-in-English
Literature-in-English refers to literary works written in the English language by writers from different parts of the world.
It is not limited to England. Writers from Africa, America, the Caribbean, Asia and other parts of the world can produce Literature-in-English.
For example, Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart is Literature-in-English because it was written in English by a Nigerian writer and reflects African experiences and culture.
The major difference is that English Literature is associated mainly with the English literary tradition, while Literature-in-English covers literary works written in English by writers from different parts of the world.
Therefore, a Nigerian, Ghanaian, American or Caribbean writer can write Literature-in-English, but this does not necessarily make the work English Literature.
D. REASONS FOR STUDYING LITERATURE IN SCHOOLS.
There are several reasons why Literature is studied in schools.
i) It improves language skills:
Literature exposes students to new words, expressions and different ways of using language.
ii) It develops the imagination:
Reading Literature allows students to imagine people, places, events and situations beyond their immediate environment.
iii) It teaches moral lessons:
Many literary works teach lessons about honesty, courage, love, greed, betrayal, kindness, responsibility and other aspects of life.
iv) It helps students understand society
v) Literature reflects society and helps students understand different people, cultures, traditions and social problems.
vi) It encourages critical thinking:
Students learn to examine characters, events, themes and ideas carefully before forming their own opinions.
vii) It provides entertainment:
Literature can be enjoyable and entertaining through interesting stories, poems and plays.
viii) It preserves culture:
Literature helps to preserve the beliefs, customs, traditions and history of different people.
ix) It develops creativity:
Studying Literature can encourage students to become creative in writing stories, poems, plays and other forms of expression.
E. AIMS OF TEACHING LITERATURE
The teaching of Literature in schools aims to:
i) Develop students' interest in reading.
ii) Improve students' understanding and appreciation of literary works.
iii) Develop students' imagination and creativity.
iv) Improve students' use of the English language.
v) Help students understand different cultures and societies.
vi) Develop students' ability to analyse and interpret literary works.
vii) Expose students to different human experiences.
viii) Teach important moral and social values.
ix) Encourage students to think critically.
x) Prepare students for further studies in Literature, language and related fields.
F. ORIGIN OF LITERATURE.
Literature is as old as human society. Before the development of writing, people communicated their experiences, beliefs, history and traditions through spoken words. Parents, elders and community leaders passed information from one generation to another through storytelling, songs, proverbs, riddles and other forms of oral communication. This form of Literature is known as Oral Literature.
As writing developed, people began to record their stories, poems, plays, history and other creative works. This gave rise to Written Literature.
Therefore, Literature can be broadly divided into Oral Literature and Written Literature.
1. Oral Literature
Oral Literature is Literature that is passed from one person or generation to another mainly through spoken words.
Examples include: Folktales, Proverbs, Riddles, Myths, Legends, Songs and Chants.
2. Written Literature
Written Literature is Literature that is recorded in written form.
Examples include: Novels, Poems, Plays, Short Stories and Essays.
G. FORMS OF LITERATURE
There are three major forms of Literature. They are Prose, Poetry and Drama.
1. PROSE
Prose is a form of Literature that is written in ordinary language and sentences, rather than in lines and stanzas like poetry. Prose usually tells a story or presents ideas through paragraphs.
Examples of prose are Novels, Short Stories, Biographies, Autobiographies and Essays.
2. POETRY
Poetry is a form of Literature in which ideas, emotions, experiences and messages are expressed through carefully selected and arranged words, usually in lines and stanzas. Poetry often makes use of literary devices such as rhyme, rhythm, imagery, repetition and figures of speech.
Examples of poetry; Lyric Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Dramatic Poetry and Epic Poetry.
3. DRAMA
Drama is a form of Literature that is written to be performed by actors before an audience. It presents characters, events and conflicts through dialogue and actions. Drama is usually divided into acts and scenes.
Examples of drama: Plays, Stage Performances and Dramatic Scripts.
H. FUNCTIONS OF LITERATURE.
Literature performs many important functions in society.
i) Entertainment
Literature provides pleasure and enjoyment through stories, poems and plays.
ii) Education
Literature teaches people about life, society, culture and human experiences.
iii) Preservation of culture
Literature preserves the customs, traditions, beliefs and history of a people.
iv) Moral instruction
Literature teaches moral lessons and helps readers understand the consequences of good and bad actions.
v) Social criticism
Writers use Literature to expose and criticise problems in society such as corruption, injustice, oppression and inequality.
vi) Development of language
Reading Literature improves vocabulary, grammar, communication and writing skills.
vii) Historical record
Literature can preserve information about the experiences and important events of a society.
viii) Development of imagination
Literature helps readers to think creatively and imagine different situations and possibilities.
ix) Emotional development
Literature helps people understand different emotions and experiences such as love, sadness, happiness, fear and anger.
x) Promotion of understanding
Literature exposes people to different cultures and ways of life, thereby promoting understanding among people.
I. SUMMARY.
Literature is the creative use of language to express human experiences, thoughts, feelings and ideas. It can be presented orally or in written form.
English Literature is mainly connected with the English literary tradition, while Literature-in-English includes literary works written in English by writers from different parts of the world.
Literature is studied in schools because it improves language skills, develops imagination, teaches moral lessons, preserves culture and helps students understand society.
The three major forms of Literature are Prose, Poetry and Drama.
Literature also performs several functions, including entertainment, education, moral instruction, preservation of culture, social criticism and development of language.
Evaluation
Choose the correct answer from the options provided.
1. The word “Literature” is derived from the Latin word ______. (a) Litera
(b) Liter
(c) Letter
(d) Litter
2. Literature can best be defined as ______. (a) the study of numbers and calculations
(b) the creative use of language to express human experiences and ideas
(c) the study of plants and animals
(d) the study of government
3. Which of the following is an example of Oral Literature? (a) Novel
(b) Drama
(c) Folktale
(d) Essay
4. English Literature is mainly associated with ______. (a) Nigerian literary tradition
(b) English literary tradition
(c) African oral tradition
(d) American culture
5. Literature-in-English refers to literary works ______.
(a) written only by English people
(b) written only in England
(c) written in English by writers from different parts of the world
(d) written only by William Shakespeare
6. Which of the following is a reason for studying Literature in schools?
(a) To discourage reading
(b) To develop imagination and creativity
(c) To prevent communication
(d) To destroy culture
7. Literature that is written in ordinary language and sentences is known as ______.
(a) Poetry
(b) Drama
(c) Prose
(d) Chant
8. Literature that expresses ideas and emotions through carefully arranged words, lines and stanzas is called ______.
(a) Prose
(b) Poetry
(c) Drama
(d) Novel
9. A form of Literature written to be performed by actors before an audience is known as ______.
(a) Drama
(b) Prose
(c) Poetry
(d) Folktale
10. One important function of Literature is to ______.
(a) destroy culture
(b) discourage creativity
(c) preserve culture and educate society
(d) prevent people from communicating
Theory Questions
1. Define Literature and explain the difference between English Literature and Literature-in-English.
2. State five reasons why Literature is studied in schools and explain any three.
3. What are the three major forms of Literature? Define each of them and give two examples of each.