Genres of Literature – Prose, Drama and Poetry Lesson Note
This SS1 Literature lesson note covers Genres of Literature – Prose, Drama and Poetry for First Term, Week 2.
Learning Objectives
- At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Define the term genre.
- Explain the three major genres of Literature.
- Define Prose, Drama and Poetry.
- Identify the characteristics of Prose, Drama and Poetry.
- Give examples of works under each genre.
- State the differences between Prose, Drama and Poetry.
Lesson Note
INTRODUCTION
Literature is divided into different categories based on the way a literary work is written and presented. These categories are known as genres of Literature.
The three major genres of Literature are: Prose, Drama and Poetry. Each of these genres has its own characteristics and method of presentation.
For example, a novel is written mainly in paragraphs, a play is written to be performed by actors, while a poem is usually arranged in lines and stanzas.
MEANING OF GENRE
The word genre refers to a particular type or category of Literature. In Literature, genre helps us to group literary works according to their form, style and method of presentation.
There are three major genres of Literature: Prose, Drama and Poetry.
PROSE
Prose is a genre of Literature that is written in ordinary language and sentences and arranged mainly in paragraphs.
Unlike poetry, prose does not normally follow a particular arrangement of lines and stanzas.
Prose is commonly used to tell stories, describe events, present ideas and discuss human experiences.
Examples; Novels, Short Stories, Biographies, Autobiographies, Essays and Novellas.
Characteristics of Prose
1. It is usually written in sentences and paragraphs.
2. It normally contains characters and events.
3. It may have a plot or storyline.
4. It can be either fictional or non-fictional.
5. It may contain dialogue between characters.
6. It can describe people, places and events in detail.
Types of Prose
Prose can be divided into two major types:
1. Fiction – This is prose that is created mainly from the imagination of the writer.
Examples; Novels, Novellas and Short Stories.
2. Non-fiction – This is prose that is based mainly on real people, events or facts.
Examples; Biographies, Autobiographies, Essays and Diaries.
DRAMA
Drama is a genre of Literature that is written to be performed by actors before an audience.
Drama presents a story through dialogue, actions and movements of characters. Unlike prose, which is mainly meant to be read, drama is designed mainly for performance.
Examples; Plays, Stage Dramas, Radio Dramas and Television Dramas.
Characteristics of Drama
1. It is written to be performed.
2. It contains characters.
3. It makes use of dialogue.
4. It is usually divided into acts and scenes.
5. It involves actions and movements.
6. It may contain stage directions.
7. It presents conflicts between characters or groups.
8. It is performed before an audience.
Important Terms in Drama
Character: A person or figure represented in a play.
Dialogue: A conversation between two or more characters.
Act: A major division of a play.
Scene: A smaller division of an act.
Stage Direction: Instructions given by the playwright to guide actors and other people involved in the performance.
POETRY
Poetry is a genre of Literature in which thoughts, feelings, experiences and ideas are expressed through carefully selected and arranged words, usually in lines and stanzas.
Poetry often makes use of sound patterns, figures of speech and other literary devices to communicate its message. Examples; Lyric Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Dramatic Poetry, Epic Poetry and Elegy.
Characteristics of Poetry
1. It is usually arranged in lines and stanzas.
2. It makes use of figures of speech.
3. It may contain rhyme and rhythm.
4. It expresses feelings, thoughts and experiences.
5. It uses carefully selected words.
6. It may make use of imagery.
7. It is often shorter than prose.
8. It can deal with personal, social, cultural and political issues.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PROSE, DRAMA AND POETRY
Prose
Prose is normally written in sentences and paragraphs. It is mainly used for storytelling and presenting ideas.
Drama
Drama is written mainly to be performed by actors before an audience. It relies heavily on dialogue and action.
Poetry
Poetry is usually written in lines and stanzas and makes extensive use of rhythm, imagery and figures of speech.
Therefore, the major difference among the three genres is their form and method of presentation.
ELEMENTS OF PROSE
Some important elements commonly found in prose include:
1. Plot: Plot refers to the arrangement of events in a story.
2. Character: A character is a person or figure who takes part in the events of a story.
3. Setting: Setting refers to the time and place where the events of a story occur.
4. Theme: Theme is the main idea or message explored in a literary work.
5. Point of View: Point of view refers to the position from which a story is told.
6. Conflict: Conflict is the struggle or disagreement between characters, groups or opposing forces in a story.
ELEMENTS OF DRAMA
The major elements of drama include:
1. Plot; The sequence of events that make up the story of the play.
2. Character; The individuals who take part in the action of the play.
3. Dialogue; The conversation between characters.
4. Setting; The time and place in which the events of the play occur.
5. Conflict; The struggle between opposing characters, ideas or forces.
6. Stage Direction; Instructions that guide the actors on how to perform certain actions.
ELEMENTS OF POETRY
Important elements of poetry include:
1. Theme: The central idea or message of the poem.
2. Imagery: The use of words that create pictures or appeal to the senses of the reader.
3. Rhythm: The pattern of stressed and unstressed sounds in a poem.
4. Rhyme: The repetition of similar sounds, especially at the ends of lines.
5. Diction: The poet's choice of words.
6. Figures of Speech: Special ways of using language to create meaning or emphasis. Examples; Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Irony and Hyperbole.
SUMMARY
Genre refers to a particular type or category of Literature. The three major genres of Literature are Prose, Drama and Poetry.
Prose is written mainly in sentences and paragraphs and is commonly used for storytelling.
Drama is written to be performed by actors before an audience and makes use of dialogue, action and stage directions.
Poetry is usually arranged in lines and stanzas and uses carefully selected language, rhythm, imagery and figures of speech to express thoughts, feelings and experiences.
Evaluation
OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
Choose the correct answer from the options provided.
1. The word “genre” refers to a ______ of Literature
(a) character
(b) category
(c) sentence
(d) chapter
2. The three major genres of Literature are ______
(a) Novel, Essay and Story
(b) Prose, Drama and Poetry
(c) Comedy, Tragedy and Romance
(d) Fiction, Non-fiction and Biography
3. Prose is mainly written in ______
(a) lines and stanzas
(b) acts and scenes
(c) sentences and paragraphs
(d) verses and rhymes
4. Which of the following is an example of Prose?
(a) Novel
(b) Play
(c) Poem
(d) Chant
5. Drama is a form of Literature that is mainly written to be ______
(a) memorised
(b) performed
(c) sung
(d) narrated
6. The conversation between two or more characters in a play is called ______
(a) plot
(b) dialogue
(c) setting
(d) theme
7. Poetry is usually arranged in ______
(a) chapters and paragraphs
(b) acts and scenes
(c) lines and stanzas
(d) pages and chapters
8. Which of the following is a characteristic of Poetry?
(a) It always contains chapters
(b) It makes use of carefully selected words
(c) It must be performed on stage
(d) It contains only factual information
9. Instructions given by a playwright to actors during a performance are called ______
(a) stage directions
(b) dialogue
(c) narration
(d) stanza
10. Which of the following is NOT one of the three major genres of Literature?
(a) Prose
(b) Drama
(c) Poetry
(d) Comedy
Theory Questions
1. What is a genre of Literature? Name and explain the three major genres of Literature.
2. Define Prose, Drama and Poetry. State three characteristics of each.
3. Differentiate between Prose, Drama and Poetry.