Content
- Reading and Writing- Reading strategies
- Oral Literature
The SPQ3R Technique
S- Survey or preview, the material you wish to study. Notice any graphs, charts or pictures. Notice the titles, major headings and sub headings. Try to develop a picture in your mind of what the text is about, As you do so, think about any knowledge you already have about the subject.
P- Try to predict what you think you are likely learn from the text
Q- Write Questions you expect to be answered. The best way of doing this is by turning headings into questions (use the WH- question words Who, What, When, Why and How?) Do not try to answer the questions yet!
R- Read the text and find and find the answers to your questions. If the book is your own, put a pencil mark in the margin where the answer appears.
R- Recite. The best way to do this is by writing a very short summary of what you have read in four or five sentences. Try to write down the answers to your questions, in your own words as far as possible.
R- Review. Read through what you have written, Repeat this a few days later. Then do so yet again some weeks later. Then do so yet again some weeks later. A quick glance at what you have written just before an exam will jog your memory- and get you full marks!
Skill Focus
There are different kinds of books. They include
- Text books: They are used to study your school subjects
- Reference books: You use these to find information that you need. Reference books include dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other books, such as the telephone directory.
- General books: These books are not for study; they are for enjoyment, or pleasure. They fall into two general categories:
a. Fiction: This books tells stories. they may be traditional African stories , like the palm oil daughter. Others are stories of modern life.
b. Non-fiction: These contains true information about the world. There are many different types of non fiction books, they may be about science, or sport, or the way people live. Some of them may be about famous people like Tai Solarin, Nelson Mandela or Muhammed Ali.
Oral Literature
Often used Oral literature includes drama, riddles, stories (including ‘trickster’ stories such as ijapa), histories, myth,songs and proverbs; and its to educate and entertain children. Oral histories, myths and legend also serve to remind communities of their ancestors’ heroic deeds
Types of oral literature
Legend: A story that people made up in the past in order to explain how the world or the human race began, or to justify religious beliefs or social customs.
History: A very old and popular story that may or may not be true.
Myth: An account of past events supported by evidence
Skills Focus
Translating oral literature
Traditional Nigerian songs vary a great deal-many are work songs;others are praise songs- or even blame songs!
Maybe you can think of examples of these song songs from your own community. Why not think of an example, and see if you can translate it into English?
Alternatively, you may prefer to translate some of the proverbs used by your community. For example, there is a wonderful Yoruba proverb which translates as follows: ‘Even the sharpest knife cannot carve its own handle’
This would be a good activity for you to try out during the holidays- it would be interesting to see, next term, how far you found it possible to translate some of these songs!
Assessment.
- List and explain the major types of oral literature.
- Explain the SPQ3R technique.
- Identify the different kinds of book we have.