JSS 1 English Language Revision Notes (Weeks 1–11)

Welcome, Student! This revision guide covers the core topics you have studied this term. Use this to prepare for your examinations.

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🟢 Module 1: The Parts of Speech (The Building Blocks)

Words are categorized based on their function in a sentence.

1. Nouns (Naming Words)

A noun names a person, place, animal, thing, or idea.

• Proper Nouns: Specific names (always capitalized). Example: Lagos, Musa, Monday.
• Common Nouns: General names. Example: boy, city, table.
• Collective Nouns: Names for groups. Example: A flock of birds, a class of students.
• Abstract Nouns: Things you cannot touch (feelings/ideas). Example: Honesty, love, bravery.

2. Pronouns (The Substitutes)

Pronouns take the place of nouns to avoid repetition.

• Personal Pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, we, they.
• Possessive Pronouns: Mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs.
• Example: Ada is a girl. She is kind. (Instead of saying Ada twice).

3. Verbs (Action Words)

A verb tells us what the subject is doing or its state of being.

• Action Verbs: Run, jump, write, eat.
• Linking Verbs: Is, am, are, was, were.
• Tenses:
  • Present: I eat yam.
  • Past: I ate yam yesterday.
  • Future: I will eat yam tomorrow.

4. Adjectives (Describing Nouns)

Adjectives tell us more about a noun (size, color, shape, number).

• Example: The tall man wore a blue shirt.

5. Adverbs (Describing Verbs)

Adverbs tell us how, when, where, or how often an action happens.

• Manner (How): He ran quickly.
• Time (When): We will leave soon.
• Place (Where): Put the book there.

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🟡 Module 2: Sentence Structure & Punctuation

1. Types of Sentences

• Declarative (Statement): Tells something. Ends with a full stop (.).
  • Example: The sun rises in the east.
• Interrogative (Question): Asks something. Ends with a question mark (?).
  • Example: Have you done your homework?
• Imperative (Command/Request): Gives an order.
  • Example: Shut the door!
• Exclamatory (Strong Emotion): Shows surprise or anger. Ends with an exclamation mark (!).
  • Example: What a beautiful goal!

2. Punctuation Marks

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🔵 Module 3: Composition (Writing Skills)

1. Narrative Writing

This is telling a story. It can be real or imaginary.

• Key features: A beginning, a middle (climax), and an end. It usually uses Past Tense.
• Example: "The Day I Will Never Forget."

2. Descriptive Writing

This involves "painting a picture" with words so the reader can imagine the scene.

• Key features: Use of many adjectives and sensory details (smell, sight, sound).
• Example: "My School." (Describe the buildings, the trees, the noise of the playground).

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🔴 Module 4: Literature-in-English

Literature is the study of written works. There are three main branches (genres):

1. Prose: Long stories written in sentences and paragraphs (novels or short stories).
2. Poetry: Written in lines and stanzas. It often uses rhythm and rhyme.
3. Drama: A story written to be performed on stage. It uses dialogue (characters talking) and stage directions.

Key Literary Terms:

• Protagonist: The main "good" character (hero).
• Antagonist: The character who opposes the hero (villain).
• Theme: The main message or lesson of the story.

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✍️ Practice Exercises

A. Identify the Part of Speech for the underlined words:

1. Chidi ran quickly to the market. (__________)
2. She bought a beautiful dress. (__________)
3. Alas! The king is dead. (__________)
4. They went to the cinema. (__________)

B. Punctuate the following sentence: where are you going muna asked mother (Answer: "Where are you going?" Muna asked Mother.)

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💡 Study Tip:

Read a short story every day. This helps you understand how nouns, verbs, and punctuation work together in real life!

Good luck with your revision!