JSS 2 English Language Revision Notes (Weeks 1-11)
Welcome back, students! This comprehensive revision guide covers the key topics we have treated from Week 1 to Week 11. Use this to prepare for your examinations and to strengthen your communication skills.
1. Grammar: Parts of Speech & Sentence Structure
A. Nouns and Pronouns
- Nouns: These are naming words. In JSS 2, we focus on Collective Nouns (groups) and Abstract Nouns (ideas/feelings).
- Collective: A pride of lions, a staff of teachers.
- Abstract: Bravery, happiness, poverty.
- Pronouns: Words used to avoid repeating nouns.
- Personal Pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, we, they.
- Possessive Pronouns: Mine, yours, hers, theirs.
B. Tenses (Present, Past, and Future)
Tenses tell us when an action happened.
| Tense | Example | Usage |
|---|
| Simple Present | Tunde eats rice every day. | Habitual actions. |
| Present Continuous | Tunde is eating rice now. | Action happening now. |
| Simple Past | Tunde ate rice yesterday. | Completed action. |
| Past Continuous | Tunde was eating when I arrived. | Action interrupted in the past. |
| Simple Future | Tunde will eat rice tomorrow. | Future intention. |
C. Active and Passive Voice
- Active Voice: The subject performs the action.
- Example: The hunter killed the bird.
- Passive Voice: The subject receives the action.
- Example: The bird was killed by the hunter.
2. Composition Writing
A. Narrative and Descriptive Essays
- Narrative: Tells a story. It must have a beginning, middle, and end.
- Descriptive: Paints a picture with words. You use many adjectives.
- Example: "The old, rusty gate creaked loudly in the wind" (Descriptive).
B. Letter Writing
There are two main types you must know:
1. Informal Letters (To friends, siblings, parents)
- Features: One address (top right), casual greeting (Dear Joy,), informal language, and "Yours sincerely" or "Best wishes."
2. Formal Letters (To Principals, Editors, Managers)
- Features:
- Your Address (Top right).
- Receiver’s Address (Left side).
- Date.
- Salutation (Dear Sir/Ma).
- Heading/Title (Capitalized and underlined).
- Formal body (No slangs).
- Closing (Yours faithfully,) + Full Name + Signature.
3. Literature-in-English
A. Genres of Literature
- Prose: Long stories written in chapters (Novels/Short stories).
- Drama: Stories written to be performed on stage (Plays). Uses Dialogue.
- Poetry: Written in stanzas and lines. Often uses rhyme and rhythm.
B. Figures of Speech
These are "spices" used to make language more interesting.
| Figure of Speech | Definition | Example |
|---|
| Simile | Comparison using "as" or "like". | He is as brave as a lion. |
| Metaphor | Direct comparison without "as/like". | He is a lion in battle. |
| Personification | Giving human qualities to objects. | The wind whistled through the trees. |
| Onomatopoeia | Words that sound like the noise they make. | The bang of the gun sca |
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