Basic 7 · Ghanaian Language · Adjectives
Types of Adjectives, Descriptive Essays and Analysing a Short Story
In this topic you will categorise adjectives into their types in your Ghanaian language, plan a three-paragraph descriptive essay, and analyse a short story using the components of prose.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Categorise adjectives into types and use them in simple sentences
- Plan and write a three-paragraph descriptive essay
- Analyse the plot, setting, characters and theme of a short story
What you already know
- Nouns and pronouns
- Components of prose
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Language & Usage
- Sub-strand
- Adjectives
- Indicator
- B7.4.2.1.3 – Categorize adjectives into their types and construct simple sentences with them
Introduction
Adjectives describe nouns. They tell us what kind, how many, which one or what colour. In many Ghanaian languages, the adjective comes after the noun it describes.
1. Position of Adjectives
In English we say "a big house", but in Twi we say "dan kɛseɛ" (house big). In Ewe we say "xɔ gã" (house big). The adjective follows the noun. When the noun is plural, some adjectives also change: "dan kɛseɛ" (a big house) becomes "adan akɛseɛ" (big houses) in Twi.
2. Types of Adjectives
| Type | Twi | English |
|---|---|---|
| quality | papa, bɔne, fɛfɛ | good, bad, beautiful |
| size | kɛseɛ, ketewa | big, small |
| colour | tuntum, fitaa, kɔkɔɔ | black, white, red |
| number | baako, mmienu, mmiɛnsa | one, two, three |
| quantity | bebree, kakra | many/much, a little |
| demonstrative | yi, no | this, the/that |
3. Using Adjectives in Sentences
| Twi | English |
|---|---|
| Ama wɔ ntadeɛ fitaa. | Ama has a white dress. |
| Mepɛ ankaa kɛseɛ baako. | I want one big orange. |
| Abɔfra ketewa no resu. | The small child is crying. |
| Nnipa bebree baa ayie no ase. | Many people came to the funeral. |
4. Choosing Good Adjectives
Adjectives make speech and writing vivid. Instead of saying only "aduane" (food), say "aduane dɛdɛ" (sweet, tasty food). However, do not use too many adjectives at once. Choose the ones that give the clearest picture.
5. Adjectives Formed from Other Words
Some adjectives are formed from verbs or nouns, or by repeating a word. In Twi, repeating an adjective can strengthen it: "kɔkɔɔ kɔkɔɔ" means "very red", and "kakra kakra" means "little by little". Some adjectives come from verbs, such as "foforɔ" (new). Listen to how elders and storytellers use these forms to make descriptions more powerful.
New words
- adjective
- A word that describes a noun.
- quality adjective
- An adjective that describes what something is like.
- number adjective
- An adjective that tells how many.
- demonstrative adjective
- An adjective that points out a noun, such as "this".
Summary
- In many Ghanaian languages, adjectives come after the noun, as in "dan kɛseɛ".
- Types include quality, size, colour, number, quantity and demonstrative adjectives.
- Well-chosen adjectives make speech and writing vivid.
Class activity: Describe and Guess
- Choose an object in the classroom without telling your partner.
- Describe it using three adjectives in your Ghanaian language.
- Your partner guesses the object.
You need: Kente cloth sample, Printed adjective cards, Chalkboard, Chalk
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. In Twi, "tuntum" means…
- A. black
- B. white
- C. red
- D. small
Show answer
Answer: blackColour adjective.2. "Dan kɛseɛ" shows that in Twi the adjective comes…
- A. after the noun
- B. before the noun
- C. at the end of the paragraph
- D. nowhere
Show answer
Answer: after the nounWord order.3. "Mmiɛnsa" is a number adjective.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueIt means three.4. A word that describes a noun is an ______.
Show answer
Answer: adjectiveDescribing word.5. Write two sentences in your language using colour and size adjectives.
Show answer
Answer: e.g. Twi: Ama wɔ ntadeɛ fitaa. Abɔfra ketewa no resu.Correct sentences.6. Explain one difference between adjective position in English and in many Ghanaian languages.
Show answer
Answer: In English adjectives come before the noun; in Twi and Ewe they come after the noun.Word order.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Writing
- Sub-strand
- Descriptive Writing
- Indicator
- B7.5.1.1.2 – Develop a three-paragraph essay using the features of a given text type
Introduction
A narrative essay tells a story, but a descriptive essay paints a picture. It describes a person, place, object or event so clearly that the reader can see, hear and feel it.
1. Features of a Descriptive Essay
| Feature | Explanation |
|---|---|
| clear subject | one person, place, object or event |
| sensory details | sight, sound, smell, taste and touch |
| vivid adjectives | well-chosen describing words |
| figurative language | similes, proverbs and comparisons |
| logical order | from general to particular, or near to far |
| main impression | the overall feeling, such as peaceful or busy |
2. Structure
| Paragraph | Content |
|---|---|
| introduction | name the subject and give a general picture |
| body | give detailed descriptions using the senses |
| conclusion | give your feelings and why the subject matters |
3. A Sample Plan: "Our Village Market"
| Paragraph | Points |
|---|---|
| introduction | the market at Agogo; held every Wednesday; the busiest day of the week |
| body | traders under umbrellas; heaps of yams and plantain; smell of fried fish; shouts of traders; colourful cloths |
| conclusion | I love the market because it brings the whole community together |
4. Using Your Ghanaian Language Well
Use rich vocabulary from your language, including ideophones (words that imitate sounds or movements), proverbs and comparisons. For example, in Twi, "kurukuruw" can describe something round, and "pɛɛ" emphasises exactness. Such words make descriptions lively and show mastery of the language.
5. Order in Description
Choose an order that helps the reader follow you. When describing a place, you can move from far to near, from the entrance to the centre, or from left to right. When describing a person, you can start with general appearance and move to details such as the face, clothes and manner. When describing an event, follow the time order from beginning to end. A clear order keeps the description organised.
New words
- descriptive essay
- An essay that paints a picture with words.
- sensory details
- Details that appeal to the five senses.
- ideophone
- A word that imitates a sound, movement or appearance.
- main impression
- The overall feeling a description creates.
Summary
- A descriptive essay describes one subject using sensory details and vivid language.
- It has an introduction, a descriptive body and a concluding paragraph with feelings.
- Ideophones, proverbs and comparisons make descriptions in Ghanaian languages lively.
Class activity: Senses Chart
- Choose a place in your community.
- List details for each of the five senses.
- Use the chart to plan a three-paragraph descriptive essay.
You need: Printed Ghanaian-language model text, Exercise books, Pencils
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. A descriptive essay mainly…
- A. paints a picture with words
- B. tells jokes
- C. gives instructions
- D. argues a case
Show answer
Answer: paints a picture with wordsDescription.2. Which detail appeals to smell?
- A. the smell of fried fish
- B. the shouts of traders
- C. colourful cloths
- D. heaps of yams
Show answer
Answer: the smell of fried fishSense of smell.3. A descriptive essay should focus on one subject.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueClear subject.4. A word that imitates a sound or movement is an ______.
Show answer
Answer: ideophonee.g. kurukuruw.5. List four features of a descriptive essay.
Show answer
Answer: Clear subject, sensory details, vivid adjectives, logical order (or figurative language, main impression).Any four.6. Why are ideophones useful in descriptive writing in Ghanaian languages?
Show answer
Answer: They capture sounds, shapes and movements vividly in a way that is natural to the language.Vividness.
Lesson 3
- Strand
- Literature
- Sub-strand
- Prose
- Indicator
- B7.6.1.1.3 – Discuss the components of written literature (prose)
Introduction
Once you know the components of prose, you can use them to study any story. In this lesson you will analyse a short story and discuss its message.
1. Short Story (translated from a Ghanaian-language text)
"Esi was the cleverest girl in her class, but she was very proud. She laughed at classmates who made mistakes and refused to help them. One day, the teacher announced a group project, and nobody wanted to work with Esi. She tried to do everything alone but fell sick the week before the project was due. Her classmate Adwoa, whom she had often laughed at, visited her with her mother and offered to help. Together they finished the project. Esi was ashamed of how she had treated Adwoa. From then on, she helped anyone who needed it, and she became the most loved girl in the school."
2. Analysing the Story
| Component | In the story |
|---|---|
| setting | a school and Esi's home, in the present day |
| main character | Esi, a clever but proud girl |
| other characters | Adwoa, Adwoa's mother, the teacher, classmates |
| conflict | Esi's pride makes her lonely when she needs help |
| climax | Esi falls sick and Adwoa offers to help |
| resolution | they finish the project and Esi changes |
| theme | pride leads to loneliness; kindness and humility win friends |
| point of view | third person |
3. Character Change
Esi is a round character because she changes. At the beginning she is proud and unkind. After Adwoa's kindness, she becomes humble and helpful. Adwoa is kind throughout, so she is a flat character in this short story. Writers often use character change to show the theme.
4. Relating the Story to Life
Good readers relate stories to their own lives. Ask: Do I know anyone like Esi? Have I ever been proud or unkind? What would I have done if I were Adwoa? The story teaches a value also found in the Akan proverb "Dua koro gye mframa a, ɛbu", which means "When a single tree faces the wind alone, it breaks." No one succeeds alone; we need one another.
New words
- analyse
- To study the parts of something carefully.
- resolution
- The way the problem in a story is solved.
- humility
- Not being proud; being modest.
- round character
- A character who changes during a story.
Summary
- Analyse a story by identifying its setting, characters, conflict, climax, resolution, theme and point of view.
- Character change often shows the theme of the story.
- Relating stories to real life helps us learn their values.
Class activity: Story Map
- Read a short story in your Ghanaian language.
- Complete a story map showing setting, characters, conflict, climax, resolution and theme.
- Present your story map to the class.
You need: Ghanaian-language storybook, Printed story-sequence cards, Printed character cards
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Who helped Esi with the project?
- A. Adwoa
- B. the teacher
- C. Esi's father
- D. a stranger
Show answer
Answer: AdwoaHer classmate.2. The theme of the story is…
- A. pride leads to loneliness
- B. football is fun
- C. rain is good
- D. money is everything
Show answer
Answer: pride leads to lonelinessMain message.3. Esi changed by the end of the story.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueShe became humble.4. Not being proud is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: humilityModesty.5. Identify the conflict in the story.
Show answer
Answer: Esi's pride made her lonely when she needed help with the project.The problem.6. Why is Esi described as a round character?
Show answer
Answer: She changes from proud and unkind to humble and helpful during the story.Character change.
Homework
- Write ten sentences in your Ghanaian language using different types of adjectives.
- Write a three-paragraph descriptive essay about a place in your community.