Basic 7 · Ghanaian Language · Adjectives

Adjectives in Sentences, Writing Descriptive Essays and Components of Drama

In this topic you will construct sentences with several adjectives in the correct order, write a three-paragraph descriptive essay, and discuss the components of drama as written literature.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

Construct sentences using adjectives in the correct order
Write a three-paragraph descriptive essay with vivid details
Explain the components of drama

What you already know

Types of adjectives and descriptive essay planning
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

When we use more than one describing word, the order matters. Each Ghanaian language has its own natural order for adjectives and numbers.

1. Order of Adjectives in Twi

In Twi, the noun comes first, then the describing adjective, then the number, then the determiner (such as "no" for "the"). Example: "nkɔkɔ akɛseɛ mmiɛnsa no" means "the three big fowls". In English the order is reversed: determiner, number, adjective, noun.

Building a noun phrase

Part	Twi	English
noun	nkɔkɔ	fowls
adjective	akɛseɛ	big
number	mmiɛnsa	three
determiner	no	the
whole phrase	nkɔkɔ akɛseɛ mmiɛnsa no	the three big fowls

2. Sentences with Adjectives

Examples

Twi	English
Metɔɔ ntadeɛ fitaa mmienu.	I bought two white dresses.
Abɔfra ketewa no yɛ anigyeɛ.	The small child is happy.
Dua tenten no abu.	The tall tree has fallen.
Yɛwɔ nwoma foforɔ bebree.	We have many new books.

Chickens in a village compound

Figure 1: Fowls in the compound Write five sentences describing the picture using adjectives in the correct order.

3. Adjectives after "to be"

Adjectives can also describe the subject after the verb "yɛ" (to be) in Twi: "Aduane no yɛ dɛ." (The food is sweet.) "Ɔdan no yɛ kɛseɛ." (The building is big.) This is similar to English predicative adjectives.

4. Common Errors

Learners sometimes follow English order when writing Ghanaian languages, writing the adjective before the noun. Others forget to change the adjective for plural nouns. Read your sentences aloud; if they sound strange to a native speaker, check the order and the plural forms.

New words

noun phrase: A group of words built around a noun.
determiner: A word such as "the" or "this" that introduces a noun.
predicative adjective: An adjective after a verb such as "to be".
plural: More than one.

Summary

In Twi, the order is noun, adjective, number, determiner, as in "nkɔkɔ akɛseɛ mmiɛnsa no".
Adjectives can also follow "yɛ" to describe the subject.
Check order and plural forms to avoid copying English patterns.

Class activity: Phrase Builder

Use cards with nouns, adjectives, numbers and determiners.
Arrange them into correct noun phrases in your Ghanaian language.
Use each phrase in a sentence.

You need: Kente cloth sample, Printed adjective cards, Chalkboard, Chalk

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. "Dua tenten no" means…
- A. the tall tree
- B. the small tree
- C. three trees
- D. a red tree
Show answer
Answer: the tall treetenten = tall.
2. In "nkɔkɔ akɛseɛ mmiɛnsa no", the number is…
- A. mmiɛnsa
- B. nkɔkɔ
- C. akɛseɛ
- D. no
Show answer
Answer: mmiɛnsaThree.
3. In Twi, the adjective comes after the noun.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueNoun first.
4. A word such as "the" that introduces a noun is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: determinere.g. "no".
5. Translate into your language: "two white dresses".
Show answer
Answer: e.g. Twi: ntadeɛ fitaa mmienu.Correct order.
6. Why do learners sometimes put adjectives in the wrong order in Ghanaian languages?
Show answer
Answer: They follow English order, where adjectives come before nouns.English influence.

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

Now you will write the descriptive essay you planned. Your aim is to help the reader see your subject clearly through your words.

1. Writing the Introduction

Introduce your subject and give a general picture: what it is, where it is and why it is special. A good opening might be a comparison or a proverb: "Our market is like a beehive on Wednesdays; everyone is busy."

2. Writing the Body

Describe the subject in detail, using a clear order such as from the entrance to the centre, or from morning to evening. Use the senses: what you see (colours, shapes), hear (voices, music), smell (food), taste and touch. Use vivid adjectives, ideophones and comparisons.

3. Writing the Conclusion

End with your feelings and why the subject matters to you or the community: "When I leave the market in the evening, my basket is heavy but my heart is light, because there I feel the life of my town."

A woman carrying goods on her head at a market

Figure 2: Market life Write the body paragraph of your descriptive essay.

4. Model Essay (translated into English)

Introduction: "Lake Bosomtwe lies in a deep bowl surrounded by green hills, about thirty kilometres from Kumasi. It is the most peaceful place I have ever visited."

Body: "In the early morning, a thin mist floats above the still water. Fishermen glide across on wooden planks called padua, paddling with their hands. Birds call from the trees, and the air smells of wet leaves and wood smoke from the villages. When the sun rises higher, the water shines like a mirror, reflecting the hills and the blue sky."

Conclusion: "Whenever I think of Lake Bosomtwe, I feel calm. It reminds me that nature is a gift we must protect."

5. Editing Your Essay

Check that each paragraph has one purpose, the description follows a clear order, the adjectives are in the correct position, and the spelling uses special letters correctly.

New words

vivid: Very clear and lively.
mist: A thin cloud of tiny water drops near the ground.
reflect: To show an image, as a mirror does.
order of description: The planned sequence used in describing.

Summary

Introduce the subject, describe it in detail using the senses, and conclude with feelings.
Use a clear order, vivid adjectives, ideophones and comparisons.
Edit for paragraph purpose, adjective order and correct spelling.

Class activity: Descriptive Writing

Write your three-paragraph descriptive essay in your Ghanaian language.
Underline the sensory details.
Read it aloud to a partner, who identifies the main impression.

You need: Printed Ghanaian-language model text, Exercise books, Pencils

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. Which sentence appeals to sound?
- A. Birds call from the trees.
- B. The water shines like a mirror.
- C. The hills are green.
- D. Mist floats above the water.
Show answer
Answer: Birds call from the trees.Hearing.
2. The fishermen on Lake Bosomtwe paddle on wooden planks called…
- A. padua
- B. canoes
- C. kente
- D. ampe
Show answer
Answer: paduaFrom the model essay.
3. The conclusion of a descriptive essay can give the writer's feelings.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TruePersonal response.
4. Very clear and lively description is ______.
Show answer
Answer: vividLively.
5. Write an opening sentence for a descriptive essay about your school.
Show answer
Answer: e.g. My school stands on a quiet hill surrounded by mango trees. (any suitable answer)Introduction.
6. How do comparisons make a description more effective?
Show answer
Answer: They link the subject to something familiar, helping the reader picture it clearly.Imagery.

Lesson 3

Strand: Literature
Sub-strand: Drama
Indicator: B7.6.1.1.3 – Discuss the components of written literature (drama)

Introduction

Drama is literature written to be performed on stage. In drama, characters speak and act out the story in front of an audience.

1. What Is Drama?

Drama: A form of literature written to be performed by actors before an audience.

Plays in Ghanaian languages are performed at schools, festivals, on radio and on television. Many tell stories about family life, tradition, greed, love and social problems.

2. Components of Drama

Components

Component	Meaning
playwright	the person who writes the play
plot	the sequence of events
characters	the people in the play, played by actors
dialogue	the words spoken by the characters
acts and scenes	the main divisions of the play
stage directions	instructions for actors on movement, tone and setting, often in brackets
setting	the time and place of the action
costume and props	clothes and objects used on stage
theme	the main message
audience	the people who watch the play

Actors performing a play on stage

Figure 3: Drama on stage Draw a stage and label the actors, props and audience.

3. Drama and Prose Compared

Differences

Drama	Prose
written to be performed	written to be read
story told through dialogue and action	story told by a narrator
divided into acts and scenes	divided into chapters
has stage directions	has descriptions

4. Types of Drama

A tragedy is a serious play that ends sadly, often with the downfall of the main character. A comedy is a light play that makes people laugh and usually ends happily. Many Ghanaian plays mix both, using humour to teach serious lessons, as in concert party performances.

New words

drama: Literature written to be performed.
playwright: A person who writes plays.
stage directions: Instructions for actors in a play.
tragedy: A serious play with a sad ending.

Summary

Drama is literature written to be performed before an audience.
Its components include the playwright, plot, characters, dialogue, acts, scenes, stage directions, setting, costume, props and theme.
Drama differs from prose because it is told through dialogue and action.

Class activity: Short Play

Write a short scene in your Ghanaian language with three characters.
Include dialogue and stage directions.
Perform the scene for the class.

You need: Printed Ghanaian-language play script, Locally made role-play props, Printed character cards

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. The person who writes a play is the…
- A. playwright
- B. actor
- C. audience
- D. narrator
Show answer
Answer: playwrightWriter of drama.
2. Instructions for actors on how to move and speak are called…
- A. stage directions
- B. acts
- C. dialogue
- D. props
Show answer
Answer: stage directionsOften in brackets.
3. A comedy usually ends happily.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueLight and funny.
4. The words spoken by characters in a play are called ______.
Show answer
Answer: dialogueConversation.
5. State three differences between drama and prose.
Show answer
Answer: Drama is performed, uses dialogue and action, and has acts and stage directions; prose is read, has a narrator and chapters.Any three.
6. Why do many Ghanaian plays mix comedy and serious lessons?
Show answer
Answer: Humour keeps the audience interested while the play teaches important values.Entertainment and teaching.

Homework

Write five sentences using three or more adjectives in the correct order.
Read a short play in your Ghanaian language and list its characters and setting.