Basic 7 · Ghanaian Language · Noun
Common, Proper and Collective Nouns, the Three-Paragraph Essay and Play Songs
In this topic you will categorise nouns as common, proper and collective in your Ghanaian language, plan a three-paragraph narrative essay, and discuss play songs as a form of oral literature.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Categorise nouns into common, proper and collective and use them in sentences
- Plan a three-paragraph narrative essay with an introduction, body and conclusion
- Identify the components and purposes of play songs
What you already know
- Types of sentence structure
- Components of oral literature
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
- Noun
- Indicator
- B7.4.2.1.1 – Categorize nouns under common proper and collective and use them correctly in speech and in texts
Introduction
Nouns are naming words. In every Ghanaian language, some nouns name general things, some name particular people and places, and some name groups.
1. Common Nouns
Common noun: A general name for a person, place, animal or thing.
Twi examples: "abɔfra" (child), "dua" (tree), "kurom" (town), "akokɔ" (fowl), "nwoma" (book). Common nouns do not begin with capital letters unless they start a sentence.
2. Proper Nouns
Proper noun: The particular name of a person, place, river, day or thing. It begins with a capital letter.
Examples: Kofi, Ama, Kumasi, Akosombo, Pra (a river), Odwira (a festival), Yawda (Thursday in Twi). Proper nouns are written with a capital letter in Ghanaian languages, just as in English.
3. Collective Nouns
Collective noun: A name for a group of people, animals or things considered as one unit.
| Twi | Meaning |
|---|---|
| abusua | family or clan |
| asafo | a group of warriors or a company |
| dɔm | a crowd or multitude |
| kuo | a group or association |
| nnipa kuo | a group of people |
4. Using Nouns in Sentences
| Sentence | Kind of noun |
|---|---|
| Abɔfra no rekɔ sukuu. (The child is going to school.) | common: abɔfra, sukuu |
| Kofi te Kumasi. (Kofi lives in Kumasi.) | proper: Kofi, Kumasi |
| Asafo no resa. (The Asafo company is dancing.) | collective: asafo |
5. Why Categorising Nouns Matters
Knowing the kinds of nouns helps you to spell correctly, especially to use capital letters for proper nouns, and to choose the right words in speech and writing. It also helps you translate accurately between your Ghanaian language and English.
New words
- common noun
- A general name for a person, place or thing.
- proper noun
- A particular name that begins with a capital letter.
- collective noun
- A name for a group considered as one.
- capital letter
- A large letter used to begin names and sentences.
Summary
- Common nouns are general names; proper nouns are particular names written with capital letters.
- Collective nouns such as abusua and asafo name groups.
- Categorising nouns helps with spelling, word choice and translation.
Class activity: Noun Sorting
- Write twenty nouns in your Ghanaian language on cards.
- Sort them into common, proper and collective nouns.
- Use one noun from each group in a sentence.
You need: Calabash, Woven basket, Printed noun cards
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which is a proper noun?
- A. Kumasi
- B. dua
- C. abɔfra
- D. kurom
Show answer
Answer: KumasiA particular place.2. "Abusua" is an example of a…
- A. collective noun
- B. proper noun
- C. verb
- D. adjective
Show answer
Answer: collective nounFamily group.3. Proper nouns begin with capital letters.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueNames of particular things.4. A general name for a person, place or thing is a ______ noun.
Show answer
Answer: commone.g. dua.5. Give two examples each of common, proper and collective nouns in your language.
Show answer
Answer: e.g. common: dua, nwoma; proper: Kofi, Pra; collective: abusua, dɔm.Any correct examples.6. Why is it important to know the kinds of nouns when translating?
Show answer
Answer: It helps you keep capital letters for proper nouns and choose correct equivalent words for groups and things.Accuracy.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Writing
- Sub-strand
- Narrative 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. In a three-paragraph essay, the story is organised into a clear beginning, middle and end.
1. Parts of a Three-Paragraph Essay
| Paragraph | Purpose | What to include |
|---|---|---|
| 1. introduction | introduces the story | when, where, who; a hook to catch attention |
| 2. body | tells the main events | events in order, details, dialogue, the problem |
| 3. conclusion | ends the story | how it ended, feelings and the lesson learned |
2. Features of a Narrative
- It tells events in time order.
- It is usually in the past tense.
- It has characters and a setting.
- It has a problem (conflict) and a solution.
- It uses descriptive words and sometimes dialogue.
- It ends with a lesson or reflection.
3. A Sample Plan: "The Day I Got Lost at the Market"
| Paragraph | Main points |
|---|---|
| introduction | Saturday morning; went with mother to Kejetia market; very crowded |
| body | stopped to watch a man selling toys; mother disappeared; I cried; a kind trader helped me; she announced on the market loudspeaker |
| conclusion | mother found me; I was happy; I learned to stay close to adults in crowded places |
4. Writing in Your Ghanaian Language
When writing in your Ghanaian language, use correct spelling with special letters, appropriate linking words (such as "afei" and "awieɛ koraa" in Twi), proverbs where suitable, and expressions that sound natural to native speakers. Avoid translating English expressions word for word.
5. Checking Your Essay
After writing, read your essay aloud. Check that each paragraph has one purpose, the events are in order, the spelling is correct and the ending gives a lesson or feeling. Make corrections neatly.
New words
- narrative essay
- An essay that tells a story.
- introduction
- The opening paragraph that sets the scene.
- conclusion
- The final paragraph that ends the story.
- hook
- An interesting opening that catches the reader's attention.
Summary
- A three-paragraph essay has an introduction, a body and a conclusion.
- Narratives tell events in order, in the past tense, with characters, a problem and a lesson.
- Plan your essay before writing and check it carefully afterwards.
Class activity: Essay Planning
- Choose a personal experience to write about.
- Plan three paragraphs using the table format.
- Share your plan with a partner for comments.
You need: Printed Ghanaian-language model text, Exercise books, Pencils
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The paragraph that tells the main events is the…
- A. body
- B. introduction
- C. conclusion
- D. title
Show answer
Answer: bodyMiddle paragraph.2. A narrative essay is usually written in the…
- A. past tense
- B. future tense
- C. command form
- D. question form
Show answer
Answer: past tenseEvents happened.3. The conclusion often gives a lesson or feeling.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueReflection.4. An interesting opening that catches attention is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: hookOpening technique.5. List the three parts of a three-paragraph essay and the purpose of each.
Show answer
Answer: Introduction: sets the scene; body: tells events; conclusion: ends and gives the lesson.Structure.6. Why should you avoid translating English expressions word for word when writing in your Ghanaian language?
Show answer
Answer: They may not sound natural or may change the meaning; native expressions are clearer.Natural language.
Lesson 3
- Strand
- Literature
- Sub-strand
- Play Songs
- Indicator
- B7.6.1.1.2 – Discuss the components of oral literature
Introduction
Children all over Ghana sing while they play. Play songs make games fun, teach rhythm and pass on the language and values of the community.
1. What Are Play Songs?
Play songs: Songs sung by children during games and recreation.
Play songs are usually short, repetitive and rhythmic. They are often sung in a circle or in lines, with clapping, stamping, jumping or dancing. Many are performed in the evening under the moonlight or during break time at school.
2. Examples of Play Songs and Games
| Song or game | People | How it is played |
|---|---|---|
| Kye Kye Kule | Akan (Fante) | a leader sings and others copy the words and actions, touching head, shoulders, waist and knees |
| Antoakyire | Akan | children sit in a circle; one runs round with a handkerchief and drops it behind someone while all sing |
| Ampe | many communities | girls jump and clap, shooting out one leg; the song keeps the rhythm |
| Pilolo | Ga | a hide-and-seek game where one person hides objects and others search |
3. Components in a Play Song
| Component | In play songs |
|---|---|
| performer | the lead singer (cantor) and the group |
| audience | other children, who usually join in |
| occasion | evening play, break time, moonlight games |
| text | short, repeated words, sometimes nonsense words |
| techniques | call and response, clapping, stamping, actions |
| purpose | fun, exercise, coordination, language learning, cooperation |
4. Values Taught by Play Songs
Play songs teach children to take turns, follow rules, cooperate and accept losing. Some songs mention good behaviour, respect for elders or warnings about danger. They also build vocabulary and correct pronunciation in the Ghanaian language, because children repeat the words many times.
New words
- play song
- A song sung during children's games.
- call and response
- A leader sings and the group answers.
- repetition
- Saying or singing the same words again and again.
- coordination
- Moving different parts of the body together smoothly.
Summary
- Play songs are short, rhythmic, repetitive songs sung during games.
- Their components include a leader and group, an occasion, short text and actions.
- They teach cooperation, rules, language and coordination.
Class activity: Play Song Performance
- Choose a play song from your community.
- Teach it to your group with its actions.
- Perform it and explain its components and values.
You need: Talking drum, Calabash rattle, Printed Ghanaian-language song cards
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Antoakyire is played…
- A. in a circle
- B. in a classroom only
- C. in water
- D. on a bicycle
Show answer
Answer: in a circleWith a handkerchief.2. Which technique is common in play songs?
- A. call and response
- B. reading from a book
- C. silence
- D. writing
Show answer
Answer: call and responseLeader and group.3. Play songs help children learn their language.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueThrough repetition.4. Saying the same words again and again is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: repetitionCommon in play songs.5. Name two play songs or games from your community and describe one.
Show answer
Answer: e.g. Antoakyire: children sit in a circle while one drops a handkerchief behind another.Any two.6. Explain three values children learn from play songs.
Show answer
Answer: Taking turns, following rules, cooperation (or accepting defeat).Any three.
Homework
- Write ten sentences in your Ghanaian language using common, proper and collective nouns.
- Write a three-paragraph narrative essay based on your plan.