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GNS 201 Lecture Note

The document covers essential aspects of English grammar, essay writing, and literary analysis. It includes rules of grammar, types of essays, comprehension techniques, and a summary of the play 'Gods Are Not to Blame' by Ola Rotimi, highlighting its themes, characters, and moral lessons. The content serves as a comprehensive guide for understanding English language and literature.

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Abdulmalik Haruna
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12 views4 pages

GNS 201 Lecture Note

The document covers essential aspects of English grammar, essay writing, and literary analysis. It includes rules of grammar, types of essays, comprehension techniques, and a summary of the play 'Gods Are Not to Blame' by Ola Rotimi, highlighting its themes, characters, and moral lessons. The content serves as a comprehensive guide for understanding English language and literature.

Uploaded by

Abdulmalik Haruna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GNS 201: Use of English – Lecture Note

1. Rules of Grammar
a. Parts of Speech

- Nouns – Names of people, places, things, or ideas (e.g., boy, Kano, happiness).

- Pronouns – Words that replace nouns (e.g., he, she, it).

- Verbs – Action or state of being (e.g., run, is).

- Adjectives – Describe nouns (e.g., beautiful, tall).

- Adverbs – Modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs (e.g., quickly, very).

- Prepositions – Show relationship between words (e.g., on, in, under).

- Conjunctions – Join words or groups of words (e.g., and, but).

- Interjections – Express emotions (e.g., Wow! Oh!).

b. Sentence Structure

- Simple sentence – One independent clause (He reads).

- Compound sentence – Two independent clauses joined by a conjunction (He reads and she
writes).

- Complex sentence – One independent clause and one or more dependent clauses
(Although he was tired, he read).

c. Tenses

- Present, Past, and Future Tense – Used to indicate time. (I read, I read (past), I will read)

d. Subject-Verb Agreement

- Singular subject = Singular verb (He goes).

- Plural subject = Plural verb (They go).

2. Essay Writing
a. Types of Essay

- Narrative Essay – Tells a story.


- Descriptive Essay – Describes something in detail.

- Expository Essay – Explains or informs.

- Argumentative Essay – Presents arguments for or against an issue.

b. Structure of an Essay

- Introduction – Introduce the topic and thesis.

- Body Paragraphs – Develop the main ideas with examples.

- Conclusion – Summarize the main points and restate the thesis.

c. Essay Writing Tips

- Plan before writing.

- Stay on topic.

- Use transition words.

- Avoid grammatical errors.

3. Denotative and Connotative Meaning


a. Denotative Meaning

- The literal, dictionary meaning of a word. (Home – A place where one lives.)

b. Connotative Meaning

- The emotional or cultural meaning attached to a word. (Home – Warmth, comfort, love.)

c. Importance

- Helps in understanding language deeply.

- Useful in literary analysis and creative writing.

4. Comprehension and Summary Writing


a. Comprehension

- Reading a passage and understanding the main idea and supporting details.

Techniques:

- Skim and scan.


- Identify keywords.

- Understand context.

b. Summary Writing

- Reducing a text to its main points using your own words.

Tips:

- Avoid repetition.

- Use linking words.

- Be clear and concise.

- Maintain the original meaning.

5. Appreciative Literature: Gods Are Not to Blame


Author: Ola Rotimi

Genre: Tragedy (Drama)

Setting: Yoruba kingdom (Africanized setting of ancient Thebes)

Plot Summary

The play follows the life of King Odewale, a man fated by the gods to kill his father and
marry his mother. In trying to escape his destiny, he unknowingly walks right into it. Born
to King Adetusa and Queen Ojuola, he is taken away at birth to avoid the prophecy. Raised
by strangers, he later kills a man in self-defense (his real father) and marries the man's
widow (his mother), fulfilling the prophecy.

Themes

- Fate vs Free Will

- Ignorance and Knowledge

- Leadership and Responsibility

- Tradition and Culture

Characters

- Odewale – Protagonist, king, tragic hero.

- Ojuola – Queen and mother/wife of Odewale.


- Baba Fakunle – Blind seer, prophet who reveals the truth.

- Alaka – Odewale’s childhood friend.

- King Adetusa – Former king and Odewale’s biological father.

Language and Style

- Rich in Yoruba proverbs, African oral tradition, and dramatic irony.

- Mix of formal and informal speech to reflect different characters and situations.

Literary Devices

- Irony – The audience knows Odewale’s identity before he does.

- Symbolism – The plague in the land symbolizes moral decay.

- Foreshadowing – Early prophecies hint at the tragic end.

Moral Lessons

- You cannot run from fate.

- Leadership requires honesty and courage.

- Knowledge of one's roots is important.

- The gods are not to blame for human actions—we are responsible for our choices.

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