Literature SHS 1 Semester 1 Week 2: Differentiating Oral and Written Literature (NaCCA Aligned) | Literature SHS 1 SEM 1 WEEK 2 (WASSCE & NaCCA Aligned)

NaCCA Aligned: SHS 1, Semester 1, Week 2

Introduction to the Two Worlds of Literature

Welcome to Week 2 of Literature-in-English, SHS 1. Last week, we established that literature is a mirror reflecting human life, culture, and experience. This week, we examine how these experiences are shared. Literature does not exist in a single format; it is expressed in two major, distinct ways: orally and in writing. Understanding the difference between oral literature and written literature is fundamental to appreciating Ghanaian and global literary heritage.

Our goal is not just to define these types, but to understand how the method of transmission—whether spoken or printed—changes the story itself, its ownership, and its impact on society.

1. Characteristics of Oral Literature (The Spoken Word)

Oral literature, often called Orature, is literature that is transmitted by word of mouth from one generation to the next. It existed long before writing systems were developed and remains a vibrant part of Ghanaian culture today.

Defining Features of Oral Literature:

• Transmission by Performance: It requires a speaker (the performer) and a listener (the audience). Think of a storyteller gathered around children in the evening. The performance context—gestures, tone, rhythm—is crucial.
• Communal Ownership: While an individual may perform it, the story, proverb, or song generally belongs to the entire community. It is shared cultural property.
• Flexibility and Variability: Oral texts are not fixed. They change slightly with every telling. The performer might adapt the details to suit the audience, the time of day, or the specific lesson they want to impart.
• Storage in Memory: It is stored not on paper, but in the collective memory of the people. This makes it vulnerable to loss if not actively practiced.

Ghanaian Examples of Oral Literature:

In the Ghanaian context, oral literature is everywhere. Consider these examples:

• Folktales and Myths: Stories of Kweku Ananse or origin myths explaining why certain animals behave as they do.
• Proverbs and Riddles: Short, pithy sayings (like "A bird that flies off the earth and lands on an anthill is still on the ground") used to convey deep wisdom.
• Musical Forms: Traditional dirges (funeral songs), praise songs, Highlife, and even modern Hip-life often rely heavily on traditional oral storytelling and performance styles.
• Performance Arts: Concert Party and traditional Cantata dramas are rooted in spoken, improvised performance.

2. Characteristics of Written Literature (The Fixed Text)

Written literature is defined as any literary work that is fixed in a physical or digital format, such as on paper, parchment, or a screen. The invention of writing fundamentally changed how stories endure and are consumed.

Defining Features of Written Literature:

• Transmission by Documentation: It requires reading, not necessarily performance. The communication is primarily between the author and the individual reader.
• Individual Authorship: Written works typically have a traceable, individual author (or group of authors). They are protected by copyright.
• Fixity and Permanence: Once published, the text is fixed. A novel published in 1970 remains exactly the same today, ensuring that the author’s original vision is preserved across time and distance.
• Access by Literacy: To access written literature directly, a person must be literate in the language of the text.

Ghanaian Examples of Written Literature:

Written literature is equally important in modern Ghana, extending beyond just fiction:

• Novels and Short Stories: Works by Ghanaian authors like Ama Ata Aidoo or Ayi Kwei Armah.
• Plays and Scripts: Written dramatic texts intended to be read or produced.
• Academic Texts: Textbooks, histories, and critical essays used in educational institutions like SHS 1.
• Modern Media: Graphic novels, published poetry collections, and digital articles.

3. Core Differences: Oral vs. Written

The differences between these two forms dictate how we study and appreciate them. They are summarized below:

4. Applying Knowledge: The Ghanaian Context and the Individual Portfolio

To truly differentiate between the two, we must apply this knowledge to real-world examples. Consider a Highlife song you hear on the radio versus a Shakespearean poem you read in a textbook. The song is dynamic and often improvised (Oral); the poem is unchangeable (Written).

For your formative assessment, you practiced identifying these differences, noting that a song is learned by hearing and performance, while a poem is learned by reading and reflection.

The Individual Portfolio: Tracking Your Literary Journey

As part of your year-long literary development, you are required to begin compiling an Individual Portfolio. This portfolio is a critical collection of your work that will demonstrate your understanding of concepts like the difference between oral and written literature.

Your first task for this portfolio is to capture the knowledge gained this week:

• Write a one-paragraph reflection summarizing the necessity of preserving Ghana’s oral literature tradition, even as written literature becomes dominant.
• Explain how the fixity of written literature (like textbooks) aids education, while the flexibility of oral literature (like folktales) preserves cultural immediacy.

This long-term project ensures that you not only learn concepts but also reflect on and document your learning journey, making meaningful connections between text and life, which is the ultimate objective of literature study in SHS 1.

NaCCA ALIGNED