JAMB 2016 Literature in English · Question 13

This question is based on General Literary Principles. A literary work that teaches moral is said to be

Options

  1. A.didactic
  2. B.instructive
  3. C.corrective
  4. D.impressive

Answer: A. didactic

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the literary term for a work whose purpose is to teach a moral lesson.

Step 2: Explain the concept The word didactic comes from the Greek didaskein, meaning "to teach." A didactic work is written mainly to instruct or to convey a moral, ethical, or religious lesson. Examples include fables, parables, proverbs, and morality plays. Many Nigerian folktales that end with "the moral of the story is..." are didactic.

Step 3: Examine the options

  • A. Didactic: This is the correct technical term for literature that teaches morals.
  • B. Instructive: This is an ordinary English word meaning "informative." It is not a literary term, and it doesn't specifically imply moral teaching.
  • C. Corrective: This describes something that fixes errors. It is not a standard term for classifying literature.
  • D. Impressive: This means something that leaves a strong impression. It has nothing to do with moral teaching.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is A. didactic.

Tip: Link didactic with "teach". If a JAMB question mentions a work that teaches, instructs, or preaches morals, think didactic. Don't confuse it with satire, which mocks vices to correct them, or allegory, which uses symbols to carry a deeper meaning.

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