JAMB Literature in English Syllabus

General Objectives

The Literature in English syllabus is designed to enable candidates to:

• stimulate and sustain candidates' interest in Literature in English
• create an awareness of the general principles of Literature and the functions of language
• appreciate literary works of all genres and across all cultures
• apply the knowledge of Literature in English to the analysis of social, political and economic events in the society

Detailed Literature in English Syllabus

5 topics. For each topic: what to study (contents) and the objectives you should be able to meet.

1. Drama

   Contents

   • Types of drama: Tragedy, Comedy, Tragicomedy, Melodrama, Farce, Opera
   • Dramatic techniques: Characterization, Dialogue, Flashback, Mime, Costume, Music/Dance, Décor/scenery, Acts/Scenes, Soliloquy/aside, Figures of Speech
   • Interpretation of the prescribed texts: Theme, Plot, Socio-political context, Setting

   Objectives — candidates should be able to:

   • identify the various types of drama
   • analyse the contents of the various types of drama
   • compare and contrast the features of different dramatic types
   • demonstrate adequate knowledge of dramatic techniques used in each prescribed text
   • differentiate between the styles of selected playwrights
   • determine the theme of any prescribed text
   • identify the plot of the play
   • apply the lessons of the play to everyday living
   • identify the spatial and temporal setting of the play

2. Prose

   Contents

   • Types: Fiction (Novel, Novella/Novelette, Short story); Non-fiction (Biography, Autobiography, Memoir); Faction (a combination of fact and fiction)
   • Narrative techniques/devices: Point of view (Omniscient/Third Person, First Person); Characterisation (Round, flat, foil, hero, antihero, etc.); Language
   • Textual analysis: Theme, Plot, Setting (Temporal/Spatial), Socio-political context

   Objectives — candidates should be able to:

   • differentiate between types of prose
   • identify the category that each prescribed text belongs to
   • analyse the components of each type of prose
   • identify the narrative techniques used in each of the prescribed texts
   • determine an author's narrative style
   • distinguish one type of character from another
   • determine the thematic pre-occupation of the author of the prescribed text
   • indicate the plot of the novel
   • identify the temporal and spatial setting of the novel
   • relate the prescribed text to real-life situations

3. Poetry

   Contents

   • Types: Sonnet, Ode, Lyrics, Elegy, Ballad, Panegyric, Epic, Blank Verse
   • Poetic devices: Structure, Imagery, Sound (Rhyme/Rhythm, repetition, pun, onomatopoeia, etc.), Diction, Persona
   • Appreciation: Thematic preoccupation, Socio-political relevance, Style

   Objectives — candidates should be able to:

   • identify different types of poetry
   • compare and contrast the features of different poetic types
   • determine the devices used by various poets
   • show how poetic devices are used for aesthetic effect in each poem
   • deduce the poet's preoccupation from the poem
   • appraise poetry as an art with moral values
   • apply the lessons from the poem to real-life situations

4. General Literary Principles

   Contents

   • Literary terms: foreshadowing, suspense, theatre, monologue, dialogue, soliloquy, symbolism, protagonist, antagonist, figures of speech, satire, stream of consciousness
   • Literary principles: Direct imitation in play, Versification in drama and poetry, Narration of people's experiences, Achievement of aesthetic value
   • Relationship between literary terms and principles

   Objectives — candidates should be able to:

   • identify literary terms in drama, prose, and poetry
   • identify the general principles of Literature
   • differentiate between literary terms and principles
   • use literary terms appropriately

5. Literary Appreciation

   Contents

   • Unseen passages/extracts drawn from Drama, Prose, and Poetry

   Objectives — candidates should be able to:

   • determine the literary devices used in a given passage/extract
   • provide a meaningful interpretation of the given passage/extract
   • relate the extract to true-life experiences

Recommended Texts

• Gbemisola, A. (2005). Naked Soles. Ibadan: Kraft.
• Hayward, J. (ed.) (1968). The Penguin Book of English Verse. London: Penguin.
• Johnson, R. et al (eds.) (1996). New Poetry from Africa. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
• Kermode, F. et al (1964). Oxford Anthology of English Literature, Vol. II. London: Oxford University Press.
• Nwoga, D. (ed.) (1967). West African Verse. London: Longman.
• Parker, E. W. (ed.) (1980). A Pageant of Longer Poems. London: Longman.
• Senanu, K. E. and Vincent, T. (eds.) (1993). A Selection of African Poetry. Lagos: Longman.
• Soyinka, W. (ed.) (1987). Poems of Black Africa. Ibadan: Heinemann.
• Abrams, M. H. (1981). A Glossary of Literary Terms (4th Edition). New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
• Emeaba, O. E. (1982). A Dictionary of Literature. Aba: Inteks Press.
• Murphy, M. J. (1972). Understanding Unseen: An Introduction to English Poetry and English Novel for Overseas Students. London: George Allen and Unwin Ltd.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the JAMB Literature in English syllabus structured?

It is organised into five sections: Drama, Prose, Poetry, General Literary Principles, and Literary Appreciation. The first three cover the genres and their prescribed texts, while the last two test literary terminology and the ability to analyse unseen passages.

How many topics does the JAMB Literature in English syllabus cover?

Five main topic areas: Drama, Prose, Poetry, General Literary Principles, and Literary Appreciation. Each carries its own contents and objectives, with the three genre sections also tied to a set of prescribed texts.

What are the main focus areas of the syllabus?

Knowing the types and techniques of drama, prose and poetry; identifying literary terms and devices; interpreting prescribed and unseen texts for theme, plot, setting and socio-political context; and relating literary works to real-life social, political and economic situations.

Does JAMB set prescribed (recommended) literary texts for Literature in English?

Yes. JAMB prescribes specific drama, prose and poetry texts (African, non-African and a Shakespearean drama) that candidates must study in detail. These prescribed texts are revised periodically per examination cycle, so always confirm the current list on the official JAMB IBASS e-syllabus before studying.

What is the difference between the prescribed texts and the recommended textbooks?

Prescribed texts are the actual literary works (plays, novels and poems) candidates are examined on. The recommended textbooks are reference and critical works — anthologies, glossaries and dictionaries of literary terms such as Abrams' A Glossary of Literary Terms and Murphy's Understanding Unseen — used to build analytical skills.

What is the Literary Appreciation section about?

It tests candidates on unseen passages or extracts taken from drama, prose and poetry. Candidates must identify the literary devices used, give a meaningful interpretation of the extract, and relate it to true-life experiences — without having studied the passage beforehand.

What literary terms should candidates know for the General Literary Principles section?

Key terms include foreshadowing, suspense, theatre, monologue, dialogue, soliloquy, symbolism, protagonist, antagonist, figures of speech, satire and stream of consciousness, plus the underlying literary principles such as versification and direct imitation in drama.

How is Literature in English tested in the UTME?

It is an objective, multiple-choice paper that draws questions across all five sections — testing genre knowledge, literary terms, analysis of the prescribed texts, and interpretation of unseen extracts in the Literary Appreciation component.