Jamb Syllabus for Literature in English: Of course! Here is a detailed explanation of the JAMB syllabus for Literature in English, designed to be your ultimate guide and to make your preparation as effective as possible.
Think of the JAMB Literature in English syllabus as your official roadmap to acing the literature section of the exam. Its main job is to tell you exactly what you need to study, so you don’t waste a single minute on topics that won’t be tested. It’s not there to scare you; it’s actually your best friend in this process. The syllabus is designed to test your achievement of several key objectives: to stimulate and sustain your interest in Literature in English, to create an awareness of the general principles of literature and functions of language, to help you appreciate literary works of all genres and across all cultures, and to apply the knowledge of Literature in English to the analysis of social, political, and economic events in society .
Jamb Syllabus for Literature in English
The syllabus is neatly organized into five large sections. Let’s walk through each one so you know exactly what to expect, what you need to know, and why it’s important.
Drama.
This section is all about plays and everything that makes them work. You’ll learn about the different types of drama, like tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy, melodrama, farce, and opera. For each type, you need to know its features and how to analyze its content . A huge part of this is understanding dramatic techniques. These are the tools playwrights use to tell their stories, and they include things like:
· Characterization: How characters are created and developed.
· Dialogue: The conversations between characters.
· Flashback: A scene set in a time earlier than the main story.
· Mime: Telling a story without words, using gestures.
· Costume, Music/Dance, Décor/Scenery: How these elements contribute to the overall play.
· Soliloquy/Aside: When a character speaks their thoughts aloud, either alone on stage (soliloquy) or directly to the audience (aside). Finally,you’ll need to interpret prescribed texts. This means you must be able to determine the theme, identify the plot, understand the socio-political context, and describe the setting (both where and when the play takes place) of any play on the list .
Prose.
This is the section for novels, short stories, and other narrative writing. You’ll start with the types of prose, which are broken into three categories: Fiction (Novel, Novella/Novelette, Short story), Non-fiction (Biography, Autobiography, Memoir), and Faction, which is a blend of fact and fiction . Then, you’ll dive into narrative techniques and devices. This is crucial for understanding how a story is told:
· Point of View: This is the perspective from which the story is narrated. You need to know First Person (using “I”), Third Person Omniscient (an all-knowing narrator), and others.
· Characterization: You’ll learn to distinguish between different kinds of characters, like round characters (complex), flat characters (simple), foils (characters who contrast with others), heroes, and antiheroes.
· Language: How the author’s use of language creates effect. Just like with drama,you’ll need to perform a textual analysis of prescribed prose texts, pulling out their theme, plot, setting, and socio-political context .
Poetry.
This often feels challenging, but the syllabus breaks it down clearly. You’ll begin by learning the types of poetry, such as the sonnet, ode, lyric, elegy, ballad, panegyric, epic, and blank verse . Then, you’ll study poetic devices, which are the tools poets use to create beauty and meaning:
· Imagery: Language that appeals to the senses.
· Sound: Devices like rhyme, rhythm, repetition, pun, and onomatopoeia.
· Diction: The poet’s choice of words.
· Persona: The “speaker” or voice in the poem. The final part isappreciation, where you’ll deduce the poet’s thematic preoccupation (main concerns), assess the socio-political relevance of the poem, and analyze the poet’s style .
Literary Principles.
This is where you learn the vocabulary of literature. It covers a wide range of literary terms beyond those mentioned in the genres, such as foreshadowing, suspense, symbolism, protagonist, antagonist, satire, and stream of consciousness . You’ll also learn about general literary principles, like direct imitation in play, versification, and the narration of experiences. The goal is to be able to identify these terms in any text and use them appropriately .
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is Literary Appreciation. This section tests your ability to apply everything you’ve learned to something new. You will be given unseen passages or extracts from drama, prose, or poetry. Your task is to determine the literary devices used, provide a meaningful interpretation of the passage, and relate the extract to true life experiences . This is where your overall understanding is really tested.
The syllabus also provides a list of prescribed texts. For the exam, you are expected to have read and studied specific novels, plays, and poems. According to the search results, these include:
· Drama: Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka (African) and Look Back in Anger by John Osborne (Non-African).
· Prose: Second Class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta and Unexpected Joy at Dawn by Alex Agyei-Agyiri (African), and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (Non-African).
· Poetry: The list includes African poets like Leopold Sedar Senghor (“Black Woman”), Niyi Osundare (“The Leader and the Led”), and non-African poets like John Donne (“The Good Morrow”) and Maya Angelou (“Caged Bird”) .
To give you a clearer overview of the entire scope, here is a table summarizing the core sections:
Section Key Topics Covered What You Should Be Able To Do
1. Drama Types of drama; Dramatic techniques; Interpretation of texts. Identify types; analyze techniques; determine theme, plot, and setting of prescribed plays.
2. Prose Types of prose; Narrative techniques; Textual analysis. Differentiate between fiction/non-fiction; analyze point of view & characterization; determine theme of prescribed novels.
3. Poetry Types of poetry; Poetic devices; Appreciation. Identify poetic forms; analyze imagery/sound; deduce poet’s theme and style.
4. General Literary Principles Literary terms; Literary principles. Identify terms like symbolism, satire; understand principles of literature.
5. Literary Appreciation Unseen passages/extracts. Analyze literary devices in new material; interpret meaning; relate to life.
How to Use the Syllabus and Prepare Effectively
1. Use it as a Checklist: The syllabus is your checklist. Go through each topic and make sure you can do everything listed under the “objectives.” For example, under “Drama,” can you differentiate between tragedy and comedy? Can you identify a soliloquy? If not, that’s what you need to study .
2. Read the Prescribed Texts: This is non-negotiable. You must read all the recommended novels, plays, and poems. Don’t rely on summaries alone; you need to know the details, characters, and specific events to answer questions correctly .
3. Combine with Past Questions: The absolute best way to prepare is to combine the syllabus with past JAMB questions. After studying a topic and reading a text, immediately practice questions on that specific concept. This shows you exactly how JAMB likes to ask questions .
4. Master Literary Terms: The “General Literary Principles” and “Literary Appreciation” sections require you to know your terminology inside out. Create flashcards for terms like “metonymy,” “synecdoche,” “stream of consciousness,” and “foreshadowing” so you can recognize them in any passage .
5. Practice Unseen Passages: Regularly practice analyzing passages you haven’t seen before. This will build your confidence and skill for the final section of the exam .
Conclusion
By following this roadmap provided by the syllabus, you can focus your efforts efficiently, ensure you cover every necessary topic, and walk into the exam hall with confidence. Good luck with your preparation