JAMB Literature in English Syllabus 2027 PDF Download

JAMB LITERATURE IN ENGLISH SYLLABUS 2027

The JAMB Literature in English syllabus is designed to prepare candidates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). It covers the major genres of literature, including Drama, Prose and Poetry, as well as literary principles, literary appreciation and prescribed texts.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Literature in English is to generate, deepen and sustain interest in Literature in English generally, and create awareness and understanding of the principles and techniques of all the genres of literature from diverse cultures. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

The objectives are to:

1. stimulate and sustain candidates’ interest in Literature in English;
2. create an awareness of the general principles of Literature and the functions of language;
3. appreciate literary works of all genres and across all cultures;
4. apply the knowledge of Literature in English to the understanding of cultural literature, political and economic activities in society.

DETAILED JAMB LITERATURE IN ENGLISH SYLLABUS

1. DRAMA

A. Types of Drama

1. Tragedy
2. Comedy
3. Tragicomedy
4. Melodrama
5. Farce
6. Opera

Candidates should be able to:

1. identify the various types of drama;
2. analyse the contents of the various types of drama;
3. compare and contrast the features of different types of drama.

B. Dramatic Techniques

1. Characterisation
2. Dialogue
3. Flashback
4. Mime
5. Costume
6. Music/Dance
7. Décor/scenery
8. Acts/Scenes
9. Soliloquy/aside
10. Figures of Speech

Candidates should be able to:

1. demonstrate adequate knowledge of dramatic techniques and stage directions used in each prescribed text;
2. differentiate between styles of selected playwrights.

The Drama section of the syllabus specifically covers the types of drama and the dramatic techniques candidates are expected to understand and apply to prescribed texts. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

C. Interpretation of the Prescribed Texts

1. Theme
2. Plot
3. Socio-political context
4. Setting

Candidates should be able to:

1. determine the theme of any prescribed text;
2. identify the plot of the play;
3. apply the lessons of the play to social reality;
4. identify the spatial setting and temporal period of the play.

2. PROSE

A. Types: Prose Fiction

i. Fiction

1. Novel
2. Novella/Novelette
3. Short story

ii. Non-fiction

1. Biography
2. Autobiography
3. Memoir

iii. Faction

Combination of fact and fiction.

Candidates should be able to:

1. differentiate between types of novel;
2. identify the category that each prescribed text belongs to;
3. analyse the components of each type of prose;
4. identify the balance of facts and fiction in literary faction.

B. Narrative Techniques/Devices

i. Point of View

1. Omniscient
2. First Person
3. Second person
4. Third person
5. Stream of consciousness
6. Epiphany

ii. Characterisation

1. Round
2. Flat
3. Foil
4. Hero
5. Antihero
6. Villain
7. Heroine

iii. Language

The syllabus also covers grammar, diction and clarity of expression under prose language.

Candidates should be able to:

1. identify the narrative techniques used in each of the prescribed texts;
2. determine an author’s narrative style;
3. distinguish between one type of character from another.

C. Textual Analysis

1. Theme
2. Plot
3. Setting (Temporal/Spatial)
4. Socio-political context

Candidates should be able to:

1. determine the thematic pre-occupation of the prescribed text;
2. indicate the plot of the novel;
3. identify the setting and period/timing of the novel;
4. relate the prescribed text to social reality.

The Prose section includes fiction, non-fiction, faction, narrative techniques, characterisation, language and textual analysis. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

3. POETRY

A. Types of Poetry

1. Sonnet
2. Ode
3. Lyrics
4. Elegy
5. Ballad
6. Panegyric
7. Epic
8. Blank Verse

Candidates should be able to:

1. identify different types of poetry;
2. identify the distinctive features of the poetic types.

B. Poetic Devices

1. Imagery
2. Sound: Rhyme, Rhythm, Repetition, Pun, Onomatopoeia, etc.
3. Diction
4. Persona

Candidates should be able to:

1. determine the devices used by various poets;
2. show how poetic devices are used for aesthetic effect in each poem;
3. identify the figure of speech in the texts;
4. show how poetic devices convey message and meaning.

C. Appreciation

1. Thematic preoccupation
2. Socio-political relevance
3. Style

Candidates should be able to:

1. deduce the poet’s thematic preoccupation from the poem;
2. appraise poetry as an art with moral values;
3. apply the lessons from the poem to social reality.

The Poetry section covers different poetic types, poetic devices and the appreciation of poetry through theme, socio-political relevance and style. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

4. GENERAL LITERARY PRINCIPLES

A. Literary Terms

The syllabus includes the following literary terms:

1. Foreshadowing
2. Suspense
3. Theatre
4. Monologue
5. Dialogue
6. Soliloquy
7. Symbolism
8. Protagonist
9. Antagonist
10. Figures of speech
11. Satire
12. Stream of consciousness
13. Synecdoche
14. Metonymy

These are in addition to literary terms and techniques listed under the different genres.

Candidates should be able to:

1. identify literary terms that are specific to drama, prose and poetry;
2. identify areas of overlap in all the genres, for example verse in drama and poetry, and narration in all the genres.

5. LITERARY APPRECIATION

The syllabus includes unseen passages and extracts from:

1. Drama
2. Prose
3. Poetry

Candidates should be able to:

1. identify literary devices used in a given passage/extract;
2. provide an interpretation of the given passage/extract;
3. relate the extract to true life experiences.

The General Literary Principles and Literary Appreciation sections require candidates to identify literary terms, recognize how genres overlap, analyse unseen extracts and relate literary passages to real-life experiences. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

A LIST OF SELECTED AFRICAN AND NON-AFRICAN PLAYS, NOVELS AND POEMS

DRAMA

African

1. Wole Soyinka: The Lion and the Jewel

Non-African

1. John Osborne: Look Back in Anger

PROSE

African

1. Alex Agyei-Agyir: Unexpected Joy at Dawn
2. Buchi Emecheta: Second Class Citizen

Non-African

1. Emily Bronte: Wuthering Heights

POETRY

African

1. Leopold Sedar Senghor: Black Woman
2. Niyi Osundare: The Leader and the Led
3. Agostinho Neto: The Grieved Lands
4. Oumar Farouk Sesay: The Song of the Women of my Land
5. Lade Wosornu: Raider of the Treasure Trove
6. Onu Chibuike: A Government Driver on his Retirement

Non-African

1. John Donne: The Good Morrow
2. Maya Angelou: Caged Bird
3. T.S. Elliot: The Journey of the Magi
4. D.H Lawrence: Bats

The supplied syllabus lists the prescribed African and non-African Drama, Prose and Poetry texts on pages 5 and 6. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

RECOMMENDED TEXTS

1. ANTHOLOGIES

1. Obafemi, O. and Agoi (eds), Of Shadows and Rainbows – Musings in Times of Covid – An Anthology of poems, plays and short stories, PEN Nigeria, Online.
2. Hayward, J. (ed.) (1968), The Penguin Book of English Verse, London: Penguin.
3. Johnson, R., Ker, D., Maduka, C., Obafemi, O. (eds.) (1996), New Poetry from Africa, Ibadan: UP Plc.
4. Kermode, F. (1964), Oxford Anthology of English Literature, Vol. II, London: OUP.
5. Nduke Ofiono and Odoh Diego Okenyodo (eds), Camouflage; Best of Contemporary Writing from Nigeria, an Anthology of New Nigerian Writers, Mace Books Association, 2021, New edition.
6. Parker, E.W. (ed.) (1980), A Pageant of Longer Poems, London: Longman.
7. Senanu, K. E. and Vincent, T. (eds.) (1993), A Selection of African Poetry, Lagos: Longman.
8. Soyinka, W. (ed.) (1987), Poems of Black Africa, Ibadan: Heinemann.

2. CRITICAL TEXTS

1. Abrams, M. H. (1981), A Glossary of Literary Terms, 4th Edition, New York, Holt Rinehart and Winston.
2. Emeaba, O. E. (1982), A Dictionary of Literature, Aba: Inteks Press.
3. Murphy, M. J. (1972), Understanding Unseen, An Introduction to English Poetry and English Novel for Overseas Students, George Allen and Unwin Ltd.

The recommended texts consist of selected anthologies and critical texts for further study of Literature in English. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

WHAT TO STUDY FOR JAMB LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

For effective preparation, candidates should pay particular attention to the following broad areas contained in the syllabus:

1. Types and techniques of Drama
2. Interpretation of prescribed plays
3. Types and techniques of Prose
4. Characterisation and narrative point of view
5. Textual analysis of prescribed novels
6. Types of Poetry
7. Poetic devices and their effects
8. Poetry appreciation
9. General literary terms
10. Unseen Drama, Prose and Poetry passages
11. The prescribed African and non-African texts

Note: This syllabus content is based on the supplied Literature in English syllabus document. The document contains 6 pages and includes the detailed syllabus, prescribed texts and recommended texts.