Preparing for the JAMB Literature in English examination can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can achieve a high score.
One effective strategy is to utilize the JAMB Literature in English syllabus as your study guide.
This syllabus provides a comprehensive outline of the topics you need to cover and the objectives you must achieve.
In this blog post, we will break down the syllabus and provide you with a simplified understanding of each section, making it easier for you to study effectively.
Table of Contents:
- Drama
- General Literary Principles
- Literary Appreciation
- Poetry
- Prose
- JAMB Literature in English Text
- JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Literature
Drama:
The drama section focuses on different types of drama, such as tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy, melodrama, farce, and opera.
The objectives include identifying and analyzing the content and features of various dramatic types.
You should also study the dramatic techniques used in each prescribed text, differentiate between styles of playwrights, and understand the themes, plot, socio-political context, and setting of the play.
General Literary Principles:
This section aims to familiarize you with literary terms in drama, prose, and poetry. You should identify and understand terms like foreshadowing, dialogue, symbolism, satire, figures of speech, and more.
Additionally, you need to grasp the general principles of literature, including the concept of direct imitation, verification, narration of experiences, and the achievement of aesthetic value.
It is important to differentiate between literary terms and principles and apply them appropriately.
Literary Appreciation:
In this section, you will work with unseen passages or extracts from drama, prose, and poetry.
The objectives involve identifying literary devices used in the given passages, providing meaningful interpretations, and relating the extracts to real-life experiences.
This will help you develop a deeper appreciation for the literary works.
Poetry:
The poetry section covers different types of poetry such as sonnet, ode, lyrics, elegy, ballad, panegyric, epic, and blank verse.
You should be able to compare and contrast the features of various poetic types, determine the devices used by poets, and understand how poetic devices contribute to aesthetic effects in each poem.
Additionally, you must deduce the poet’s preoccupation, appraise poetry as an art with moral values, and apply the lessons from poems to real-life situations.
Prose:
In the prose section, you will encounter different types of prose, including fiction (novel, novella/novelette, short story) and non-fiction (biography, autobiography, memoir, faction).
The objectives include differentiating between types of prose, analyzing their components and narrative techniques, understanding the author’s style and thematic preoccupation, and identifying the plot, setting, and socio-political context of the prescribed texts.
Relating the prescribed texts to real-life situations is also crucial.
JAMB Literature in English Text:
This section lists the prescribed texts for the examination.
You should focus on studying the African and non-African dramas, prose, and poetry mentioned in the syllabus.
Pay attention to the themes, plot, setting, and socio-political relevance of these texts.
JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Literature:
The recommended textbooks provide additional resources for your preparation.
They include anthologies and critical texts that can enhance your understanding of literary terms, principles, and analysis.
Conclusion
By following the JAMB Literature in English syllabus and understanding its objectives, you can effectively study for the UTME examination.
Remember to analyze the prescribed texts, identify literary devices, and relate the works to real-life experiences.
Additionally, make use of the recommended textbooks to deepen your knowledge and grasp of literary concepts. Good luck with your preparation and examination! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.