The JAMB Literature in English syllabus is designed to prepare candidates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). It covers topics in prose, drama, poetry, and literary criticism. Candidates are expected to have a sound understanding of literary terms, techniques, and the development of literature in different genres and regions, particularly African and non-African works.
JAMB Syllabus for Literature in English 2025 Pdf Download
Below is a breakdown of the JAMB Literature in English syllabus:
Main Sections in the JAMB Literature Syllabus
1. Prose
This section involves the study of fictional and non-fictional works that explore themes, characterization, settings, and narrative techniques.
- Forms of Prose:
- Novels and short stories
- Biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs
- Fables, myths, and allegories
- Prose Elements:
- Plot: Sequence of events, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution
- Theme: Central message or underlying idea of the text (e.g., love, war, betrayal, justice)
- Characterization: Types of characters (protagonist, antagonist, dynamic, static) and how they are developed
- Setting: Time, place, and environment of the story
- Point of View: First-person, third-person omniscient, third-person limited, etc.
- Narrative Techniques: Flashback, foreshadowing, stream of consciousness, dialogue
2. Drama
This section focuses on plays, which are literary works written for performance on stage. The study includes analysis of themes, characters, dialogues, and dramatic techniques.
- Types of Drama:
- Tragedy: A serious play with a sorrowful or disastrous ending, often involving a heroic figure with a fatal flaw (e.g., Oedipus Rex by Sophocles)
- Comedy: A play designed to amuse the audience, often with a happy or humorous ending (e.g., The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde)
- Tragicomedy: A blend of tragedy and comedy (e.g., The Tempest by William Shakespeare)
- Farce: A comedy that seeks to entertain through exaggerated and absurd situations
- Elements of Drama:
- Plot: Structure and development of the storyline
- Character: Major and minor roles, dynamic/static characters, character development
- Dialogue: Verbal exchanges between characters
- Stage Directions: Instructions for actors’ movements and actions
- Dramatic Techniques: Soliloquy, monologue, aside, irony, foreshadowing
- Literary Appreciation of Drama:
- Understanding the role of conflict, suspense, irony, and climax in a play
- Examination of language and its role in enhancing themes and characters
3. Poetry
This section deals with poems, their structure, form, and content. Poetry analysis involves understanding the various literary devices and forms used to express ideas and emotions.
- Types of Poetry:
- Lyric Poetry: Expresses personal emotions or thoughts, often in first-person (e.g., Ode to the West Wind by P.B. Shelley)
- Narrative Poetry: Tells a story with a plot and characters (e.g., The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge)
- Dramatic Poetry: Involves a narrative voice distinct from the poet, often in the form of a dialogue (e.g., My Last Duchess by Robert Browning)
- Didactic Poetry: Intended to instruct or teach a moral lesson (e.g., If by Rudyard Kipling)
- Poetic Devices:
- Imagery: Use of descriptive language to create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind
- Symbolism: Use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities
- Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words
- Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds within words
- Metaphor and Simile: Comparisons between two things (direct and indirect)
- Personification: Giving human characteristics to non-human entities
- Rhyme Scheme and Meter: Patterns of rhymes and the rhythmic structure of poems
- Poetry Analysis:
- Understanding the theme, tone, and mood of the poem
- Identifying the poet’s use of diction, imagery, and figurative language to convey messages
4. Literary Appreciation
This section aims at improving the candidate’s ability to appreciate literary works by analyzing the use of literary techniques, themes, and overall messages conveyed through prose, drama, and poetry.
- Figures of Speech:
- Simile, metaphor, personification, irony, hyperbole, euphemism, oxymoron, and paradox
- Themes in Literature:
- Love, death, heroism, justice, conflict, identity, morality, freedom, and betrayal
- Stylistic Devices:
- Symbolism, foreshadowing, allegory, satire, and irony
- Interpretation and Critical Analysis:
- Interpreting the meaning behind literary works
- Understanding the significance of the author’s choices in terms of style, language, and structure
Selected African and Non-African Texts for JAMB Literature
- African Prose:
- Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
- The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born by Ayi Kwei Armah
- Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe
- Non-African Prose:
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
- African Drama:
- The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka
- Death and the King’s Horseman by Wole Soyinka
- The Trials of Brother Jero by Wole Soyinka
- Non-African Drama:
- She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith
- Othello by William Shakespeare
- Macbeth by William Shakespeare
- African Poetry:
- Once Upon a Time by Gabriel Okara
- Vanity by Birago Diop
- The Dining Table by Gbanabom Hallowell
- Non-African Poetry:
- The Pulley by George Herbert
- The Good Morrow by John Donne
- Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day? by William Shakespeare
General Tips for Preparing for JAMB Literature in English
- Read the Prescribed Texts Thoroughly: Pay close attention to the themes, characters, and the use of literary devices.
- Understand Literary Devices: Familiarize yourself with common literary terms and figures of speech, as these are important in literary appreciation.
- Practice Past Questions: Solve past JAMB questions to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and types of questions asked.
- Improve Your Analytical Skills: Learn to critically analyze and interpret texts. This will help in answering questions that require interpretation and evaluation.
- Revise Key Themes and Contexts: Identify recurring themes such as conflict, tradition vs. modernity, colonialism, identity, etc., and how they are portrayed in different works.
Recommended Textbooks for JAMB Literature in English
- “Exam Focus: Literature in English” by Ibitola A. Ogunyemi
- “The Complete Guide to Literature-in-English” by Patrick Adegboyega
- “JAMB Literature in English Syllabus” published by JAMB
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Conclusion
The JAMB Literature in English syllabus provides a comprehensive guide for candidates preparing for the UTME. By thoroughly studying the prescribed texts, mastering literary terms and devices, and practicing critical analysis, candidates will be well-prepared for the examination. A strong grasp of African and non-African literature, along with regular revision, will be key to success.
