JAMB Recommended Textbooks For Literature in English – JAMB conducts the UTME exam for students seeking admission into Nigerian universities every year. Scoring well in JAMB is very important because the marks you get in each subject contribute to your overall score, which directly affects your chances of gaining admission.
To help you achieve a high score, it’s essential to study the right materials, which means using the JAMB recommended textbooks for Literature in English, following the official syllabus, and other trusted study resources. In this post, we have provided a complete list of the JAMB recommended textbooks for Literature in English. So, if you have registered to write Literature in English in your UTME, you can scroll down to see the books you should focus on.
Besides the list of JAMB textbooks for Literature in English, you will also find useful tips to guide your revision and help you prepare more effectively for your exam.
JAMB Recommended Textbooks For Literature in English
| Category | African | Non-African |
|---|---|---|
| Drama | Wole Soyinka: The Lion and the Jewel | John Osborne: Look Back in Anger |
| Prose | Alex Agyei-Agyir: Unexpected Joy at Dawn | Emily Brontë: Wuthering Heights |
| Buchi Emecheta: Second Class Citizen | ||
| Poetry | Leopold Sedar Senghor: Black Woman | John Donne: The Good Morrow |
| Niyi Osundare: The Leader and the Led | Maya Angelou: Caged Bird | |
| Agostinho Neto: The Grieved | T.S. Eliot: The Journey of the Magi | |
| Oumar Farouk Sesay: The Song of the Women of my Land | D.H. Lawrence: Bats | |
| Lade Wosornu: Raider of the Treasure Trove | ||
| Onu Chibuike: A Government Driver on his Retirement |
Anthologies
- Obafemi, O. and Agoi (eds): Of Shadows and Rainbows – Musings in Times of Covid (An Anthology of Poems, Plays and Short Stories), PEN Nigeria
- Hayward, J. (ed.) (1968): The Penguin Book of English Verse, London: Penguin
- Johnson, R., Ker, D., Maduka, C., Obafemi, O. (eds.) (1996): New Poetry from Africa, Ibadan: University Press Plc
- Kermode, F. (1964): Oxford Anthology of English Literature, Vol. II, London: Oxford University Press
- Nduke Ofiono and Odoh Diego Okenyodo (eds) (2021): Camouflage; Best of Contemporary Writing from Nigeria, Mace Books Association
- 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
Critical Texts
- 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, George Allen and Unwin Ltd
Tips for Passing Literature in English in JAMB
- Focus on the books recommended by JAMB. These books cover the texts and topics you are most likely to encounter in the exam.
- Spend time reading and understanding the stories, poems, and plays included in the syllabus. Know the main themes, characters, and important events.
- Write simple notes for each text. Summarize the plot, key characters, and themes. This makes revision quicker and easier.
- Solve past JAMB Literature questions regularly. This helps you get familiar with the exam style and the types of questions asked.
- Plan your study time wisely. Set aside time daily or weekly to study Literature in English so you don’t leave everything to the last minute.
- Discussing texts with friends or classmates can help deepen your understanding and make learning more interesting.
If you have any questions about preparing for Literature in English, feel free to ask us in the comments below. We will provide accurate answers to help you succeed. Don’t forget to share this guide with other candidates writing Literature in JAMB so they can also benefit.
We wish you the very best of luck in your examination!
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