The JAMB examinations will be taking place soon, and the syllabi for all subjects have been officially released to help candidates prepare the right way. If you are among those sitting for Literature-in-English, you are not left out. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has made available a complete JAMB Syllabus for Literature in English that outlines the key areas you need to study, including Drama, Prose, Poetry, and Literary Appreciation.
In addition to this, there is also a list of recommended African and non-African texts from which the examination questions will be drawn. This means you now have a clear guide on what to focus on while reading and preparing for the exam.
Keep reading to see the JAMB Syllabus for Literature in English and the recommended texts. If you want, you can also download the full list as a PDF.
JAMB Syllabus For Literature in English 2025
The Literature-in-English paper is structured into four key areas: Drama, Prose, Poetry, and General Literary Knowledge. Each section tests your understanding of literary techniques, genres, and critical appreciation of texts. The table below outlines the specific topics and objectives JAMB expects you to cover:-
| Section | Topics | Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| Drama | a. Types: Tragedy, Comedy, Tragicomedy, Melodrama, Farce, Opera, etc. | i. Identify various types of drama. |
| b. Techniques: Characterization, Dialogue, Flashback, Mime, Costume, Music/Dance, Décor/Scenery, Acts/Scenes, Soliloquy/Aside, Figures of Speech | ii. Analyze elements and techniques in dramatic works. | |
| c. Interpretation: Theme, Plot, Socio-political Context, Setting | iii. Compare dramatic types. iv. Demonstrate understanding of dramatic devices. v. Differentiate playwrights’ styles. vi. Identify themes and plots. vii. Relate lessons to real life. viii. Identify settings. | |
| Prose | a. Types: Fiction (Novel, Novella, Short Story), Non-fiction (Biography, Memoir), Fiction (Fact & Fiction) | i. Differentiate prose types. |
| b. Techniques: Point of View, Characterization, Language | ii. Identify prose forms and devices. | |
| c. Analysis: Theme, Plot, Setting, Socio-political Context | iii. Analyze narrative components. iv. Determine author’s style and techniques. v. Identify character types. vi. Relate prose to real-world contexts. | |
| Poetry | a. Types: Sonnet, Ode, Lyric, Elegy, Ballad, Panegyric, Epic, Blank Verse | i. Identify poetic forms. |
| b. Devices: Structure, Imagery, Rhyme, Rhythm, Diction, Persona | ii. Evaluate poetic techniques and their effects. | |
| c. Appreciation: Theme, Style, Relevance | iii. Understand the poet’s message. iv. Appreciate aesthetic and moral elements. v. Apply insights to daily life. | |
| General Literary Knowledge | a. Literary Terms: Suspense, Symbolism, Satire, Stream of Consciousness, etc. | i. Recognize terms across genres. |
| b. Principles: Imitation, Versification, Narration, Aesthetic Value | ii. Identify and apply literary principles. | |
| c. Relationships | iii. Distinguish terms from principles. iv. Apply terms appropriately. | |
| Literary Appreciation | a. Unseen Extracts: From Drama, Prose, Poetry | i. Interpret and analyze unseen texts. ii. Identify devices and themes. iii. Relate texts to life situations. |
Recommended Texts for JAMB Literature-In-English (2025)
JAMB has released its official reading list, and all questions in the literature section will come from these selected texts. The books are grouped into African and non-African works, under the three major genres: Drama, Prose, and Poetry. Below is the full list of texts you are expected to read and understand before the examination:-
Drama
African Drama
- Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka
Non-African Drama
- Look Back in Anger by John Osborne
Prose
African Prose
- Second Class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta
- Unexpected Joy at Dawn by Alex Agyei Agyiri
Non-African Prose
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Poetry
African Poetry
- Black Woman by Leopold Sedar Senghor
- The Leader and the Led by Niyi Osundare
- The Grieved Lands by Agostinho Neto
- The Song of the Women of the Lands by Oumar Farouk Sesay
- Raider of the Treasure Trove by Lade Wosornu
- A Government Driver on His Retirement by Onu Chibuike
Non-African Poetry
- The Good Morrow by John Donne
- Caged Bird by Maya Angelou
- The Journey of the Magi by T.S. Eliot
- Bats by D.H. Lawrence
If Literature-in-English is one of the subjects you will be writing in the upcoming JAMB examination, you must take your preparation seriously. One of the best ways to prepare is by following the official JAMB Syllabus for Literature in English closely. It shows you exactly what to read and the topics JAMB will ask you questions about.
Also, make JAMB past questions your best friend. They help you understand how the questions are usually set, and who knows, a question from a previous year might even show up again. So, keep practicing and stay focused.
If you have any questions or need help, feel free to ask in the comments, and we will respond shortly. Don’t forget to share this post with other candidates who are preparing too. And if you want the JAMB syllabus for other subjects, simply visit our page to find them all.
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