The official JAMB 2026/2027 syllabus for Literature in English is now available. Therefore, If you have chosen Literature in English as one of your subjects for the upcoming UTME, this syllabus will guide you on what to expect in the exam. Additionally, you can find and download the full syllabus on this page to help you prepare effectively.
| Examination Type | UTME / Direct Entry |
| Examination Year | 2026/2027 |
| Syllabus | Literature-in-English |
| File Format | |
| File Size | 90KB |
Furthermore, the JAMB syllabus for Literature in English gives a clear breakdown of the topics and subtopics that will be covered in the exam. As a result, it serves as a helpful guide for students, showing them what to focus on and how to plan their studies. In addition, it includes a list of recommended textbooks to support effective preparation.
General Objectives
By the time you finish studying with the syllabus, you should be able to:
- Stimulate and sustain their interest in Literature in English
- Create an awareness of the general principles of Literature and the functions of language
- Appreciate literary works of all genres and across all cultures
- Apply the knowledge of Literature in English to the understanding of cultural literature, political and economic activities in the society
JAMB Syllabus for Literature-in-English
| TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES | OBJECTIVES |
| 1. DRAMA a. Types: i. Tragedy ii. Comedy iii. Tragicomedy iv. Melodrama v. Farce vi. Opera etc. b. Dramatic Techniques i. Characterisation ii. Dialogue iii. Flashback iv. Mime v. Costume vi. Music/Dance vii. Décor/scenery viii. Acts/Scenes ix. Soliloquy/aside x. Figures of Speech.. c. Interpretation of the Prescribed Texts i. Theme ii. Plot iii. Socio-political context iv. Setting | Candidates should be able to: a.i. identify the various types of drama; a.ii. analyse the contents of the various types of drama; a.iii. compare and contrast the features of different types of drama. b.i. demonstrate adequate knowledge of dramatic techniques and stage directions used in each prescribed text; b.ii. differentiate between styles of selected playwrights; c.i determine the theme of any prescribed text; c.ii. identify the plot of the play; c.iii. apply the lessons of the play to social reality. c.iv. identify the spatial setting and temporal period of the play. |
| 2. PROSE a. Types: Prose fiction i. Fiction – Novel – Novella/Novelette – Short story ii. Non-fiction – Biography – Autobiography – Memoir iii. Faction: combination of fact and fiction b. Narrative Techniques/Devices: i. Point of view – Omniscient – First Person – Second person – Third person – Stream of consciousness – Epiphany ii. Characterisation – Round, flat, foil, hero, antihero villain, heroine. etc iii. Language c. Textual Analysis i. Theme ii. Plot iii. Setting (Temporal/Spatial) iv. Socio-political context | Candidates should be able to: a.i. differentiate between types of novel. a.ii. identify the category that each prescribed text belongs to; a.iii. analyse the components of each type of prose; a.iv. identify the balance of facts and fiction in literary faction. b.i. identify the narrative techniques used in each of the prescribed texts; b.ii. determine an author’s narrative style; b.iii. distinguish between one type of character from another; b.iv. Grammar, diction and clarity of expression. c.i. determine the thematic pre-occupation of the prescribed text; c.ii. indicate the plot of the novel; c.iii. identify the setting and period/timing of the novel. c.iv. relate the prescribed text to social reality |
| 3. PROSE a. Types: i. Sonnet ii. Ode iii. Lyrics iv. Elegy v. Ballad vi. Panegyric vii. Epic viii. Blank Verse, etc. b. Poetic devices i. Imagery ii. Sound (Rhyme/Rhythm, repetition, pun, onomatopoeia, etc.) iii. Diction iv. Persona c. Appreciation i. Thematic preoccupation ii. Socio-political relevance iii. Style. | Candidates should be able to: a.i. identify different types of poetry; a.ii. identify the distinctive features of the poetic types. b.i. determine the devices used by various poets; b.ii. show how poetic devices are used for aesthetic effect in each poem; b.iii. identify the figure of speech in the texts. b.iv. Show how poetic devices convey message and meaning. c.i. Deduce the poet’s thematic preoccupation from the poem; c.ii. appraise poetry as an art with moral values; c.iii. apply the lessons from the poem to social reality |
| 4. GENERAL LITERARY PRINCIPLES a. Literary terms: foreshadowing, suspense, theatre, monologue, dialogue, soliloquy, symbolism, protagonist, antagonist, figures of speech, satire, stream of consciousness, synecdoche, metonymy, etc, in addition to those listed above under the different genres. | Candidates should be able to: a.i. identify literary terms that are specific to drama, prose and poetry; a.ii. identify areas of overlap in all the genres e.g. verse in drama and poetry, narration in all the genres. |
| 5. LITERARY APPRECIATION Unseen passages/extracts from Drama, Prose and Poetry. | Candidates should be able to: i. identify literary devices used in a given passage/extract; ii. provide an interpretation of the given passage/extract; iii. relate the extract to true life experiences. |
Download JAMB 2026 Syllabus for Literature in English
Tap the button below to download the complete 2026 Literature in English syllabus
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Typically, JAMB sets 40–50 multiple choice questions for Literature in English. These questions are drawn from the topics and texts listed in the syllabus
Yes.
Yes. JAMB repeat similar questions, especially from popular texts, sometimes. Studying past questions alongside the syllabus can be a helpful strategy.
Not always. Some years may have updates in topics or recommended texts, while others remain the same. It is important to always check the current version for the year you are sitting for the exam.
The syllabus helps you stay focused on the relevant topics, avoid wasting time on unrelated material, and ensures you are studying in line with JAMB’s expectations.
