The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has outlined a comprehensive syllabus for Literature in English for the 2025/2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This syllabus is designed to assess candidates’ understanding and appreciation of literary works across various genres and periods. Below is a detailed breakdown of the syllabus to guide your preparation:

1. Drama

Topics Covered:

• Types of Drama:
  • Tragedy
  • Comedy
  • Tragicomedy
  • Melodrama
  • Farce
  • Opera
• Dramatic Techniques:
  • Characterization
  • Dialogue
  • Monologue
  • Soliloquy
  • Aside
  • Stage Directions
• Thematic Preoccupations:
  • Moral Lessons
  • Socio-political Issues
  • Cultural Contexts

Objectives:

• Identify different types of drama and their characteristics.
• Analyze the use of dramatic techniques in plays.
• Discuss themes and their relevance in selected plays.

2. Prose

Topics Covered:

• Types of Prose:
  • Fiction (Novel, Novella, Short Story)
  • Non-Fiction (Biography, Autobiography, Memoir)
• Narrative Techniques:
  • Point of View (First Person, Third Person)
  • Stream of Consciousness
  • Flashback
  • Foreshadowing
• Characterization:
  • Round and Flat Characters
  • Static and Dynamic Characters
• Setting:
  • Time and Place
  • Socio-economic Context
• Themes:
  • Central Ideas and Messages

Objectives:

• Distinguish between different types of prose and their features.
• Evaluate narrative techniques used by authors.
• Analyze character development and thematic concerns in prose works.

3. Poetry

Topics Covered:

• Types of Poetry:
  • Sonnet
  • Ode
  • Lyric
  • Elegy
  • Ballad
  • Epic
  • Blank Verse
• Poetic Devices:
  • Imagery
  • Metaphor
  • Simile
  • Alliteration
  • Assonance
  • Rhyme Scheme
  • Rhythm
• Structure:
  • Stanza Forms
  • Line Lengths
  • Enjambment

Objectives:

• Identify various types of poetry and their characteristics.
• Analyze the use of poetic devices and their effects.
• Interpret themes and messages conveyed in poems.

4. General Literary Principles

Topics Covered:

• Literary Terms:
  • Foreshadowing
  • Suspense
  • Symbolism
  • Irony
  • Satire
  • Stream of Consciousness
• Literary Principles:
  • Direct Imitation in Drama
  • Versification in Poetry
  • Narration in Prose
  • Aesthetic Values

Objectives:

• Understand and apply common literary terms across genres.
• Analyze the application of literary principles in various works.
• Relate literary techniques to the overall meaning and impact of texts.

5. Literary Appreciation

Topics Covered:

• Unseen Passages/Extracts:
  • Analysis of Unfamiliar Texts from Drama, Prose, and Poetry

Objectives:

• Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze and interpret unseen texts.
• Identify literary devices and techniques in unfamiliar passages.
• Relate the content of unseen texts to broader literary contexts and personal experiences.

Recommended Texts:

JAMB has specified certain texts for detailed study in the 2025/2026 examination. These texts are categorized into African and Non-African works across drama, prose, and poetry. It’s essential to study these texts thoroughly, focusing on their themes, characterization, plot development, and stylistic devices.

African Prose:

• Second Class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta
• The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka

Non-African Prose:

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Native Son by Richard Wright

African Drama:

• The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka
• The Trials of Brother Jero by Wole Soyinka

Non-African Drama:

• She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith
• The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

African Poetry:

• Black Woman by Leopold Sedar Senghor
• The Grieved Lands by Agostinho Neto

Non-African Poetry:

• The Proud King by William Morris
• The Schoolboy by William Blake

Study Tips:

• Familiarize Yourself with the Texts: Read all prescribed texts multiple times to grasp their content deeply.
• Analyze Themes and Characters: Understand the central themes and character motivations in each work.
• Practice Past Questions: Engage with past JAMB questions to identify patterns and commonly tested areas.
• Expand Your Literary Terminology: Build a strong vocabulary of literary terms and concepts.
• Engage in Group Discussions: Discussing with peers can provide new insights and enhance understanding.

JAMB Syllabus for Literature 2025/2026

Below is the approved JAMB Syllabus For Literature:

1.	Plot
2.	Characterization
3.	Structure
4.	Persona
5.	Ode
6.	Sound(Rhyme/Rhythm, repetition, pun, onomatopoeia, etc.)
7.	Novel
8.	Imagery
9.	Theme
10.	Comedy
11.	Narrative Techniques/Devices
12.	Poetic devices
13.	Appreciation
14.	Point of view
15.	Setting
16.	Language
17.	Soliloquy/Aside
18.	Biography
19.	Lyrics
20.	Mime
21.	Costume
22.	Music/Dance
23.	Textual Analysis
24.	Ballad
25.	Faction: a combination of fact and fiction
26.	First Person
27.	Dialogue
28.	Décor/scenery
29.	Style
30.	Flashback
31.	Blank Verse
32.	Setting (Temporal/Spatial)
33.	Figures of Speech etc
34.	Autobiography
35.	Acts/Scenes
36.	Tragicomedy
37.	Plot
38.	Diction
39.	Melodrama
40.	Omniscient/Third Person
41.	Socio-political context
42.	Opera
43.	Socio-political context
44.	Memoir
45.	Farce
46.	Socio-political relevance
47.	Tragedy
48.	Interpretation of the Prescribed Texts
49.	Epic
50.	Dramatic Techniques
51.	Short story
52.	Round, flat, foil, hero, antihero, etc
53.	Sonnet
54.	Thematic preoccupation
55.	Fiction
56.	Novella/Novelette
57.	Panegyric
58.	Theme
59.	Elegy
60.	Characterisation
61.	Non-fiction

Tips to Score High in JAMB Literature 2025/2026

Scoring high in JAMB Literature in English 2025/2026 requires a well-structured approach, thorough understanding of literary texts, and strategic exam preparation. Here are essential tips to help you achieve a high score (300+) in the JAMB Literature exam:

1. Understand the JAMB Literature Syllabus

• Get the official JAMB syllabus for Literature 2025/2026 and go through all the topics.
• Focus on the three main literary genres:
  • Prose (African and Non-African)
  • Drama (African and Non-African)
  • Poetry (African and Non-African)
• Study literary appreciation and general literary terms.
• Download past JAMB syllabi and check if there are any newly added or removed texts.

2. Read and Understand the Recommended Texts

• JAMB prescribes specific texts for African and Non-African prose, drama, and poetry.
• Read all recommended texts multiple times to understand:
  • Themes (e.g., corruption, colonialism, gender inequality)
  • Characters and their roles
  • Plot structure
  • Literary devices (imagery, irony, symbolism, satire, etc.)
• Make summarized notes of key events and quotes.

3. Master Literary Devices and Terms

• Learn important literary terms like:
  • Foreshadowing
  • Flashback
  • Allegory
  • Metaphor and Simile
  • Satire
  • Suspense
• JAMB tests candidates on their ability to identify and analyze literary techniques.
• Practice applying these terms to different literary texts.

4. Practice Past Questions Regularly

• Get JAMB past questions for at least 10 years.
• Identify common question patterns and repeated themes.
• Use JAMB CBT practice apps to simulate real exam conditions.
• Time yourself to improve speed and accuracy.

5. Improve Your Poetry Analysis Skills

• Poetry questions can be tricky due to their figurative language and deep meanings.
• Learn how to analyze:
  • Poetic devices (alliteration, assonance, enjambment, etc.)
  • Theme and subject matter
  • Mood and tone
• Read different types of poetry (sonnet, ode, epic, elegy, ballad) and understand their features.

6. Learn How to Answer JAMB Literature Questions Correctly

• Read each question carefully before answering.
• Avoid guessing blindly—use elimination techniques.
• If unsure, return to the question later rather than wasting time on it.
• Pay attention to “EXCEPT” or “NOT” in questions to avoid wrong answers.

7. Master the Art of Literary Appreciation

• JAMB often includes unseen passages from drama, prose, and poetry.
• Learn how to quickly analyze unfamiliar texts by:
  • Identifying literary devices and themes.
  • Determining the tone and message of the passage.
  • Understanding the context and setting of the work.

8. Develop a Study Plan and Stick to It

• Create a reading timetable that covers all recommended texts.
• Allocate specific days for different genres (e.g., Monday for poetry, Wednesday for drama).
• Study for at least 2–3 hours daily.
• Use flashcards, summaries, and group discussions for quick revision.

9. Revise with Friends or Study Groups

• Join a study group to discuss different texts and share ideas.
• Teaching someone else a topic helps reinforce your understanding.
• Debate themes and characters to deepen your knowledge.

10. Stay Consistent and Avoid Last-Minute Cramming

• Start preparing months before the exam.
• Revise regularly instead of trying to read everything a few weeks before the exam.
• Go through your summary notes and past questions a few days before JAMB.

11. Stay Calm and Confident on Exam Day

• Arrive at the exam center early.
• Read each question carefully before answering.
• Manage your time wisely—don’t spend too long on one question.
• Stay positive and confident—believe in your preparation.

How to Download JAMB Area of Concentration for Literature PDF

Kindly follow the below procedures to dwonload JAMB Literature PDF:

1. Visit JAMB official website at www.jamb.gov.ng.
2. Navigate to the “Syllabus” section on the homepage.
3. Select Literature from the list of subjects.
4. Click the Download PDF button to save the document to your device.