what exactly is a syllabus? A syllabus is a guide that outlines what you need to study and the topics you will be tested on in an exam. It helps you focus your energy on the right areas, saving you time and effort. Knowing your syllabus inside and out makes a difference in your preparation. Do you have the NECO Syllabus For Literature-In-English on your device yet? If no, read this post.
We have provided the complete syllabus below for all candidates to view and download in PDF format. In addition, we have also listed the recommended texts for the examination to guide your reading, plus some tips you can follow to ace the exam.
NECO Syllabus For Literature-In-English
| Paper | Description | Content | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Multiple Choice Objective Test | – 20 questions on General Knowledge of Literature – 5 questions on an unseen prose passage (120–150 words) – 5 questions on an unseen poem – 20 context-based questions on the prescribed Shakespearean text | 1 hour | 50 marks |
| Paper 2 | Essay Test | Section A: 2 essay questions on African Prose Section B: 2 essay questions on Non-African Prose | 1 hour 15 minutes | 50 marks |
| Paper 3 | Drama and Poetry | Section A: 2 questions on prescribed drama texts Section B: 2 questions on prescribed drama texts Section C: 2 questions on prescribed poetry texts Section D: 2 questions on prescribed poetry texts | 2 hours 30 minutes | 100 marks |
Check below for the recommended texts for the examinations.
Texts For NECO 2025 Literature-in-English Examination
The questions for this examination will be drawn from the texts mentioned below, ensure you read them and practice answering questions based on the text.
| Category | Text Title | Author |
|---|---|---|
| African Prose | Second Class Citizen | Buchi Emecheta |
| Unexpected Joy at Dawn | Alex Agyei-Agyiri (2018 Edition) | |
| Non-African Prose | Wuthering Heights | Emily Bronté |
| Invisible Man | Ralph Ellison | |
| African Drama | Let Me Die Alone | John K. Kargbo |
| The Lion and the Jewel | Wole Soyinka | |
| Non-African Drama | Look Back in Anger | John Osborne |
| Fences | August Wilson | |
| African Poetry | Black Woman | Leopold Sedar Senghor |
| The Leader and the Led | Niyi Osundare | |
| The Grieved Lands | Agostinho Neto | |
| The Song of the Woman of my Land | Oumar Farouk Sesay | |
| Raider of the Treasure Trove | Lade Wosomu | |
| A Government Driver on His Retirement | Onu Chibuike | |
| Non-African Poetry | The Good-Morrow | John Donne |
| Caged Bird | Maya Angelou | |
| The Journey of the Magi | T.S. Eliot | |
| Do not Go Gently into the Good Night | Dylan Thomas | |
| Binsey Poplars (Felled 1879) | G.M. Hopkins | |
| Bat | D.H. Lawrence | |
| Drama Text for Objective/Contextual Questions | A Midsummer Night’s Dream | William Shakespeare |
Effective Tips for Excelling in the NECO Literature Examination
Follow these tips to maximize your chances of passing your examinations with flying colors!
- Begin by thoroughly studying the NECO Literature syllabus. Know what topics are covered, the prescribed texts, and the specific areas to focus on.
- Reading the prescribed texts for African and Non-African Prose, Drama, and Poetry is essential. Take notes as you read to understand the themes, characters, and style of the authors.
- Practicing past NECO questions will help you familiarize yourself with the exam format. This includes both multiple-choice and essay questions.
- Analyze the characters in your prescribed texts; know their motivations, transformations, and roles in the story.
- For the essay sections, you will need to write clearly and coherently. Practice writing essays on the prescribed novels and plays.