The 2025 WAEC Syllabus for Literature in English has been officially released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). This syllabus is meant for both internal and external candidates preparing for the exam.
Below is the updated Literature in English WAEC syllabus for 2025/2026, which highlights the scheme of examination, prescribed texts, and detailed topics to study.
Aim and Objectives
Scheme of Examination
The Literature in English exam will consist of three papers: Papers 1, 2, and 3. Papers 1 and 2 will be composite and taken at one sitting.
Paper 1
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A multiple-choice objective test containing 50 questions:
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20 questions on General Knowledge of Literature
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5 questions on an unseen prose passage
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5 questions on an unseen poem
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20 context questions on the prescribed Shakespearean text
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Duration: 1 hour
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Marks: 50
Paper 2
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Essay-based questions divided into two sections:
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Section A: African Prose
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Section B: Non-African Prose
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Two essay questions will be set for each prescribed novel. Candidates must answer one question from each section.
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Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
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Marks: 50
Paper 3
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Focuses on drama and poetry. Divided into four sections:
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Section A: African Drama
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Section B: Non-African Drama
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Section C: African Poetry
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Section D: Non-African Poetry
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Two questions will be set on each prescribed text. Candidates must answer one question from each section, making four questions in total.
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Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
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Marks: 100
Detailed Literature in English Syllabus
African Prose
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Second Class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta
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Unexpected Joy at Dawn by Alex Agyei-Agyiri (2018 Edition)
Non-African Prose
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Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
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Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Shakespearean Text
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream
African Drama
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Let Me Die Alone by John K. Kargbo
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The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka
Non-African Drama
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Fences by August Wilson
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Look Back in Anger by John Osborne
African Poetry
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Raider of the Treasure Trove by Lade Wosornu
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Black Woman by Léopold Sédar Senghor
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The Grieved Lands by Agostinho Neto
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The Song of the Women of My Land by Oumar Farouk Sesay
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A Government Driver on His Retirement by Onu Chibuike
Non-African Poetry
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The Good-Morrow by John Donne
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Caged Bird by Maya Angelou
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The Journey of the Magi by T.S. Eliot
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Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas
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Binsey Poplars (Felled 1879) by G.M. Hopkins
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Bat by D.H. Lawrence
Important Notes
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The unseen prose passage in Paper 1 will be about 120–150 words.
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Only context questions will be set on the Shakespearean text, focusing on themes, style, setting, and characterization.
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No essay questions will be asked on the Shakespearean text.
Download Complete Literature in English Syllabus PDF
You can view the WAEC Literature in English syllabus as text above or download it as a PDF. Please use the button below to get the offline PDF version for both internal and external WAEC candidates.
Get live updates, likely questions, and connect with other students preparing for WAEC Literature in English and other subjects.
Note: This marks the completion of the WAEC Syllabus for Lit-in-Eng 2025. Students are advised to study each section thoroughly to be well-prepared for the examination.
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