Literature in English helps you understand stories, plays, poems, characters, themes, and different ways writers use language. The books and literary works you study can make Literature easier to understand and help you perform better in the examination. That is why many students use the JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Literature in English.
In this guide, I will show you the selected African and non-African plays, prose works, poems, anthologies, and critical texts on the recommended list. You will also learn why these materials are useful and how they can help you understand literary works better.
The list includes drama such as Harvest of Corruption and Othello. It also includes prose works such as Faceless and Native Son. There are African and non-African poems, as well as anthologies and critical texts that can help you understand literary terms.
The thing is, you should not only read these books to remember the story. Try to understand the characters, themes, setting, language, and lessons in each work.
JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Literature in English 2027/2028
Selected African and Non-African Plays
The recommended drama works include one African play and one non-African play.
| Category | Author | Literary Work |
|---|---|---|
| African Drama | Frank Ogodo Ogbeche | Harvest of Corruption |
| Non-African Drama | William Shakespeare | Othello |
These two plays give you the chance to study drama from different backgrounds. As you read them, pay attention to the characters, events, themes, conflicts, and way the writers present their ideas.
Selected African and Non-African Prose
The recommended prose works are:
| Category | Author | Literary Work |
|---|---|---|
| African Prose | Amma Darko | Faceless |
| Non-African Prose | Richard Wright | Native Son |
When reading these novels, do not focus only on what happens in the story. Pay attention to the characters and why they behave in certain ways. Also look at the setting, major events, themes, and problems faced by the characters.
Selected African and Non-African Poetry
The recommended poetry works are divided into African and non-African poems.
| Category | Poet | Poem |
|---|---|---|
| African Poetry | Birago Diop | Vanity |
| African Poetry | Gbemisola Adeoti | Ambush |
| African Poetry | Gabriel Okara | Piano and Drums |
| African Poetry | Gbanabam Hallowell | The Dining Table |
| African Poetry | Lenrie Peter | The Panic of Growing Older |
| African Poetry | Kofi Awoonor | The Anvil and the Hammer |
| Non-African Poetry | Alfred Tennyson | Crossing the Bar |
| Non-African Poetry | George Herbert | The Pulley |
| Non-African Poetry | William Blake | The School Boy |
| Non-African Poetry | William Morris | The Proud King |
Poetry can seem difficult at first, but you can make it easier by reading each poem slowly. Look for the main idea, themes, images, figures of speech, tone, and message.
Do not rush through a poem just because it is short. A short poem can contain many ideas that you need to understand.
Recommended Literature Anthologies
The recommended anthologies are:
- Gbemisola, A. (2005). Naked Soles. Ibadan: Kraft.
- Hayward, J. (ed.) (1968). The Penguin Book of English Verse. London: Penguin.
- Johnson, R. et al. (eds.) (1996). New Poetry from Africa. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
- Kermode, F. et al. (1964). Oxford Anthology of English Literature, Vol. II. London: OUP.
- Nwoga, D. (ed.) (1967). West African Verse. London: Longman.
- Senanu, K. E. and Vincent, T. (eds.) (1993). A Selection of African Poetry. Lagos: Longman.
- Soyinka, W. (ed.) (1987). Poems of Black Africa. Ibadan: Heinemann.
Anthologies bring different poems and literary works together in one book. They can be useful when you want to read different writers and compare their ideas and styles.
Recommended Critical Texts
The recommended critical texts are:
- Abrams, M. H. (1981). A Glossary of Literary Terms, 4th Edition. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
- Emeaba, O. E. (1982). A Dictionary of Literature. Aba: Inteks Press.
- Murphy, M. J. (1972). Understanding Unseen: An Introduction to English Poetry and English Novel for Overseas Students. George Allen and Unwin Ltd.
These books can help you understand literary terms and ideas used when studying poetry, prose, and drama.
Understanding terms such as imagery, metaphor, irony, setting, character, plot, and theme can make Literature questions much easier to answer.
The more you understand the language used to discuss literature, the more confident you can become when answering examination questions.
How to Study With the JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Literature in English
Reading the JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Literature in English is a good start, but you also need a simple study method. Literature becomes easier when you read carefully, make short notes, and practise answering questions.
The thing is, you do not need to memorise every sentence in a novel, play, or poem. What you need is a clear understanding of the important parts.
Read Each Literary Work Carefully
Start by reading each recommended work from beginning to end. Do not depend only on summaries because they may leave out details that can help you answer questions.
As you read a novel or play, pay attention to the main characters, important events, setting, conflicts, and major themes.
For example, while reading Othello, ask yourself questions such as: Who are the main characters? What causes the main conflict? How do the characters’ actions affect the story?
Asking yourself questions while reading can help you remember the story better.
You can keep a notebook for each literary work. Write down the names of important characters, major events, themes, and anything you find interesting or difficult.
Read Also: JAMB Literature Syllabus 2026/2027 Download PDF
Study Themes, Literary Devices, and Characters
After reading the story, play, or poem, go back and study its important literary features.
For prose and drama, pay attention to:
- Characters and their roles.
- Major themes.
- Setting.
- Plot and important events.
- Conflict.
- Language and style.
For poetry, pay attention to:
- Theme and message.
- Imagery.
- Metaphor and simile.
- Personification.
- Tone.
- Sound patterns.
- Other figures of speech.
Do not only ask, “What happened?” Ask, “Why did it happen?” and “What is the writer trying to tell me?”
This can help you move from simply knowing the story to understanding the literary work.
Practise With Past Questions
After studying a literary work, answer past JAMB Literature in English questions. This helps you see how questions are asked and shows you which areas need more study.
Past questions can help you:
- Test your understanding of the literary works.
- Practise identifying themes and literary devices.
- Improve your speed when answering questions.
- Find topics or books that need more revision.
- Build confidence before the examination.
Do not wait until the examination is close before you start practising. Read your books regularly, revise your notes, and answer past questions throughout your study period.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to read all the JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Literature in English?
You should give attention to the selected literary works because questions can test your understanding of them. The anthologies and critical texts can also help you understand poetry and literary terms better.
Do I need to read all the selected poems?
Yes, it is a good idea to study all the poems on the list. Read each poem carefully and make simple notes about its theme, message, tone, imagery, and other important features.
Are these Literature textbooks useful for WAEC and NECO?
Yes. The literary skills you develop from reading the works, studying themes, and learning literary terms can also help with WAEC and NECO Literature in English.
Which Literature in English book should I read first?
You can start with the selected drama or prose work that you find easiest to read. After that, study the other works and then use the anthologies and critical texts to improve your understanding of poetry and literary terms.
Conclusion
The JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Literature in English 2027/2028 give you important materials for studying drama, prose, poetry, literary terms, and African and non-African literature.
Do not depend only on summaries. Read the actual works, make short notes, study the characters and themes, and practise identifying literary devices. When you understand what you read, answering examination questions becomes easier.
Take your Literature study one work at a time and keep practising. If this guide helped you, leave a comment below and share it with another student who may need the list of JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Literature in English.