WAEC Syllabus for Literature in English

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has provided the syllabus for Literature in English for candidates preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The WAEC Literature in English syllabus for 2026–2030 outlines the areas candidates are expected to study and the prescribed texts they should read before the examination. It covers General Knowledge of Literature, Prose, Drama and Poetry, with both African and non-African texts included.

Candidates preparing for WAEC Literature in English should make use of the syllabus when studying, as it provides a clear guide to what they are expected to cover for the examination.

In this article, you will find the WAEC Syllabus for Literature in English for 2026–2030, including the examination scheme and the complete list of prescribed texts.

Literature in English Examination Scheme

The Literature in English examination consists of three papers.

Paper 1: Objective Test

Paper 1 will be a multiple-choice objective test containing 50 questions. The questions will be distributed as follows:

• 20 questions on General Knowledge of Literature.
• 5 questions on an unseen prose passage.
• 5 questions on an unseen poem.
• 20 context questions on the prescribed Shakespearean text.

Candidates are required to answer all the questions within 1 hour. The paper carries 50 marks.

The unseen prose passage will be about 120–150 words long.

For the Shakespearean text, only context questions will be set. These questions will test areas such as theme, characterisation, style and setting.

Paper 2: Prose

Paper 2 is an essay test divided into two sections:

• Section A: African Prose
• Section B: Non-African Prose

Two essay questions will be set on each of the prescribed novels. Candidates are required to answer one question from each section, making a total of two questions.

The paper will last 1 hour 15 minutes and carries 50 marks.

Paper 3: Drama and Poetry

Paper 3 covers the Drama and Poetry components of the syllabus. It is divided into four sections:

• Section A: African Drama
• Section B: Non-African Drama
• Section C: African Poetry
• Section D: Non-African Poetry

Two questions will be set on each of the prescribed drama texts in Sections A and B. Two questions will also be set for each of the poetry sections.

Candidates are required to answer one question from each section, making a total of four questions.

Paper 3 will last 2 hours 30 minutes and carries 100 marks.

Prescribed Literature in English Texts for 2026–2030

The following are the prescribed texts candidates are expected to study for the WASSCE Literature in English examination from 2026 to 2030.

Shakespearean Text

• Antony and Cleopatra — William Shakespeare

African Prose

1. So the Path Does Not Die — Pede Hollist
2. Redemption Road — Elma Shaw

Non-African Prose

1. To Kill a Mockingbird — Harper Lee
2. Path of Lucas: The Journey He Endured — Susanne Bellefeuille

African Drama

1. Once Upon an Elephant — Bosede Ademilua-Afolayan
2. The Marriage of Anansewa — Efua Sutherland

Non-African Drama

1. An Inspector Calls — J. D. Priestley
2. A Man for All Seasons — Robert Bolt

African Poetry

1. Once Upon a Time — Gabriel Okara
2. New Tongue — Elizabeth L. A. Kamara
3. Night — Wole Soyinka
4. Not My Business — Niyi Osundare
5. Hearty Garlands — S.O.H. Afriyie-Vidza
6. The Breast of the Sea — Syl Cheney-Coker

Non-African Poetry

1. She Walks in Beauty — Lord Byron
2. The Nun’s Priest’s Tale (shortened) — Geoffrey Chaucer
3. Digging — Seamus Heaney
4. Still I Rise — Maya Angelou
5. The Telephone Call — Fleur Adcock
6. The Stone — Wilfred Wilson Gibson

Important Things to Study in Literature in English

Reading the prescribed texts from beginning to end is important, but candidates should also focus on the main literary elements that can be tested.

• Themes: Identify the major ideas explored in each text. These may include issues such as love, betrayal, conflict, discrimination, death, power, family, society and identity, depending on the text.
• Characters: Know the main and supporting characters. Understand their roles, relationships, behaviour, development and contribution to the story.
• Setting: Study where and when the events take place. The setting can help explain the behaviour of characters and the development of events.
• Plot: Understand the major events in the correct order. Know how the story begins, develops, and ends.
• Literary Devices: Learn the literary techniques used by the writers and poets. Examples include:

• Metaphor
• Simile
• Personification
• Irony
• Symbolism
• Imagery
• Alliteration
• Repetition
• Satire
• Foreshadowing

• Style: Pay attention to how each writer presents ideas, characters, and events. In poetry, also study the poet's use of language, tone, imagery, rhythm, and other poetic techniques.

How to Prepare for WAEC Literature in English

Candidates can improve their performance by following this study plan:

• Read All Prescribed Texts: Do not depend only on summaries. Read the prescribed novels, drama texts and poems carefully.
• Make Short Notes: Write down important characters, themes, events, literary devices and important points as you study.
• Practise Past Questions: Past questions help you understand how WAEC asks questions and allow you to practise answering under examination conditions.
• Study Unseen Prose and Poetry: Do not prepare only for the prescribed texts. Paper 1 also contains questions on unseen prose and an unseen poem, so practise reading and analysing texts you have not studied before.
• Understand the Shakespearean Text: Since Paper 1 contains 20 context questions on the prescribed Shakespearean text, candidates should know the characters, themes, setting and style of Antony and Cleopatra.
• Practise Essay Writing: For Papers 2 and 3, candidates need to express their ideas clearly. Practise answering Literature essay questions and support your points with relevant details from the texts.

Hoping you found this piece helpful. Note that the best way to prepare for the WAEC examination is to combine careful reading with regular practice. Do not just memorise summaries of the prescribed texts. Make sure you understand the characters, themes, events, setting, language and techniques used by each writer.

Start your preparation early, study each section of the syllabus, practise past questions and improve your essay-writing skills. Doing this will help you become more familiar with the examination format and answer Literature questions with greater confidence. If you have any questions, visit the comment section for assistance!