Introduction
The Optional English syllabus is designed for students who wish to deepen their literary knowledge, sharpen analytical skills, and explore a wide range of texts from different periods, genres, and cultures. It balances critical study with creative expression, encouraging learners to develop a personal voice while engaging with canonical and contemporary works.
Learning Objectives
- Analyse and interpret literary texts using appropriate critical frameworks.
- Develop coherent, evidencebased arguments in both oral and written forms.
- Explore themes such as identity, power, gender, and postcolonialism across diverse contexts.
- Enhance creative writing techniques through poetry, prose, and drama.
- Critically evaluate media and visual texts alongside traditional literature.
- Demonstrate research proficiency using academic conventions and citation styles.
Syllabus Structure
The syllabus is divided into three main components, each contributing to a final grade.
| Component | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I Literary Studies | 40% | Two essaytype questions drawing on a prescribed list of poems, short stories, and novel excerpts. |
| Paper II Language & Style | 30% | A comparative analysis of two texts (one literary, one mediabased) focusing on language, form, and audience. |
| Paper III Creative Writing & Critique | 30% | Original creative piece (poetry, prose, or drama) plus a reflective commentary on the creative process. |
Prescribed Texts
The following works are mandatory for the course. Additional optional texts may be selected for comparative purposes.
- Poetry: Wordsworth Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey; Sylvia Plath Daddy; Langston Hughes The Negro Speaks of Rivers.
- Short Stories: James Joyce Araby; Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie The Thing Around Your Neck.
- Novel Excerpts: Jane Austen *Pride and Prejudice* (Ch. 15); Toni Morrison *Beloved* (Ch. 24).
- Drama: William Shakespeare *Macbeth* (Act IIII); August Wilson *Fences* (Scene 2).
- Media Texts: Film excerpt *Parasite* (opening sequence); Advertisements selected print and digital campaigns.
Assessment Methods
Each paper is examined under timed conditions. Marks are allocated as follows:
- Paper I: Two essays 20 marks each, assessing argument structure, textual evidence, and critical insight.
- Paper II: Comparative analysis 30 marks, rewarding depth of language study and coherent synthesis.
- Paper III: Creative piece 15 marks; Reflective commentary 15 marks, focusing on originality, stylistic control, and selfevaluation.
Additional formative activities such as group discussions, peer reviews, and short response journals contribute to class participation but do not affect final grades.
Recommended Resources
Students are encouraged to use the following materials to support their study.
- Critical anthologies: The Routledge Companion to English Literature, Literary Theory: An Introduction.
- Online databases: JSTOR, Project MUSE, Google Scholar.
- Style guides: MLA Handbook (9th ed.), Cambridge Guide to English Usage.
- Writing labs: University Writing Center, Purdue OWL.
- Multimedia: BBC, The Guardian podcasts; YouTube lectures from The Great Courses.
