---
title: "WAEC Literature-in-English Areas of Concentration 2027/2028"
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description: "See the WAEC Literature-in-English Areas of Concentration 2027/2028, including literary knowledge, unseen prose and poetry, Shakespeare, prose, drama and current 2026–2030 texts. The WAEC Literature-in-English Areas of Concentration 2027/2028 will..."
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# WAEC Literature-in-English Areas of Concentration 2027/2028

See the WAEC Literature-in-English Areas of Concentration 2027/2028, including literary knowledge, unseen prose and poetry, Shakespeare, prose, drama and current 2026–2030 texts.

The **WAEC Literature-in-English Areas of Concentration 2027/2028** will help you organise your preparation around the major parts of the Literature-in-English examination.

[![WAEC Literature-in-English Areas of Concentration 2027/2028](https://examloaded.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/WAEC-Literature-in-English-Areas-of-Concentration-2027-2028-300x163.webp)](https://examloaded.com/waec-literature-in-english-areas-of-concentration/waec-literature-in-english-areas-of-concentration-2027-2028/)WAEC Literature-in-English Areas of Concentration 2027/2028
WAEC Literature-in-English consists of **three papers** covering General Knowledge of Literature, Unseen Prose, Unseen Poetry, Shakespeare, African and Non-African Prose, African and Non-African Drama, and African and Non-African Poetry.

**READ:** [Access 2027 WAEC Questions and Answers in all Subjects – Free Study Guide](/waec-questions-and-answers/)

**ALSO READ:** [WAEC Specimens 2027](/waec-specimens-practicals/)

For the 2027 examination, candidates should study the **2026–2030 WAEC prescribed texts**. WAEC’s official harmonized list includes *Antony and Cleopatra* as the Shakespearean text together with the current prose, drama and poetry selections listed below.

The major areas you should concentrate on are:

- General Knowledge of Literature
- Unseen Prose
- Unseen Poetry
- Shakespearean Context Questions
- African Prose
- Non-African Prose
- African Drama
- Non-African Drama
- African Poetry
- Non-African Poetry
- Themes
- Characterization
- Style
- Setting
- Understanding the Current Prescribed Texts

**READ ALSO:** [WAEC Government Syllabus 2027/2028 Questions PDF Download](/waec-government-syllabus/)

## WAEC Literature-in-English Areas of Concentration at a Glance

For your 2027 preparation, concentrate on:

- General Knowledge of Literature
- Literary Genres
- Prose
- Drama
- Poetry
- Literary Appreciation
- Unseen Prose
- Unseen Poetry
- Shakespearean Context Questions
- Theme
- Characterization
- Style
- Setting
- *Antony and Cleopatra*
- African Prose
- *So the Path Does not Die*
- *Redemption Road*
- Non-African Prose
- *To Kill a Mocking Bird*
- *Path of Lucas: The Journey He Endured*
- African Drama
- *Once Upon an Elephant*
- *The Marriage of Anansewa*
- Non-African Drama
- *An Inspector Calls*
- *A Man for all Seasons*
- African Poetry
- *Once Upon a Time*
- *New Tongue*
- *Night*
- *Not my Business*
- *Hearty Garlands*
- *The Breast of The Sea*
- Non-African Poetry
- *She Walks in Beauty*
- *The Nun’s Priest’s Tale*
- *Digging*
- *Still I Rise*
- *The Telephone Call*
- *The Stone*

The current 2026–2030 set-text list above is taken from WAEC’s official harmonized Literature-in-English list.

## General Knowledge of Literature

General Knowledge of Literature is one of the biggest areas in Paper 1.

WAEC allocates **20 of the 50 Paper 1 questions** to General Knowledge of Literature.

This means you should have a good understanding of the basic principles used in studying literature.

Your preparation should cover the three major literary genres:

### Prose

Understand the basic features of prose and how prose works are studied.

For revision, it is useful to be comfortable discussing areas such as:

- Story
- Characters
- Setting
- Themes
- Narrative Presentation
- Language and Style

### Drama

Understand drama as literature written for performance.

When revising drama, pay attention to:

- Characters
- Dialogue
- Conflict
- Setting
- Important Scenes
- Stage Action
- Themes
- Style

### Poetry

You should understand how poetry communicates ideas through language, structure and poetic techniques.

When revising poetry, pay attention to:

- Subject Matter
- Theme
- Persona
- Tone
- Mood
- Imagery
- Language
- Structure
- Poetic Devices

These are useful revision categories rather than a separate list of topics stated in the uploaded syllabus.

## Unseen Prose

Paper 1 contains **five questions on an unseen prose passage**.

The passage is expected to be about **120–150 words long**.

Because the passage is unseen, you cannot prepare for this section by memorising one particular novel.

You need to practise reading unfamiliar passages and quickly understanding:

- What is happening
- Who is involved
- The main idea
- The writer’s presentation
- Important expressions
- Relevant literary features

## How to Prepare for Unseen Prose

Practise with short prose passages regularly.

After reading a passage, ask yourself:

- What is the passage mainly about?
- Who are the important characters?
- Where is the action taking place?
- What attitude does the writer show?
- What important literary technique can I identify?
- What does a particular expression mean in context?

This will prepare you better than simply reading definitions of literary terms.

## Unseen Poetry

Paper 1 also contains **five questions on an unseen poem**.

This means you may receive a poem you have never studied before.

You therefore need to know how to approach poetry independently.

## How to Prepare for Unseen Poetry

When practising an unseen poem, identify:

- What the poem is about
- Who appears to be speaking
- The major idea
- Tone
- Mood
- Important images
- Important expressions
- How the language contributes to meaning

The aim is to develop your ability to analyse a poem rather than depend only on memorised notes.

## Shakespearean Text

The Shakespearean text prescribed by WAEC for the **2026–2030 WASSCE period** is:

**Antony and Cleopatra — William Shakespeare**.

This is therefore the Shakespearean text you should prepare for the 2027 examination.

## How Shakespeare Is Tested in WAEC Literature

Paper 1 contains **20 context questions on the prescribed Shakespearean text**.

The syllabus specifically states that the context questions can test areas such as:

- Theme
- Characterization
- Style
- Setting

It also states that **no essay question is set on the Shakespearean text**.

This is important when planning your revision.

You should prepare *Antony and Cleopatra* for context-based objective questions rather than preparing it like one of your Paper 2 prose essays.

## What to Concentrate on in Antony and Cleopatra

Give attention to:

- Major Characters
- Character Relationships
- Major Events
- Themes
- Characterization
- Style
- Setting
- Important Scenes

Because the questions are contextual, you should be able to recognise an extract and understand the situation surrounding it.

## Practising Shakespeare Context Questions

When studying an important passage from *Antony and Cleopatra*, ask:

- Who is speaking?
- Who is being addressed?
- What has happened before this point?
- What happens afterwards?
- What does the passage reveal about a character?
- What theme is connected with the extract?
- What feature of style is being used?
- Where does the action take place?

This matches the type of contextual knowledge the syllabus expects.

## African Prose

African Prose is tested in **Section A of Paper 2**.

WAEC sets **two essay questions on each prescribed novel**, and candidates answer **one question from the African Prose section**.

The current African Prose texts are:

- **Pede Hollist — *So the Path Does not Die***
- **Elma Shaw — *Redemption Road***

## So the Path Does not Die

For *So the Path Does not Die*, read the complete novel.

For revision, organise your notes around:

- Major Events
- Characters
- Character Relationships
- Setting
- Themes
- Important Conflicts
- Style

You should also practise using events from the novel to support an essay answer.

## Redemption Road

For *Redemption Road*, concentrate on understanding the novel as a complete work.

Prepare notes on:

- Important Events
- Characters
- Relationships
- Themes
- Setting
- Conflicts
- Style

Do not rely only on a short summary.

## Non-African Prose

Non-African Prose is tested in **Section B of Paper 2**.

You answer **one question from this section**. Together with your African Prose answer, this gives you two Paper 2 answers.

The prescribed Non-African Prose texts are:

- **Harper Lee — *To Kill a Mocking Bird***
- **Susanne Bellefeuille — *Path of Lucas: The Journey He Endured***

## To Kill a Mocking Bird

When studying *To Kill a Mocking Bird*, concentrate on:

- Major Characters
- Important Events
- Character Relationships
- Setting
- Themes
- Conflicts
- Style

Read the actual novel so that you can support your essay answer with relevant details.

## Path of Lucas The Journey He Endured

Prepare:

- Main Events
- Characters
- Relationships
- Themes
- Setting
- Conflict
- Development of the Story

Again, the important thing is to understand the complete text rather than memorise isolated points.

## WAEC Literature Paper 2 Areas of Concentration

Paper 2 is entirely concerned with prose.

It contains:

### Section A

African Prose

### Section B

Non-African Prose

Two essay questions are set on each prescribed novel.

You answer:

- One African Prose question
- One Non-African Prose question

The paper lasts **1 hour 15 minutes** and carries **50 marks**.

## How to Prepare for Prose Essay Questions

For each of the four prose texts, create notes under:

**Characters → Important Events → Setting → Themes → Style**

Then practise turning those notes into complete essay answers.

Your answer should explain your points and connect them with events from the novel.

## African Drama

African Drama forms **Section A of Paper 3**.

The current prescribed texts are:

- **Bosede Ademilua-Afolayan — *Once Upon an Elephant***
- **Efua Sutherland — *The Marriage of Anansewa***

## Once Upon an Elephant

Concentrate on:

- Major Characters
- Character Relationships
- Important Scenes
- Themes
- Conflicts
- Setting
- Dramatic Presentation

## The Marriage of Anansewa

For *The Marriage of Anansewa*, organise your revision around:

- Characters
- Major Events
- Important Scenes
- Themes
- Conflict
- Setting
- Dramatic Style

## Non-African Drama

Non-African Drama forms **Section B of Paper 3**.

The current texts are:

- **J. D. Priestley — *An Inspector Calls***
- **Robert Bolt — *A Man for all Seasons***

## An Inspector Calls

Give attention to:

- Characters
- Relationships
- Major Events
- Conflict
- Themes
- Setting
- Important Scenes
- Dramatic Presentation

## A Man for all Seasons

Study:

- Characters
- Major Events
- Important Conflicts
- Themes
- Setting
- Important Scenes
- Style

## How to Study Drama

Do not study a play exactly like a prose novel.

Pay attention to:

- Who is speaking
- Who is present in a scene
- Important entrances and exits
- Dialogue
- Conflict
- Stage action
- Changes between scenes

This makes it easier to understand how the playwright develops characters and themes.

## African Poetry

African Poetry forms **Section C of Paper 3**.

The prescribed African poems for 2026–2030 are:

- **Once Upon a Time — Gabriel Okara**
- **New Tongue — Elizabeth L. A. Kamara**
- **Night — Wole Soyinka**
- **Not my Business — Niyi Osundare**
- **Hearty Garlands — S.O.H. Afriyie-Vidza**
- **The Breast of The Sea — Syl Cheney-Coker**

## Once Upon a Time

For revision, concentrate on:

- Subject Matter
- Themes
- Persona
- Tone
- Language
- Imagery
- Structure

## New Tongue

Study:

- Main Idea
- Themes
- Tone
- Language
- Imagery
- Structure

## Night

Prepare:

- Subject Matter
- Themes
- Persona
- Tone
- Mood
- Imagery
- Language

## Not my Business

Concentrate on:

- Subject Matter
- Themes
- Tone
- Repetition
- Imagery
- Structure
- Message

## Hearty Garlands

Study:

- Main Idea
- Themes
- Persona
- Tone
- Imagery
- Language
- Structure

## The Breast of The Sea

Prepare:

- Subject Matter
- Themes
- Tone
- Imagery
- Language
- Symbolic Presentation
- Structure

## Non-African Poetry

Non-African Poetry forms **Section D of Paper 3**.

The prescribed poems are:

- **She Walks in Beauty — Lord Byron**
- **The Nun’s Priest’s Tale — Geoffrey Chaucer (shortened)**
- **Digging — Seamus Heaney**
- **Still I Rise — Maya Angelou**
- **The Telephone Call — Fleur Adcock**
- **The Stone — Wilfred Wilson Gipson**

## She Walks in Beauty

Study:

- Subject Matter
- Theme
- Tone
- Imagery
- Language
- Structure

## The Nun’s Priest’s Tale

WAEC specifies the **shortened version**.

Concentrate on:

- Story
- Characters
- Themes
- Humour
- Style
- Literary Presentation

## Digging

Prepare:

- Subject Matter
- Themes
- Persona
- Tone
- Imagery
- Language
- Structure

## Still I Rise

Give attention to:

- Subject Matter
- Themes
- Persona
- Tone
- Repetition
- Imagery
- Language
- Structure

## The Telephone Call

Study:

- Subject Matter
- Tone
- Humour
- Irony
- Dialogue
- Language
- Structure

## The Stone

Prepare:

- Subject Matter
- Themes
- Tone
- Mood
- Imagery
- Language
- Structure

## How Poetry Is Tested in Paper 3

Paper 3 contains:

- Section C — African Poetry
- Section D — Non-African Poetry

Two questions are set for each poetry section, and you answer **one question from each section**.

That means you must prepare both African and Non-African poetry.

## WAEC Literature Paper 3 Areas of Concentration

Paper 3 contains four sections:

- Section A — African Drama
- Section B — Non-African Drama
- Section C — African Poetry
- Section D — Non-African Poetry

You answer **one question from each section**, making **four answers altogether**.

The paper lasts **2 hours 30 minutes** and carries **100 marks**.

## Complete WAEC Literature Books to Study for 2027

### Shakespearean Text

**Antony and Cleopatra — William Shakespeare**

### African Prose

- *So the Path Does not Die* — Pede Hollist
- *Redemption Road* — Elma Shaw

### Non-African Prose

- *To Kill a Mocking Bird* — Harper Lee
- *Path of Lucas: The Journey He Endured* — Susanne Bellefeuille

### African Drama

- *Once Upon an Elephant* — Bosede Ademilua-Afolayan
- *The Marriage of Anansewa* — Efua Sutherland

### Non-African Drama

- *An Inspector Calls* — J. D. Priestley
- *A Man for all Seasons* — Robert Bolt

### African Poetry

- *Once Upon a Time* — Gabriel Okara
- *New Tongue* — Elizabeth L. A. Kamara
- *Night* — Wole Soyinka
- *Not my Business* — Niyi Osundare
- *Hearty Garlands* — S.O.H. Afriyie-Vidza
- *The Breast of The Sea* — Syl Cheney-Coker

### Non-African Poetry

- *She Walks in Beauty* — Lord Byron
- *The Nun’s Priest’s Tale* — Geoffrey Chaucer, shortened
- *Digging* — Seamus Heaney
- *Still I Rise* — Maya Angelou
- *The Telephone Call* — Fleur Adcock
- *The Stone* — Wilfred Wilson Gipson

This is WAEC’s official harmonized Literature-in-English set-text list for **WASSCE 2026–2030**, so it covers the 2027 examination.

## What to Concentrate on When Reading a Prose Text

For revision, make sure you understand:

- The major events
- Important characters
- Character relationships
- Setting
- Themes
- Important conflicts
- Style

You should be able to explain your points with examples from the actual book.

## What to Concentrate on When Reading a Drama Text

Pay attention to:

- Characters
- Scenes
- Dialogue
- Major Events
- Conflict
- Themes
- Setting
- Dramatic Presentation

Reading the actual play helps you understand how events unfold on stage.

## What to Concentrate on When Reading a Poem

For each prescribed poem, prepare:

- Subject Matter
- Theme
- Persona
- Tone
- Mood
- Imagery
- Language
- Structure
- Important Poetic Techniques

Do not simply memorise a list of devices. Understand how the poet uses them to communicate meaning.

## Best Order to Study WAEC Literature-in-English

### Stage 1 General Knowledge of Literature

Start with:

- Prose
- Drama
- Poetry
- Basic Literary Appreciation
- Common Literary Techniques

### Stage 2 Unseen Literature

Practise:

- Unseen Prose
- Unseen Poetry

Continue doing these throughout your preparation.

### Stage 3 Shakespeare

Study:

- *Antony and Cleopatra*
- Characters
- Important Events
- Themes
- Characterization
- Style
- Setting
- Context Questions

### Stage 4 Prose

Study:

- *So the Path Does not Die*
- *Redemption Road*
- *To Kill a Mocking Bird*
- *Path of Lucas: The Journey He Endured*

### Stage 5 Drama

Study:

- *Once Upon an Elephant*
- *The Marriage of Anansewa*
- *An Inspector Calls*
- *A Man for all Seasons*

### Stage 6 African Poetry

Study all six prescribed African poems.

### Stage 7 Non-African Poetry

Finish with all six prescribed Non-African poems.

Continue answering past questions throughout all the stages.

## How to Use These WAEC Literature Areas of Concentration

### Start With the Complete Syllabus

Use the full syllabus as your main checklist.

**READ ALSO:** [WAEC Literature-in-English Syllabus 2027/2028 PDF Download](/waec-literature-in-english-syllabus-questions/)

### Read the Actual Prescribed Texts

Do not prepare Literature-in-English entirely from summaries.

Summaries can help you revise, but they cannot replace reading the books.

You need to know enough of the actual text to support your answers.

### Separate Your Notes by Paper

Create:

**Paper 1 Notes**

- General Knowledge
- Unseen Prose
- Unseen Poetry
- Shakespeare

**Paper 2 Notes**

- African Prose
- Non-African Prose

**Paper 3 Notes**

- African Drama
- Non-African Drama
- African Poetry
- Non-African Poetry

This makes your revision much easier.

## Practise Shakespeare Context Questions

Remember that Shakespeare is tested through **context questions**, not an essay question.

When you revise an important passage, understand:

- Speaker
- Situation
- Character
- Theme
- Style
- Setting

## Practise Timed Prose Essays

Paper 2 lasts **1 hour 15 minutes** and requires two answers.

Practise completing:

- One African Prose answer
- One Non-African Prose answer

within the available time.

## Practise Timed Drama and Poetry Essays

Paper 3 lasts **2 hours 30 minutes** and requires four answers.

Practise managing your time across:

- African Drama
- Non-African Drama
- African Poetry
- Non-African Poetry

## What Should You Concentrate on Most for WAEC Literature-in-English

You should prepare every prescribed section, but give strong attention to:

- General Knowledge of Literature
- Unseen Prose
- Unseen Poetry
- Antony and Cleopatra
- Theme
- Characterization
- Style
- Setting
- African Prose
- Non-African Prose
- African Drama
- Non-African Drama
- African Poetry
- Non-African Poetry
- All Current 2026–2030 Prescribed Texts

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What Are the WAEC Literature-in-English Areas of Concentration for 2027

The major areas are General Knowledge of Literature, Unseen Prose, Unseen Poetry, Shakespeare, African and Non-African Prose, African and Non-African Drama, and African and Non-African Poetry.

### What Should I Focus on Most for WAEC Literature

Give strong attention to general literary knowledge, your prescribed texts, Shakespeare context questions, unseen prose and poetry, themes, characterization, style and setting.

### What Is the WAEC Shakespeare Book for 2027

The current text is **Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare**.

### Is Shakespeare an Essay Question

No.

The syllabus states that only context questions are set on the Shakespearean text and that no essay question is set on it.

### How Many Shakespeare Questions Are in Paper 1

There are **20 context questions** on the prescribed Shakespearean text.

### What Should I Study in Antony and Cleopatra

Give attention to:

- Theme
- Characterization
- Style
- Setting

You should also understand the important characters, relationships, scenes and events so that you can answer context questions.

### Is General Knowledge of Literature Important

Yes.

It accounts for **20 questions in Paper 1**.

### Is Unseen Prose Included

Yes.

There are five objective questions on an unseen prose passage of about **120–150 words**.

### Is Unseen Poetry Included

Yes.

Paper 1 contains five questions on an unseen poem.

### What Are the African Prose Books for WAEC 2027

They are:

- *So the Path Does not Die*
- *Redemption Road*

### What Are the Non-African Prose Books

They are:

- *To Kill a Mocking Bird*
- *Path of Lucas: The Journey He Endured*

### What Are the African Drama Books

They are:

- *Once Upon an Elephant*
- *The Marriage of Anansewa*

### What Are the Non-African Drama Books

They are:

- *An Inspector Calls*
- *A Man for all Seasons*

### What Are the African Poems for WAEC 2027

They are:

- *Once Upon a Time*
- *New Tongue*
- *Night*
- *Not my Business*
- *Hearty Garlands*
- *The Breast of The Sea*

### What Are the Non-African Poems

They are:

- *She Walks in Beauty*
- *The Nun’s Priest’s Tale*
- *Digging*
- *Still I Rise*
- *The Telephone Call*
- *The Stone*

### How Many Questions Are in Literature Paper 1

Paper 1 contains **50 objective questions**.

### How Is Paper 1 Divided

It contains:

- General Knowledge of Literature — 20
- Unseen Prose — 5
- Unseen Poetry — 5
- Shakespeare — 20

### How Long Is Paper 1

Paper 1 lasts **1 hour**.

### How Many Questions Do I Answer in Paper 2

You answer two questions:

- One African Prose question
- One Non-African Prose question

### How Long Is Paper 2

Paper 2 lasts **1 hour 15 minutes** and carries 50 marks.

### How Many Questions Do I Answer in Paper 3

You answer four:

- One African Drama
- One Non-African Drama
- One African Poetry
- One Non-African Poetry

### How Long Is Paper 3

Paper 3 lasts **2 hours 30 minutes** and carries **100 marks**.

### Are the Old 2021–2025 Literature Books Still Used in 2027

No. WAEC’s current harmonized list is for **2026–2030**, and those are the prescribed texts applicable to the 2027 examination.

### Where Can I Download the Complete Literature-in-English Syllabus

Use the [WAEC Literature-in-English Syllabus 2027/2028 PDF Download](/waec-literature-in-english-syllabus-questions/) page.

### Where Can I Find Areas of Concentration for Other WAEC Subjects

Use the [WAEC Areas of Concentration 2027/2028 for All Subjects](/waec-areas-of-concentration-for-all-subjects/) page.

## Conclusion

The **[WAEC](https://www.waecnigeria.org/) Literature-in-English Areas of Concentration 2027/2028** cover General Knowledge of Literature, Unseen Prose, Unseen Poetry, Shakespeare, Prose, Drama and Poetry.

For Paper 1, prepare General Knowledge of Literature, unseen passages and **Antony and Cleopatra**. Remember that Shakespeare is tested with context questions involving areas such as theme, characterization, style and setting.

For Paper 2, prepare African Prose and Non-African Prose. For Paper 3, prepare African Drama, Non-African Drama, African Poetry and Non-African Poetry.

Most importantly, study the correct **2026–2030 WAEC prescribed texts**. These are the books and poems that apply to candidates preparing for the 2027 examination.

Read the actual books, understand the major ideas and characters, practise unseen passages and regularly answer WAEC past questions.

**READ ALSO:** [WAEC Literature-in-English Syllabus 2027/2028 PDF Download](/waec-literature-in-english-syllabus-questions/)

**READ ALSO:** [WAEC Areas of Concentration 2027/2028 for All Subjects](/waec-areas-of-concentration-for-all-subjects/)

**READ ALSO:** [WAEC Syllabus 2027/2028 PDF Download for All Subjects](/waec-syllabus-for-all-subjects-pdf-download/)

**READ ALSO:** [WAEC Timetable 2027](/waec-timetable-for-science-art-and-commercial/)