WAEC Literature-in-English Syllabus 2027/2028 Questions PDF Download

Download the WAEC Literature-in-English Syllabus 2027/2028 PDF and see the exam structure, African and Non-African prose, drama, poetry and current 2026–2030 set texts.

The WAEC Literature-in-English Syllabus 2027/2028 shows you the examination structure, areas of literature you need to study and the prescribed texts for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

Literature-in-English tests your understanding and appreciation of prose, drama and poetry. You are also expected to understand general literary concepts, analyse unseen passages and poems, and study the prescribed Shakespearean text.

READ: Access 2027 WAEC Questions and Answers in all Subjects – Free Study Guide

ALSO READ: WAEC Specimens 2027

The examination consists of three papers — Papers 1, 2 and 3. Papers 1 and 2 are taken as a composite paper at one sitting.

The major areas you need to prepare are:

• General Knowledge of Literature
• Unseen Prose
• Unseen Poetry
• Shakespearean Text
• African Prose
• Non-African Prose
• African Drama
• Non-African Drama
• African Poetry
• Non-African Poetry

For the 2027 examination, you should use the 2026–2030 WAEC Literature-in-English prescribed texts, not the older 2021–2025 books. WAEC’s current harmonized list applies throughout the 2026–2030 examination period.

READ ALSO: WAEC Syllabus 2027/2028 PDF Download for All Subjects

Download WAEC Literature-in-English Syllabus 2027/2028 PDF

You can download the complete WAEC Literature-in-English Syllabus 2027/2028 PDF and use it as a guide throughout your preparation.

The PDF contains:

• WAEC Literature-in-English Examination Structure
• Paper 1 Requirements
• Paper 2 Requirements
• Paper 3 Requirements
• General Knowledge of Literature
• Unseen Prose
• Unseen Poetry
• Shakespearean Text
• African Prose
• Non-African Prose
• African Drama
• Non-African Drama
• African Poetry
• Non-African Poetry
• Current WAEC Literature Books for 2026–2030
• Current WAEC Poetry for 2026–2030

Use the syllabus together with the actual prescribed texts and WAEC past questions.

WAEC Literature-in-English Examination Structure

There are three papers:

• Paper 1
• Paper 2
• Paper 3

Papers 1 and 2 form a composite paper and are taken at one sitting.

WAEC Literature-in-English Paper 1

Paper 1 is a multiple-choice objective examination containing 50 questions.

You are required to answer all the questions within 1 hour.

The paper carries 50 marks.

The questions are distributed as follows:

• General Knowledge of Literature — 20 questions
• Unseen Prose — 5 questions
• Unseen Poetry — 5 questions
• Shakespearean Text — 20 context questions

General Knowledge of Literature

General Knowledge of Literature contributes 20 questions to Paper 1, making it one of the most important areas of the objective examination.

Your preparation should cover the literary concepts used in studying:

• Prose
• Drama
• Poetry

You should understand common literary terms and be able to identify them when they appear in passages, poems or extracts.

Important Literary Terms to Study

Give attention to concepts such as:

• Plot
• Setting
• Theme
• Character
• Characterization
• Conflict
• Point of View
• Narrator
• Style
• Diction
• Tone
• Mood
• Imagery
• Symbolism
• Irony
• Satire
• Suspense
• Flashback
• Foreshadowing
• Allusion
• Allegory
• Metaphor
• Simile
• Personification
• Hyperbole
• Euphemism
• Oxymoron
• Paradox
• Pun
• Repetition
• Rhetorical Question
• Alliteration
• Assonance
• Onomatopoeia
• Enjambment
• Rhyme
• Rhythm
• Stanza
• Persona
• Soliloquy
• Aside
• Dramatic Irony

Your textbook may contain additional literary terms, so use the complete syllabus and classroom materials rather than limiting your preparation to this list.

Unseen Prose

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

The syllabus states that the passage should be approximately 120 to 150 words long.

The passage will not necessarily come from one of your prescribed novels.

You therefore need to develop the ability to analyse prose independently.

How to Prepare for Unseen Prose

When reading an unseen prose passage, pay attention to:

• Main Idea
• Setting
• Characters
• Tone
• Mood
• Diction
• Narrative Technique
• Figures of Speech
• Meaning of Expressions
• Literary Devices

Read the passage carefully before answering the questions.

Unseen Poetry

Paper 1 also contains five questions on an unseen poem.

You may be given a poem you have never studied before, so simply memorising the prescribed poems will not be enough.

How to Prepare for Unseen Poetry

Practise identifying:

• Subject Matter
• Theme
• Persona
• Tone
• Mood
• Imagery
• Diction
• Figures of Speech
• Sound Devices
• Structure

You should also understand how the poet’s choice of words contributes to the meaning of the poem.

Shakespearean Text

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

Antony and Cleopatra — William Shakespeare.

Paper 1 contains 20 context questions based on the Shakespearean text.

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

What to Study in Antony and Cleopatra

Prepare:

• Plot
• Setting
• Characters
• Characterization
• Themes
• Style
• Important Scenes
• Important Speeches
• Conflicts
• Dramatic Techniques
• Literary Devices

Because the questions are contextual, you should be able to recognise important scenes and understand what happens before and after an extract.

WAEC Literature-in-English Paper 2

Paper 2 is an essay examination covering prose.

It is divided into:

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

Two essay questions are set on each prescribed novel.

You answer:

• One question from Section A
• One question from Section B

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

Section A African Prose

The current African Prose texts for the 2026–2030 WASSCE period are:

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

So the Path Does not Die by Pede Hollist

Read the complete novel and prepare:

• Plot
• Setting
• Major Characters
• Minor Characters
• Characterization
• Themes
• Conflicts
• Language
• Style
• Literary Devices
• Important Events
• Lessons

Do not depend entirely on chapter summaries.

Essay questions may require you to connect different parts of the novel when discussing a theme or character.

Redemption Road by Elma Shaw

For Redemption Road, study:

• Plot Development
• Setting
• Characters
• Character Relationships
• Themes
• Conflict
• Narrative Techniques
• Style
• Important Events
• Lessons

Practise answering essay questions with specific references to events in the novel.

Section B Non-African Prose

The current Non-African Prose texts are:

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

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Prepare:

• Plot
• Setting
• Major Characters
• Characterization
• Themes
• Social Issues
• Conflict
• Narrative Point of View
• Style
• Symbolism
• Important Events

When answering essay questions, support your explanation with relevant events from the text.

Path of Lucas The Journey He Endured by Susanne Bellefeuille

Read the novel thoroughly and prepare:

• Plot
• Setting
• Characters
• Character Development
• Relationships
• Themes
• Conflict
• Narrative Style
• Important Events
• Lessons

How to Prepare for WAEC Prose Questions

For each prescribed novel, create revision notes under:

Plot → Setting → Characters → Themes → Style → Literary Devices → Important Events

You should also practise questions that ask you to:

• Discuss a Character
• Examine a Theme
• Explain the Importance of an Event
• Discuss a Relationship
• Comment on the Writer’s Style
• Explain the Significance of a Setting

WAEC Literature-in-English Paper 3

Paper 3 covers Drama and Poetry.

It is divided into 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 a total of four questions.

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

Section A African Drama

The current African Drama texts are:

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

Once Upon an Elephant by Bosede Ademilua-Afolayan

Study:

• Plot
• Setting
• Characters
• Themes
• Conflict
• Dramatic Techniques
• Language
• Style
• Important Scenes
• Lessons

The Marriage of Anansewa by Efua Sutherland

Prepare:

• Plot
• Characters
• Characterization
• Setting
• Themes
• Conflict
• Humour
• Dramatic Techniques
• Language
• Important Scenes

For drama, it is useful to understand how characters behave on stage rather than treating the text exactly like a novel.

Section B Non-African Drama

The prescribed Non-African Drama texts are:

• An Inspector Calls — J. B. Priestley
• A Man for All Seasons — Robert Bolt

These form part of WAEC’s current 2026–2030 Literature-in-English list.

An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley

Prepare:

• Plot
• Setting
• Characters
• Character Relationships
• Themes
• Dramatic Irony
• Suspense
• Dialogue
• Stagecraft
• Social Issues
• Important Scenes

A Man for All Seasons by Robert Bolt

Study:

• Plot
• Historical Setting
• Characters
• Conflict
• Themes
• Dialogue
• Dramatic Techniques
• Characterization
• Important Events
• Lessons

How to Study Drama for WAEC

For every drama text, pay attention to:

• Acts and Scenes
• Stage Directions
• Dialogue
• Conflict
• Character Entrances and Exits
• Dramatic Irony
• Suspense
• Soliloquy where applicable
• Setting
• Important Events

Drama is written for performance, so stage techniques can be important when discussing how a playwright presents an idea.

Section C African Poetry

The six current African poems prescribed by WAEC for 2026–2030 are:

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

Once Upon a Time by Gabriel Okara

When studying the poem, concentrate on:

• Subject Matter
• Themes
• Persona
• Tone
• Imagery
• Diction
• Figures of Speech
• Structure
• Message

New Tongue by Elizabeth L. A. Kamara

Study:

• Central Ideas
• Themes
• Tone
• Language
• Imagery
• Poetic Devices
• Message

Night by Wole Soyinka

Prepare the poem under:

• Subject Matter
• Theme
• Persona
• Mood
• Tone
• Imagery
• Symbolism
• Diction
• Other Literary Devices

Not My Business by Niyi Osundare

Study the poem carefully and give attention to:

• Themes
• Repetition
• Imagery
• Tone
• Structure
• Social Message
• Figures of Speech

Hearty Garlands by S O H Afriyie-Vidza

Prepare:

• Subject Matter
• Themes
• Tone
• Mood
• Diction
• Imagery
• Poetic Devices
• Lessons

The Breast of the Sea by Syl Cheney-Coker

Study:

• Subject Matter
• Themes
• Persona
• Tone
• Imagery
• Symbolism
• Figures of Speech
• Structure

Section D Non-African Poetry

The current Non-African poems are:

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

She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron

Study:

• Subject Matter
• Theme
• Tone
• Imagery
• Contrast
• Diction
• Sound Devices
• Figures of Speech

The Nun’s Priest’s Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer

WAEC specifies the shortened version of The Nun’s Priest’s Tale.

Prepare:

• Story
• Characters
• Themes
• Humour
• Satire
• Language
• Literary Devices
• Lessons

Digging by Seamus Heaney

Concentrate on:

• Themes
• Persona
• Family
• Memory
• Imagery
• Symbolism
• Sound Devices
• Tone
• Structure

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

Study:

• Subject Matter
• Themes
• Persona
• Tone
• Repetition
• Imagery
• Figurative Language
• Structure
• Message

The Telephone Call by Fleur Adcock

Prepare:

• Subject Matter
• Themes
• Tone
• Humour
• Irony
• Dialogue
• Diction
• Structure

The Stone by Wilfrid Wilson Gibson

Study:

• Subject Matter
• Theme
• Tone
• Mood
• Imagery
• Language
• Figures of Speech
• Message

Complete WAEC Literature-in-English Set Books for 2027

The complete current list for candidates preparing for the 2027 examination is:

Shakespeare

• 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 Mockingbird — 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. B. 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 — Wilfrid Wilson Gibson

The prescribed-text list above is for the 2026–2030 WASSCE cycle and therefore applies to the 2027 examination.

How to Study Prose for WAEC Literature

Do not prepare a novel by memorising a summary alone.

For each novel, create notes on:

• Plot
• Setting
• Characters
• Characterization
• Themes
• Conflicts
• Style
• Narrative Technique
• Important Events
• Literary Devices

Then practise using specific events from the novel to support your points.

How to Study Drama

For drama, study:

• Plot
• Acts
• Scenes
• Characters
• Dialogue
• Stage Directions
• Themes
• Conflict
• Dramatic Irony
• Suspense
• Setting
• Important Scenes

Understand how the playwright develops ideas through action and dialogue.

How to Study Poetry

For every prescribed poem, prepare:

• Title
• Poet
• Subject Matter
• Theme
• Persona
• Tone
• Mood
• Diction
• Imagery
• Figures of Speech
• Structure
• Sound Devices
• Message

Do not memorise a list of figures of speech without understanding how each one contributes to the poem.

Important Poetry Terms to Know

Give attention to:

• Persona
• Stanza
• Line
• Rhyme
• Rhythm
• Meter
• Enjambment
• Caesura
• Refrain
• Imagery
• Symbolism
• Alliteration
• Assonance
• Onomatopoeia
• Repetition

Important Prose Terms to Know

Study:

• Plot
• Setting
• Character
• Characterization
• Theme
• Narrator
• Point of View
• Conflict
• Flashback
• Foreshadowing
• Suspense
• Irony
• Symbolism

Important Drama Terms to Know

Study:

• Act
• Scene
• Dialogue
• Monologue
• Soliloquy
• Aside
• Stage Direction
• Dramatic Irony
• Tragedy
• Comedy
• Conflict

Best Order to Study WAEC Literature-in-English

Stage 1 General Literary Knowledge

Begin with:

1. Literary Genres
2. Prose
3. Drama
4. Poetry
5. Literary Terms
6. Figures of Speech

Stage 2 Shakespeare

Study:

1. Antony and Cleopatra
2. Plot
3. Characters
4. Themes
5. Setting
6. Style
7. Important Scenes
8. Context Questions

Stage 3 African Prose

Study:

1. So the Path Does not Die
2. Redemption Road

Stage 4 Non-African Prose

Study:

1. To Kill a Mockingbird
2. Path of Lucas: The Journey He Endured

Stage 5 Drama

Study:

1. Once Upon an Elephant
2. The Marriage of Anansewa
3. An Inspector Calls
4. A Man for All Seasons

Stage 6 African Poetry

Study all six prescribed African poems.

Stage 7 Non-African Poetry

Study all six prescribed Non-African poems.

Continue practising unseen prose, unseen poetry and literary terminology throughout all the stages.

How to Use the WAEC Literature-in-English Syllabus

Start With the Full Syllabus

Use the complete syllabus as your checklist.

READ ALSO: WAEC Government Syllabus 2027/2028 Questions PDF Download

Read the Actual Books

Literature is difficult to prepare successfully through summaries alone.

Read the actual prescribed:

• Novels
• Plays
• Shakespearean Text
• Poems

Summaries and study guides should help you understand the texts, not replace them.

Make Character Notes

For each prose and drama text, create a character page containing:

• Character’s Role
• Important Actions
• Relationships
• Qualities
• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• Important Events
• Themes Connected With the Character

Create Theme Notes

For every book, list the major themes.

Under each theme, record the events and characters that help develop it.

This will make essay revision easier.

Practise Context Questions for Shakespeare

Because Shakespeare is tested through context questions rather than an essay, practise identifying:

• Speaker
• Person Being Addressed
• Situation
• Events Before the Extract
• Events After the Extract
• Theme
• Characterization
• Style
• Setting

Practise Timed Essays

Paper 2 gives you 1 hour 15 minutes for two prose answers, while Paper 3 gives you 2 hours 30 minutes for four Drama and Poetry answers.

Practise writing within these time limits.

What Should You Focus on Most for WAEC Literature-in-English

You should cover everything in the syllabus, but make sure you are particularly confident in:

• General Knowledge of Literature
• Literary Terms
• Figures of Speech
• Unseen Prose
• Unseen Poetry
• Antony and Cleopatra
• African Prose
• Non-African Prose
• African Drama
• Non-African Drama
• African Poetry
• Non-African Poetry
• Plot
• Setting
• Characterization
• Themes
• Style
• Literary Devices

For a more focused revision guide, use the WAEC Literature-in-English Areas of Concentration 2027/2028.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the WAEC Literature-in-English Syllabus 2027/2028?

It is the guide showing the examination structure and the prose, drama, poetry, Shakespeare and general literary areas candidates need to prepare for WASSCE Literature-in-English.

Where Can I Download the WAEC Literature-in-English Syllabus PDF?

Use the download button near the beginning of this article to save the complete PDF.

How Many Papers Are in WAEC Literature-in-English?

There are three papers — Papers 1, 2 and 3.

How Many Questions Are in Literature Paper 1?

Paper 1 contains 50 multiple-choice questions.

How Long Is WAEC Literature Paper 1?

Paper 1 lasts 1 hour and carries 50 marks.

What Comes Out in Literature Paper 1?

Paper 1 contains:

• 20 General Knowledge of Literature questions
• 5 Unseen Prose questions
• 5 Unseen Poetry questions
• 20 Shakespeare context questions

What Is the WAEC Shakespeare Book for 2027?

The prescribed Shakespearean text is Antony and Cleopatra.

Will WAEC Set an Essay Question on Antony and Cleopatra?

The syllabus states that no essay question is set on the Shakespearean text. It is tested through context questions in Paper 1.

What Are the WAEC African Prose Books for 2027?

They are:

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

What Are the WAEC Non-African Prose Books for 2027?

They are:

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

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

How Many African Poems Are Prescribed?

There are six African poems on the current 2026–2030 list.

How Many Non-African Poems Are Prescribed?

There are six Non-African poems.

What Are the African Poems for WAEC Literature 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 for WAEC Literature 2027?

They are:

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

How Long Is WAEC Literature Paper 2?

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

How Many Questions Do I Answer in Literature Paper 2?

You answer two questions:

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

How Long Is WAEC Literature Paper 3?

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

How Many Questions Do I Answer in Literature Paper 3?

You answer four questions altogether:

• One African Drama question
• One Non-African Drama question
• One African Poetry question
• One Non-African Poetry question

Is Unseen Prose Included?

Yes.

Paper 1 contains five questions on an unseen prose passage of about 120–150 words.

Is Unseen Poetry Included?

Yes.

Paper 1 contains five questions based on an unseen poem.

Are Literary Terms Important?

Yes.

General Knowledge of Literature contributes 20 of the 50 questions in Paper 1, so literary concepts and terminology deserve serious attention.

Are the 2021–2025 Literature Books Still Used for WAEC 2027?

No. The current WAEC prescribed-text cycle is 2026–2030, and those are the texts candidates preparing for the 2027 examination should study.

Where Can I Find the WAEC Literature-in-English Areas of Concentration?

Use the WAEC Literature-in-English Areas of Concentration 2027/2028 guide to organise your revision.

Where Can I Find the Syllabus for Other WAEC Subjects?

Use the WAEC Syllabus 2027/2028 PDF Download for All Subjects page.

Conclusion

The WAEC Literature-in-English Syllabus 2027/2028 covers General Knowledge of Literature, Unseen Prose, Unseen Poetry, Shakespeare, African and Non-African Prose, Drama and Poetry.

Paper 1 contains 50 objective questions, including 20 General Literature questions and 20 context questions on Antony and Cleopatra. Paper 2 tests African and Non-African Prose, while Paper 3 covers African Drama, Non-African Drama, African Poetry and Non-African Poetry.

For the 2027 examination, make sure you study the current 2026–2030 prescribed texts. These include So the Path Does not Die, Redemption Road, To Kill a Mockingbird, Path of Lucas: The Journey He Endured, Once Upon an Elephant, The Marriage of Anansewa, An Inspector Calls, A Man for All Seasons and Antony and Cleopatra, together with the twelve prescribed African and Non-African poems.

Do not depend only on summaries. Read the prescribed texts, understand the characters and themes, learn your literary terms and practise both unseen passages and timed essay questions.

Use the complete syllabus as your main checklist and combine it with WAEC past questions throughout your preparation.

READ ALSO: WAEC Literature-in-English Areas of Concentration 2027/2028

READ ALSO: WAEC Syllabus 2027/2028 PDF Download for All Subjects

READ ALSO: WAEC Areas of Concentration 2027/2028 for All Subjects

READ ALSO: WAEC Timetable 2027