English Literature

Introduction

Students explore how writers sculpt their work to influence the feelings and emotions of their readers. Literature therefore, can be considered as a storage of mankind's cumulative ideas and imagination.

In doing literature, students are guided on how to explore the vast world of literature. Exposure aids in the forging of national and personal identities, creating a sense of appreciation for similarities and differences in human existence.

The English A and English B syllabi have been condensed into one syllabus, simply called the CSEC English Syllabus. Content found on this website is effective for examinations from May-June 2018.

Format of the Exam

There are three papers that each candidate must sit:

  • Paper 01

  • Paper 02

  • Paper 031 for the School-Based Assessment

  • Paper 032 is an alternative to the SBA and is done by private candidates

Paper 1

(1 hour 45 minutes – 29 per cent of Total Assessment)

Composition of Paper

MCQ. This paper consists of three sections:

  • drama

  • poetry

  • prose fiction

Paper 2

(2 hours 10 minutes – 50 per cent of Total Assessment)

Composition of Paper

This paper is divided into three sections:

(a) Section ONE – Drama (Shakespeare and Modern Drama). This section consists of TWO Type A questions, ONE on each text. (35 marks/question)

Candidates must answer one question from this section.

(b) Section TWO – Poetry (a selection of 20 poems). This section consists of two Type B questions, one generic question allowing candidates to use two appropriate choices from the prescribed poems and one question based on two named poems from the prescribed list. (35 marks/question)

Candidates must answer one question from this section.

(c) Section THREE – Prose Fiction (EITHER West Indian novel OR other novels in English OR West Indian short story and other short stories in English).

This section consists of FOUR questions: TWO Type A questions, ONE on each prescribed novel and two Type B questions, one generic question allowing candidates to use two appropriate choices from the prescribed short stories and one question based on two named short stories from the prescribed list. Thirty-five marks are allocated for each question.

Candidates must answer one question from this section.

Paper 3 (032)