JAMB Recommended Textbooks For Literature In English 2026/2027

JAMB Recommended Textbooks For Literature In English:- Literature in English may seem to be like a subject that is all about stories, emotions, and ideas. Well, that is exactly what makes it unique. It teaches how people think, love, struggle, and dream. This makes the subject very captivating, and many students love it for that reason, but to do well in its exam, you will need more than just having passion for it to pass it well.

In this article, we’ll be able to guide you carefully through all the literature textbooks you will need to ace this subject in JAMB 2026.

We bring you the list of JAMB recommended textbooks for Literature-in-English, important counsel on how to use them, what you should expect in the examination, and answers to frequently-asked-questions (FAQs) JAMB candidates often ask.

Contents

JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Literature In English 2026

These are the official JAMB-approved textbooks that fully cover the 2026/2027 Literature syllabus;

Understanding Poetry by Cleanth Brooks & Robert Penn Warren Holt (Rinehart & Winston).
Literary Appreciation: A Practical Guide by M. H. Abrams (Oxford University Press).
African Literature: An Anthology of Critical Works by O. P. Bamidele (Spectrum Books Ltd).
Guide to the Study of Poetry, Drama and Prose by A. A. Adeyemi (University Press Ltd).
History of English Literature by W. H. Hudson (Macmillan Publishers).
Introduction to African Literature by Eldred Jones (Heinemann Educational Books).
The Anatomy of Drama by Marjorie Boulton (Routledge).
A Glossary of Literary Terms by M. H. Abrams (Holt, Rinehart & Winston).
Practical Criticism for Students by I. A. Richards (Cambridge University Press).
Appreciating Literature in English by N. O. Otagburuagu (Africana Publishers Ltd).

What To Expect In JAMB Literature In English 2026

JAMB’s Literature paper usually covers its three main genres which are:

Drama – plays and playwrights
Prose – novels and short stories
Poetry – analysis, interpretation, and appreciation

You’ll get multiple-choice questions testing. Questions are usually direct if you’ve read the texts well. JAMB often repeats question patterns, so, if you’ve studied past questions and understood your set texts, you’re already ahead.

How to Study Literature In English Effectively for 2026 UTME

Studying Literature doesn’t have to be stressful or boring.

Commit your mind when studying: Don’t just read in marathon for the sake of merely covering the syllables. Commit your mind to it. For example, pause to think about why a character acted a certain way.
Make a list of characters: Note major and minor characters, their roles, and what they represent.
Understand literary devices: Learn simile, metaphor, irony, personification, and all the others because they come up in almost every question.
Summarize each topic: Write short notes after every scene or story to help you mostly during revision.
Prioritize revision: Reading is good, revision is equally important.
Make a list of quote: Every time you come across a striking line in a poem, play, or novel, write it down. It will be important during revision.

Conclusion

Choose your textbooks wisely and read with curiosity. Don’t read in a hurry, but take your time. Follow through each story, poem, and visualize every play as though you were there on stage. That is how what you have read will stick to your mind.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I have to buy all the recommended textbooks?

Answer: No. Two or three solid ones are sufficient, especially Guide to the Study of Poetry, Drama and Prose, and A Glossary of Literary Terms.

2. Is Literature in English usually a difficult subject in JAMB?

Answer: Not at all. It is not to be feared. Once you understand how to read and analyze, Literature becomes one of the easiest and most enjoyable subjects in JAMB.