English Literature Syllabus For Class 12 ISC 2024–2025

English Literature Syllabus for Class 12 ISC 2024–2025

The purpose of the ISC (Indian School Certificate) Class 12 English Literature syllabus is to assess students' knowledge of English literature, including their capacity to evaluate and comprehend various text genres, including plays, novels, poems, and short stories. Well-known authors' and poets' works are included in the curriculum to guarantee that students gain a deep understanding of English literary traditions.

Overview of ISC Class 12 English Literature

The ISC Class 12 English Literature syllabus is designed to assess students' literary comprehension, analytical skills, and writing ability. The syllabus emphasizes the study of prose, poetry, and drama, focusing on understanding the themes, characterization, style, and socio-cultural context of the texts.

Students will study a selection of texts from various genres and authors to help them analyze and appreciate literature in its diverse forms. The goal is to enhance critical thinking, improve vocabulary, and foster a love for literature.

Key Components of the Syllabus:

• Prose: A collection of short stories and essays by renowned authors.
• Poetry: A range of poems that explore different themes and poetic styles.
• Drama: A play or work of theatre literature that involves character development, dialogues, and themes.
• Supplementary Reading: Additional texts or materials for wider reading and analysis.

Structure of the ISC Class 12 English Literature Exam

The ISC Class 12 English Literature exam is divided into two main parts:

Part I: Theory Examination

The theory paper for English Literature is typically 3 hours long and is worth 80 marks. It includes sections on prose, poetry, and drama. Students must answer a combination of long and short answer questions based on the prescribed texts.

• Prose: 20 marks
• Poetry: 20 marks
• Drama: 20 marks
• Supplementary Reading: 20 marks

Part II: Internal Assessment

The internal assessment component is worth 20 marks. It is usually based on:

• Classroom participation (discussions, presentations, etc.)
• Assignments and projects
• Oral examinations (in some cases)
• Book reviews or reflections on supplementary readings

Key Features of the Exam:

• Questions are based on detailed study and understanding of the prescribed texts.
• Emphasis is placed on analyzing themes, characters, and the author's writing style.
• Marks are awarded for clarity of expression, relevance of the content, and the ability to relate the text to its historical or social context.

Detailed Breakdown of the English Literature Syllabus

The Class 12 ISC English Literature syllabus includes a wide variety of works across prose, poetry, and drama. Below, we break down the components of the syllabus, including recommended texts and key topics.

3.1 Prose Section

The Prose Section for ISC Class 12 consists of a set of short stories, essays, and excerpts from novels. These texts aim to develop students' understanding of literary devices, characterization, themes, and narrative techniques.

Prose Texts	Author	Key Themes/Topics
The Portrait of a Lady	Khushwant Singh	Memory, family relationships, change, spirituality
The Tiger King	Kalki Krishnamurthy	Power, fate, superstition, irony
The Interview	Christopher Silvester	Professionalism, ambitions, challenges
The Selfish Giant	Oscar Wilde	Greed, redemption, love, and compassion
The Rattrap	Selma Lagerlof	Loneliness, redemption, the power of kindness

Key Topics to Focus On:

• Characterization: Analyze the development of characters in these stories.
• Themes: Identify and discuss the central themes (e.g., social issues, human nature, morality).
• Narrative Techniques: Understand how the author uses language, irony, and symbolism to convey meaning.

3.2 Poetry Section

The Poetry Section of the ISC syllabus for Class 12 introduces students to a variety of poems that explore different themes and styles. This section aims to enhance students' appreciation of poetic devices such as imagery, metaphors, similes, and personification.

Poetry Texts	Author	Key Themes/Topics
A Photograph	Shirley Toulson	Nostalgia, loss, the passage of time, memories
A Thing of Beauty	John Keats	Beauty, nature, immortality, love
The Ballad of Father Gilligan	W.B. Yeats	Religion, sacrifice, compassion, human kindness
The Road Not Taken	Robert Frost	Choices, life paths, regret, consequences
Ozymandias	Percy Bysshe Shelley	Power, decay, the passage of time, pride

Key Topics to Focus On:

• Poetic Devices: Understand and identify metaphors, similes, alliteration, personification, etc.
• Themes: Be prepared to discuss themes like the nature of beauty, the inevitability of time, the human condition, and existential reflections.
• Analysis of Poems: Practice writing short and long answers where you explain the meanings, implications, and background of poems.

3.3 Drama Section

The Drama Section includes a play or work of theatre literature. Students are required to analyze the plot, characters, dialogues, and themes in the play.

Drama Text	Author	Key Themes/Topics
The Tempest	William Shakespeare	Power, forgiveness, nature, illusion vs. reality
The Dark Room	R.K. Narayan	Family dynamics, relationships, personal choices

Key Topics to Focus On:

• Plot Analysis: Understand the sequence of events in the play.
• Characterization: Identify the traits and development of characters.
• Themes: Explore central themes such as power, revenge, love, and morality.
• Dramatic Techniques: Be aware of how Shakespeare or other playwrights use dialogue, setting, and symbolism to convey messages.

3.4 Supplementary Reading

Apart from the core texts, students are also required to engage in Supplementary Reading. This section allows students to explore additional works that complement the prescribed syllabus.

Supplementary Reading	Author	Key Focus
The Merchant of Venice	William Shakespeare	Justice, mercy, revenge, discrimination
The Old Man and the Sea	Ernest Hemingway	Perseverance, struggle, the human spirit

Students should focus on understanding the plot, characters, and themes in the supplementary readings to prepare for long-answer questions and discussions.

Tips for Preparing for the ISC English Literature Exam

1. Understand the Context: For every text you read, research the historical, social, and cultural context in which it was written. This will help you understand the themes and characters better.
2. Practice Writing: Write essays or short answers on different themes and topics. The more you write, the better your ability to express ideas.
3. Revise Regularly: Go over your notes, summaries, and key points periodically to retain information.
4. Focus on Important Texts: Some texts may be emphasized more than others. Focus on the key themes and the major characters, their development, and the narrative techniques.
5. Discuss with Peers: Engage in group discussions to gain different perspectives on the texts.

Recommended Resources for English Literature

• Study Guides: Purchase ISC study guides that summarize key points and provide practice questions.
• Online Platforms: Websites like BYJU’s, Khan Academy, and Unacademy offer resources for English literature students.
• Previous Year Papers: Solve past years’ ISC English papers to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern.
• Literature Companion Books: Books like “The Oxford Companion to Literature” can help you understand literary devices and terminology.

Conclusion

The ISC Class 12 English Literature syllabus for 2024-2025 is comprehensive and provides students with a deep understanding of classic and contemporary texts. Students can strengthen their writing and analytical abilities by emphasizing prose, poetry, drama, and additional readings. Students can succeed on the test and have fun exploring the literary world by practicing regularly, comprehending the background, and critically interacting with the readings.

A balanced approach that includes frequent study, careful analysis, and a profound appreciation of the literary works you are required to study is the key to success in ISC English Literature. Therefore, as you strive for the highest scores on your ISC exam, study hard and appreciate the beauty of literature!

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