How this paper is set and answered
From the notes printed under FPSC's own Revised Scheme tables.
- Ratio of MCQs in compulsory papers for CE-2016 will be 20 MCQs in each paper except in the paper of Essay. Similarly there will be 20 MCQs from each optional paper except Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.
Complete English Literature Syllabus
The full official FPSC syllabus, reproduced section by section from the source document.
The paper is divided into six components along with the marks allocation for each
component.
1Essays: (10 Marks)
3 points
- Bertrand Russell (The Conquest of Happiness)
- George Orwell (Politics and the English Language; The Prevention of Literature)
- Ralph Waldo Emerson (The Transcendentalist; Self-Reliance)
2Short Stories: (10 Marks)
3 points
- Somerset Maugham (The Lotus-Eater)
- G.K.Chesterton (A Somewhat Improbable Story)
- O’Henry (The Gift of the Magi)
3Poetry: (20 marks)
7 points
- William Wordsworth (Resolution and Independence; Lines Composed Few Miles Above, Tintern Abbey)
- John Keats (Ode to a Nightingale; Ode to Autumn)
- Lord Alfred Tennyson (Ulysses; The Lady of Shalott)
- Yeats (A Dialogue of Self and Soul; The Second Coming)
- Eliot (The Wasteland; Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock)
- Philip Larkin (Maturity; Continuing to Live; The Trees)
- Wallace Stevens (A Postcard from the Volcano; Continual Conversation with a Silent Man; Dry Loaf) OR Walt Whitman (As I Ponder’d in Silence; Are You the New Person Drawn Toward Me?; This Moment Yearning and Thoughtful)
4Drama: (20 marks)
6 points
- Shakespeare (Hamlet; King Lear; Twelfth Night)
- William Congreve (The Way of the World)
- Shaw (Pygmalion; Heartbreak House )
- Harold Pinter (The Caretaker)
- Samuel Beckett (Waiting for Godot)
- Eugene O’Neill (Long Day’s Journey into Night)
5Novels: (20 marks)
6 points
- Thomas Hardy (Far from the Madding Crowd)
- D.H. Lawrence (Sons and Lovers)
- George Orwell (Nineteen Eighty-four)
- James Joyce (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man)
- Iris Murdoch (Under the Net)
- Nathaniel Hawthorne (The Scarlet Letter) or William Faulkner (The Sound and the Fury)
6Literacy Theory & Criticism (20 Marks)
6 points
- Structuralism
- Marxism
- Deconstructionism
- Psychoanalytic criticism
- Feminist criticism
- Postcolonial Criticism Note: The texts are mentioned in brackets in front of each author’s name. However, for the component on “Literary Theory and Criticism” and for understanding poetry and drama, particularly 20th century poetry and Drama, following readings are suggested:
Academic Strategy for English Literature
The English Literature paper tests a candidate's understanding of various literary forms, critical analysis skills, and ability to apply literary theories. It is a single 100-mark paper divided into six distinct components: Essays, Short Stories, Poetry, Drama, Novels, and Literary Theory & Criticism. A strong script goes beyond mere plot summaries, demonstrating a deep engagement with the prescribed texts, insightful critical interpretation, and a nuanced application of relevant literary theories.
English Literature (100 marks) requires specialized aesthetic appreciation, critical theory application, and an expressive writing style.
1. Master the Classics: You must intensely read and analyze the prescribed texts (Shakespeare, Milton, Austen, Dickens). Summaries will not suffice; examiners look for deep thematic analysis.
2. Critical Theories: Apply literary criticism (e.g., feminism, post-colonialism, psychoanalysis) when analyzing characters or plots to demonstrate academic maturity.
3. Extensive Quotation: Your answers must be generously peppered with exact textual quotes from the specific poems or plays to validate your literary arguments.
Paper by paper
Approach Paper I with a focus on comprehensive understanding and critical analysis of each prescribed text and literary theory. Prioritise developing strong analytical skills over rote memorisation of plots or character lists. Ensure you can connect texts to broader literary movements and theoretical frameworks, especially for the 20th-century works and the Literary Theory & Criticism section.
A six-month plan
- 1Phase 1: Foundation & Early WorksWeeks 1-8
Begin by thoroughly reading and understanding the texts from 'SECTION: Essays' and 'SECTION: Short Stories'. Simultaneously, start with the earlier poets in 'SECTION: Poetry' like William Wordsworth and John Keats. Focus on themes, literary devices, and authorial intent for each work.
- 2Phase 2: Core Texts & Modern PoetryWeeks 9-16
Dive into 'SECTION: Drama' and 'SECTION: Novels', focusing on major works like Shakespeare's tragedies and George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-four. Concurrently, cover the modern poets from 'SECTION: Poetry' such as Yeats, Eliot, and Larkin, paying attention to their complex themes and styles.
- 3Phase 3: Literary Theory & ApplicationWeeks 17-20
Dedicate this phase to mastering 'SECTION: Literacy Theory & Criticism'. Understand each theory-Structuralism, Marxism, Deconstructionism, Psychoanalytic criticism, Feminist criticism, Postcolonial Criticism-and practice applying them to the literary texts studied in previous phases. This is crucial for higher marks.
- 4Phase 4: Integration & PracticeWeeks 21-24
Integrate your knowledge by practicing full-length answers that combine textual analysis with theoretical perspectives. Revisit challenging texts and theories. Focus on structuring arguments, using textual evidence effectively, and refining your writing style for clarity and coherence.
Using CSSPrep.AI for English Literature
Only the tools that genuinely support this subject are listed.
Use the Essay Writer to construct well-structured answers for analytical questions on specific texts or literary theories. This helps in developing a strong thesis, outline, and coherent argument paragraphs.
Try: Discuss the relevance of Postcolonial Criticism in understanding the prescribed texts.
Utilise Topic Explorer to break down complex literary works like Shakespeare's Hamlet or specific theories like Structuralism into manageable components, exploring their context, key concepts, and critical reception.
Try: Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot
Engage with the MPT Trainer to reinforce factual recall regarding authors, their works, key literary terms, and the core tenets of each literary theory, aiding in quick identification and understanding.
Submit your practice answers to the Evaluator to receive detailed feedback on structure, content, evidence, and language, allowing you to identify weaknesses and refine your writing according to CSS rubric standards.
High-yield topics
Each one is traced back to the section of the official syllabus it comes from.
This section carries 20 marks and requires a deep conceptual understanding and the ability to apply these theories to various literary texts. It's a direct scoring opportunity.
Syllabus section: Literacy Theory & Criticism (20 Marks)
Shakespeare is a cornerstone of English Literature, and these plays are frequently examined for their complex themes, characterisation, and dramatic techniques. They are part of the 20-mark Drama section.
Syllabus section: Drama: (20 marks)
This segment of the Poetry section (20 marks) often features complex and challenging poems that demand thorough analysis of modern themes, symbolism, and poetic forms. Eliot's 'The Wasteland' is particularly significant.
Syllabus section: Poetry: (20 marks)
Orwell appears in both the Essay and Novel sections, making his themes of totalitarianism, language, and political critique highly recurrent and important for understanding modern socio-political commentary. This offers a chance to link different sections.
Syllabus section: Essays: (10 Marks)
These plays represent significant movements in 20th-century drama (Theatre of the Absurd) and are frequently tested for their unique dramatic structures, philosophical implications, and character studies. They are part of the 20-mark Drama section.
Syllabus section: Drama: (20 marks)
Wordsworth and Keats are foundational Romantic poets. Their works are often tested for themes of nature, imagination, emotion, and their distinct poetic styles, contributing to the 20-mark Poetry section.
Syllabus section: Poetry: (20 marks)
Common mistakes in English Literature answers
- Providing mere plot summaries instead of critical analysis and interpretation of the texts.
- Failing to use specific textual evidence (quotes, examples) to support arguments.
- Misapplying or superficially understanding literary theories, leading to irrelevant analysis.
- Ignoring the specific literary terms and critical vocabulary relevant to English Literature.
- Not addressing the prompt directly, instead writing a general essay on the author or work.
- Neglecting the 20th-century texts and theories, which often require a more nuanced understanding.
FPSC recommended books
The 8 books FPSC lists for English Literature in the official syllabus.
| Title | Author |
|---|---|
| 1. The basics Literary Theory. (Second edition). Routledge. | Bertens, H. (2008). |
| 2. Literary Theory: An Introduction. (Anniversary Edition). | Eagleton, E. (2008). |
| 3. A New Handbook of Literary Terms. | Mikics, W. (2007). |
| 4. A Companion to Twentieth Century Poetry. | Roberts, N. (2003). |
| 5. A Reader’s Guide to Contemporary Literary Theory. (Fifth edition). | Selden, R., Widdowson, P., & Brooker, P. (2005) |
| 6. Twentieth Century British Drama. | Smart, J. (2001). |
| 7. Modern Critical Views & Interpretations, ed: 80’s and 90’s editions. | Harold Bloom (these include all range of authors and their works given above) |
| 8. A Companion to 20th Century Drama Oxford: Blackwell. | Krasner David. 2005. |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to read all the prescribed books and texts in their entirety?
Yes, it is highly recommended to read all the prescribed texts. While summaries can provide an overview, a thorough reading allows for deeper understanding, nuanced analysis, and the ability to cite specific textual evidence, which is crucial for high marks.
How should I approach the 'Literary Theory & Criticism' section?
For 'Literary Theory & Criticism', focus on understanding the core tenets, key thinkers (if mentioned in recommended books), and practical application of each theory. Practice applying each theory to various literary works from the syllabus, demonstrating how it illuminates different aspects of the text.
Is memorisation of quotes essential for this paper?
While rote memorisation of entire passages is not required, memorising key quotes and significant lines is highly beneficial. These serve as strong textual evidence to support your arguments and demonstrate a close reading of the texts, enhancing the quality of your answers.
How can I score well in the 'Poetry' section?
To score well in 'Poetry', focus on detailed textual analysis. Understand the poetic devices, themes, imagery, and structure of each poem. Practice close reading and interpreting the nuances of language, connecting them to broader literary contexts and critical perspectives.
What is the best way to choose between the optional authors in Poetry and Novels?
Choose the author whose works you find more engaging, easier to understand, or for whom you can find more readily available critical material. It's better to master one set of optional texts thoroughly than to superficially cover both.
How important is the historical context for understanding these literary works?
Historical context is very important, especially for understanding the themes and concerns of authors like George Orwell, Shakespeare, and the Romantic poets. While not explicitly a separate section, understanding the socio-political and cultural backdrop enriches your critical analysis of the texts.
Syllabus text reproduced from Revised Syllabi for CSS Competitive Examination, CE-2016 (updated 7 July 2015), pages 68-69. Marks and grouping are from the same document's Revised Scheme tables. Verify against the official PDF before relying on it.