Jammu University Non CBCS
English Literature Previous Year Question Paper
1st Semester
EL-101
Jammu University NON-CBCS English Literature 1st Semester Syllabus & Previous Year Paper
If you’re pursuing B.A. English Literature (Non-CBCS) from the University of Jammu, here’s the complete syllabus and paper pattern for the 1st Semester. This will help you prepare efficiently for the upcoming exams.
📖 Course Details
Course No.: EL–101
Title: Old & Middle English Literature
Credits: 06
Exam Duration: 3 Hours
Total Marks: 100
- Theory Examination: 80
- Internal Assessment: 20
🎯 Objective
The main objective of this paper is to introduce learners to the early stages of English literature. Students will explore literary terms, historical background, major authors, and literary works from the Old and Middle English periods.
🧩 Detailed Syllabus
Unit–I: Introduction to Literary Terms
Students will study the meaning and application of major literary figures of speech and forms, including:
Alliteration, Assonance, Imagery, Metaphor, Simile, Rhyme, Blank Verse, Meter, Couplet, Prologue, Epilogue, Personification, Soliloquy, Farce, Satire, Irony, Sonnet, Comedy, and Tragedy.
Unit–II: History of English Literature — Old & Middle English Period
- Literature in the Age of Chaucer
- Literature of the Revival
- Origin of Drama
- University Wits
Unit–III: Poetry
Selections from Chaucer’s Prologue, focusing on characters of Wife of Bath and Monk.
Unit–IV: Sonnet
- Development of the English Sonnet
- Sir Thomas Wyatt – “Who so List to Hunt”
- Philip Sidney – O Grammar Rules (Sonnet 63)
Unit–V: Drama
- Ralph Roister Doister by Nicholas Udall
🧾 Mode of Examination
Internal Assessment (20 Marks)
Two written assignments of 10 marks each will be given.
External End-Semester University Examination (80 Marks)
The paper will be divided into three sections – A, B, and C:
Section A – Multiple Choice Questions (8 Marks)
12 MCQs covering all units. Students must attempt any 8 questions (1 mark each).
Section B – Short Answer Type Questions (16 Marks)
From Unit I to Unit V – attempt 4 out of 5 questions (4 marks each).
Section C – Long Answer Type Questions (56 Marks)
Four long-answer questions from Unit II to Unit V with internal choice.
Each question carries 14 marks, word limit 250–300 words.
📚 Suggested Reading List
- Legouis, Emile & Louis Cazamian — History of English Literature (Macmillan, 2011)
- Daiches, David — A Critical History of English Literature (Supremova Publishers, 2012)
- Long, William J. — English Literature (Aitbs Publishers, 2013)
- Alexander, Michael — A History of English Literature (Macmillan Press, 2020)
- Sanders, Andrews — The Short Oxford History of English Literature (Oxford, 2012)
- Peck, John & Martin Coyle — A Brief History of English Literature (Palgrave, 2014)
- Abrams, M.H. — A Glossary of Literary Terms (Macmillan, 2013)
- Quinn, Edward — A Dictionary of Literary & Thematic Terms (OUP, 2021)
- Murfin, Rose & Supriya M. Ray — A Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms (Macmillan, 2021)
- Lever, J.W. — The Elizabethan Love Sonnet (Methuen, 2018)
🧠Exam Preparation Tips
- Focus on understanding literary terms with examples.
- Revise historical periods (Chaucer, Revival, Drama origin).
- Practice writing short and long answers with proper structure.
- Prepare the given poetry and sonnets with detailed analysis.
- Read key texts from the suggested reading list for clarity.