Prescribed List of Literature-in-English Texts for WASSCE 2026-2030

Prescribed List of Literature-in-English Texts for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) 2026-2030:

  1. Diverse Selection: The list covers a wide range of literary genres including prose, drama, and poetry, representing both African and non-African authors.

  2. Classic Works: Students will engage with timeless classics such as William Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, gaining insights into historical and cultural contexts.

  3. Contemporary African Literature: The inclusion of modern African works like Pede Hollist’s So the Path Does Not Die and Bosede Ademilua-Afolayan’s Once Upon an Elephant provides students with a contemporary perspective on African storytelling and themes.

  4. Global Perspectives: Non-African texts such as J. B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls and Maya Angelou’s Still I Rise offer students a global outlook and promote cross-cultural understanding.

  5. Poetry Exploration: Students will explore a diverse range of poetic styles and themes through works by poets like Gabriel Okara, Lord Byron, Wole Sovinka, and Seamus Heaney, fostering a deeper appreciation for poetic expression.

Overall, the prescribed list encourages students to engage critically with literature, develop analytical skills, and gain a deeper understanding of diverse literary traditions.

Prescribed List of Literature-in-English Texts for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) 2026-2030

Shakespearean Play:

  • William Shakespeare:
    • Antony and Cleopatra

African Prose:

  1. Pede Hollist:
    • So the Path Does Not Die
  2. Elma Shaw:
    • Redemption Road

Non-African Prose:

  1. Harper Lee:

    • To Kill a Mockingbird
  2. Susanne Bellefeuille:

    • Path of Lucas: The Journey He Endured

African Drama:

  1. Bosede Ademilua-Afolayan:
    • Once Upon an Elephant
  2. Efua Sutherland:
    • The Marriage of Anansewa

Non-African Drama:

  1. J. B. Priestley:
    • An Inspector Calls
  2. Robert Bolt:
    • A Man for all Seasons

African Poetry:

  1. Gabriel Okara:

    • Once Upon a Time
  2. Elizabeth L. A. Kamara:

    • New Tongue
  3. Wole Sovinka:

    • Night
  4. Niyi Osundare:

    • Not My Business
  5. S.O.H. Afriyie-Vidza:

    • Hearty Garlands
  6. Syl Cheney-Coker:

    • The Breast of The Sea

Non-African Poetry:

  1. Lord Byron:

    • She Walks in Beauty
  2. Geoffrey Chaucer:

    • The Nun’s Priest’s Tale (shortened)
  3. Seamus Heaney:

    • Digging
  4. Maya Angelou:

    • Still I Rise
  5. Fleur Adcock:

ENGLISH STUDIES (LITERATURE IN ENGLISH) THE LIST OF BOOKS FROM THE APPROVED BOOKLIST FOR JSS III 2023/2024 ACADEMIC SESSION