Hello dear,its not that difficult if you start in your final year & are regular at it.

First of all, know your BA course thoroughly. Read every text in it's historical context, delve deeper into biographical information in addition to its contemporary & recent literary criticism. Read diverse critical essays on each text to attain multiplicity of perspective. Those who opted for a different subject in graduation, refer the BA(Hons.) DU syllabus.



Secondly, read & revise history of english literature. You stand nowhere without your basics clear. Some books that will help you here are:

1.A short history of english literature by Sir Ifor Evans.

2.A brief history of english literature by Peck & Coyle.

These two books are more than enough to break the ground, remember you need to know the basic chronology & ages.



Then, you must have a healthy diet of Indian literature in English, since in the question of a Modern Indian identity & diaspora are crucial to Study of English in India. Read,

1.A concise history of indian literature in english by Arvind Mehrotra.

2.Indian writing in english (4th edition) by K.R. Srinivasa.



A sound knowledge of America & Russian literary cannons helps. Post colonial & contemporary literature add to the functional knowledge of literary current affairs.



Read

A glossary of literary terms by M.H. Abrams

for absolute understanding of literary jargon, every MA entrance paper tests your knowledge of basic terms used in study of literature. It will improve the quality of your subjective answers.



Next on the list is knowledge of literary theory & criticism, read

1.Beginning theory by Peter Barry, for a basic outline &

2.Literary theory by Terry Eagleton, for deeper understanding of some commonly used modes of criticism.



Keep yourself updated with Award winning authors & books, this is how they test your literary current affairs which won't be difficult if you are an avid reader of text beyond prescribed syllabus. Some awards to keep an eye on are:

1. The Nobel prize

2. The booker prize

3. Sahitya Akademi Award

4. Gyaanpith (for indian regional literature translated into English)

5. Pulitzer prize



Keep reading books beyond the syllabus & practice writing book reviews, general literary essays on different periods of English literature n critical analysis of poems especially those by Yeats.

DU may not ask direct questions for everything stated here, but you need to know everything in n out to score your way though it.



You'll enjoy the journey of preparation if you plan it well, it's thrilling to read so deeply about literature over all & by the time you appear for exams you'll know specifically where in literature your locus lies.

All the best :)

DU Delhi

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