Ms. Ashima Sharma (Mantram Student 2011)
Ph.D. Scholar in Department of English Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar
& Visiting Faculty in Doon University Dehradun
Ph.D. Scholar in Department of English Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar
& Visiting Faculty in Doon University Dehradun
With UGC NET English around the corner, anxiety and study hours are about to see the upward side among the students preparing for the exam. Ms. Ashima Sharma (Mantram student, 2011, English literature) is sharing her views and recommendations helpful in the preparation of the exam. Ms. Sharma is currently doing Ph.D. in English from Gurukul Kangri University Haridwar and also working as Visiting Faculty in Doon University Dehradun. Here is what Ms. Sharma suggested to the aspirants...
Dear friends,
Some of the most widely acknowledged tests for Teaching Jobs in India include the UGC- NET, SET/SLET. And UGC NET/SET in English Literature requires intensive reading because of the enormous diversity in literature. It is beyond the bounds of possibility to cover each and every aspect of Literature for NET/SET.
Therefore, an intelligent study is required if you wish to qualify NET /SET exam. You should know what to study and what to skip. Whether he is a poet, a dramatist, a novelist or a critic, one should know what to read in detail and which for which text summary or gist is sufficient.
- Comprehensive Study is mandatory: Focus on Major works of minor authors and minor works of major authors. You should also emphasize on some important quotes of drama, novels, poetry and criticism. Remembering the chronological order of salient works and authors will be an ad-on point for the aspirants. Unless you go through in detail each and every aspect of an author or poet and social, cultural and political history of each age, it’s impossible to clear the exam.
- Academic books should be avoided: By reading scholarly and critical books you might become an intellectual or a research scholar but you won’t pass NET Exam. In NET/SET examination, more questions are asked to test your basic knowledge of a particular work and age so simple basic questions general information is more relevant than deeper critical analysis of a particular work in depth. So don’t waste your time by reading such books.
- Management of Time: Devote atleast 7-8 hours of your time to NET.
RECOMMENDED READINGS:
British Literature
- A Compendious History of English Literature by R.D. Trivedi
- A History of English Literature by Arthur Compton-Rickett. The book has a special chapter on American Literature.
- English Literature: Its History & Significance by W.J. Long
- A Glossary of Literary Terms by M.H. Abrahams.
Literary Criticism and Theory
- An Introduction to English Criticism by B. Prasad
- Beginning Theory by Peter Barry
- Literary Theory and Criticism: An Oxford Guide by Patricia Waugh
- A History of Literary Criticism and Theory, from Plato to the Present M.A.R. Habib
Linguistics
- An Outline of History of English Language by Frederick T. Woods
Indian Writings in English
- Indian Writing in English by K.R.S Iyenger
- English Literature for Competitive Examination for UGC JRF, NET, UPSC & State Service Commission by S.C. Mundra.
- Electronic Media is a bonus for UGC NET aspirants. There are some topics for which the students have to consult Wikipedia as there are no particular books for those topics. For instance, in European Literature, it is impossible to read from Classical to 20th century. So, one can read The 100 best books of all times on Wikipedia. New Literatures in English can also be read in detail from Wikipedia.
(Readers should note that these are views and recommendations of the writer. Magazine is not responsible for the books suggested or the recommendations made by the author).
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