Preparing for the National Eligibility Test (NET) in English Literature requires a structured approach to cover both breadth and depth of the subject. Here’s a concise guide: Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the syllabus provided by the exam conducting body. It typically covers varRead more
Preparing for the National Eligibility Test (NET) in English Literature requires a structured approach to cover both breadth and depth of the subject. Here’s a concise guide:
- Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the syllabus provided by the exam conducting body. It typically covers various periods, genres, authors, and literary theories.
- Create a Study Plan: Develop a study schedule that allocates sufficient time to cover each topic comprehensively. Balance your time between reading, note-taking, and practice tests.
- Read Widely: Cover a wide range of texts across different periods and genres. Focus on both canonical and contemporary works. Make notes on key themes, characters, literary techniques, and historical context.
- Analyze Literary Criticism: Understand major literary theories (like New Criticism, Feminism, Postcolonialism) and their applications. Read critical essays to deepen your understanding and ability to analyze texts critically.
- Practice Past Papers: Solve previous years’ question papers and sample papers to understand the exam pattern, types of questions, and time management. This will also help in identifying weak areas for further study.
- Revise Regularly: Consolidate your knowledge through regular revision. Create summary notes or mind maps for quick review closer to the exam date.
- Stay Updated: Keep abreast of current developments and debates in the field of English Literature, particularly related to the syllabus topics.
- Join Study Groups: Collaborate with peers or join online forums to discuss literature, share notes, and clarify doubts. Teaching others can also reinforce your own understanding.
- Seek Guidance: If possible, consult with professors, mentors, or seniors who have cleared the exam for tips and advice on preparation strategies.
- Stay Calm and Confident: Maintain a positive mindset and manage exam stress through relaxation techniques and a healthy routine.
I have dedicated five years of my life to studying literature, and I vividly remember what my professor said on the last day of my class "Literature is the only medium through which you can live more than once and the study of literature makes you tolerant towards others". When we read a literary teRead more
I have dedicated five years of my life to studying literature, and I vividly remember what my professor said on the last day of my class “Literature is the only medium through which you can live more than once and the study of literature makes you tolerant towards others”.
When we read a literary text, we’re not simply reading it, but living the life of someone else through the words written on the pages. You experience emotions such as grief, sadness, anger and happiness for characters that aren’t even real, you feel for them and that makes you tolerant towards people in real life.
All those famous writers we read, wrote during different times, under different political and cultural circumstances, many even faced exile and persecution for the simple act of writing what’s on their mind. Literature has a lot of power, it can shape the society and make it a better place but that would only be possible if people start giving literature the importance it deserves.
You read novels like Beloved, Things Fall Apart, One Hundred Years of Solitude, The Hungry Tide etc., and realize that life is not all about you. These novels gave me the chance to recognize my privilege and feel for the slaves that were treated like animals in the US, or how European Colonizers ruined perfectly well civilizations for their own gain. Reading these novels made me thankful that I didn’t have to endure such difficulties but it also helped me to see things from a different perspective.
When I’m sad, I pick up a copy of my favourite novel and it makes me realize that I’m not alone, the characters too are suffering and it indirectly means that the writer too, suffered, and that’s why he/she was able to write something so devastatingly beautiful. Literature makes me feel less lonely in an otherwise lonely world of mine.
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