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How do I prepare for the MA in English program at Delhi University entrance exam?
It’s not too late to prepare for the entrance exam MA in English program at Delhi University even in the 3 years of your bachelor's. Just be regular at it and keep some important points in mind.
Be well versed in your BA course- Read your text thoroughly and in various aspects. Read diverse critical essays on each text to attain a multiplicity of perspectives. In case you are graduating from a different subject, refer to the BA(Hons.) DU syllabus.
Read History of English literature- Knowing the roots is a basic step. To get an idea of the basic chronology and ages refer to these books:
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A short history of English literature by Sir Ifor Evans.
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A brief history of English literature by Peck & Coyle.
Indian Literature in English- To get enough knowledge of the same refers to these books:
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A concise history of Indian literature in English by Arvind Mehrotra.
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Indian writing in English (4th edition) by K.R. Srinivasa.
Gain enough knowledge of literary theory & criticism- For this read:
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Beginning theory by Peter Barry
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Literary theory by Terry Eagleton
Update yourself with award-winning authors- This is not difficult if you read beyond your syllabus. Some of the awards to keep track of are:
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The Nobel prize
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The booker prize
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Sahitya Akademi Award
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Gyaanpith (for Indian regional literature translated into English)
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Pulitzer Prize
Apart from these strategies, I suggest becoming an avid reader and reading beyond your syllabus, and also practicing writing book reviews. All this will help you make a way for the DU English Literature program.
How is the English MA course in IGNOU University?
It is extremely convenient to pursue an M.A. in English through IGNOU. The only problem is that the course materials are delivered very late. However, you are not required to rely on or wait for the materials. Because the materials remain the same year after year, they can be obtained from anyone who has already completed the course or from used bookstores. To be honest, the material isn't much help. In fact, guidebooks are more beneficial because they also provide you with the previous year's question papers, which are extremely helpful in understanding the exam question pattern, and once understood, you are guaranteed to score above 55% on your first attempt.
You have five years to complete your course, which consists of eight credits, four in the first year and four in the second. It is mandatory to submit the assignment for the paper you wish to sit for during the exams, which are held twice a year. It is entirely up to you whether to take all exams at once or spread them out over all ten semesters. In short, if you are determined, you can complete your master's degree in two years by taking two papers each semester. Contact classes are scheduled; if possible, attend them as they will get you started on your preparation and keep you motivated.
Doing some research for your assignment and attempting to keep your answer original rather than copying from the guide will increase your chances of getting good grades on the assignments. If you fail a paper in the semester exam, you have the option of retaking it in subsequent semesters until you achieve a passing mark.
So, get the reference books, analyze the question pattern, turn in your assignment, and begin studying for the exam.
What are some good books for the MEG course(MA in English) of IGNOU?
The study materials provided by IGNOU are more than enough. They are very helpful as they are loaded with more quality information than other books. Buying extra books will be just an additional unnecessary expense that you can easily cut down on.
Nowadays English Literature students should turn to online study guides. They are the best options. Some famous sites are listed below:
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Sparknotes
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Cliffsnotes
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Jiffynotes
These sites will give students a better understanding of school subjects. Apart from this, there are certain points you need to keep in point for the best results:
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Read a lot.
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Make extensive notes.
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Ask doubts.
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Do extra research
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Prove and validate your point clearly.
These points combined with the study material will yield good benefits.
What are passing marks in the IGNOU MEG?
Some basic information on IGNOU MEG is as follows:
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Minimum Duration |
2 year |
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Maximum Duration |
5 years |
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Course fees |
INR 9000 |
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Minimum Age |
No limit |
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Maximum Age |
No limit |
For marks the weightage is as follows- Assignments: 30% and Theory: 70%
The minimum pass percentage required for passing both these components separately is 40% (‘D’ grade). Anything below this is considered a failure and you will see the “Incomplete” status on the grade card.
The grade card is as follows:
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60% and above First Division
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50% and above but below 60% Second Division
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40% and above but below 50% Pass
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Less than 40% Unsuccessful
The exam board of IGNOU will be issuing passing marks out of 100, 70 and 50 for all subjects in the official site.
Is EFLU, Hyderabad good for pursuing an M.A. in English, if one has gotten a degree in English from DU? What is its ranking among the top universities for humanities?
EFLU is an exclusive university for English. There are 29 departments, out of which 20 are in English. With so many micro-specialties, pursuing an MA in English from EFLU is a great option.
The university gives a lot of freedom in choosing subjects in post-graduation.
- Post-graduation applicants get a pool of subjects to choose from in their degree at EFLU.
- EFLU conducts only one entrance test for admission in all streams. If you clear the entrance test you will get the chance to choose whichever subject you want to pursue.
- You can either choose all subjects from one department only or select subjects from several departments if you want to have a mixed degree. Even, you are allowed to change subjects till two weeks of the course.
- The linguistic department of EFLU is very famous all over India, because of its quality of education. It has a world-class set of faculties in the department, along with an extensive library for helping students in their coursework.
- The literature department of EFLU is not as good as other central universities in India. Although there are excellent professors here too, the scope for students in literature is limited.
Considering the quality of the linguistics department in EFLU, it is a great option for English graduates. Because of the cafeteria system of choosing subjects, there is a lot of diversity in the department.
How do I write a good answer in the exam of a Master of Arts English MEG at IGNOU and other universities?
Here are two of the major points that are helpful in writing a good answer in the exam for an MA in English:
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The answer must start with an excellent introduction to the writer and the text. Then, there should be good content, sticking to the point. The answer must end with an eminent conclusion.
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The answer must not be written in a storytelling way. Students are supposed to answer what the question is asking them to explain, the theme, the character, and the point of view attached to the question.
Whatever answer students write, it must be revolving around giving proper reasons, perspectives, and possible central ideas that a question is trying to ask. The answer must not be diverting and stretching, without providing any appropriate conclusion.
How do I prepare for MA in English from Ambedkar University, Delhi?
In the entrance test for MA in English at Ambedkar University, there will be questions that will test your analytic skills. You will have to analyze an unseen poem or passage. Also, there will be short questions. Some of these questions will be opinion based while others will test your subject knowledge.
For preparation, you can read ‘A glossary of literary terms’ by M.H Abrams, Contemporary Literary and Cultura; Theory: From Structuralism To Ecocriticism by Pramod K Nayar. Also, read a little bit about Indian English Literature, Postcolonial literature, partition literature, etc.
Can we complete our MA in English in IIT Delhi or any other IITs? If yes, what is the admission procedure?
No, IIT Delhi does not provide MA in English. Some other IITs do provide humanities programs, for instance, IIT Madras offers 5-year integrated MA courses in English as well as in Development Studies. Admission to these courses is done through an entrance test called HSEE.
Other IITs have their own net above tests for the specific humanities programs offered and details can be sought from the official website of respective colleges. Additionally, some IITs also offer Ph.D. programs in different humanities disciplines including English literature.
What is the syllabus of the entrance exam for an MA in English at Calicut University?
Breaking down the MA English entrance exam pattern at Calicut University into different parts:
1. Questions with Multiple Choice Answers. There will be four options from which to choose. The questions will be of the same caliber as those found in UGC-NET examinations.
2. One-word answers, again of the UGC-NET type.
3. Short answers based on the BA syllabus
4. Essays based on the BA Syllabus, as well as General English Criticism and Theory. Beginning Theory by Peter Barry is a good place to start.
MCQs and one-word answers are extremely important because each question is worth one mark, and if you prepare well, you can easily gain a significant advantage from them. You must be familiar with the BA English course syllabus to get away with the questions asked in the entrance exam.
Which one is better to do an MA in English, Chandigarh University or Amity University, Noida?
My friend is currently pursuing her Master’s in English at Chandigarh University. It is better because it provides more choices and has an education system that is well-equipped for students who want to do major in English.
- The English Department has excelled in a wide variety of activities. There are various seminars arranged here every week.
- With media being so popular among students nowadays, literary quizzes are held once a month to keep students informed about current events based on literature.
- The teaching approach is very up-to-date and pays attention to each and every student in order to assist them in choosing the required specialization.
- Term papers, research papers, and dissertations are all part of this area, which helps students to gain interest in their future programs and presentations. It is particularly beneficial to students who are pursuing a Ph.D.
- The environment is very student-centric. You can easily share your views with faculty and students very conveniently.
- You will be provided with specialized courses to enhance your skills as per your interests.
Considering all the above, MA in English is best offered by Chandigarh University.
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