Class 12 ISC English Literature Syllabus for the Year 2023-24

The exam team of ISC focuses more on English as a subject and literature than as a general language. Therefore, ISC structures its syllabus with in-depth knowledge and provides a detailed explanation. This helps students grasp the basics and inculcate good practical skills. With the help of this article, students can briefly understand the ISC English syllabus for the academic year 2023-2024. In addition, the syllabus and exam patterns mentioned here are up to date and revised accordingly for the benefit of the students.

ISC is one of India’s main boards for examinations, and its strength and speciality with respect to the syllabus is highly appreciable. English as a subject has been of utmost importance, and hence the standard of the syllabus is set to include every aspect of grammar that is vital for the students to progress. This applies to both the language and literature aspects of English. Since English is considered the primary language, the question paper’s difficulty level is high. Hence, students appearing for the examination must have in-depth knowledge about ISC Class 12 English Syllabus, question paper pattern, and weightage of marks for each section. 

Extramarks is here to help students of Class 12 by providing all the information about ISC Examinations for English and other subjects. 

ISC Class 12 English Syllabus 2023-2024 Semester (1 & 2)

The English subject has two components, language and literature. The topics are divided into two semesters with a weightage of 40 marks each. 

Below is the detailed breakup of subjects and topics: 

ISC Class 12 English Syllabus 2023
Semester I

 (40 Marks)

Semester II

(40 Marks)

Part 1: Language
Comprehension Composition
Grammar Directed Writing
Proposal Writing
Part 2: Literature
Name of Textbook Names of Poems/ Story/Chapter to be covered Name of Textbook Names of Poems/ Story/Chapter to be covered
1. The Tempest: William Shakespeare Act III 1. The Tempest: William Shakespeare Acts IV & V
2. Echoes: A collection of ISC Short Stories
  • To Build a fire- Jake London
  • The Story of an Hour – Kate Chopin
2. Echoes: A collection of ISC Short Stories
  • The Singing Lesson – Katherine Mansfield
  • The Sound Machine – Roald Dahl
  • B. Wordsworth – V.S. Naipaul 
3. Reverie: A Collection of ISC Poems  
  • The Darkling Thrush Thomas Hardy
  • Birches – Robert Frost
  • Crossing The Bar – Alfred, Lord Tennyson
3. Reverie: A Collection of ISC Poems
  • Dover Beach – Matthew Arnold
  • We are the Music Makers – Arthur William Edgar O’Shaughnessy

ISC Class 12 English Paper Pattern

ISC Class 12 English Syllabus contains a variety of literature and grammar topics. The paper is divided into two parts to ease the burden on the students appearing for the examination.  

Paper 1: Language Paper

The English Language paper examination must be completed in 3 hours and weighs 100 marks. There are four main questions included in the ISC English Paper:

  • Question 1: Composition

A composition must be written on one of the following topics such as narrative, argumentative, descriptive, reflective, discursive topics, and short stories. The length of composition must fall between 400-450 words. 

  • Question 2: Writing 

Directed Writing: Directed writing is a form where the writer must follow some instructions and rules while writing any piece of content. This writing section includes writing articles, book and film reviews, speech and report writing, reviews of programs, personal profiles or statements of purpose.

Proposal Writing: Proposal writing is often used to plan, ideate or formally write content, which people use to think and decide. In exams, students are expected to write proposals according to the situations given. The proposal must include an introduction, objectives, a list of measures and a concluding statement. 

  • Question3: Short Answer Questions

These Questions are used to test the students’ knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, structure and usage of words. 

  • Question 4: Comprehension

Comprehension helps test the students’ understanding capability in terms of inferring and relating to the context. Based on the comprehension of nearly 500 words, students need to answer some questions which come with the text.

Paper 2: Literature Paper

The literature paper has two sections, Section A and Section B, holding 30 and 70 marks, respectively. As mentioned in the syllabus above, the questions for Paper 2 only depend upon the poems and chapters. There are various questions pertaining to the poem or chapter in each section. Students need to answer the questions based on the context given. 

ISC Class 12 English Syllabus and Study Materials 2023-2024

ISC English Literature Syllabus consists of the following. You may click on the link to study for free.

1. Drama: The Tempest: William Shakespeare (Complete drama)

2. Echoes: A Collection of ISC Short Stories  

  • To Build a Fire – Jack London
  • The Story of an Hour – Kate Chopin
  • The Singing Lesson – Katherine Mansfield
  • The Sound Machine – Roald Dahl
  • B. Wordsworth – V.S. Naipaul

3. Reverie: A Collection of ISC Poems

  • The Darkling Thrush – Thomas Hardy
  • Birches – Robert Frost
  • Crossing the Bar – Alfred, Lord Tennyson
  • Dover Beach – Matthew Arnold
  • We are the Music Makers – Arthur William Edgar O’Shaughnessy

For more details, stay connected to us at Extramarks. We provide study material for all types of content, including ICSE Solutions, ISC and ICSE Syllabus, ICSE sample question papers, ICSE revision notes, ICSE important questions, and ICSE question papers of past years.

You may click on the following links for more detailed content about ISC Class 12 English Syllabus.

ISC  Class 12 English Syllabus 

ISC  Class 12 English – Textbooks 

ISC  Class 12 English – Study Notes

ISC  Class 12 English – Sample  Papers

Tips To Write Good ISC English Paper

ISC Class 12 English Syllabus consists of two major sections, Language and Literature. Here are some vital tips from experts that will help you write a good and scorable English paper. 

  • Be prepared with the proper syllabus, paper patterns and grammar part. 
  • Read textbooks and reference books well. 
  • Write your answers in descriptive form, but include all points.
  • While answering long questions, first prepare a skeleton of answers
  • Look out for spelling and grammatical errors. 
  • Read the question twice, understand the content and then answer the questions asked in the exam.
  • Don’t be overcrowded with jargon words. Instead, try to be precise and clear about your thoughts.

By following these pieces of advice, you can confidently score more by framing meaningful and relevant answers. 

This was all about ISC Class 12 English Syllabus. To know more, log on to the Extramarks website, where you can access all the content for free. You can always follow Extramarks to get expert guidance to help you score well in your exams. 

ISC English Class 12 Syllabus

The subject English has two components – English Language and Literature in English. Each of these components consist of a Theory Paper of 80 Marks and Project Work of 20 Marks.

English Language

Question One:

A composition on one of a number of subjects.

Question Two:

(a) Directed writing (article writing, book review, film review, review of cultural programme, speech writing, report writing, personal profile, and statement of purpose) based on suggested points.

(b) Proposal Writing based on a given situation. The proposal should include (i) An Introduction (ii) Objectives (iii) List of measures to be taken. A concluding statement is desirable.

Question Three:

Short-answer questions to test grammar, structure and usage.

Question Four:

Comprehension.

It is recommended that in Paper 1, about 45 minutes should be spent on Question one, 55 minutes on Question two, 30 minutes on Question three and 50 minutes on Question four.

Literature in English

I. Drama: The Tempest: William Shakespeare

(Acts 3, 4 and 5)

II. Echoes: A Collection of ISC Short Stories

  1. To Build a Fire – Jack London
  2. The Story of an Hour – Kate Chopin
  3. The Singing Lesson – Katherine Mansfield
  4. The Sound Machine – Roald Dahl
  5. B. Wordsworth – V.S. Naipaul

III. Reverie: A Collection of ISC Poems

  1. The Darkling Thrush – Thomas Hardy
  2. Birches – Robert Frost
  3. Crossing the Bar – Alfred, Lord Tennyson
  4. Dover Beach – Matthew Arnold
  5. We are the Music Makers – Arthur William Edgar O’Shaughnessy

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Is the ISC Class 12 English Syllabus and exam tough?

The difficulty level of the ISC English exam is considered to be high. But, ISC Exams are not tough if you are well prepared. If you study thoroughly, considering the syllabus and paper pattern, the examination could be very easy.

2. How to improve the literature part of the ISC English exam?

50% of the ISC Class 12 English syllabus consists of literature. For improving the literature part, start reading books. A book reading habit will help you in the longer run. You may also practise writing more such as essays and poems, which will help you strengthen your knowledge. In addition, you can watch some good movies. In short, the ISC English literature syllabus can be tackled easily by reading, writing and watching videos.