Hi all,
I have recently cleared UGC NET English. I am indebted to so many people who helped to achieve it. I want to give you some guidance for it.
As you have already known, it has three papers.
For Paper-I:
1. I prepared Trueman's UGC NET Paper-I. I feel we can easily qualify in Paper-I. If you have Upkar's guide, then there is no need of taking this one. Either of these can serve our purpose. If you have taken neither, it's better to take Trueman Series.
2. For Paper-II:
1.Chaucer to Shakespeare
2.Jacobean & Restoration periods
3.Augustan Age
4.Romantic Period
5.Victorian period
6.Modern Period
For these topics, I have prepared William J Long's "English Literature". It is less intimidating. If you prepare "History of English Literature" by Legious and Cazamian better. But, it's better to prepare Long's initially.
7.Contemporary Period
8.American & other non-british literature
For these topics, I referred Trueman's "UGC NET English Paper-II" as I am unable to get good books for it. I feel it's enough for these topics.
9.Literary theory and criticism
I prepared Peter Barry's "Beginning theory" and Raghukul Tilak's "History of Literary Criticism". It's better to begin with these two first. After reading them, if you have more time, it's better to read Pramod K Nayyar's "Contemporary Literary and Cultural theory" and MAR Habib's "History of Literary Criticism".
10.Rhetoric and Prosody
I have read M.H.Abrams's " A glossary of literary terms" and Trueman's "UGC NET English Paper-II". But, you may get much better book for this topic.
For Paper-III:
D)Poem appreciation:
I have practiced the poems in the previous UGC NET papers which are available in UGC Website. Apart from them, I have gone through P.B.Jain's (Upkar Series) book which has nearly 20 poems to practice.
C) Definition seeking questions:
I analysed that 2 or 3 questions are being asked about literary terms. For it, M.H.Abrams's is enough. 2 or 3 questions are being asked about literary theory and criticism. For it, Peter Barry's and Raghukul Tilak's are enough which we shall prepare in Paper-II. Nearly 5 questions are being asked across British, American and Indian literature. I have not prepared much for it. I have prepare randomly. But, it's better to get summaries of important works of important authors from internet.
B) Elective:
It's better to opt "Literary theory and Criticism" because you prepare it for Paper-II and Paper-III definitional seeking questions. To answer this section, you have to read Pramod K Nayyar's apart from Barry's. Try to prepare the same topic in both. Then, it's better to prepare for another elective also. If you are already a teacher/lecturer, it's better to opt "English Language Teaching". Out of three questions, you can answer 2 questions basing on your teaching experience. But, you must be some imaginative. If you know questions from other elective well, it's better to answer that elective.
A) Essays:
You have to answer 2 essays from internal choice of 5 questions. Preparation of Literary theory and Criticism helps you to answer atleast one essay. And, as these are so general, you can take any well known question to answer. You must practice questions from previous UGC NET papers. Practice as many essays as possible from previous papers. It helps you a lot.
I have seen an excellent blog on UGC NET English : http://ardhendude.blogspot.com/?psinvite=ALRopfXlqNVYH0WldF7pWp14yXA_GIRDeMDZNj2wQZ8oz5aEQQfehYCxwOlSgiRvGmhjmnogTexL0PR134mXmfsdu8l5PUtsmQ
He answered essays and poems. Go through it. You may get there many candidates who are preparing for the same exam.
Over all,
1. Read regularly.
2. Write more, more and more. By writing regularly and extensively, you can present your answers well in the exam.
3. Enjoy reading. By enjoying, you can remember a lot.
4. Try to answer all the questions in the exam.
5. Above all, believe in Almighty.
These are my suggestions. Let me know your views. If you have any doubts, feel free to write to me. If I know I will try to answer.
Regards,
Ram.
