by Anja Emerson

Created on: March 22, 2010   Last Updated: June 19, 2010

A literature exam is different from other subjects because aside from requiring to have read the literary work over the semester, you also need to prove that you have a deep understanding not only of the main theme, but also of key literary concepts related to the literary work.

In order to start preparing for a literature exam, it is essential to have read the literary work involved, or at least have a general grasp of the main theme. This will help you tackle the exam with more ease, because you will have a general idea of the literary work. In the case of a poem, it is ideal to know it by heart or at least to be very familiar with the text and its symbolism. In the case of a novel or a narrative, it is important to have read it at least once or twice, but if that isn’t possible, reading a summary or outline will familiarize you with the main characters and the action.

After becoming familiar with the literary work, the next step is mastering the literary concepts associated with it. A literature test involves more than just being able to narrate the storyline or provide a superficial analysis: you will need to prove that you are able to use appropriate literary terms that show your understanding of the historical background, literary significance and relevance of the literary work. A good literary essay will be written using the correct terminology and will analyze the most important elements in the literary work, as well as focusing on its key characteristics.

In many cases, being familiar with the historical context of the written work is very important. For example, if you are required to analyze “Gulliver's Travels” by Jonathan Swift, it is essential to know that below its apparent significance, the novel also depicts and criticizes the state of the European government of the time.

Being aware of the historical and cultural background of a literary work is something quite valued by literature teachers because it proves your ability to research and it enables you to provide a more complete overview of the work in your analysis.

It is often useful to memorize or at least, have a general idea about facts such as significant events preceding or following publication, important years related to the publication, literary critics’ opinions etc. These details constitute valuable information that can be added to your analysis in order to enrich and enhance its accuracy.

By following the above advice, you will be able to pass any literary test and get very good results. The major challenge related to literature exams is taking time to develop a good understanding of the literary work and the related terms, as well as knowing how to structure and present your knowledge in your essay.

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