ISC Class 12 Syllabus 2023 English Elective

ELECTIVE ENGLISH (850)
Aims:
2. To expose candidates to a deeper knowledge and
1. To provide candidates with a wider course in
appreciation of literary works in English.
Elective English than offered in the compulsory
English paper.
CLASSES XI & XII
There will be two papers in the subject:
Paper I - Theory: 3 hours…… 80 Marks
Paper II - Project Work ……. 20 Marks

PAPER I (THEORY): 80 Marks

There will be one paper of three hours duration of (ix) Students’ personal response to and
80 marks with questions set from the prescribed assessment of the novel/play.
textbooks. Candidates will be required to answer five
(x) Humour, pathos, tragedy, sarcasm and
questions on any three of the prescribed textbooks.
so on in the texts.
1. The questions in the paper will be broadly based
(xi) The novel/play in the context of
on the following categories:
contemporary society.
(i) Prose
(b) Poetry
(ii) Drama
(i) Different types of poems with their
(iii) Poetry characteristics and features:
The question may be character-based, incident  lyric
based, general broad based, theme based or
 sonnet – both Petrarchan (Italian)
require critical evaluation.
and Shakespearean
2. Students will need to study and have a
 ballad
knowledge of the following:
 elegy
(a) Prose and Drama
 blank verse
(i) Life of the playwright and novelist and
important events therein.  free verse
(ii) Evaluation of characters and the roles  narrative poetry
played by them in the text.  pastoral poetry
(iii) Description of each incident in the play
 dramatic monologue
or novel and its significance.
 romantic poetry
(iv) Important themes and motifs of the text.
(ii) All literary devices in detail and how to
(v) Relationships between characters and recognize them:
incidents.
 simile
(vi) Patterns and nuances of the text.
 metaphor
(vii) Fantasy and the supernatural.
 personification
(viii) Stylistic and narrative devices.
 apostrophe

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 alliteration (viii) How to write a proper Critical
Evaluation / Appreciation, which must
 assonance
contain the following components:
 repetition  Life of the poet and how it has
 irony impacted his/her style of writing
 imagery  Autobiographical element in the
poem
 enjambment
 Type of poem
 pun  Setting
 contrast  Theme
 climax and anti-climax  Mood and atmosphere
 onomatopoeia  Different levels of meaning in the
poem, if any
 hyperbole
 Rhyme scheme and its significance
 oxymoron
 Symbolism
 litotes
 Imagery
 symbolism  Literary devices
(iii) A thorough knowledge of the poets’  The student’s own personal
lives and styles of writing. response to the poem.
(iv) Important themes of the poems. Note: Credit is given for textual detail and for the
(v) Patterns and nuances of the poems. candidate’s own response.

(vi) Fantasy and the supernatural if present Candidates are advised to exercise their options with
in any poem. great care, keeping in view their knowledge and
understanding of the question(s) chosen. Candidates
(vii) Symbolism and Imagery. are also expected to be precise and to avoid
unnecessary details.

For list of prescribed Textbooks, see Appendix I.

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PAPER II (PROJECT WORK): 20 Marks
In addition to the syllabus prescribed above for Classes XI and XII, candidates are also required to be assessed in
Project Work.
Details of the same are given below:
PROJECT WORK FOR CLASS XI

The candidates will produce original, creative, Assessment Criteria for the Written Assignment
critical/ analytical, insightful perspectives on any Marks will be awarded as per the criteria given
TWO of the texts (novel/ poetry/ drama – to be taken below (10 Marks):
only from the syllabus to be covered in Class XI) that
they have chosen to study. Assessment Candidates should Marks
Criteria be able to:
Project Work in Class XI (only from the syllabus to 1. Process - Choose 2
be covered in Class XI) is to be assessed internally topic/question.
by the School. - Plan a detailed
Candidates will be required to complete two projects: assignment.
A. One written assignment (800 to 1000 words) - Submit a written
outline for
and approval.
B. One Audio-visual (PPT) presentation (15 to 2. Content - Give an 4
20 minutes duration) interesting
introduction that
A. The written assignment should be organised in presents a clear
the following manner: explanation and
1. The title of the assignment/ presentation scope of the topic
should be in the form of a question that - present
allows the candidate to explore and critically information in a
analyse the specified text(s). cohesive well-
structured manner
2. The assignment should follow the structure - display a
given below: knowledge of the
• An introduction that states the reason topic by referring
to other sources
for choosing that particular topic/ - sum up main
question and text. Teachers could assist points in
by suggesting a list of questions. conclusion
• A brief description of the methods 3. Presentation Prepare a document 4
adopted – what did the candidate do to and of 800 to 1000 words
answer the research question? References The document
• Results – What was the answer to the should have:
question? What were the candidate’s - a title page
findings? stating the topic/
question
• Conclusion – A brief discussion on the - an introduction
significance of the project and the - appropriate
candidate’s own perspective / views on headings and
the question. sub-headings
• Candidates should include a - a well worded
bibliography that mentions ALL the conclusion that
material that they referred to. ties together all
the main points
made
TOTAL 10

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B. The Audio-visual presentation (15 to 20 -display a
minutes duration) knowledge of
The Audio-visual Presentation should be topic by
organised in the following manner: referring to
other sources
1. The presentation should be in the form of a - sum up main
powerpoint presentation with 20 to 25 points in
slides. conclusion
2. The presentation is to last between 15 to 20 2. Presentation - display 2
minutes. confidence and
3. The title slide of the presentation should be maintain eye
in the form of a question that allows the contact
candidate to explore and critically analyse - speak clearly,
the specified text(s). The last slide should correctly,
be an acknowledgement of the references distinctly and
used to create the presentation. confidently
- maintain the
4. The presentation should follow the interest of the
structure given below: audience
• An introduction that states the reason for - explain
choosing that particular topic/ question thoughts and
and text. (Teachers could assist by ideas - not read
suggesting a list of questions). from a paper/
• A brief description of the methods off the slides
adopted – what did the candidate do to - use
answer the research question? visual/audio
clips/ pictures/
• Results – What was the answer to the effects and
question? What were the candidate’s animation, etc.
findings? effectively
• Conclusion – A brief discussion on the 3. Discussion - use appropriate 4
significance of the project and the strategies to
candidate’s own perspective / views on initiate
the question. discussion
5. The slide presentation must make judicious handle
use of AV clips/ pictures, animations questions/
and effects to create interest. comments from
the class
EVALUATION - deal
confidently
Criteria for Evaluation by the Teacher with question
(10 Marks) posed by
Assessment Candidates Marks teacher
Criteria should be able to: - effectively raise
1. Organisation/ - state topic and 4 a question and
content scope of increased the
presentation in class’
the introduction knowledge of
- explain what the topic
s/he intends to through the
cover within presentation
the allotted TOTAL 10
time

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List of suggested assignments for Project Work: 3. The texts that you have read have protagonists that
have shaped the plot, setting, relationships and
1. Choose a text from the ones prescribed in your
conclusion. If you were given a chance to choose
syllabus, and conduct a thorough research on the
a protagonist from one of the characters in the
background, social-cultural and political milieu,
same text, who would it be, and why? How would
the author’s own life experiences, his emotional
he/she shape the plot, setting, relationships and
and psychological concerns that might have
the conclusion of your chosen text?
influenced /impacted or affected his/ her piece of
writing. 4. Compare and contrast the technical novelties of
any two poets prescribed in your syllabus.
2. How have the genre, stylistic techniques, and
characters- their costumes, personalities, and
language spoken by them, helped the text chosen Note: The Powerpoint presentation and the
by you emerge as an engrossing and an engaging written assignment should not be based on the
piece of literary work? same text.

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PROJECT WORK FOR CLASS XII

Project Work in Class XII is to be assessed EVALUATION
internally by the subject teacher and externally
Marks (out of a total of 20) should be distributed
by the Visiting Examiner appointed locally and
as given below:
approved by the Council.
The candidates will produce original, creative, 1. Internal Assessment by the 10 Marks
critical/ analytical, insightful perspectives on any Teacher*
ONE text (novel/ poetry/ drama – to be taken only 2. External Evaluation by the 10 Marks
from the syllabus to be covered in Class XII) that Visiting Examiner **
they have chosen to study. TOTAL 20 Marks
Candidates will be required to produce ONE written
assignment (1000 to 1500 words). *Internal Assessment Criteria for the Written
Assignment by the Teacher:
The written assignment should be organised in the
following manner: Assessment Candidates Marks
Criteria should be able
1. The title of the assignment should be in the form to:
of a question that allows the candidate to 1. Process Identify the 3
explore and critically analyse the specified topic. Plan a
text(s). detailed written
assignment.
2. The assignment should follow the structure
Produce a
given below: written outline.
- An introduction that states the reason for 2. Understanding, Use a range of 4
choosing that particular topic/ question and Application of literary aspects
text. Teachers could assist by suggesting a Knowledge and such as plot,
list of questions. Analysis setting,
characters,
- A brief description of the methods adopted – action, style and
what did the candidate do to answer the ideas in order to
research question? present an
- Results – What was the answer to the organized and
well-structured
question? What were the candidate’s
complete
findings? assignment.
- Conclusion – A brief discussion on the 3. Presentation Prepare the 3
significance of the project and the document
candidate’s own perspective / views on the (overall format:
question. headings, sub-
headings,
- Candidates should include a bibliography paragraphing)
that mentions ALL the material that they writing within a
referred to. word limit of
1000 - 1500
Note: The text/texts that is/are analysed should be words and
provide a
chosen from the prescribed syllabus for grade
separate title
XII. page.
TOTAL 10

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**External Evaluation by the Visiting Examiner: List of suggested assignments for Project Work:
Assessment Candidates should Marks 1. How do the plot, setting, characters, action and
Criteria be able to: stylistic techniques contribute to the evolution of
1. Presentation The project should 4 a successful literary work? What in your opinion
adhere to the word constitutes a ‘relevant’ text?
limit of 1000 to 1500
words. 2. Compare a prescribed text to another text of the
The document should same genre on a similar topic that you have read.
have: What are the interesting similarities
- a title page stating /dissimilarities that you have discovered?
the topic/ question 3. In what ways would a text of your choice be
- an introduction, different if it were set in another era?
- appropriate
headings and sub- 4. If you were given an opportunity to make
headings changes in the text chosen by you, what would
- a well worded they be? Discuss in detail why you think these
conclusion that changes would make it more appealing and
ties together all engrossing.
the main points
made an 5. If you could choose a character from a text as
acknowledgement your alter ego, who would it be and why? Would
of all sources of you like to change the responses that were made
information/ by the character to the events in the plot? Give
references in a your reasons for the same.
proper format
Note: No Question Paper for Project Work will
2. Content - Give an interesting 6
be set by the Council.
knowledge introduction that
presents a clear
explanation and
scope of topic
- present information
in a cohesive well
structured manner
- display a
knowledge of topic
by referring to other
sources
- sum up main points
in conclusion
TOTAL 10

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