About the Exam:
The comprehensive examination for the M.A. in English consists of three questions (TEXT, THEME, and POETRY). The first is on a full-length text, usually a novel; the second is on a theme and requires an analysis of British and American literary history; the third requires the explication of a poem. All three questions test knowledge and skills stressed in the department's mission statement: contemporary literary theories and sound practices in research and writing.
The first question emphasizes research skills, literary theory, and the ability to integrate secondary sources into an original essay. The full-length text for the question is posted on the department’s website one semester in advance of the exam. One month in advance of the exam, selected literary criticism on the text is placed on reserve at The College library. You will receive the question one week before it is due. In your essay, you are expected to offer an original response to the question while also integrating existing criticism on the text. In addition, the essay should demonstrate how contemporary literary theory can be applied to the text. The essay must document all references to other writers using MLA style and should include a list of works cited.
The second question deals with a general theme-- such as love, alienation, or disability--and tests students' breadth of knowledge about literary history and traditions. The examinees will be asked to select three texts from diverse time periods and traditions; at least one of these texts must be British and at least one must be American; at least one text must be from a period before 1800 and at least one must be from a period after 1800. Focusing on the question's theme, students are to situate the three selected texts within their respective time periods and the literary traditions from which they have emerged. The essay should integrate the three texts in a cohesive, theoretically informed analysis. Students will receive the question one week before the exam.
The third question requires a formalist explication of a poem and is designed to test students' knowledge of prosody and poetic form and their skill in close reading. Students will receive the question at the time of the examination and will have two hours to prepare a response.* The examiners will provide any footnotes deemed necessary to understand particular words, phrases, or allusions. The best preparation is to review key prosodic terms (e.g., blank verse, Petrarchan sonnet, enjambment) and particular styles or movements (e.g., metaphysical poetry, romanticism, postmodernism).
*As of Spring 2010, examinees will be given a choice of 2 poems for their Poetry Question. They will be asked to select one of these for their formal explication.