How to Write Good Answers for IGNOU MA English Exams

Understand IGNOU MA English Question Pattern

Do the analysis of the question papers of your selected MEG courses before preparing for the examination. Specific directions may vary from paper to paper, but questions often ask students to:

• Analyse critically a poem, novel or play
• Explain a literary movement or period in history
• Analyse a character, theme or narrative technique
• Compare two writers, works, or approaches to criticism
• Interpret a quotation in context
• Write short notes on literary terms

IGNOU offers old Term-End Examination question papers on the official question-paper portal. Papers from a number of recent June and December exam sessions are available.

Check Your Admission And Course Information

Before you get down to serious preparation, check that your admission and course registration are correct.

See the next:

• Enrollment number
• Program code
• Enrolled MEG courses
• Study Centre and Regional Centre
• Session d'admission
• Status of re-registration

Download your IGNOU ID card and keep a printed copy handy for the examination. Also check that the course codes you’ve selected in your exam form match with your registration.

Read the Programme Guide Thoroughly

The programme guide includes the course structure, available subjects and academic requirements. Core and elective courses of MA English are of poetry, drama, fiction, literary criticism, language and various literary traditions.

Do not just read a course from short notes available online. Understand first:

• Blocks & units
• Literary texts assigned
• The main themes discussed in each block
• Significant critical concepts
• Requirements for assignment and test

Get the most out of your IGNOU MA English study material Your primary source should be the official IGNOU study material. But it is not feasible to study each and every unit just before the examination.

And the way to do this is:

1. Read the unit introduction and the learning objectives.
2. Summarise each section's main argument.
3. “Note important writers, texts, dates, literary terms.
4. Write a one-page summary of the unit.
5. Add examples and short quotations from the set work.
6. Edit the summary rather than reading through the entire block again.

IGNOU MA English Notes are useful for revision purposes but should not be used instead of the prescribed texts.

Follow a Good IGNOU MA English Writing Format

Understanding Command Words

Many students fail to get marks because they answer the topic but ignore the command word.

Are IGNOU MA English Assignments Important?

Assignments are a good preparation for the Term End Examination The instructions for current MEG assignments are on understanding, application and critical appreciation, not on copying large chunks of the course material.

When doing assignments:

• Respond to the question asked.
• Stay within the word count.
• Write in your own words.
• Read the assigned literature.
• Arrange the answer in a logical order.
• Include textual and critical references as appropriate.
• Submit the valid assignment for your session.

IGNOU Galaxy has provided solved assignments to help understand the structure of the answers. IGNOU Handwritten Assignments can also give a hint towards presentation but the final submission should be of the learner’s own understanding.

Make Use of Previous Year Question Papers

IGNOU MA English last year papers are important because it helps you to understand the pattern of questions asked every year.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Gather at least five recent papers for each MEG course.
2. Texts and themes Grouping questions by blocks
3. Mark topics that repeat themselves.
4. Prepare detailed answers for major topics
5. Timed Writing Practice.

Start Your IGNOU MA English Exam Preparation Early

Start focused preparation at least eight weeks prior to the exam.

A workable weekly schedule could be:

• 3 days for reading and making notes
• Two days for re-edit
• One day for questions beforehand
• One day for answering questions

Make separate notes on Poetry, drama, fiction, criticism and literary history. Study harder theoretical courses more often.

For student-friendly updates and more preparation resources, check out IGNOU Galaxy. Always check academic rules from the official website of IGNOU.

Managing Time in the Exam Hall

Divide the total examination time proportionately to the number and marks of questions.

Before you write:

• Carefully read the paper in full.
• Select questions you are familiar with.
• Start with a good answer. Allow time for all needed questions.
• Give some minutes for revision.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Explaining the plot instead of analysing it
• Learning model answers without understanding
• Writing the same intro for every question
• Disregarding the command word
• Incorrect quoting
• Paragraphs that are too long
• •
• Writing general opinions without evidence from the text
• Abstracting only
• Leaving answers in the air
• Failure to respect word and time limits as specified

How to Get High Marks in IGNOU MA English

• At least read the major prescribed texts themselves.
• Take notes that are based on themes, not just chapter summaries.
• Use simple, grammatically correct English.
• Support your points with examples from the text.
• Reference critics only when appropriate.
• Complete two or three timed responses in advance of each exam.
• Review literary terms and history.
• Write clearly and present neatly.

Common Questions