ISC Class 12 English Syllabus

The ISC Class 12 English syllabus for the 2024-25 academic year is designed to enhance students' language skills and appreciation of literature. The syllabus is divided into two main components: English Language and Literature in English.

English Language

This part consists of a Theory Paper worth 80 marks and Project Work worth 20 marks. The theory paper includes:

1. Composition: Students write on various topics.

2. Directed Writing: Tasks like proposals based on given situations.

3. Grammar: Short-answer questions testing grammar and usage.

4. Comprehension: Understanding unseen passages.

Students will also be assessed on their listening and speaking skills, which are evaluated internally by teachers.

Literature in English

This section also has a Theory Paper worth 80 marks and Project Work worth 20 marks. The literature syllabus includes:

• Drama: "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare, focusing on key acts.

• Short Stories: A collection from "Prism" that includes various authors.

• Poetry: A selection from "Rhapsody," covering different themes and styles.

Project Work

For both components, students must complete project work that involves writing assignments of 1000-1500 words. This work is assessed by teachers and a visiting examiner.

Overall, the ISC English syllabus aims to develop students' communication skills, critical thinking, and literary appreciation, preparing them for further studies or careers.

ISC English Langauge Syllabus Class 12: Project Work 

• Project Work in Class XII consists of an assessment of candidates in three projects, one each on Listening, Speaking, and Writing skills. 

• Listening and Speaking skills are to be assessed internally, by the School, during English coursework in Class XII. 

• Writing Skills are to be assessed externally by the Visiting Examiner, appointed locally, and approved by CISCE.

• Details of assignments for Project Work are given below:

Listening Skills (to be internally assessed by the subject teacher) 

An unseen passage of about 500 words may be read aloud, twice, the first time at normal reading speed (about 110 words a minute) and the next time at a slower speed. The passage may be taken from any novel, newspaper, magazine article, journal, and so on but not from an ICSE or ISC textbook. Students may make brief notes during the readings followed by answering objective-type questions based on the passage, on the paper provided.

Speaking Skills (to be internally assessed by the subject teacher)

Students are to be assessed through an individual presentation of about three minutes followed by a discussion with the subject teacher, for another two or three minutes.

Some of the themes which may be addressed are:

1. Narrating an experience

2. Giving directions or instructions on how to make

or operate something

3. Providing a description

4. Giving a report

5. Expressing an opinion or a theme-based conversation

Writing Skills (to be externally assessed by the Visiting Examiner)

A piece of written work of about 500 words must be produced.

List of suggested assignments for Project Work:

1. The text of a brochure

2. A product description

3. A process description (e.g. instruction to operate

a device, a recipe, a scientific experiment)

4. Description of a sporting event

5. An autobiographical experience

6. Review of a television serial

ISC English Syllabus Class 12: Literature in English 

Candidates will be required to answer questions based on the prescribed textbooks, which include Drama, Prose (Short Stories) and Poetry

I. DRAMA: Macbeth: William Shakespeare (Acts III, IV & V)

Macbeth is a tragedy that tells the story of a Scottish man Macbeth, three witches tell him that he will be king of Scotland, His wife encourages him and he kills the king and takes the throne. 

II. PRISM: A Collection of ISC Short Stories (Evergreen Publications)

1. Atithi / Guest – Rabindranath Tagore: In this story, a young boy named Tarapada runs away from home and becomes a wanderer and then he meets a family who treats him with kindness.

2. The Cookie Lady – Philip K. Dick: This story revolves around a young boy who visits an old lady, Mrs. Drew for her cookies, this visit of him turns scary as Mrs. Drew’s true intentions come to light. 

3. There Will Come Soft Rains—Ray Bradbury: This is a fictional story in which the author discusses how automated machines continue to work despite the absence of humans. 

4. Indigo—Satyajit Ray: This is a horror story about an indigo planter, Sir Hamilton, who helps a Bengali engineer. 

5. The Medicine Bag—Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve: Martin receives a medicine bag from his grandfather, which symbolizes his Native American culture.

III. RHAPSODY: A Collection of ISC Poems (Evergreen Publications) 

1. Telephone Conversation – Wole Soyinka: This Poem captures a conversation between a black man and a white landlady over the phone. 

2. Tithonus – Alfred, Lord Tennyson: It reflects the Greek myth of Tithonus, who was granted eternal life. 

3. Beethoven – Shane Koyczan: This poem pays tribute to the music composer Ludwig van Beethoven. 

4. Small Towns and the River – Mamang Dai: This poem explores the life and culture of small towns along a river in Arunachal Pradesh. 

5. Death be not Proud – John Donne: The author tries to personify Death, and its power, along with the nature of the soul. 

ISC Literature in English Syllabus Class 12: Project Work

Project Work in Class XII consists of an assessment of Writing Skills which are to be assessed internally by the subject teacher and externally by the Visiting Examiner appointed locally and approved by CISCE.

Candidates will be required to undertake one written assignment of 1000-1500 words, which should be structured as given below:

A. The written assignment must be given a title in the form of a question which should allow the candidate to explore the drama or the chosen short stories/poems in depth.

B. The written assignment must follow the structure given below:

Introduction

• Explanation of the question that has been framed

• Reason for choosing the text

• A brief explanation of how the candidate intends to interpret the chosen text and literary materials used in the process

Main Body – organized and well-structured treatment of the question using appropriate sub-headings.

Conclusion – a comprehensive summary of the points made in the main body.

Note: The text/texts analyzed in the Class XI Project Work must not be repeated in Class XII. 

List of suggested assignments for Project Work:

1. Analysis of a theme from any short story/poem in the prescribed texts.

2. Analysis of a character from the drama or any short story/poem in the prescribed texts.

3. Background – historical, cultural, literary context and relevance of the writer/poet chosen.

4. Summary/paraphrase of the chosen text.

5. Appreciation of literary qualities of the chosen text.

6. Identifying with a character in the chosen text and presenting his/her personal perspective.

7. Imagining an alternate outcome or ending or extension of the chosen text and its impact on the plot/setting/characters/mood and tone.

8. A script for dramatization, based on the short story/poem chosen.

9. Writing a short story based on a poem.

10. Comparing and contrasting two characters/themes from different short stories/poems of the prescribed texts. 

To get more detailed information about ISC CompulsoryEnglish Paper Syllabus 2024-2025 download the pdf provided above.

 ISC class 12 English Exam Pattern

 Marks  (out of a total of 20) should  be  distributed as given below:

 Internal Evaluation by Teacher (10 marks)

Check how subject teachers are going to evaluate your listening and speaking skills. 

valuation by Visiting Examiner of Writing Skills (10 marks)

Check how subject teachers are going to evaluate your writing skills.