while i do think that for other subjects the syllubus is important and in ones like history, geo, science, math, religion... basically everything besides english they are of utmost importance - i really dont see any use for them in english, and to be quiet honest never actually sat down and had a good look at them myself.
Dont fret over what the syllubus is saying, just know how power is shown (ie language techniques, behaviour, scenes etc) and the different forms of power. What you have to remember is not to get caught up in the way that the english syllubus says things which at times can be really really confusing..