Syllabus Overview
Higher Level
Assessment | Text | Format | Task | Time | % |
Paper 1 | Two non-literary | Previously unseen | Two written analyses | 2 h 15 min | 35 |
Paper 2 | Two literary | Studied in class | One written analysis on one of four prompts | 1 h 45 min | 25 |
HL Essay | One literary or one non-literary | Studied in class | One written analysis on a topic of student’s choice (1200-1500 words) | n/a | 20 |
Individual Oral | One literary and one non-literary | Studied in class | One oral analysis on a global issue | 15 min | 20 |
Standard Level
Assessment | Text | Format | Task | Time | % |
Paper 1 | Two non-literary | Previously unseen | One written analysis on one of two texts | 1 h 15 min | 35 |
Paper 2 | Two literary | Studied in class | One written analysis on one of four prompts | 1 h 45 min | 35 |
Individual Oral | One literary and one non-literary | Studied in class | One oral analysis on a global issue | 15 min | 30 |
Assessment Criteria
Paper 1
Criterion A | Understanding and interpretation | 5 marks |
Criterion B | Analysis and evaluation | 5 marks |
Criterion C | Focus and organization | 5 marks |
Criterion D | Language | 5 marks |
Total | 20 marks |
Paper 2
Criterion A | Knowledge, understanding and interpretation | 10 marks |
Criterion B | Analysis and evaluation | 10 marks |
Criterion C | Focus and organization | 5 marks |
Criterion D | Language | 5 marks |
Total | 30 marks |
HL Essay
Criterion A | Knowledge, understanding and interpretation | 5 marks |
Criterion B | Analysis and evaluation | 5 marks |
Criterion C | Focus and organization | 5 marks |
Criterion D | Language | 5 marks |
Total | 20 marks |
Individual Oral
Criterion A | Knowledge, understanding and interpretation | 10 marks |
Criterion B | Analysis and evaluation | 10 marks |
Criterion C | Focus and organization | 10 marks |
Criterion D | Language | 10 marks |
Total | 40 marks |
Syllabus Notes
Overall
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A single text may NOT used more than once across multiple assessments
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Grading criteria consistent across all assessments, and identical between HL and SL
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Same skills and standards expected regardless of the course
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HL vs SL difference in terms of workload, but NOT difficulty or depth
Paper 1
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Short non-literary texts, typically 1-2 pages long
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Identical 2 texts for both HL and SL
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For Language and Literature, typically one visual, e.g. cartoon, and one non-visual, e.g. speech (conventional text)
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For Literature, typically one prose and one poem
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One guiding question for each passage at both HL and SL
Paper 2
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Long literary texts, typically novels and plays
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A collection of shorter texts like poems can be used but is often more difficult
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Quotes NOT required nor necessary to memorize
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Texts not brought into nor used during the exam
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Identical 4 prompts for both HL and SL
HL Essay
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Typically takes place between 2nd half of DP1 year and 1st half of DP2 year
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Recommended to use one long literary text
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A collection of shorter texts like poems or non-literary articles can be used but is often more difficult
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Topic can be chosen from any aspect of the text
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Specific but broad enough to write a sufficient length
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Usage of Course Concepts, Areas of Exploration (AoE), literary focuses, or theoretical approaches when structuring line of inquiry
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Analysis on a large portion of the text, and NOT a single scene or passage
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Secondary sources not required, but the primary source formally cited
Individual Oral
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Typically takes place between 2nd half of DP1 year and 1st half of DP2 year
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Conducted in a 1:1 setting with the teacher
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10 mins of spoken analysis followed by
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5 mins of questions from the teacher
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Recorded and may be submitted to IB
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Prepared in advance with a mock trial beforehand
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Response to “Examine the ways in which the global issue of your choice is presented through the content and form of two of the works that you have studied.”
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With an extract of 40 lines or less from one literary work and one non-literary text that
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depicts a global issue
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carries significance within the whole text
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contains stylistic choices for analysis
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May bring in and use unannotated copies of the extracts and a maximum 10 bullet points outline which
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is submitted to the teacher
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may be submitted to IB
Text Types
Literary works
HL | SL | |
Number
of works | 6 literary works:
• 2 originally in English from the prescribed reading list
• 2 in translation from the prescribed reading list
• 2 chosen freely | 4 literary works:
• 1 originally in English from the prescribed reading list
• 1 in translation from the prescribed reading list
• 2 chosen freely |
Literary
forms | 3 | 2 |
Period | 3 | 2 |
Place | 3 countries or regions in at least 2 continents | 2 countries or regions in at least 2 continents |
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One author CANNOT be studied more than once
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Literary forms: Drama, Poetry, Prose (fiction), Prose (non-fiction)
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Prose (non-fiction) refers to a work of creative non-fiction, which is considered a literary work → can overlap with a non-literary text
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Period: the century during which the author was active
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One literary work is defined as:
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One long literary text, such as a novel or play
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Two or more shorter literary texts, such as novellas
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5-10 short stories
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5-8 essays
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10-15 letters
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A substantial section or a whole poem of at least 600 lines in length
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15-20 shorter poems
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When more than one text is studied as part of a single work, the texts must all be written by the same author
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A work studied in class may NOT be used for the Extended Essay, but a different work written by an author studied in class may be used
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Non-literary texts
Advertisement | Encyclopedia entry | Parody* |
Appeal | Film/television | Pastiche* |
Biography* | Guide book | Photographs |
Blog | Infographic | Radio broadcast |
Brochure/leaflet | Interview | Report |
Cartoon | Letter (formal)* | Screenplay |
Diagram | Letter (informal)* | Set of instructions |
Diary* | Magazine article | Speech* |
Electronic texts | Manifesto* | Textbook |
Essay | Memoir* | Travel writing* |
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Examples of the various types of non-literary texts
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Visual vs non-visual
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Major vs minor (rarely examined)
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Choice of which texts to study in class
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Teacher ✓
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IB x
*These text types may be considered literary forms, usually within the category of non-fiction.