ib language and literature review

Free IB Language A: Literature Resources!

What do i need to memorize for the ib language a:  literature exam, how should i study for the ib language a: literature exam.

Published January 16, 2024

Everything You Need to Get a 7 on IB Language A: Literature

High School Sophomore from West Virginia, Avid Classics Enthusiast, Marketing Intern and Blog Writer at Knowt :)

Hey there! This article is all about our tips for how to study for the IB Language A: Literature exam to get a solid 7. I'll break down the tricks, and  IB Language A: Literature test prep so with the right strategies and  IB Language A: Literature resources, nailing the exam is totally doable!

Hey, no worries if you're in a last-minute cramming session for IB Language A: Literature! We totally get it, and trust me, we've all been there too! So, if you're wondering how to ace the IB Language A: Literature exam when you're running out of time, here are some awesome resources and IB Language A: Literature exam tips created by fellow students that will help you cram like a boss.

This ULTIMATE IB Language A: Literature Study Guide - pretty much everything you need to know for the exam, written by a former IB Language A: Literature student! 

IB Language A: Literature Flashcards

Our Favorite Additional Site for IB Language A: Literature

The exam is broken down into FOUR components (THREE for SL) - here is a breakdown of what you’ll need to know and what to expect from each section:

For paper 1 of the IB Language A: Literature exam, you'll analyze unseen texts in a limited time, 2 hours and 15 minutes for HL and 1 hour and 15 minutes for SL students. The paper includes a few texts of different genres, and you will need to write a commentary on one or more of these texts. The exam tests your ability to understand and analyze language, style, and thematic elements. It's important to practice analyzing various types of texts to prepare for the different styles and content you might encounter in the exam.

To ace paper 1, of the IB Language A: Literature exam, you should start by quickly reading all the texts to choose the one you understand best; one that you can explain in detail super easily. Focus on the main themes and how the text uses  structure to prove its point. Then, you should organize your essay with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. In your analysis, support your points with examples from the text. Manage your time to finish without rushing, and make sure to be clear and to the point so you don’t run out of time! 

Then, for paper 2 of the IB Language A: Literature exam, you'll write essays comparing texts you've studied. This paper typically lasts 2 hours (1 hour and 45 minutes exactly for both HL and SL students). You'll be asked to write essays comparing and contrasting themes, characters, or other aspects shared between the texts. It's key to know your studied texts well and understand their themes and literary techniques. 

But don’t sweat; you can ace this if you follow these steps: Start by carefully reading the questions and choose the one you can answer best. Plan your essay, focusing on a clear comparison between the texts. You also need to use specific examples from the texts to support your points, what good is an essay without any evidence? Make sure to  write clearly and organize your essay with a good structure, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. It is also SUPER important to keep an eye on the time to ensure you complete your essay without rushing. 

If you’re in HL, lucky you! You'll write a 1,200-1,500 word essay on one of the texts you've studied in class. This essay is an independent, critical study where you analyze a specific aspect of the text. You won’t have to write it during an exam period, you will work on it during class. First, pick a topic that interests you, such as a theme, character, or stylistic feature, and explore it in detail. You should show a clear understanding of the text and support your analysis with detailed examples. This essay is your chance to dive deep into a text and present your own insights!

For the Higher Level Essay in IB Language A: Literature, pick a part of a text you like and know well. Plan your essay by deciding what you'll write about and how. When writing, keep your ideas clear and use parts of the text to back up your points. Stay on the topic you've chosen. After writing, check your essay to make sure it's clear and doesn't have mistakes. This essay is a chance to show what you think about the text, so take time to explain your points well!

Finally, both HL and SL have to complete an oral assessment about your analysis of a literary work in relation to a global issue. The assessment lasts about 15 minutes, including a 10-minute presentation and a 5-minute Q ‘n A with your teacher. You'll choose a specific extract from the literary work and connect it to a global issue, showing how the text addresses this issue. It's important to select an extract that allows for a deep analysis and to be clear about how it relates to the global issue, otherwise, you’ll be grasping at straws. 

It may seem like a lot, but you can easily ace this section! First, practice discussing your chosen text and global issue clearly, making sure that you are within the time limit each time. During the assessment, be clear and focused in your presentation. You spent so much time researching this topic; you know what you are doing! Listen to any questions from your teacher and answer them thoughtfully, showing off your knowledge. Stay calm and confident, and you’ve got this in the bag!

Stary by thoroughly understanding the course requirements and syllabus, so you know what texts you'll be studying and what the exam will cover. As you read the assigned texts, make sure to actively engage with them by underlining or highlighting important quotes, themes, and literary devices. Take detailed notes on characters, settings, and plot developments to aid your analysis later on.

Next, focus on analyzing the themes and literary devices used in the texts. Look for symbolism, motifs, and imagery and consider how these elements contribute to the overall meaning of the text. This deep understanding will be crucial for your essays.

Practice writing essays that analyze the texts. Structure your essays using the PEE (Point, Evidence, Explanation) or PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) format for each paragraph. Ensure your arguments are clear and well-organized, and practice writing under timed conditions to improve your time management skills.

Then, set aside specific time limits for each section of the exam during your practice to get accustomed to the exam's format and pace. Review past exam papers to understand the types of questions that may be asked. Seek feedback from your teacher or peers to refine your writing and analysis skills. Make sure to go over the  IB Language A: Literature exam review and your  IB Language A: Literature online IB notes to ensure success. 

Prior to the exam, revise your notes and key concepts, making sure you can recall important quotes and examples from the texts. Also, work on your language skills by practicing grammar, vocabulary, and writing style to ensure your responses are clear and well-articulated.

Everything You Need To Get A 7 in IB Theatre

Hey there! This article is all about our tips for how to study for the IB Theatre exam to get a solid 7. I'll break down the tricks, and IB Theatre test prep so with the right strategies and IB Theatre resources, nailing the exam is totally doable! Free IB Theatre Resources!! Hey, no worries if you're in a last-minute cramming session for IB Theatre! We totally get it, and trust me, we've all been there too! So, if you're wondering how to ace the IB Theatre exam when you're running out of time, here are some awesome resources and IB Theatre exam tips created by fellow students that will help y...

Hey there! This article is all about our tips for how to study for the IB Language A: Literature exam to get a solid 7. I'll break down the tricks, and  IB Language A: Literature test prep so with the right strategies and  IB Language A: Literature resources, nailing the exam is totally doable! Free IB Language A: Literature Resources! Hey, no worries if you're in a last-minute cramming session for IB Language A: Literature! We totally get it, and trust me, we've all been there too! So, if you're wondering how to ace the IB Language A: Literature exam when you're running out of time, here are...

Mastering the IB Exam: Top Study Tips for Preparing and Achieving Success in the IB Diploma

Preparing for the International Baccalaureate (IB) exams can feel like a daunting task. With a wide range of subjects, in-depth content, and a unique assessment style, it's no wonder students often find themselves seeking effective study strategies. In this article, we'll guide you through the essential steps to effectively prepare for your IB exams. From understanding the exam format and syllabus to developing a study plan that works for you, we cover it all. We’ll also share tips on how to manage your time, tackle challenging subjects, and maintain a healthy balance between studying and rela...

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Ultimate Guide To IB English – Language A: Literature HL Exam

What’s covered:, ib hl vs sl: what’s the difference, how do hl papers/exams work, how are the ib english sl papers/exams scored, how does the ib english hl exam affect my college chances.

IBDP, which stands for The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme , is a common high school diploma alternative to the AP system, a system very popular here in the U.S. The IB system is much more internationally accepted, and considered a lot more rigorous in academics and exams. 

The exams can be a hard spot for IB for many students, and one of its flagship subjects, English Literature, is considered difficult and its exam is no different. Hopefully this guide can break down the exam into some digestible information and make it easier for you to approach the examination. 

All IB classes/courses have two versions, higher level (HL) and standard level (SL) . The most prevalent  difference between these two versions is mostly the amount of coursework expected, as well as some key differences to what’s being provided to the student as learning material. 

Language A is separated by not only the difficulty of exams but, there are different kinds and options for reading material for the class. Reading material matters here because the exams are based on reading material. 

HL papers for the Literature exam are divided into two components:

• Paper 1 is a 2 hour and 15 minute long essay-based examination that requires you to analyze unseen texts.
• Paper 2 is a 2 hour and 15 minute long examination that will require you to answer questions based on the required texts for the course, and questions can be picked based on which texts you chose to read. 

This paper is a bit more difficult for most students because the questions are based on unseen excerpts as opposed to the reading materials you’ve read during the two year curriculum. These unseen texts are hard to prepare for, but based on the type of student you are, you might find this more approachable as they’re concise and require more reading between the lines. For these texts it’s important to get to the motive and theme of the text as soon as possible, as opposed to understanding the actual context. Skim reading and breaking down sections into groups based on common themes is a common hack for this paper. 

Ideally you’d want to have a general plan before you step into paper 1. The plan should detail your approach to reading the exam and its texts. Breaking the texts down to the following subcategories would be useful for literature analysis:

• Contextual and Content
• Author Motives

By breaking the text down like this, you can identify the purpose of the excerpt and hence answer any question that involves the analysis of the literature pretty easily, because your plan has already been executed as you were skimming or reading. 

This plan should make paper 1 much more manageable, but some practice goes a long way. Make sure to use previous examinations and specimen papers to your advantage and practice older questions to perfect your skills.

Paper 2 can be considered a little easier given that you’re aware of the texts that will be used for the examination, and you can choose which questions you wish to solve out of the provided options. These options make it even easier to implement the plan as described previously! Paper 2 is only as difficult as you come underprepared so study those texts and provide literature!

The texts refer to readings that have been assigned from a board at IBO, and these selections are sent to schools all over the world. The way the paper is designed, no matter which option you choose to read for a text, there will be an exam question that pertains to your selection. There will also be numerous generalized questions that can refer to many texts and be pretty-opened. 

There’s ample time to create answers that are more concrete and proofed compared to responses in paper 1, therefore the grading expectations for this paper are less lenient than paper 1. Understanding your provided reading material is key to excelling in this paper, so making sure to come in prepared is the key difference of passing and failing this paper.

Both papers are scored out of 20 points, and are based off a rubric/criterion chart that can be used to pick a score based on performance. 

The criteria can be clearly seen in the diagram above, with level 1 being the weakest performance in each criteria, up to 5 being the strongest.

You should study the criteria thoroughly because it shows you what the grader is looking for in a  good, well-written essay/response. 

The scores out of 20 are then used along with your performance in internal assessments to determine a grade out of 7 for the class . The table below, called a grade boundary table, is used by graders to determine this score out of 7.

To calculate your grade, you would take the total score on both papers (which is out of 40) and your internal assessment grades, a total isn’t as clear here as it’s based on what your teachers would decide. Divide your earned points by the number of available points to score, and multiply the decimal by a 100.

Read Early 

Given that paper 2 is completely dependent on how well you’re prepared by understanding your literature options, read earlier and get a head start. The sooner you understand your text, the earlier you can analyze prior to the exam. By getting this over with, when the exam rolls around you’re already done with the prep work required to solve the prompts and questions.

By reading earlier you may also notice the text you chose isn’t quite suited for you, or you simply don’t enjoy reading it. The extra time from starting it earlier, gives you a chance to swap our selections if required.

Exam Stress Management

A more general, but equally as important tip! Managing stress during exam season can be difficult, but a couple healthy practices can make it easy! Start by telling yourself exams are not as important as schools make them out to be! They are not going to decide our future, and certainly have less impact on your chances of college admission than you’d think! Understanding this can remove a lot of stress off you, which funnily enough might make you even perform better due to feeling less inclined to exceed those expectations that were previously placed on you!

In short they do not! Scores don’t mean much when it comes to college admissions, but showing the will to be in a hard class like English Literature HL is more important. Colleges are inclined to favor students with a set of more difficult classes as opposed to high scores and other metrics. 

A nifty tool, CollegeVine’s admissions calculator , takes all factors that do matter in college admissions, ranging from extracurriculars, GPA, and standardized test scores, along with a lot more, and provides you with your unique chances of getting into a college/university of your choosing. 

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IB English A: Literature and IB English A: Language and Literature

Who loves textual analysis and Paper One?  Andrew and Dave do!  Whether you are taking IB English A: Literature or IB English A: Language and Literature, we all have to write Paper One.  This means we need to read critically, explore authorial choices, and consider their implications and how they shape meaning.  Confused?  No worries. 

This page is organized as follows:

• Quick tips for all students can be found at the top.
• Language and Literature text types with sample responses come next.
• This is followed by some critical visual analysis skills for Lang/Lit.
• Literature videos for all forms come after that.

Paper One – Quick Tips and Tricks For All Students

We get it.  sometimes you don't have the time to watch lots of videos and sort through lots of documents.  if that describes you, then andrew and dave highly recommend checking out the videos below.  they are short, sweet, and have loads of critical tips and tricks to help you succeed on paper one..

Need 10 ideas on things to include in your Paper One?  Watch this video and learn what’s essential.

Document: Ten Tips for Paper One

Need 10 ideas on things to AVOID in your Paper One?  Watch this video and learn what must be left out on exam day..

Document: Ten Pitfalls to Avoid for Paper One

How many times have you heard your teacher tell you to use more voice when you write?  What does that even mean?  Watch this video to find out.

Document: Adding Voice to Academic Writing

Having trouble with your introductions and conclusions?  Watch this video to learn how to start and finish strong.

Document: Sample Intro and Conclusion

It’s not enough to just identify features.  We need to consider how authors make choices to shape meaning.  Check out this video on Criteria B.

Document: Discussing Reader Effect

You understand how to discuss reader effect, but what about evaluation?  This is an important part of Criteria B.  Watch this video and master Paper 1!

Document: Adding Evaluation

Language and Literature - Countdown to Paper One!

Do you have a summative assessment or mock exam coming up?  Are you busy cramming content at the last minute for either the November or May examination sessions?  If you are a Language and Literature student and this describes you, then you have come to the right place!  Each of the following TEN text types has CLOSE READING and SAMPLE RESPONSES WITH EXAMINER COMMENTS.  There are also documents with text type conventions and various other resources you need to achieve academic success.  Watch the videos.  Master the content.  Crush Paper One!

TEXT TYPE 1: WEBSITE

Document: Conventions

Document: Stimulus Text

Document : Student Response

TEXT TYPE 2: SPEECH

Document: More Conventions

Document: Student Response

TEXT TYPE 3: LETTER

TEXT TYPE 4: PRODUCT REVIEW

TEXT TYPE 5: COMIC

LINK: BoW Grant Snider

TEXT TYPE 6: FILM REVIEW

TEXT TYPE 7: BROCHURE

TEXT TYPE 8: PSA

TEXT TYPE 9: TRAVEL WRITING

TEXT TYPE 10: TABLOID COVER

More Nonliterary Text Types:

Wow, that was quite a playlist!  But…there’s more to learn.  Don’t worry!  Dave and Andrew LOVE nonliterary text types.  Political cartoons?  Check.  Film, photos, and documentaries?  Yes, please.  Opinion articles and advertisements?  You betcha.  If those sounds interesting, that’s because they are.  Check out the nonliterary text types below and rest assured that your Paper One exam performance will be one that you can celebrate.

Political Cartoons

Andrew and Dave LOVE political cartoons.  They are self-contained commentaries on an important current event or key aspect of society, and they’re humorous.  Look out for colors, symbols, and other hidden ideas lurking in the subtext.  Remember: just like literary authors, cartoonists make a series of choices in their work intended to shape meaning.  Look carefully.  Pay attention and learn their moves.  Ace Paper One.

Let’s learn the basics.  Learn these terms so you can apply them to any political cartoon you encounter!

Document: Cartoon Terms

Document: Cartoon of Cartoon Terms

We’re just warming up!  Now that you’ve learned some basic terms, let’s apply them to more cartoons.

Nice!  You’re getting the hang of this cartoon stuff.  Time to put your ideas to writing.  Check it out!

Document: Cartoon and Sample Writing

Document: Sentence Stems for Analysis

Time to put it all together.  Watch the video, examiner the cartoon, read the student response, and listen to the examiner scoring.  Crucial information here!

Document: Full Student Response

Advertising

They’re everywhere.  On our phones, on billboards around the city, on our computer screens every time we visit a new site.  Advertisers work to cut through the clutter, grab our attention, and subtly influence us to make a choices to buy, buy, and buy some more.  Accordingly, Dave and Andrew believe it’s essential to show students the tips and tricks companies use to manipulate our attention and persuade us to act.  So, check out these videos.  Not only will you improve your Paper One performance, but you will also be a more skilled and savvy consumer who is attuned to the features our favorite brands employ in their ads.

You’ve got to start somewhere.  Learn the key terms and what to look for in advertisements.  Oh, there’s a cool mnemonic to help you remember this stuff as well.  Watch this first!

Document: Features of Advertising

Document: Mnemonic for Deconstructing Ads

So these tips and tricks work for public service announcements as well?  Nice!  Check out this piece from UNHCR, apply the skills, and watch your Paper One confidence soar.

Document: 15 Techniques of Advertising

Document: More Tools of Persuasion

OK, we’ve explored some ads and other persuasive texts.  Time to put it all together in writing and see if we can build some academic paragraphs.  Notice how the student links references, features, and ideas in writing.

Document: The Model Paragraph

Opinion Articles

There’s a lot going on in our world, and people generally have some strong reactions to current events.  Whether they agree with public policy and sentiment or not, writer’s of opinion columns implement a series of choices in their work to maximize their persuasive effect.  A close cousin of speeches, these short and complete texts pack a punch.  Look carefully at how they’re structured, how they use rhetoric, and how they end with a bang.  Learn this stuff.  It’s Paper One gold.

OK, so you’re starting to see a trend, right?  Yes, that’s right – each text type has a set of terminology needed to discuss specific elements in an academic way.  Learn the terms.  Improve your Paper One.

Document: Persuasive Elements in Opinion Articles

Now that you’ve got some basic skills and some terms under your belt, let’s apply them to three different opinion articles and see what we can do.

Time to put it all together and produce a piece of writing.  Notice how the student combines terms, ideas, and precise references to the text as they crush this Paper One.  Study their moves.  Notice their approach.  Watch.  Learn.  Master.

Document: Paper One Student Sample (clean)

Document: Paper One Student Sample (highlighted)

Photography

The ability to read images is crucial for Language and Literature success.  As you know, may of the texts we explore are multimodal, meaning they have both text and image.  So, we need to be savvy and understand how to read photographs, analyze them, and make meaning.  Like other text types, there are some basic terms and approaches to close reading that will open up some important analytical doors for you.  Watch these videos and improve your visual analysis!

Who likes Andrew and Dave’s silly mnemonics for analysis?  Yes, they’re cheesy.  Yes, they help.  Check out this video and learn the basics of deconstructing photographs.

Document: Analyzing Photographs

Nice, you learned the acronym for deconstructing images!  Now let’s apply this strategy to multiple photos and determine the attributes of this great Body of Work from Philip Jones Griffiths.

Website: Body of Work – Philip Jones Griffiths

Films, Documentaries, and Series

Who doesn’t love a good film or Netflix series?  Quick confession: Andrew and Dave have a media problem.  Sure, we have vibrant reading lives, but we love to watch filmmakers and camera crews work their magic.  There’s so much to talk about!  Whether you are looking a camera angle, camera distance, audio tracks, visual tracks, or graphics tracks, Andrew and Dave have you covered.  

Yep, you guess it.  Next text type, new set of terms.  Check out the documents below and match some of the ideas to the iconic series Squid Game.  Don’t worry – we didn’t pick the gory shots for analysis.

Document: Key Terms for Analyzing Film

Sure, the thumbnail says “Individual Oral” but it just as easily could have said “Paper One.”  Remember: these assessments are close cousins!  Watch this video to learn what to look for in documentaries.

I’m sorry…you’ve got to listen to this recording!  Listen to our student destroy these screenshots from Breaking Boundaries on Netflix.  If you haven’t seen David Attenborough talk us through this documentary about climate change, check it out!  It’s must watch stuff.

Document: Student Recording

Document: Recording Transcript

Document: Student Notes and Planning

Literary Text Types

Regardless of the course you are enrolled in, we’re all studying literature.  How is prose fiction different than prose nonfiction, and how should you approach these texts?  What about drama and poetry?  Are there any special skills and tips to learn?  We’ve got the answers to these questions and more down below.  Watch the videos.  Read the documents.  Become a better critical reader and writer.  

Prose Fiction

What’s prose fiction?  Think novels.  Think short stories.  Think “imaginative” writing.  It’s one of the cornerstones of the course for a reason, and Andrew and Dave just love the power of story.  It’s complex, it teaches us about the human condition, and it fosters empathy.  Learn how to be a close reader of prose fiction and let your knowledge shine when you write your Paper One.

Not sure what to look for in prose fiction?  No worries.  This video explore the key aspects to look for and shows you how to find them.  Use the document and watch the video!

Document: SCASNI acronym for annotating fiction

OK, you know the terms and what to look for in a short prose fiction passage.  Now lets close-read an assessment passage, outline our thinking, and consider how authors make choices to shape meaning.

Document: SCASNI applied to a Paper One Text

You’ve read closely, you’ve annotated, and you’ve got your thesis and rudimentary outline ready. Let’s check out this sample paper and examiner comments and see what we can learn.

Document: Paper One – Full Student Response

Prose Non-Fiction

Sure, we all love pure story, but this course requires that students read and analyze prose nonfiction texts as well.  So what exactly is this stuff anyway?  Think memoirs.  Think travelogues.  Think philosophy and other insightful texts that present factual information in an entertaining and literary way.  Andrew and Dave love this stuff, and so do our students.  Check out these three great 2-video sets – they’ll show you how to read carefully and write powerfully.

How do writers combine the scientific and the literary to convey information?  Check out this video and watch Andrew and Dave break it down.

Document:  Assessment Text (clean)

Document:  Assessment Text (annotated)

Learn about the human heart, its beauty, and how modern doctors can still learn from traditional methods in this cool text that is a former Paper One Assessment.

Let’s read this excerpt from a great memoir and see what we can learn.

Now that the reading portion is out of the way, let’s take a look at this student response and listen to Andrew and Dave discuss the strengths and weaknesses.  Lots to learn here.

Document: Student Response (clean)

Document: Student Response (highlighted)

Nice work with that close reading.  Let’s look a piece of student writing, discuss strengths and weaknesses, and use this as an opportunity to make your writing better.

 Let’s see how Dave and Andrew’s student took the ideas from the reading and demonstrated their understanding and analysis under timed Paper One conditions.

Document: Student Response (clean and highlighted)

Document: Three Different Styles of Introductions

Wipe that dirty look off your face and have some confidence – poetry can be fun!  Sure, Dave and Andrew understand that it’s abstract, it’s full of deep thinking, and it’s complex, but that’s what makes it so interesting!  Maybe you’ll learn to love it if you have the tools?  That’s where IB English Guys come into play.  Check out the videos and document below.  You’ll find poetic terminology, close reading strategies, and sentence stems to guide your writing.  Watch.  Learn.  Master.  You’ve got this!  

Don’t be fooled by the “Individual Oral” thumbnail.  As you’ve probably noticed, the IO and Paper One skill sets are close cousins.  Check out this video and learn the basics of breaking down poetry.

Document: Poetic Terms

Document: Sample Poem with Annotations

Yes, poetry has a lot of moving parts.  Is there an acronym or some other trick to remember how to analyze these things?  Yep.  Dave and Andrew have you covered.  Check out the video and check out the docs.  Some good stuff here.

Document: How to Read a Poem

Document: Acronym for Analyzing Poetry

Document: Words to Describe Mood and Tone

Document: Maya Angelou Poem For Analysis

Great!  You’re getting the hang of this poetry stuff.  Let’s dig a bit deeper and do some close reading and thinking.  Time to learn how to put it all together and arrive at the thesis.

Document: Mary Oliver Poem for Analysis

Document: Mary Oliver Poem (fully annotated)

Check out this former IB Exam where we break down a great poem.

Document: Poem – “Tyre Shop” by Bob Orr

Check out the full student response and compare your work.

Document: “Tyre Shop” – Full Student Response

Andrew and Dave love drama.  But, you’ve got to remember to pay attention to the stage directions. What can you see and hear on stage?  What props do you notice?  How are costume and staging used for effect?  So many things to explore!  It’s important to learn the basics for now, but stay tuned for more content in the future.  Our students love drama, and so will you.  Immerse yourself in this text type and enjoy!

Seriously?  More terms to learn for another genre?  Yes, but don’t despair!  Drama provides some great opportunities to flex your brain muscles and show your teacher – and the examiner – that you can think and analyze with the best.

Document: Dramatic Terms

Document: Annotated Passage

Coming Soon!

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IB English Paper 1 Explained

Ace your IB English Paper 1 exam with the #1 IB English Resource for 2022 as Voted by IB Students & Teachers

IB English Paper 1 is one of those nerve-wracking experiences that everyone has to endure. It's especially scary because you have no idea what you'll end up writing for your final exam–and your grades depend on it!

The best preparation you can do is be acutely aware of the exam structure and proven strategies that have worked for past IB7 graduates.

If you want to fully wrap your head around the IB English Paper 1 guided analysis, then this quick guide is for you.

Meet your instructor Jackson Huang, Founder of LitLearn. His mission is to make IB English as pain-free as possible with fun, practical lessons. Jackson scored an IB45 and was accepted to Harvard, Amherst, Williams Colleges, and full scholarships to University of Melbourne & Queensland.

What is a Paper 1 exam?

In a Paper 1 exam, you are given two mysterious, unseen texts . Each text is between 1-2 pages in length.

For SL students, you're in luck! Your task is to write a guided analysis on just one of the two texts. Total marks: 20. You have 1 hour and 15 minutes.

For HL students, you're in less luck… Your task is to write two guided analysis essays–one on each of the texts. Total marks: 40. You have 2 hours and 15 minutes.

The mystery text types you'll get for Paper 1 depend on whether you're in IB English Language & Literature or IB English Literature.

For IB English Literature , Paper 1 text types belong to four neat categories (hooray!):

• Fictional prose (e.g. short stories, extracts from novels)
• Non-fiction prose (e.g. scientific articles, extracts)
• Dramatic plays

For IB English Language and Literature , your text types could be… really… anything. Be prepared to be surprised. Typically, at least one of the text types will include some visual element like an image, photo, or cartoon. Here's the (non-exhaustive) list of Lang Lit text types:

• Magazines, blogs, articles and editorials
• Speeches, interview scripts, radio transcripts
• Instruction manuals, brochures
• Comic strips, political cartoons
• … and the list goes on…

What do I write in a guided analysis?

For each Paper 1 text, the IB English Gods pose a short, open-ended question.

This question is called the guiding question , and your essay must focus on answering this guiding question using analysis (we'll explain “analysis” in a second).

Examples of guiding questions:

• How does the writer characterize the protagonist's state of mind?
• How and to what effect do textual and visual elements shape meaning?
• How is narrative perspective used to create meaning and effect?

Even though you're technically allowed to choose your own focus and ignore the default guiding question, it's highly recommended that you go along with what's given… unless you really don't know how to answer it, or you're super confident in your Paper 1 skills.

Now, what are we supposed to do with the guiding question?

Guiding questions always ask you to explain how and why certain language or visual choices are used to build one or more central ideas .

And so the vague instruction "Answer the guiding question" actually translates to something very specific:

Explain  how and why the writer uses specific language to build their central idea(s).

This sentence pretty much sums up not just IB English Paper 1, but the gist of analysis and IB English overall.

Writing Deep, Insightful Analysis

If you want to get a high score on Paper 1 (and every IB English assessment in general), you must know how to write deep, insightful analysis.

After helping numerous IB English students at LitLearn, we've found that weak analysis is the #1 reason students struggle in IB English.

Biggest Mistake

The main mistake you're likely making is that your analysis doesn't dig deep enough .

Students make the mistake of only touching the surface-level meaning of the texts. For example, common mistakes include:

• only recounting the plot
• mentioning techniques and ideas without digging into the how and why
• not identifying the most relevant techniques for analysis.

The diagram below shows the difference between surface-level meaning, deep analysis, and deeper analysis.

If you're unsure about how to write strong analysis for IB English, or you're not confident in what to look for in your texts, then you should watch this free 7-minute video lesson from Learn Analysis: Analysis Foundations.

Learn Analysis

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Essential Techniques you need to know

So how do we write strong analysis that scores highly on Criterion B?

First things first, we need to know how to analyze the major literary and visual techniques (visual for Lang Lit), so that we can quickly find and analyze them under exam stress.

If you're cramming for Paper 1, here are the 7 most important techniques and concepts that you should know for IB English Paper 1. They apply to all text types in Lang Lit as well as Literature:

• Tone, atmosphere and mood
• Diction and voice
• Metaphor, simile, and personification
• The 4 main types of imagery
• The 3 types of irony
• Juxtaposition and contrast
• Grammatical and structural techniques

There's a bunch more, but these 7 categories make a great starting point. The first step is to learn their names and definitions, and flashcards are an excellent way to do this.

Of course, memorizing isn't enough. We also need to know the common effects and purposes behind each of these core techniques, so that we can build a mental library of the most common ways to deeply analyze each technique. If you don't study each technique in detail, it's much harder to invent deep analysis on-the-spot during an exam.

We go deep into each of the techniques in Learn Analysis . Here are just a couple of them to get you started.

Level 1 Techniques

Your One Mission in Paper 1

Let's quickly recap what you need to do in a Paper 1.

• You need to discuss the characters, themes and plot of a chosen  literary text, OR the visual and stylistic elements (diagrams, headings, titles, images) for a non-literary text.
• You then need to explain how and why these aspects were achieved by the writer or artist.

These two points are helpful as a basis for understanding, but they won't help you get concrete words onto the exam page. What we need now is a practical guide to writing an actual essay:

• Deciding on a good  thesis
• Choosing the right  points
• Choosing the right structure

A Practical Guide to Writing a Paper 1 essay

An IB English Paper 1 essay boils down to 3 separate parts:

• An introduction paragraph : contains a thesis and an outline of your points
• A body (usually 3 paragraphs) : contains your points
• A conclusion : wraps up the essay

Choosing a thesis

The thesis or subject statement is a single sentence in the introduction of the guided analysis that states how the writer achieves their overall purpose.

This is also the main argument that you are trying to prove in your essay, and it's typically related to the guiding question . The examiner can usually judge the strength of your analytical skills JUST from your subject statement alone, so it needs to be well-written!

Choosing the right essay structure for IB English Paper 1

Every text works best with a specific paragraph structure. Finding this match isn't always easy, but it's also one of the most important things to get right in your Paper 1 guided analysis.

You can organise your essay by:

• ideas or themes
• sections (sequential, e.g. stanza by stanza for poems)
• the ‘Big 5'
• and probably a whole host of other acronyms that English teachers love to invent.

Criterion C for IB English Paper 1 is Organisation . It's worth a whole 5/20 marks, so it's definitely in your best interest to choose the most appropriate structure for your essay.

Pro Tip: I recommend students to stay away from the Big 5 . Sure, it's useful as a memory device to tell you what elements to look for in a text, but it's not a good essay structure for analysis.

Why? Because analysis is about examining the causal interplay between techniques, stylistic choices, audience, tone, and themes. The Big 5 and SPECSLIMS artificially silo these components in your discussion.  Heed my advice or pay the price! (notice that rhyme?)

So in my opinion, there are only two types of structure that are most  conducive (yep, another new vocab, omnomnom) to getting a 7. Ideas/themes  and Sections . Take this as a hot tip and run with it. If your teacher is forcing you to use other structures, then you'll need to know why this is recommended.

We go into much more depth and explain it all inside Learn Analysis.

Pro members only

Writing body paragraphs: Why and How

Once you've chosen the best structure for your essay and decided on a strong thesis as your central argument, the rest of the essay needs to revolve around proving  this argument.

How do you prove this subject statement? You do it by looking at individual points. These smaller points support smaller, more specific aspects of the overall thesis.

The idea is that each body paragraph, or point, aims to prove a separate, smaller aspect of the bigger thesis. It's like a jigsaw puzzle : You must piece together smaller, more manageable pieces to build the bigger argument (i.e. the thesis).

In reality, this translates into writing 2, 3 or 4 points, each of which fits snuggly it its own paragraph or multiple paragraphs (depending on the complexity of the point).

In each point, you must include:

• Quotes, references to images, titles, headings, or visual elements. This is the evidence.
• Analysis of language and literary techniques.  Use specific quotes from the text and explain how and why they are used by the writer to shape his/her message.

Obviously, this is a quick summary of how to write a high-quality body paragraph. We dive deeper into the specific details of how to structure a body paragraph in the guided analysis.

Planning ahead

Ironically, the most important part of IB English Paper 1 is not the analysis itself (well it is, but not really). The part you have to get right the first time is the plan. Most students do not know how to plan effectively, or get flustered in the exam and don't plan, or don't even try to plan because they think they're above it. Big mistake!

Before you even begin writing, you should plan out your essay in sufficient detail. You will lose track of time, thought and sanity if you do not have a clear road map of every part of your essay before you begin writing.

You can learn how to annotate and plan quickly & efficiently using the flowchart method, which we demonstrate inside Learn Analysis and Paper 1 .

In the Pro lesson below, we go into detail on exactly how to plan a Paper 1 essay effectively and efficiently under exam conditions.

How do I practice for Paper 1?

Most students think that doing a lot of practice papers is the best way to improve in Paper 1. However, there's a much more efficient, targeted method to study for Paper 1.

We work our way up from the smallest, most manageable chunks of analysis to the full Paper 1 exam. It's a good idea to reserve real IB English past papers for 2 months before your final exam so that you don't run out of past papers--they are the best preparation for the final exam. Also, if your analysis skills aren't already strong, doing real past papers is a waste of an excellent exam prep resource.

Questionbank

Quote analysis exercises with exemplar IB7 solutions

Short guided analysis exercises with exemplar IB7 solutions

1 hour practice exams with detailed markschemes or video solutions

IB past paper solutions: Exemplar essay plans and full essay responses

Question​bank

Paper 1 Practice Exams

Past Paper 1 Solutions

Paper 2 Guide

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Effective Study Techniques for IB English A: Language and Literature

Succeeding in IB English A: Language and Literature requires a blend of critical reading, analytical writing, and a deep understanding of how language functions across different contexts. Whether you're preparing for your exams or aiming to improve your coursework, these effective study techniques will help you excel in your IB English A: Language and Literature course.

Understanding the Course Components

Core components.

• Textual Analysis : Detailed study of literary and non-literary texts.
• Contexts of Production and Reception : Understanding the influence of context on texts.
• Language in Cultural Contexts : Exploring language's role in culture and society.
• Intertextuality : Examining connections between texts and their influences on each other.

Assessment Components

• Individual Oral : Analyze a literary and a non-literary text.
• Paper 1 : Textual analysis of unseen texts.
• Paper 2 : Comparative essay based on studied literary works.
• Higher Level Essay (HL only) : A 1,200-1,500 word essay on a chosen topic related to studied texts.

Effective Study Techniques

1. active reading and annotation.

Why It Works :

• Enhances comprehension and retention.
• Encourages critical engagement with the text.

How to Do It :

• Highlight Key Passages : Mark important lines, phrases, and words that stand out.
• Make Margin Notes : Write brief comments or questions in the margins to capture your initial thoughts and interpretations.
• Identify Literary Devices : Note the use of imagery, symbolism, tone, and other literary techniques.

2. Summarize and Analyze Texts

• Reinforces understanding and helps organize your thoughts.
• Prepares you for writing analytical essays.
• Write Summaries : Summarize each chapter or section of a text to capture the main points.
• Analyze Themes and Characters : Break down the key themes and character developments in the text.
• Discuss Context : Consider the historical, cultural, and social contexts that influence the text.

3. Practice Textual Analysis

• Develops your ability to analyze unseen texts under exam conditions.
• Enhances your critical thinking skills.
• Use Past Papers : Practice with past exam papers to get familiar with the format and types of questions.
• Timed Practice : Set a timer and practice writing analyses within the time limits.
• Review and Reflect : After completing a practice analysis, review it critically to identify areas for improvement.

4. Comparative Analysis for Paper 2

• Prepares you for comparing and contrasting texts in your essays.
• Helps you understand the connections between different works.
• Identify Comparative Points : Focus on themes, characters, and literary techniques that are common or contrasting between the texts.
• Create Comparison Charts : Use charts or tables to organize your comparisons and contrasts.
• Write Comparative Essays : Practice writing essays that compare and contrast different aspects of the texts.

5. Develop Strong Writing Skills

• Essential for crafting coherent, persuasive essays.
• Helps articulate your analysis clearly and effectively.
• Practice Regularly : Write essays on different topics and seek feedback from teachers or peers.
• Focus on Structure : Ensure your essays have a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
• Use Textual Evidence : Support your points with specific examples and quotations from the texts.
• Edit and Revise : Revise your essays to improve clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy.

6. Engage in Discussions and Group Studies

• Encourages diverse perspectives and deeper understanding.
• Helps reinforce your knowledge through teaching and discussion.
• Join Study Groups : Participate in study groups to discuss texts and share insights.
• Lead Discussions : Take turns leading discussions on different topics to develop your analytical skills.
• Exchange Feedback : Provide and receive feedback on essays and analyses to improve your work.

7. Use Supplementary Resources

• Provides additional insights and critical perspectives.
• Enhances your understanding of complex texts.
• Critical Essays and Journals : Read academic essays and journals for different interpretations of the texts.
• Online Resources : Use platforms like SparkNotes, LitCharts, and Khan Academy for summaries, analyses, and study guides.
• RevisionDojo : Access personalized study tools and curriculum-specific question banks to enhance your preparation.

8. Time Management

• Ensures balanced and consistent study habits.
• Helps avoid last-minute cramming and stress.
• Create a Study Schedule : Plan your study sessions in advance, allocating specific times for reading, writing, and reviewing.
• Set Goals : Establish clear, achievable goals for each study session.
• Take Breaks : Incorporate regular breaks to avoid burnout and maintain focus.

Mastering IB English A: Language and Literature

By implementing these effective study techniques, you can enhance your comprehension, analytical skills, and writing abilities, ultimately excelling in your IB English A: Language and Literature course. Stay organized, practice regularly, and engage deeply with the texts to achieve your academic goals.

Ready to elevate your IB English A: Language and Literature study game? Join RevisionDojo today and access personalized study tools, curriculum-specific question banks, and resources enhanced by Jojo AI. Let us help you master the course and achieve your academic goals with confidence.

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Welcome to the IB Language A: language and literature course!  This page gives you an overview of everything you can find on the site about the basics of teaching and designing the course.  You can find information about the areas of exploration, concepts, assessment,  additional resources, and the IB Core by clicking on the relevant links.   

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English A Language and Literature Paper 1 Resources

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The Complete IB Extended Essay Guide: Examples, Topics, and Ideas

International Baccalaureate (IB)

IB students around the globe fear writing the Extended Essay, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress! In this article, I'll get you excited about writing your Extended Essay and provide you with the resources you need to get an A on it.

If you're reading this article, I'm going to assume you're an IB student getting ready to write your Extended Essay. If you're looking at this as a potential future IB student, I recommend reading our introductory IB articles first, including our guide to what the IB program is and our full coverage of the IB curriculum .

IB Extended Essay: Why Should You Trust My Advice?

I myself am a recipient of an IB Diploma, and I happened to receive an A on my IB Extended Essay. Don't believe me? The proof is in the IBO pudding:

If you're confused by what this report means, EE is short for Extended Essay , and English A1 is the subject that my Extended Essay topic coordinated with. In layman's terms, my IB Diploma was graded in May 2010, I wrote my Extended Essay in the English A1 category, and I received an A grade on it.

What Is the Extended Essay in the IB Diploma Programme?

The IB Extended Essay, or EE , is a mini-thesis you write under the supervision of an IB advisor (an IB teacher at your school), which counts toward your IB Diploma (learn more about the major IB Diploma requirements in our guide) . I will explain exactly how the EE affects your Diploma later in this article.

For the Extended Essay, you will choose a research question as a topic, conduct the research independently, then write an essay on your findings . The essay itself is a long one—although there's a cap of 4,000 words, most successful essays get very close to this limit.

Keep in mind that the IB requires this essay to be a "formal piece of academic writing," meaning you'll have to do outside research and cite additional sources.

The IB Extended Essay must include the following:

• A title page
• Contents page
• Introduction
• Body of the essay
• References and bibliography

Additionally, your research topic must fall into one of the six approved DP categories , or IB subject groups, which are as follows:

• Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
• Group 2: Language Acquisition
• Group 3: Individuals and Societies
• Group 4: Sciences
• Group 5: Mathematics
• Group 6: The Arts

Once you figure out your category and have identified a potential research topic, it's time to pick your advisor, who is normally an IB teacher at your school (though you can also find one online ). This person will help direct your research, and they'll conduct the reflection sessions you'll have to do as part of your Extended Essay.

As of 2018, the IB requires a "reflection process" as part of your EE supervision process. To fulfill this requirement, you have to meet at least three times with your supervisor in what the IB calls "reflection sessions." These meetings are not only mandatory but are also part of the formal assessment of the EE and your research methods.

According to the IB, the purpose of these meetings is to "provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their engagement with the research process." Basically, these meetings give your supervisor the opportunity to offer feedback, push you to think differently, and encourage you to evaluate your research process.

The final reflection session is called the viva voce, and it's a short 10- to 15-minute interview between you and your advisor. This happens at the very end of the EE process, and it's designed to help your advisor write their report, which factors into your EE grade.

Here are the topics covered in your viva voce :

• A check on plagiarism and malpractice
• Your reflection on your project's successes and difficulties
• Your reflection on what you've learned during the EE process

Your completed Extended Essay, along with your supervisor's report, will then be sent to the IB to be graded. We'll cover the assessment criteria in just a moment.

We'll help you learn how to have those "lightbulb" moments...even on test day!  

What Should You Write About in Your IB Extended Essay?

You can technically write about anything, so long as it falls within one of the approved categories listed above.

It's best to choose a topic that matches one of the IB courses , (such as Theatre, Film, Spanish, French, Math, Biology, etc.), which shouldn't be difficult because there are so many class subjects.

Here is a range of sample topics with the attached extended essay:

• Biology: The Effect of Age and Gender on the Photoreceptor Cells in the Human Retina
• Chemistry: How Does Reflux Time Affect the Yield and Purity of Ethyl Aminobenzoate (Benzocaine), and How Effective is Recrystallisation as a Purification Technique for This Compound?
• English: An Exploration of Jane Austen's Use of the Outdoors in Emma
• Geography: The Effect of Location on the Educational Attainment of Indigenous Secondary Students in Queensland, Australia
• Math: Alhazen's Billiard Problem
• Visual Arts: Can Luc Tuymans Be Classified as a Political Painter?

You can see from how varied the topics are that you have a lot of freedom when it comes to picking a topic . So how do you pick when the options are limitless?

How to Write a Stellar IB Extended Essay: 6 Essential Tips

Below are six key tips to keep in mind as you work on your Extended Essay for the IB DP. Follow these and you're sure to get an A!

#1: Write About Something You Enjoy

You can't expect to write a compelling essay if you're not a fan of the topic on which you're writing. For example, I just love British theatre and ended up writing my Extended Essay on a revolution in post-WWII British theatre. (Yes, I'm definitely a #TheatreNerd.)

I really encourage anyone who pursues an IB Diploma to take the Extended Essay seriously. I was fortunate enough to receive a full-tuition merit scholarship to USC's School of Dramatic Arts program. In my interview for the scholarship, I spoke passionately about my Extended Essay; thus, I genuinely think my Extended Essay helped me get my scholarship.

But how do you find a topic you're passionate about? Start by thinking about which classes you enjoy the most and why . Do you like math classes because you like to solve problems? Or do you enjoy English because you like to analyze literary texts?

Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing your Extended Essay topic. You're not more likely to get high marks because you're writing about science, just like you're not doomed to failure because you've chosen to tackle the social sciences. The quality of what you produce—not the field you choose to research within—will determine your grade.

Once you've figured out your category, you should brainstorm more specific topics by putting pen to paper . What was your favorite chapter you learned in that class? Was it astrophysics or mechanics? What did you like about that specific chapter? Is there something you want to learn more about? I recommend spending a few hours on this type of brainstorming.

One last note: if you're truly stumped on what to research, pick a topic that will help you in your future major or career . That way you can use your Extended Essay as a talking point in your college essays (and it will prepare you for your studies to come too!).

#2: Select a Topic That Is Neither Too Broad nor Too Narrow

There's a fine line between broad and narrow. You need to write about something specific, but not so specific that you can't write 4,000 words on it.

You can't write about WWII because that would be a book's worth of material. You also don't want to write about what type of soup prisoners of war received behind enemy lines, because you probably won’t be able to come up with 4,000 words of material about it. However, you could possibly write about how the conditions in German POW camps—and the rations provided—were directly affected by the Nazis' successes and failures on the front, including the use of captured factories and prison labor in Eastern Europe to increase production. WWII military history might be a little overdone, but you get my point.

If you're really stuck trying to pinpoint a not-too-broad-or-too-narrow topic, I suggest trying to brainstorm a topic that uses a comparison. Once you begin looking through the list of sample essays below, you'll notice that many use comparisons to formulate their main arguments.

I also used a comparison in my EE, contrasting Harold Pinter's Party Time with John Osborne's Look Back in Anger in order to show a transition in British theatre. Topics with comparisons of two to three plays, books, and so on tend to be the sweet spot. You can analyze each item and then compare them with one another after doing some in-depth analysis of each individually. The ways these items compare and contrast will end up forming the thesis of your essay!

When choosing a comparative topic, the key is that the comparison should be significant. I compared two plays to illustrate the transition in British theatre, but you could compare the ways different regional dialects affect people's job prospects or how different temperatures may or may not affect the mating patterns of lightning bugs. The point here is that comparisons not only help you limit your topic, but they also help you build your argument.

Comparisons are not the only way to get a grade-A EE, though. If after brainstorming, you pick a non-comparison-based topic and are still unsure whether your topic is too broad or narrow, spend about 30 minutes doing some basic research and see how much material is out there.

If there are more than 1,000 books, articles, or documentaries out there on that exact topic, it may be too broad. But if there are only two books that have any connection to your topic, it may be too narrow. If you're still unsure, ask your advisor—it's what they're there for! Speaking of advisors...

Don't get stuck with a narrow topic!

#3: Choose an Advisor Who Is Familiar With Your Topic

If you're not certain of who you would like to be your advisor, create a list of your top three choices. Next, write down the pros and cons of each possibility (I know this sounds tedious, but it really helps!).

For example, Mr. Green is my favorite teacher and we get along really well, but he teaches English. For my EE, I want to conduct an experiment that compares the efficiency of American electric cars with foreign electric cars.

I had Ms. White a year ago. She teaches physics and enjoyed having me in her class. Unlike Mr. Green, Ms. White could help me design my experiment.

Based on my topic and what I need from my advisor, Ms. White would be a better fit for me than would Mr. Green (even though I like him a lot).

The moral of my story is this: do not just ask your favorite teacher to be your advisor . They might be a hindrance to you if they teach another subject. For example, I would not recommend asking your biology teacher to guide you in writing an English literature-based EE.

There can, of course, be exceptions to this rule. If you have a teacher who's passionate and knowledgeable about your topic (as my English teacher was about my theatre topic), you could ask that instructor. Consider all your options before you do this. There was no theatre teacher at my high school, so I couldn't find a theatre-specific advisor, but I chose the next best thing.

Before you approach a teacher to serve as your advisor, check with your high school to see what requirements they have for this process. Some IB high schools require your IB Extended Essay advisor to sign an Agreement Form , for instance.

Make sure that you ask your IB coordinator whether there is any required paperwork to fill out. If your school needs a specific form signed, bring it with you when you ask your teacher to be your EE advisor.

#4: Pick an Advisor Who Will Push You to Be Your Best

Some teachers might just take on students because they have to and aren't very passionate about reading drafts, only giving you minimal feedback. Choose a teacher who will take the time to read several drafts of your essay and give you extensive notes. I would not have gotten my A without being pushed to make my Extended Essay draft better.

Ask a teacher that you have experience with through class or an extracurricular activity. Do not ask a teacher that you have absolutely no connection to. If a teacher already knows you, that means they already know your strengths and weaknesses, so they know what to look for, where you need to improve, and how to encourage your best work.

Also, don't forget that your supervisor's assessment is part of your overall EE score . If you're meeting with someone who pushes you to do better—and you actually take their advice—they'll have more impressive things to say about you than a supervisor who doesn't know you well and isn't heavily involved in your research process.

Be aware that the IB only allows advisors to make suggestions and give constructive criticism. Your teacher cannot actually help you write your EE. The IB recommends that the supervisor spends approximately two to three hours in total with the candidate discussing the EE.

#5: Make Sure Your Essay Has a Clear Structure and Flow

The IB likes structure. Your EE needs a clear introduction (which should be one to two double-spaced pages), research question/focus (i.e., what you're investigating), a body, and a conclusion (about one double-spaced page). An essay with unclear organization will be graded poorly.

The body of your EE should make up the bulk of the essay. It should be about eight to 18 pages long (again, depending on your topic). Your body can be split into multiple parts. For example, if you were doing a comparison, you might have one third of your body as Novel A Analysis, another third as Novel B Analysis, and the final third as your comparison of Novels A and B.

If you're conducting an experiment or analyzing data, such as in this EE , your EE body should have a clear structure that aligns with the scientific method ; you should state the research question, discuss your method, present the data, analyze the data, explain any uncertainties, and draw a conclusion and/or evaluate the success of the experiment.

#6: Start Writing Sooner Rather Than Later!

You will not be able to crank out a 4,000-word essay in just a week and get an A on it. You'll be reading many, many articles (and, depending on your topic, possibly books and plays as well!). As such, it's imperative that you start your research as soon as possible.

Each school has a slightly different deadline for the Extended Essay. Some schools want them as soon as November of your senior year; others will take them as late as February. Your school will tell you what your deadline is. If they haven't mentioned it by February of your junior year, ask your IB coordinator about it.

Some high schools will provide you with a timeline of when you need to come up with a topic, when you need to meet with your advisor, and when certain drafts are due. Not all schools do this. Ask your IB coordinator if you are unsure whether you are on a specific timeline.

Below is my recommended EE timeline. While it's earlier than most schools, it'll save you a ton of heartache (trust me, I remember how hard this process was!):

• January/February of Junior Year: Come up with your final research topic (or at least your top three options).
• February of Junior Year: Approach a teacher about being your EE advisor. If they decline, keep asking others until you find one. See my notes above on how to pick an EE advisor.
• April/May of Junior Year: Submit an outline of your EE and a bibliography of potential research sources (I recommend at least seven to 10) to your EE advisor. Meet with your EE advisor to discuss your outline.
• Summer Between Junior and Senior Year: Complete your first full draft over the summer between your junior and senior year. I know, I know—no one wants to work during the summer, but trust me—this will save you so much stress come fall when you are busy with college applications and other internal assessments for your IB classes. You will want to have this first full draft done because you will want to complete a couple of draft cycles as you likely won't be able to get everything you want to say into 4,000 articulate words on the first attempt. Try to get this first draft into the best possible shape so you don't have to work on too many revisions during the school year on top of your homework, college applications, and extracurriculars.
• August/September of Senior Year: Turn in your first draft of your EE to your advisor and receive feedback. Work on incorporating their feedback into your essay. If they have a lot of suggestions for improvement, ask if they will read one more draft before the final draft.
• September/October of Senior Year: Submit the second draft of your EE to your advisor (if necessary) and look at their feedback. Work on creating the best possible final draft.
• November-February of Senior Year: Schedule your viva voce. Submit two copies of your final draft to your school to be sent off to the IB. You likely will not get your grade until after you graduate.

Remember that in the middle of these milestones, you'll need to schedule two other reflection sessions with your advisor . (Your teachers will actually take notes on these sessions on a form like this one , which then gets submitted to the IB.)

I recommend doing them when you get feedback on your drafts, but these meetings will ultimately be up to your supervisor. Just don't forget to do them!

The early bird DOES get the worm!

How Is the IB Extended Essay Graded?

Extended Essays are graded by examiners appointed by the IB on a scale of 0 to 34 . You'll be graded on five criteria, each with its own set of points. You can learn more about how EE scoring works by reading the IB guide to extended essays .

• Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
• Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
• Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
• Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
• Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

How well you do on each of these criteria will determine the final letter grade you get for your EE. You must earn at least a D to be eligible to receive your IB Diploma.

Although each criterion has a point value, the IB explicitly states that graders are not converting point totals into grades; instead, they're using qualitative grade descriptors to determine the final grade of your Extended Essay . Grade descriptors are on pages 102-103 of this document .

Here's a rough estimate of how these different point values translate to letter grades based on previous scoring methods for the EE. This is just an estimate —you should read and understand the grade descriptors so you know exactly what the scorers are looking for.

Here is the breakdown of EE scores (from the May 2021 bulletin):

How Does the Extended Essay Grade Affect Your IB Diploma?

The Extended Essay grade is combined with your TOK (Theory of Knowledge) grade to determine how many points you get toward your IB Diploma.

To learn about Theory of Knowledge or how many points you need to receive an IB Diploma, read our complete guide to the IB program and our guide to the IB Diploma requirements .

This diagram shows how the two scores are combined to determine how many points you receive for your IB diploma (3 being the most, 0 being the least). In order to get your IB Diploma, you have to earn 24 points across both categories (the TOK and EE). The highest score anyone can earn is 45 points.

Let's say you get an A on your EE and a B on TOK. You will get 3 points toward your Diploma. As of 2014, a student who scores an E on either the extended essay or TOK essay will not be eligible to receive an IB Diploma .

Prior to the class of 2010, a Diploma candidate could receive a failing grade in either the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge and still be awarded a Diploma, but this is no longer true.

Figuring out how you're assessed can be a little tricky. Luckily, the IB breaks everything down here in this document . (The assessment information begins on page 219.)

40+ Sample Extended Essays for the IB Diploma Programme

In case you want a little more guidance on how to get an A on your EE, here are over 40 excellent (grade A) sample extended essays for your reading pleasure. Essays are grouped by IB subject.

• Business Management 1
• Chemistry 1
• Chemistry 2
• Chemistry 3
• Chemistry 4
• Chemistry 5
• Chemistry 6
• Chemistry 7
• Computer Science 1
• Economics 1
• Design Technology 1
• Design Technology 2
• Environmental Systems and Societies 1
• Geography 1
• Geography 2
• Geography 3
• Geography 4
• Geography 5
• Geography 6
• Literature and Performance 1
• Mathematics 1
• Mathematics 2
• Mathematics 3
• Mathematics 4
• Mathematics 5
• Philosophy 1
• Philosophy 2
• Philosophy 3
• Philosophy 4
• Philosophy 5
• Psychology 1
• Psychology 2
• Psychology 3
• Psychology 4
• Psychology 5
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 1
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 2
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 3
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 1
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 2
• Visual Arts 1
• Visual Arts 2
• Visual Arts 3
• Visual Arts 4
• Visual Arts 5
• World Religion 1
• World Religion 2
• World Religion 3

What's Next?

Trying to figure out what extracurriculars you should do? Learn more about participating in the Science Olympiad , starting a club , doing volunteer work , and joining Student Government .

Studying for the SAT? Check out our expert study guide to the SAT . Taking the SAT in a month or so? Learn how to cram effectively for this important test .

Not sure where you want to go to college? Read our guide to finding your target school . Also, determine your target SAT score or target ACT score .

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Extended Essay: Language and Literature

• Step 1 - Choosing a Subject
• Step 2 - Choosing a Topic
• Step 3 - Draft a Research Question
• Step 4 - Finding Sources
• Step 5 - Evaluating Information
• Step 6 - Bibliography & Citation
• Step 7 - Organizing Information
• The Arts: Visual Arts
• Individuals & Societies: Business Management
• Individuals & Societies: History
• Individuals & Societies: Psychology
• Language Acquisition

Language and Literature

• Sciences: Biology
• Sciences: Sports, Exercise, and Health Sciences
• Interdisciplinary Papers: World Studies
• Assessment Criteria
• Research Questions
• Investigation

Extended Essays in Language and Literature

Choosing a topic.

• Categories 1 & 2

Categories 1 & 2

***Category 2 essays are the same as category 1, but they analyze works not written in English***

Language and Literature papers in categories 1 and 2 are focused on one or more literary works and can focus on original literary analysis, a particular literary topic, and/or established literary criticism.  

NB: When investigating a film in category 2, the film must be analyzed for its literary value, not filmic. Filmic analysis is allowed in category 3.

Category 3 papers also analyze works, however they are not restricted to literary works! Topics in Category 3 emphasize the production and reception of texts in social, historical and/or cultural contexts. Essays that simply offer a general overview of a topic are not appropriate.

Approaches to Research

Categories 1 and 2

**Category 2 essays are the same as category 1, but analyze works not written in English**

Primary research in Language and Literature may require close reading of one or more texts. Secondary research may also be necessary for information like historical context, biographical information,  and established literary criticism. Students should consider things like the effect of the work, the devices it uses, or the way it is written.

Students should give a focused analysis of the texts being considered. The approach should be balanced, coherently argued, use relevant examples to illustrated the point.

Examples of language in a cultural context

Examples of language and mass communication

Language and Literature Sources

Even students doing primary research will still need to reference secondary sources. These may include established literary interpretations or criticisms, biographical and/or historical information.

Essay Types

An extended essay in language and literature gives students an opportunity to do independent research into a topic of special interest to them within the subject. It is intended to promote advanced research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity.

The essay is open to students who are writing in a language that they would be capable of offering as a language A

Studies in language and literature EEs are divided into three categories:

Assessed Student Work

• An exploration of an aspect of the narrative voice in Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita
• How did the World State government in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World impact the individuality of the citizens residing in it?
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