IB English Literature HL
IB English A: Literature HL is a challenging two-year course designed to deepen students' understanding and appreciation of prose fiction, prose non-fiction, drama, and poetry. Students explore the relationship between texts, the contexts in which they are created, and the dynamic interaction between readers, writers, and texts across time and space. This demanding course develops advanced academic reading, writing, and speaking skills, with students expected to engage in thoughtful and sophisticated analysis and interpretation throughout the program.
Course Structure and Content
IB English A: Literature HL students study at least ten literary works during the two-year course. The course emphasizes a deep study of literature and fostering critical thinking skills. Students focus on deep analysis and interpretation of how authorial’ choices shape meaning in relation to themes and global issues. HL students are assessed through four key components: Paper 1, Paper 2, the Individual Oral, and the Higher Level Essay.
In Paper 1, students respond to two literary extracts and provide a detailed analysis answering a guiding question. Paper 2 is consistent across all levels, where students must respond to one of four prompts by crafting a comparative literary essay that draws on two studied works. The Individual Oral consists of a 10-minute presentation followed by a 5-minute Q&A session with the teacher, during which students must discuss one work originally written in English and one translated into English, connecting them to a relevant global issue. Lastly, students must complete the Higher Level Essay, a 1500-word literary essay centered around a Line of Inquiry developed by the student.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is IB English A LIT HL?
This course is an exploration of literary texts. At the HL level, students will study at least ten literary works with a minimum of three in translation. The goal is to build close reading, writing, and speaking skills to prepare students for university coursework and beyond.
What are the assessment items in the IB English A LIT HL course?
Students in this course will have four distinct assessments: Paper 1, Paper 2, Individual Oral, and the Higher Level Essay. Paper 1 focuses on guided textual analysis, while Paper 2 is a comparative literary essay. The Individual Oral requires students to discuss a relevant Global Issue through two literary texts (one in translation). The Higher Level Essay is a formal academic essay that follows a Line of Inquiry of the student’s choosing.
How should students prepare for IB English A LIT HL exams?
Students must read all literary texts carefully with their teacher and uncover the key themes and authorial choices that shape meaning for readers. Revision Village provides a myriad of activities to help students build the skills they need to succeed.
How does Revision Village support IB English A LIT HL students?
RV provides a range of features to help students achieve the results they want on exams. The Questionbank contains numerous case studies to help build Paper 1 and Paper 2 skills. Prediction and Past Papers are a great place to get solutions to exams, and the Literary Bootcamps provide a powerful resource to review commonly taught literary texts. All content comes with explanatory videos to help students master key content.