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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. 

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

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

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Every IB English Past Paper Available: Free and Official

International Baccalaureate (IB)

In this article, I cover IB English Literature SL/HL , IB English Language and Literature SL/HL , and IB Literature and Performance SL exams. These are the core language A options for English speakers.

The IB English exams are essay based tests that require you to either a) analyze texts provided on the exam, or b) write analytical essays based on the books, poems, and other literature you've studied throughout the semester. That means one of the best ways to prepare for the exam is checking out past essays to see what writers did right...and where they got off track.

But where can you find IB English past papers, free and paid? Don't worry: we'll help you find past papers to study with and talk about how you can get the most out of these past papers during your study time.

feature image source: Books Stack Book Store Of /Pixabay

These past papers are free as a bird (or birds, in this case).

Where to Find Free IB English Past Papers: Official Resources

The IB has been cracking down on illegally uploaded past papers for the past few years, so a lot of previous sources are no longer available. IB has however, uploaded a few official past exams that you can view for free online. Below are links to the official IB English Past Papers provided by the IBO.

• English A: literature higher level/standard level: papers 1 & 2
• English A1 higher level: paper 2
• English standard level A2: paper 2

Since these are officially distributed by the IBO, these are the papers and exams you should use as a starting point as you study for your test. You need REAL IB English past papers to get realistic practice.

Where to Find Free IB English Past Papers: Unofficial Resources

Like we mentioned earlier, the IBO has been cracking down on unofficial English HL/SL papers online. However, there are still a few places where you can find past papers that have been uploaded by other users. 

One big caveat: these resources are unvetted, which means the quality of the papers is all over the place. Only use these resources after you've worked with—and studied!—the official papers above . And of course:  do not plagiarize  the ideas in any of the unofficial papers you find! 

IBResources.org 

This student-led initiative allows users to contribute past papers and other study resources to a free repository online. There are quite a few free English A SL/HL papers available on the site. You'll have to navigate a kind of clunky file interface to find them, but once you do, you'll have many free, unofficial papers to peruse. 

Reddit.com's IBO Subreddit

By searching the subreddit, you'll be able to find user-uploaded paper examples for the English IB exam . You'll have to sift through individual threads, but with some elbow grease, you'll find more free and unofficial English A SL/HL papers here. 

These papers aren't free...but if you're looking for high quality study resources beyond the official IBO ones above, these fit the bill.

Where to Find Paid IB English Past Papers

The only safe and reliable place to buy IB English past papers is from the IBO at the Follet IB Store . There are tons of scams floating around, so we don't recommend you purchase past IB English papers from anywhere else!

The IBO sells past IB English Literature SL papers, IB English Literature HL papers, IB English Language and Literature SL papers, IB English Language and Literature HL papers, and IB Literature and Performance SL papers from 2013 onward.

The site is somewhat hard to navigate, but using the search bar several times got me where I wanted to be eventually.

You're already giving maximum effort. Now maximize your outcomes! 

How to Get the Most of Each Past Paper

One complete test will take you 3 hours for SL or 4 hours for HL . If you are going to invest that much time, you need to be maximizing your learning. To do so, follow these rules.

Rule 1: Build up Your Endurance

The IBO used to split the English exam up over two days, so you would take one essay each day. As of 2021 that's no longer the case, meaning you'll have to take the full exam in one sitting. 

Here's what that means for you: you'll be doing  lots  of analyzing, writing, and thinking on test day. That can be exhausting! To make sure you have the energy you'll need to succeed, start building up your mental endurance now. 

The best way to do that is to have real-time practice sessions . On a weekend, set aside the three to four hours you'll have on test day, then write sample essays based on the writing prompts from past papers.  This will help you get a sense for what test day will be like, and you'll be able to optimize your writing process so you don't run out of time. 

Rule 2: Time Yourself

You need to get used to the timing. Here is the time allowed:

English Literature SL

• Paper 1 (Guided Textual Analysis)—1 hour 15 minutes
• Paper 2 (Comparative Essay)—1 hour 45 minutes

English Literature HL

• Paper 1 (Guided Textual Analysis)—2 hours 15 minutes
• Students will also submit a pre-written essay that's 1200 to 1500 words long. 

English Language and Literature SL

English language and literature hl, literature and performance sl.

• Paper 1 (Issues in Dramatizing a Novel)—1 hour 30 minutes
• Paper 2 (Comparative Essay)—1 hour 30 minutes
• Students will also submit an essay that critically analyzes a work and said student's performance of that work

Make sure you stick to this exact timing. Don't give yourself any extra time. Otherwise, you will not be prepared for the pacing of the actual test.

Research to Action / Flickr, used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Rule 3: Review With the Mark Scheme

After completing your full test, review your answers. You must review to learn from your errors and not make them on the actual test.  And that means going over your essays with a critical eye. 

Take an hour to review. While this may seem like you are wasting time that you could be spending on other practice, it's not. You need to emphasize the quality of your practice and no the quantity of practice. I'd rather you take two practice tests with good review than eight tests with no review.

You may also consider giving your practice essays to your English teacher or other qualified mentor to review. They can give you additional insights that will help you improve your analytical and writing skills before test day! 

What's Next?

Want more tips for IB English? Then check out our complete IB English study guide for all the info you need.

Impatient to get your IB scores? Learn when IB results and scores come out.

Did you know that you can take some IB classes online? Check out our complete guide to online IB courses , including which classes you can take online and if you can get an online IB diploma.

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Exam Strategy for IB English A Literature (HL/SL)

Jun 14, 2021 | IB subjects

1. Study Tips and Features for IB English A Literature

1.1 ib english a syllabus.

IB English A Literature encourages students to experience the artistry of literature and critically reflect on their views through a wide range of literary studies . Acquiring this skill is the main goal of this subject. The course is divided into four sections, each focusing on different elements to develop this skill.

* This syllabus is based on the curriculum in 2020.

IB English A Literature SL (Standard Level)

1.2 overview of english a literature sl.

Standard Level requires a thorough reading of at least 9 literary works throughout the two-year course , and these assignment books are selected from the “Prescribed List of Authors” by the IB school teacher.

In order to get a high score, it is crucial to analyze the format of all the assignment books, grasp the content, and consider the purpose of writing the work and the message that is being conveyed . For the oral and written exams, you are required to critique the literary works on your own, based on these considerations.

By analyzing and criticizing literary works in this way, you will be able to learn how to read literary works and understand the importance of it . It’s an interesting subject for those who like reading books and writing.

1.3 Advice from those who have taken SL

Because I was not good at English, I read the assignment books twice until I understood them.

You can get a higher score for SL because the amount and level of assignments in SL is lower than that in HL.

This course is recommended for those who like literature , because you can study it in great depth. Many of my classmates also liked literature, so we sometimes had heated discussions about assignment books even outside of class!

IB English A Literature HL (Higher Level)

1.4 overview of english a literature hl.

In IB English A Literature, the course structure of SL and HL is the same, but there are major differences in quantity and expected quality of assignments between SL and HL. HL students learn 13 literary works while SL only learns 9 . In addition, for oral assignments and written exams, HL requires a deeper knowledge and understanding of the work and author, and a higher skill of analysis and written composition than SL.

1.5 Advice from those who have taken HL

It is important to take time and work carefully on each text and analyze it in detail. The more you analyze, the better understanding you will have of the content and be well prepared for the exam.

In order to get a high score in the oral exam, it is important to practice a lot ! I asked my tutor and friends around me to help me practice in the form of a mock oral exam.

Since I write a lot of sentences, I have acquired the ability to write in English.

Understanding the cultural and historical background of the work is very important when analyzing the content of the work and the intention of the author.

1.6 Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. If my school offers both English A “Literature” and “Language and Literature” , which one should I take?

The “Literature” course will only focus on literary works, while students in “Language and Literature” will have a chance to analyze not only literary texts but also advertisements, blogs, and speeches . In most cases, either choice will allow you to go for any career path, but if you are comfortable with the language and like literature, you should choose “Literature”, and if you are interested in linguistics as well as literature, “Language and Literature” may be a better choice.

Q2. Should I take it in Higher Level or Standard Level?

As with any subject when choosing between HL and SL, you should consider the following 2 points:

• Are you good at the subject? In IB English A, you will read a lot of literary works and write a considerable amount of essays . If you are worried about reading and writing in English, we recommend taking SL. On the other hand, if your mother tongue is English and you are good at reading literary works or plan to go to the liberal arts department, we recommend taking HL.
• Are there any conditions for the subjects you should take in the university / department you want to go to? There are not many universities where it is mandatory to take English A Literature in HL unless you go on to a literature department. Therefore, it is recommended that you consider the subject selection in consideration of other subjects . For example, if you want to go to medical school, it is often compulsory to take Chemistry or Biology in HL. In this case, you should consider whether your remaining one HL (since you need to take 3 HL subjects) is better in English or if you are likely to get a higher score in other subjects.

2. Assessment model for English A Literature

This section describes how the English A Literature exam works. The International Baccalaureate (IB) subject-specific assessment is determined by the External Assessment (mainly the Final Exam), which is graded by IBO teachers, and the Internal Assessment, which is graded by the high school teachers who attend.

* This syllabus is based on the new curriculum in 2021.

3. Advices and Tips for Improving Your Score

In this section, we will introduce the recommended study methods by former IB students who received high scores in IB English A Literature . IB has strong scoring standards and unique study methods, so if you understand them and take prepare adequately, you can study efficiently and expect to improve your score. If you have any concerns about English A Literature measures, please consult with an EDUBAL teacher. * The content written here is based on the experience of the curriculum before 2020.

3.1 Study Tips for English A Literature

1. Make a table that summarizes the key elements that should be analyzed for each literary text

In IB English A Literature, the elements to be analyzed are clarified in each work to be studied. In the exam and IA, students are expected to write a comparison of two literary works . If you have already summarized the information of all the works as preparation, it will be much easier to compare and answer thoroughly .

Some key information that you would want to keep in this table are for example, the name of the author, the name of the work, background information of the time period when the work was written, the format of the text, a summary of the content, the intention and message the author is conveying, the impression that you received from reading the work, and other characteristic elements. It is a good idea to organize these topics into a table and fill in the information each time you study a new literary work in class . If you add not only the facts obtained from the work but also your own opinions , it will be useful when writing the commentary. It is also effective to make the same table with your classmates and share each other’s information to get different perspectives.

2. Make annotations on a daily basis

It is very important to understand the content and format of the work covered in class. Especially when conducting a detailed analysis of a work in an examination or a commentary, you need to understand the work from all perspectives. In addition, since it is often required to quote from the work in the writing task, it is crucial to memorize the exact sentences that left an impression on you .

Because the interpretation of the work is not something that can be done in a hurry, it is not a good idea to look for sentences or summarize the content of the work right before the exam . From the moment you start reading the literary work, make a note of the parts that you might be able to quote in the final exam, such as unique sentences and interesting metaphors . If you make a note of the page number, you can save the trouble of having to look for it again later on. It may be a little difficult to imagine at this point, but just writing comments of your analysis and impressions on the pages will deepen your understanding and strengthen your feelings toward the book.

3. Discuss with friends and tutors

It is of course necessary to have your own interpretation of the work. However, as many IB Literature classes consist of discussions, it is also very important to listen to the opinions and interpretations of others . Discussions are a place where you can find out what you didn’t notice and answer questions about the content. Develop your understanding and thoughts about your work by discussing it with your friends and tutors.

4. Understand the author

IB English A Literature requires you to analyze not only the actual content of the work itself but the “author’s intent” as well. When thinking about what an author’s intentions are, it is important to know some things about the author’s life . For example, what kind of era were they born in, what kind of place did they grow up in, and what kind of thoughts did they have? It may also be important to know how old the author was when he/she wrote the work, and what other works he/she wrote around that time . Keeping this information in mind will help you to make a convincing commentary when analyzing the author’s intentions in exams.

3.2 Advice from those who have taken the course:

I was able to enjoy literary criticism and analysis by getting to know the work and the author, and by becoming fond of the work.

I enjoyed talking with my classmates about the assignment books during breaks and after school, which helped me understand the work better.

I made annotations and wrote essays to the point I felt that my hands were tired and the ink of the ballpoint pen was used up in no time! My advice is to practice writing quickly and accurately in a limited amount of time.

4. Strategies for Each Paper

4.1 paper 1: how to prepare for the literary analysis with questions.

Paper 1 requires you to analyze and write a commentary on any literary passage or poem, such as an unseen novel or essay. There is one “Guide Question” to make the analysis easier, but it is designed so that you do not have to answer this question. The problem is common for HL and SL.

The assessment criteria in this exam is the ability to deeply understand and analyze unseen literary works. Students should focus on analyzing the specific part of the sentence in question, and the evaluation criteria are “A) Understanding and Interpretation”, “B) Analysis and Evaluation”, “C) Coherence, focus and Organization”, and “D) Language”.

When looking at the question, it is important to first identify the focus point accurately. Be sure to write your answer convincingly and consistently based on the grounds in the text.

4.2 Paper 2: How to prepare for the Comparative Essay

For Paper 2, students need to choose 1 out of 4 given questions to answer by comparing two literary works learned in class. Students will not be able to bring the books with them to the exam . Questions are the same for both HL and SL.

The difficulty with Paper 2 is that yo u need to analyze each text separately while also writing a comparative essay . IB graduates with high scores often organized their essays by commonalities and differences between the two literary works, or separated the paragraphs for each of the literary works. Although you cannot bring the studied books into the exam, students are still expected to quote from the text in their essays . It is important for this purpose to note down important sentences in class during the school year or while studying on your own.

Going over ”Past Papers” is also important as a preparation method for the exam. In order to meet the five criteria of “A) Knowledge and Understanding”, “B) Response to the question” “C) Understanding the use of effects of stylistic features”, “D) Organization and development”, and “E) Language”, planning before starting to write an answer is important. Use the short time of 1 hour and 45 minutes systematically.

4.3 How to prepare for the IB English A Literature HL Essay

For the HL Essay, students choose one of the works they have learned in class, set a theme, and write an essay of 1200 to 1500 words. (You cannot select works that are covered in IA or Paper 2.)

Since this essay must be a broad discussion of the work of choice , the seven main concepts (Identity, Culture, Creativity, Communication, Transformation, Perspective, Representation) listed in the syllabus are recommended to be the theme of the essay. It is required to analyze not only the content of the work but also the life of the author and the background of the time when he/she lived.

There are four evaluation criteria, “A) Knowledge, Understanding, Interpretation”, “B) Analysis and Evaluation”, “C) Focus and Composition”, and “D) Language”, and the first two are especially emphasized.

4.4 Internal Assessment: How to Prepare for the Individual Oral (IO)

For the Individual Oral (IO), students need to prepare in advance a theme and outline in response to the question, “Examine the ways in which the global issue of your choice is presented through the content and form of one of the works and one of the texts that you have studied.” and give a presentation for 10 minutes , and make a discussion with a teacher for 5 minutes .

Regarding the two works, students must select one non-literary text and one literary work studied in class. An extract of about 40 lines should be selected from each which is representative of the presence of the global issue in it. You have enough time to research the global issues and works in advance, analyze them carefully, and create an outline, so this is a great chance to earn points before the final exam.

The global issues presented by the IBO refers to the following three properties: • It has significance on a wide/large scale. • It is transnational. • Its impact is felt in everyday local contexts.

<For example> – About gender and sexuality – About rights and responsibilities in politics – About the relationship between humans and the natural environment, etc.

Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a global issue : ・The issue is not too wide and not too narrow ・You can explain the issue in both works evenly ・ You can mention how the global issue is expressed in the text, the author’s intentions, and the impact it has on the readers.

Regarding global issues, the following three points should be mentioned in the IO : ・ What exactly does the global issue entail? ・ What are the authors’ thoughts on this issue? ・ How are the thoughts about the global issue expressed in each work?

* According to a teacher who teaches Language A Literature, students should focus on how the global issue is stated in each of the two works, it is not necessary to compare multiple works.

4.5 How to Prepare for the IB English A Literature Extended Essay (EE)

When writing an EE in IB English A Literature, you are required to choose one of the three categories and proceed with your research within that range. The three categories are: • Category 1—Studies of a literary work(s) originally written in the language in which the essay is presented • Category 2—Studies of a literary work(s) originally written in the language of the essay compared with literary work(s) originally written in another language • Category 3—Studies in language.

Students must read and analyze a wide range of relevant literature beyond the ones covered in class. It is also important that the content of the essay proves that it is based on personal research . Any literary work can be selected as an EE research subject if appropriate, but be very mindful when selecting the work so that you can write a detailed critique.

4.6 Key points for the Extended Essay

・ It is better to choose a supervisor that has a good knowledge of the EE subject. Even if they don’t, it’s still important to set up a meeting with the supervisor as they will give you advice on progress management and writing the essay.

・ Topic selection is extremely important. Since this is an EE that you will work on for almost two years, select a topic that you are interested in and can put your heart into it.

・ When writing the EE, it is crucial to specify the references. Make sure not to forget to mention all references.

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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...

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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...

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

No sign up or credit card required.

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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English A Language and Literature Paper 1 Resources

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Os5tecQN6rGl25RuzVRPGLDqYQxjh0wW

This has random stuff that could be helpful for people writing their English exams tomorrow. Good luck!

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• Support Sites

English A: Language and Literature Support Site

Introducing the io.

Watch the video introduction to the individual oral here, or use the slideshow below. Feel free to 'make a copy' of the Google slideshow by opening it in Google and make alterations to your copy for your own class.

The instructions for the individual oral (IO) are the same at higher and standard level. The following points are a summary of the instructions, as described in the IB Guide for Language A: Language and Literature for first exams in 2021. 

• The individual oral must be recorded digitally.
• The oral should be no longer than 15 minutes: 10-minutes of presentation by the student, followed by a 5-minute discussion with the student's teacher.
• Every IO is based on the same prompt : "Examine the ways in which the global issue of your choice is presented through the content and form of one of the [literary] works and one of the [non-literary] bodies of work that you have studied."
• A global issue is defined as 1) significant, 2) transnational and 3) relevant to local contexts.
• Extracts should not exceed 40 lines: one (passage from a) literary text, and one (passage/screenshot from a) non-literary text.
• Students bring clean, unannotated extracts to the exam.
• Students must fill out and bring to the oral an official form that includes their outline of no more than 10 bullet-points
• If a student's performance is requested for moderation, the school submits digital versions of 1) the audio recording and 2) 'clean' copies of the extracts. The outline is not submitted to the IB unless it is requested. 
• There are 40 marks possible, 10 marks x 4 criteria: A-D. See the criteria here . 
• The individual oral is internally assessed by the student's teacher and moderated by the IB. This means that a sample will be taken from the cohort and a 'moderation factor' will be applied to the whole class. 
• The IO counts toward 20% of the final grade at HL and 30% of the final grade at SL.

Good teaching and learning is differentiated. Students should be given an opportunity to choose their literary work, BOW and global issue. If students want to focus on a poet, lyricist or ad campaign that's not 'studied in class', then perhaps it is time to study it in class (as the guide requires). In other words, try flipping the lesson plan, asking students what they would like to explore in preparation for the IO. If they want to explore a favourite text, they will have to compile a collection of song lyrics or tweets to constitute a 'work' or 'body of work'  to teach their classmates.

Related pages

• IO Skills: Outlining the IO
• IO Assessment criteria

Academic Credit Evaluation

Santa Clara awards credit based on the Advanced Placement Program, the International Baccalaureate Program, University of Cambridge International Examinations, courses completed at other accredited colleges and universities, and courses completed in University-approved study abroad and domestic study programs using the criteria outlined herein. Stud ents are allowed to transfer in a maximum of one-half of the total quarter units required to graduate in their specific program. Students may not take a SCU course for credit for which they have already received transfer credit. Santa Clara University does not allow students to receive duplicate credit for courses. You can either receive test credit for a course or take the course at SCU, but not both. Credit is not awarded for the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP).

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

Santa Clara participates in the Advanced Placement Program to recognize college-level academic achievement prior to matriculation and to encourage students to pursue advanced studies in their areas of interest. Credit or placement is determined by the appropriate department based on review of the student’s Advanced Placement scores, sometimes in the context of supplemental departmental examinations.

Note: students who are awarded credit for exams taken in Spring 2020 that covered a shortened curriculum and who wish to enroll in the next level course at Santa Clara University should consult with their department and/or advisor to ensure they will not be at a disadvantage in that field of study.

The following chart indicates the subject examination, required scores, and Santa Clara credit granted through the Advanced Placement tests. Courses waived will always satisfy relevant requirements in the major of the department that offers the course. However, only some courses waived will satisfy requirements in the Core Curriculum.

Courses waived by AP test scores, when relevant, may satisfy Second Language, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Science requirements in the Core Curriculum. No other undergraduate Core requirement can be satisfied with AP test scores.

Final decisions on academic credit for some AP scores are made individually by the appropriate academic department in consultation with the Office of the Registrar.

*See department chair for evaluation of credit toward major or minor.

International Baccalaureate

Santa Clara University recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program for admission and advanced placement.

Note: students who are awarded credit for IB coursework taken in Spring 2020 and who wish to enroll in the next level course at Santa Clara University should consult with their department and/or advisor to ensure they will not be at a disadvantage in that field of study.

The following chart indicates the subject examination, required scores, and Santa Clara credit granted through the International Baccalaureate high level (HL) tests. Courses waived will always satisfy relevant requirements in the major of the department that offers the course. However, only some courses waived will satisfy requirements in the Core Curriculum.

Courses waived by IB (HL) scores, when relevant, may satisfy Arts, Second Language, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Science requirements in the Core Curriculum. No other undergraduate Core requirement can be satisfied with IB test scores.

No credit is awarded for IB subsidiary level (SL) examinations. Final decisions on academic credit for some IB scores are made individually by the appropriate academic department in consultation with the Office of the Registrar.

University of Cambridge International Examinations

Santa Clara University accepts selected University of Cambridge International Advanced (A) Level examinations with letter grades of A (a) or B (b). Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and Ordinary (O) Level examinations are not awarded credit. Final decisions on academic credit for A Level subject examinations are made individually by the appropriate academic department in consultation with the University Registrar. Courses waived will satisfy relevant requirements in the major of the department that offers the course. However, only some courses waived will satisfy requirements in the Core Curriculum.

Transfer Credit and the Core Curriculum

All students must satisfy the following Core requirements at Santa Clara University: Civic Engagement; Science, Technology & Society; Religion, Theology & Culture; Advanced Writing; Experiential Learning for Social Justice; and Pathways. For all other Core requirements, it is possible for students to earn credit by taking Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, or by completing college-level courses prior to enrolling at Santa Clara.

Transfer credit earned from courses completed before enrollment at Santa Clara is governed by two sets of rules: One for students admitted as first-year students and another for transfer students.

Students admitted as first-year students must satisfy Critical Thinking & Writing 1 and 2, Cultures & Ideas 1 and 2, and Religion, Theology & Culture 1, 2, and 3 with courses completed at Santa Clara University.

In contrast, students admitted as transfers are encouraged to complete Critical Thinking & Writing 1 and 2 and Cultures & Ideas 1 and 2 before their first quarter at Santa Clara.

SCU operates on a quarter-system calendar. Courses completed at a semester institution are converted by multiplying the number of units by 1.5. For example, a 3.00 semester unit course equates to 4.50-quarter units.

Transfer students who enter the University with fewer than 44 units must take all three Religion, Theology & Culture courses in the required sequence. In addition, students must complete their Critical Thinking & Writing 1 and 2 and Cultures & Ideas 1 and 2 at Santa Clara University if the student does not have transfer credit to fulfill both courses in the sequence. Students matriculating with 44 or more units of transferable college credit, which does not include any AP or IB test credit, must complete two courses from the Religion, Theology & Culture sequence in any order.  

Transfer students must declare their Pathway by the end of their third quarter at SCU. Transfer students in the College of Arts and Sciences and Leavey School of Business who matriculate with fewer than 44 units must take four courses (minimum of 16 units) to fulfill the Pathways requirement. Transfer students in the College of Arts and Sciences and Leavey School of Business who matriculate with more than 44 units must take three courses (minimum of 12 units) to fulfill the Pathways requirement. All transfer students in the School of Engineering must take three courses (minimum of 12 units) to fulfill the Pathways requirement. More detailed Pathway guidelines are available on the   Pathways website .

Transfer credit earned from courses completed after initial enrollment at Santa Clara may be used to fulfill Core, Major, and Minor requirements. A maximum number of 10 quarter units of post-matriculation transfer credit can be awarded if the maximum units allowed to transfer in has not been reached. Santa Clara University does not allow the practice of “unit shaving” or unit adjustment.

Students who transfer to Santa Clara University should consult Chapters 7 and 8 as well as the chapter(s) relevant to their school or college for additional relevant information.

Units Taken at Other Institutions

Credit is awarded for coursework completed at other accredited colleges and universities subject to certain limitations. Courses are generally transferable if they are similar in nature to courses listed in the Santa Clara University Undergraduate Bulletin. Courses from California community colleges are also generally transferable under the same conditions and if designated as transferable to the University of California. Courses of a trade or technical nature do not transfer. Courses from colleges not accredited, trade schools, extension programs, or correspondence programs do not transfer.

Transfer students can receive credit for coursework completed at other colleges and universities prior to matriculation at Santa Clara for no more than half of the total number of quarter units required for the specific Santa Clara degree. After enrolling at Santa Clara, students can receive credit for coursework completed at other colleges and universities for no more than 10 quarter units, subject to the limitation that no more than half of the total number of quarter units required for a Santa Clara degree can be earned at another institution.

Transfer credit for all coursework completed at other colleges and universities requires approval from the Office of the Registrar and the chair of the department offering the equivalent Santa Clara course. S tudents must earn a grade of “C” or better in a course for transfer credit to be granted. Courses taken on a pass/no pass or credit/no credit basis are not accepted as transfer credit (note below, the exception being made to Spring 2020 term course work) .  Grades for units earned at other institutions are not included in a student’s Santa Clara academic history or in the calculation of the Santa Clara grade point average.

(Note: Exception for Spring 2020 term: Regarding transfer credits for work completed in Spring Term 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, course work receiving a grade of Pass or Credit is transferable. We encourage students continuing on in those subject areas to consult with their departments and advisors to ensure they are adequately prepared for the next level courses.)

Study Abroad and Domestic Study Programs

Qualified undergraduate students may apply to study abroad for a quarter, semester, or summer term in a country and academic environment that will enrich their overall college experience, contribute positively to the life of the University, and engender responsible participation in a global, multicultural society.

Units and grades earned through study abroad programs and domestic off-campus study programs that have been approved through regular University processes are included on the Santa Clara University transcript and may be used to fulfill major, minor, and Core requirements with prior approval by the department chair or Core d irector. Grades earned in approved study abroad and domestic off-campus study programs are included in the calculation of the Santa Clara grade point average. The third-level Core Curriculum requirement in Religion, Theology & Culture cannot be fulfilled with a study abroad course.

Units earned for coursework in study abroad and domestic off-campus study programs not approved by the University through the regular application process are subject to the policies governing transfer credit. Credit earned from a ccredited study abroad programs not associated with Santa Clara University Study Abroad Programs, may be used to fulfill Core, Major, and Minor requirements. A maximum number of 10 quarter units of post-matriculation transfer credit can be awarded if the maximum units allowed to transfer in has not been reached.