IB English A: Literature
IB English A Literature develops critical reading and analytical writing skills through the study of literary works across time periods, cultures, and genres. Students engage with texts through both formal examinations and an Individual Oral component.
Difficulty
Challenging
Popularity
78%
Past questions
1
Study tips
5
Key Topics
Exam Format & Dates
May & November, annually
Multiple assessments across 2 years
1–7 scale (IB)
4 = passing | 6–7 = excellent
| Section | Duration | Content | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — Guided Literary Analysis (Unseen) | 1h 15m (SL) / 2h 15m (HL) | 1 (SL) or 2 (HL) unseen texts | 35% SL / 35% HL |
| Paper 2 — Comparative Essay (Studied Works) | 1h 45m | 1 comparative essay from 4 options | 35% SL / 25% HL |
| Individual Oral (Internal Assessment) | 15-minute oral + prep | 1 extract, 1 global issue | 30% SL / 20% HL |
| HL Essay (HL only) | Coursework (1200–1500 words) | 1 extended literary essay | 20% HL only |
Exam Breakdown & Insights
Difficulty · Demanding
Popularity score
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Study Tips
- 1
Paper 1 (unseen): practice identifying literary devices and explaining their effect on meaning and the reader — don't just list techniques.
- 2
Paper 2: know at least two works deeply. Plan your comparative structure in the first 10 minutes — body paragraphs should integrate both texts.
- 3
The Individual Oral (IO) is 30% of your grade — prepare a clear guiding question and connect your extract to a global issue explicitly.
- 4
Use the IB rubric as your checklist: criteria include Knowledge & Understanding, Analysis & Evaluation, Focus & Organization, Language.
- 5
For HL Essay, choose a literary feature you find genuinely interesting — the best essays have a specific, debatable claim.
Past Exam Questions
Paper 1 prompt: "Analyse how the writer uses literary techniques to explore the relationship between the individual and society in the following extract." (Unseen prose passage, 600 words)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕
Retelling the plot instead of analyzing the writer's choices and their effects.
- ✕
Quoting without commenting — evidence only earns marks when it is analyzed.
- ✕
Writing without a clear, arguable thesis, so the essay drifts.
Official Resources
Free, official study material for IB English A: Literature — always start with the source your exam board publishes.
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