In this course, students study a wide range of literary and non-literary texts in a variety of media. By examining communicative acts across literary form and textual type alongside appropriate secondary readings, students will investigate the nature of language itself and the ways in which it shapes and is influenced by identity and culture. Approaches to study in the course are meant to be wide ranging and can include literary theory, sociolinguistics, media studies and critical discourse analysis among others. 

SYLLABUS: 

Students study a minimum of four literary works at SL and six works at HL. In addition, students will study a wide range of non-literary texts. The works will include different genres, different time periods and they will be selected from different parts of the world (originally written in English as well as works in translation). 

Assessment Outline: Higher Level and Standard Level  

External Assessment  

HL: 80% 

Paper 1: Guided textual analysis  

(2 hours   15 minutes) (35%) 

The paper consists of two non-literary passages, from two different text types, each accompanied by a question. Students write an analysis of each of the passages.  

(40 marks) 

Paper 2: Comparative essay  

(1 hour 45 minutes) (25%) 

The paper consists of four general questions. In response to one question students write a comparative essay based on two works studied in the course.

(30 marks) 

HL essay (20%) 

Students submit an essay on one non-literary text or a collection of non-literary texts by one same author, or a literary text or work studied during the course. (20 marks) 

The essay must be 1,200-1,500 words in length. 

 SL: 70 % 

Paper 1: Guided textual analysis 

(1 hour 15 minutes) (35%) 

The paper consists of two non-literary passages, from two different text types, each accompanied by a question. Students choose one passage and write an analysis  of it. 

(20 marks) 

Paper 2: Comparative essay  

(1 hour 45 minutes) (35%) 

The paper consists of four general questions. In response to one question students write a comparative essay based on two works studied in the course.  

(30 marks) 

Internal  Assessment 

HL: 20% 

Individual oral (15 minutes) 

Supported by an extract from one non-literary text and one from a literary work, students will offer a prepared response of 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of questions by the teacher, to the following prompt: 

Examine the ways in which the global issue of your choice is presented through the content and form of two of the texts that you have studied. 

(40 marks) 

SL: 30% 

Individual oral (15 minutes) 

Supported by an extract from one non-literary text and one from a literary work, students will offer a prepared response of 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of questions by the teacher, to the following prompt: 

 Examine the ways in which the global issue of your choice is presented through the content and form of two of the texts that you have studied. (40 marks) 

This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by IB examiners.