Write

Picture yourself sitting in a cosy room lined with books—some slightly dusty, some well-thumbed—and I’m here, speaking to you in the warm, whimsical tone of a seasoned friend who knows a thing or two about words. Let’s talk about what it takes to be a student of IB Language and Literature, shall we? It’s not just about reading books and ticking off essays. It’s about acquiring a set of marvellous abilities, the kind that weave seamlessly into the grand tapestry of the IB framework, with its intriguing corners like Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay (EE). Now, here’s a gentle exploration of five key abilities you'll be developing along the way:

1. Analytical Thinking and Writing

This is where you learn to dance with a text—to pull it apart gently, examining themes, stylistic flourishes, and the cultural heartbeats it carries. It’s about drawing threads from the particular (a poem, a novel, a speech) and tying them to the universal (broader global dilemmas, those big "what it all means" questions). This is a skill you’ll wield brilliantly in your TOK essays and extended essays, where perspectives clash and mingle, and your job is to orchestrate them into harmony.

2. Integration of Interdisciplinary Concepts

Literature doesn’t live in a vacuum—it breathes, it borrows, it remembers. Your task is to bring other disciplines into your analyses. Think history, philosophy, sciences—a kaleidoscope of perspectives enriching your interpretations. It’s very TOK, isn’t it? That delightful habit of questioning how we know what we know, not just in life, but also in literature.

3. Research and Evidence-based Argumentation

Here’s where you become a detective of ideas. You’ll delve deep, unearth evidence, and wield it to fortify your arguments. Whether you’re crafting an extended essay that brims with insight or constructing a TOK presentation that leaves your audience nodding in thought, your research prowess will be the key to unlocking new dimensions of understanding.

4. Articulation of Personal Insight

Let’s not forget the personal touch. The IB isn’t about churning out cookie-cutter essays; it’s about you. Your voice. Your ideas. When you write, you’ll reflect deeply, perhaps even daringly, on what a text stirs within you. In doing so, you’ll not only meet the demands of TOK and the EE but also give your readers the pleasure of encountering a genuine, engaged mind.

5. Mastery of Academic Conventions

Finally, the nuts and bolts of it all. Academic writing is a discipline, a set of rules that guide us toward clarity and credibility. Referencing, citations, proper structure—they’re the tools that ensure your ideas stand tall and are taken seriously, whether in a TOK essay, an extended essay, or beyond.

And there you have it—a set of skills that turns you into a thoughtful, articulate, and capable thinker and writer. The IB Language and Literature programme is no small undertaking, but oh, the places it will take you! Through words and worlds, you’ll craft a thoughtful lens with which to see and express the intricate web of connections in life. Let’s take up the pen and see where it leads, shall we?

IB Writing Practice (2024)

The Power of Word Choice: Turning Ideas into Meaning.

IB Writing Practice (2023)

Update in Progress – ETA Unknown

IB Writing Practice (2022)

Update in Progress – ETA Unknown