“Communication is the exchange or transfer of signals, facts, ideas and symbols. It requires a sender, a message and an intended receiver. Communication involves the activity of conveying information or meaning. Effective communication requires a common “language” (which may be written, spoken or nonverbal). ”(MYP: From principles into practice)

Through exploring texts, we exchange, express, analyse and transform information, facts, ideas, meanings and opinions. Communication is the basis of what makes us human and bridges communities across the globe; it is the essence of this discipline.

“Connections are links, bonds and relationships among people, objects, organisms or ideas. ” (MYP: From principles into practice)

Linguistic and literary connections exist across time, texts and cultures. This concept is central to the study of language and literature. Due to the universal nature of language and literature, connections and transfer exist within and across narratives. This allows for the exploration of language and relationships between text, creator and audience

“Creativity is the process of generating novel ideas and considering existing ideas from new perspectives. Creativity includes the ability to recognize the value of ideas when developing innovative responses to problems; it may be evident in process as well as outcomes, products or solutions.” (MYP: From principles into practice)

In MYP language and literature, it is the process of synthesizing ideas with language that is a vehicle for creativity. It is the result of interaction and reflection, whether with the self or the wider community. This process is difficult to define and difficult to evaluate. It rests, however, on an appreciation of the process with which the individual engages, and the impact of the final product on the audience.

“Perspective is the position from which we observe situations, objects, facts, ideas and opinions. Perspective may be associated with individuals, groups, cultures or disciplines. Different perspectives often lead to multiple representations and interpretations. ” (MYP: From principles into practice)

Perspective influences text, and text influences perspective. Through students’ language and literature studies, multiple perspectives and their effects are identified, analysed, deconstructed and reconstructed. An understanding of this concept is essential in order to develop in students the ability to recognize and respond to over-simplistic and biased interpretations. Seeking and considering diverse opinions and points of view is an important part of developing complex and defensible interpretations.

humour, sensibility, critical stance, appreciation, empathy, antipathy, sympathy, aesthetics, mood, atmosphere, irony, gender perspectives

transformation, influence, conflict, protagonist, antagonist, persona, foil, stock, device

value, heritage, transformation, traditions, customs, beliefs, time

form, style, plot, characterization, theme, tone, mood, atmosphere, register, images, layout, perspective, prose, poetry, drama, mythology, fiction, non-fiction

quotation, relationship, reference, allusion, pastiche, parody, plagiarism, translation

positioning, voice, tone, narrator, omniscient, limited, un/reliable, first/second/third person, objective, subjective

meaning, thesis, argument, gender, persuasive techniques, function, critical stance, message, culture, agenda

identity, personal voice, inspiration, imagination, sensitivity, muse, process, opinion, belief

mood, atmosphere, milieu, period, historical, cultural, social, geographical, backstory, story world

metre, patterns, stanza, scansion, cohesion, plot, narrative, discourse, thesis, syntax, transitions, foreshadowing, flashbacks, layout, sections, parts

diction, syntax, figurative language, repetition, motif, allusion, imagery, symbolism, theme, tone, mood, Imagery

Central message, stance, patterns, idea, implicit, explicit, concept, thesis