Here is a guide to the Language A: Literature and Language A: Language and Literature guide for the IB Diploma Programme.

1. Guide to the guide
IBDP Language A:
Language and Literature
& Literature
First teaching in 2019
First exams in 2021
This slideshow is not endorsed by the IB

2. Why Language A?
• Develop textual analysis skills
• Develop powers of expression
• Develop life-long appreciation of language and
literature
• Develop international mindedness and critical
thinking

3. Texts
L&L SL L&L HL Lit SL Lit HL
1 2 4 5 Texts from the PRL
1 2 3 4 Other-language PRLs
2 2 2 4 Freely chosen works
Various types Not applicable Non-literary texts,
in target language

4. Variety of literature
L&L SL L&L HL Lit SL Lit HL
2 3 3 3 Time period
2 3 3 4 Place
2 3 3 4 Literary forms

5. Areas of exploration
Texts
Readers,
writers, texts
Time and
place
Intertextuality:
connecting
texts

6. Concepts
• Creativity
• Culture
• Communication
• Identity
• Perspective
• Transformation
• Representation

7. Global issues
• Culture, identity and community
• Beliefs, values and education
• Politics, power and justice
• Art, creativity and the imagination
• Science, technology and the natural world

8. Assessment overview
SL % L&L and Literature HL %
35 Paper 1 – Guided textual
analysis
35
35 Paper 2 – Comparative essay 25
N/A HL Essay 20
30 Individual oral 20

9. Paper 1: Guided textual analysis
Lang Lit Lit
SL 1hr15min
Choose 1 of 2
Non-literary texts
1hr15min
Choose 1 of 2
Literary texts
HL 2hrs15min
Analyse both non-lit
texts separately
2hrs15min
Analyse both lit texts
separately

10. Paper 2: Comparative essay
• Same for Literature and Lang & Lit
• Same for SL & HL
• 1 hour and 45 min
• Answer 1 of 4 unseen essay questions
• Compare literary works
• Cannot use works used on Individual oral or
HL essay

11. HL essay
• 1,200-1,500 words
• Based on a line of inquiry (and concept)
• For Literature: based on a literary work
• For Lang Lit: based on a literary work or 1 or
more non-literary texts
• Cannot use same literary work for Paper 2 or
Individual oral
• Like a shorter extended essay

12. Individual oral SL/HL
• On a global issue of choice from learner portfolio
• Student chooses two passages/extracts
– Lang Lit: 1 x lit, 1 x non-lit
– Literature: 2 x literary
• Prepared outside class (coursework)
• One-page outline
• 10-min oral connecting each text to issue
• 5-min discussion

13. Assessment criteria
P1 P2 HLE IO Lit/Lang & Lit, SL/HL
5 10 5 10 A: Understanding &
interpretation
5 10 5 10 B: Analysis &
evaluation
5 5 5 10 C: Focus &
organization
5 5 5 10 D: Language