IB Group 1 Language A Literature and Performance, The Student as Performer, Adaptation and Performance of Literary Texts

What This Is and Why It Matters for IB

The Student as Performer is a concept in the English B syllabus, specifically in the Literary Texts in Translation section. It involves adapting and performing literary texts, which is a crucial skill for IB students. Students often get it wrong by failing to analyse the original text and the adaptation, leading to lost marks in the assessment. If not done correctly, it can also lead to misunderstanding the key concept of adaptation and performance.

Where It Appears in the IB Syllabus

This topic appears in the English B syllabus, specifically in Paper 3: Literary Texts in Translation and Internal Assessment (IA). For the IA, students are required to adapt and perform a literary text.

Key Command Terms

• Analyse: Break down the original text and the adaptation into their component parts, examining the relationships between them.
• Evaluate: Assess the effectiveness of the adaptation in conveying the original text's meaning and themes.
• Compare and Contrast: Identify similarities and differences between the original text and the adaptation.

Step-by-Step Understanding

1. Read the original text and the adaptation carefully. Check for any changes in language, tone, or structure.
2. Identify the key themes and ideas in the original text and how they are adapted in the new version.
3. Analyse the language and style used in both versions, noting any changes or similarities.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of the adaptation in conveying the original text's meaning and themes.
5. Compare and contrast the two versions, highlighting any similarities and differences.
   Avoid simply summarizing the texts; instead, focus on the relationships between them.

Assessment Criteria Connection

Real Student Mistakes

Example 1

A student simply summarized the texts without analysing the relationships between them, losing marks on AO1 and AO2.

Example 2

A student failed to evaluate the effectiveness of the adaptation, instead focusing on minor details, losing marks on AO2.

Exam Technique (Paper-specific)

For Paper 3, allocate 30 minutes for this question. Use the PEEL structure to answer: - Point: Introduce the topic and the question. - Explain: Analyse the original text and the adaptation. - Evaluate: Evaluate the effectiveness of the adaptation. - Link: Link the analysis and evaluation to the question.

Internal Assessment / Extended Essay Relevance

This topic connects to the IA in English B, where students are required to adapt and perform a literary text. Students can also apply this skill in their EE, by adapting and performing a literary text as part of their research.

TOK Connections (if applicable)

This topic connects to the Ways of Knowing in TOK, specifically Language and Symbolic. Students can explore how language and symbols are used in the original text and the adaptation to convey meaning and themes.

Quick Check (Self-Assessment Questions)

1. What are the key differences between the original text and the adaptation?
2. How does the adaptation convey the original text's meaning and themes?
3. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the adaptation?

Revision Card (60-Second Summary)

• Adaptation: A new version of a text, often in a different language or style.
• Performance: The act of presenting a text in a new way, such as through drama or music.
• Analyse: Break down a text into its component parts and examine the relationships between them.
• Evaluate: Assess the effectiveness of a text or adaptation in conveying meaning and themes.
• Compare and Contrast: Identify similarities and differences between two or more texts.

If You Get Stuck

• Review the original text and the adaptation carefully.
• Ask your teacher for guidance or clarification.
• Use relevant examples and evidence to support your analysis and evaluation.

Related IB Topics

• Literary Texts in Translation: This topic connects to the analysis and evaluation of literary texts in different languages.
• Drama: This topic connects to the performance and adaptation of literary texts in a dramatic context.
• Language and Style: This topic connects to the analysis and evaluation of language and style in literary texts.