IB Group 2 Language B SL/HL, Literature Study, HL Only, Reading and Analyzing Two Works of Literature

What This Is and Why It Matters for IB

Literature Study (HL only) involves reading and analyzing two works of literature. This skill appears in the English A: Literature syllabus, specifically in the Internal Assessment (IA) component, where students must analyze and compare two literary works. Students often get this wrong by failing to provide clear analysis and comparison, leading to lost marks and misunderstanding of key concepts.

Where It Appears in the IB Syllabus

English A: Literature, Internal Assessment (IA), Literature Study (HL only)

Key Command Terms

• Analyze: Break down a literary work into its key elements, such as plot, character, and theme.
• Compare and Contrast: Identify similarities and differences between two literary works.
• Evaluate: Assess the strengths and weaknesses of a literary work or its author's techniques.

Step-by-Step Understanding

1. Read and annotate the two literary works, identifying key elements such as plot, character, and theme.
2. Create a comparison table to organize your thoughts on the similarities and differences between the two works.
3. Analyze each work in detail, using textual evidence to support your arguments.
4. Compare and contrast the two works, using your table to guide your discussion.
5. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each work, considering the author's techniques and intentions.
   Avoid simply summarizing the plots of the two works without providing analysis and comparison.

Assessment Criteria Connection

Real Student Mistakes

Example 1

A student analyzed two literary works but failed to compare and contrast them effectively, leading to lost marks.

Example 2

A student evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of each work but failed to provide clear analysis and textual evidence, leading to lost marks.

Exam Technique (Paper-specific)

For the Literature Study IA, allocate 30-40 minutes for reading and annotating the texts, 20-30 minutes for creating a comparison table and analyzing each work, and 10-20 minutes for comparing and contrasting the two works.

Internal Assessment / Extended Essay Relevance

This topic connects to the Extended Essay (EE) in English A: Literature, where students must analyze and compare two literary works in a more in-depth and independent manner.

TOK Connections (if applicable)

This topic links to the Ways of Knowing in the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, specifically the Aesthetic way of knowing, which involves analyzing and evaluating artistic and literary works.

Quick Check (Self-Assessment Questions)

1. What are the key elements of a literary work that you should analyze?
   • Model answer: Plot, character, theme, and setting.
2. How do you create a comparison table for two literary works?
   • Model answer: Identify similarities and differences between the two works and organize them in a table.
3. What is the purpose of evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of a literary work?
   • Model answer: To assess the author's techniques and intentions.

Revision Card (60-Second Summary)

• Analyze: Break down a literary work into its key elements.
• Compare and Contrast: Identify similarities and differences between two literary works.
• Evaluate: Assess the strengths and weaknesses of a literary work or its author's techniques.
• Literature Study (HL only): Analyze and compare two literary works.
• Internal Assessment (IA): 30-40 minutes for reading and annotating, 20-30 minutes for analysis, and 10-20 minutes for comparison.
• Extended Essay (EE): Analyze and compare two literary works in a more in-depth and independent manner.

If You Get Stuck

• Review the syllabus and assessment criteria.
• Ask your teacher or study group for help.
• Approach an exam question by breaking it down into smaller parts and using your knowledge of literary analysis and comparison.

Related IB Topics

• Textual Analysis: Analyzing a literary work to identify its key elements and themes.
• Literary Devices: Identifying and analyzing literary devices used by authors to convey meaning.
• Authorial Intent: Analyzing an author's intentions and techniques in a literary work.