IB Language and Literature: Mastering the Power of Words

If you're diving into the IB Diploma Programme and browsing through subject choices, you’ve probably come across “Language and Literature” under Group 1. And you might be wondering what’s this all about? Is it like English class? Or is it a deep dive into Shakespeare and syntax?

Well, get comfy because we're about to unpack what IB Language and Literature really is, what you’ll study, how you’ll be assessed, and why it’s so much more than just "reading books."

All about “Language and Literature” under Group 1 of the IB Diploma Programme; syllabus, paper structure, HL vs SL and more.

What Is IB Language and Literature?

The official name of this course is Language A: Language and Literature, and it’s designed for students who are fluent speakers of the language they’re studying (usually English, but it could be another native language depending on your school).

It’s not just about reading novels, it's about how language works in real life, in everything from political speeches to memes, advertisements to newspapers. It combines classic literature with modern media and helps you analyze how meaning is shaped through language.

What Do You Study?

The IB Language and Literature course is split into four parts. Think of it as two halves: language and literature, but taught together.

🧾 1. Readers, Writers and Texts

This is all about the art of storytelling. You’ll explore:

How writers use narrative, voice, and style
Literary devices and text structure
How readers interpret meaning

📘 Example texts: Novels, poems, short stories

📰 2. Time and Space

This dives into context that is, how where and when something was written shapes its meaning.

Cultural, political, and historical background
Comparing works from different cultures
Understanding authorial purpose

📘 Example texts: Global novels, translated works

📣 3. Intertextuality: Connecting Texts

Here you look at themes, styles, and structures across multiple texts and how they “talk to” each other.

Comparing different genres
Media and literary hybrids
Critical perspectives

📘 Example texts: Editorials, films, graphic novels, song lyrics, news articles

🎭 4. Texts and Contexts (for HL only)

Higher Level students go deeper into how language is used in real-world communication.

Rhetoric and persuasion
Bias and power in media
Language and identity

📘 Example texts: Speeches, social media posts, political propaganda

The Assessments: How You're Graded

Like all IB subjects, Language and Literature has both Internal and External assessments. Here's how the breakdown looks:

External Assessments (70%)

Paper 1: Guided Textual Analysis (35%)

SL: One unseen non-literary text
HL: Two unseen non-literary texts
You write a guided analysis — think stylistic devices, tone, audience, purpose.

Paper 2: Comparative Essay (35%)

You compare two literary works you studied
You respond to one of six prompts (e.g., on character, setting, or theme)

No external exams are multiple choice; it's all essay-based and analytical.

Internal Assessments (30%)

Individual Oral (30%)

You choose one literary and one non-literary text
You present a 10-minute analysis on a global issue connecting both
Followed by a 5-minute Q&A with your teacher

Example global issues: Gender inequality, surveillance, political power, colonialism

SL vs HL: What’s the Difference?

Feature	SL	HL
Total texts studied	~6	~9
Extra content	—	Texts and Contexts (Part 4)
Paper 1	1 text	2 texts
Individual Oral	Same	Same
Depth of analysis	Solid	Deeper, more comparative

If you love reading and discussing ideas but don’t want to major in English, SL might be your fit. If you thrive in literary analysis and want that edge for uni applications (especially humanities), HL is where the magic’s at.

🏛️ Global Value: Why This Subject Matters

IB Language and Literature hones your:

Analytical thinking
Communication skills
Media literacy
Cultural awareness

These skills are golden not just for university essays, but also for real-world problem-solving and leadership. Whether you're applying to universities in the US, UK, Canada, or beyond, admissions officers love seeing Language and Literature on transcripts because it signals critical thinking, clear writing, and global perspective.