IB Language and Literature: A Complete Guide for Students and Parents

Continuing our A-Level and IB Subject Guide Series, this week we take an in-depth look at IB Language and Literature – a versatile and engaging subject that develops your skills in analysis, interpretation, and critical thinking. Whether studied in English or another language, Language and Literature combines the study of literary works with media texts, speeches, advertising, and other forms of communication. This makes it a perfect choice for students who enjoy reading, writing, and understanding how language shapes the world around us.

Available at both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL), IB Language and Literature challenges students to explore how meaning is created in different contexts and cultures – from Shakespeare to social media.

What is IB Language and Literature?

IB Language and Literature is not just about reading novels — it’s about understanding how language works in a variety of forms, and how it reflects and influences society. You’ll study a combination of literary texts (novels, plays, poetry) and non-literary texts (journalism, speeches, political writing, adverts, blogs, etc.), analysing them for meaning, style, and purpose.

Course Structure (SL & HL)

The course is divided into three areas of exploration:

✅ Readers, Writers, and Texts – How individuals create meaning through language, style, and structure.
✅ Time and Space – The role of historical, social, and cultural contexts in shaping texts.
✅ Intertextuality: Connecting Texts – How texts influence and respond to one another.

SL students study 4 literary works and a variety of non-literary bodies of work.
HL students study 6 literary works and more non-literary material, engaging in deeper analysis.

Likely & Past Books Studied in IB Language and Literature

While each school chooses its own texts, IB-approved reading lists are broad and international. Students can expect to study a mix of classic and contemporary works from different genres, countries, and cultures.

Commonly Studied Texts Include:

• Novels: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, 1984 by George Orwell, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy.
• Plays: Othello or Macbeth by William Shakespeare, A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller.
• Poetry Collections: Works by Carol Ann Duffy, Seamus Heaney, or Pablo Neruda.
• World Literature: Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.

Why This Matters:
Studying such varied works helps students understand different voices, styles, and perspectives — a skill that’s key for the Individual Oral and comparative essays. Schools often balance familiar English-language classics with translated works to give a global dimension.

How is IB Language and Literature Assessed?

Assessment is a combination of external examinations and an Internal Assessment (the Individual Oral).

External Assessment (Exams) – 70% of Final Grade (SL) / 80% of Final Grade (HL)

📌 Paper 1 – Textual Analysis (SL: 35%, HL: 35%)

• SL: Analyse and compare two unseen non-literary texts from different text types.
• HL: Analyse and compare two unseen texts, with an expectation of deeper exploration and more sophisticated connections.

📌 Paper 2 – Comparative Essay (SL: 35%, HL: 25%)

• Write an essay comparing two literary works studied in class, in response to one of several prescribed questions.

📌 HL Essay (HL Only) – 20% of HL Final Grade

• A 1,200–1,500-word academic essay on one literary work or non-literary body of work studied, exploring it in depth through a focused research question.

Internal Assessment (IA) – 30% of Final Grade (SL) / 20% of Final Grade (HL)

The Individual Oral is a 10-minute presentation where you connect one literary text and one non-literary text to a global issue (e.g., identity, inequality, freedom, cultural change).

• 10 minutes of spoken analysis, followed by 5 minutes of teacher questions.
• You must show how each text represents and develops the chosen global issue.

Why the IA is Valuable:
The oral is a highly transferable skill — it builds confidence in public speaking, develops research ability, and forces you to think critically about how language connects to real-world issues.

Why IB Language and Literature is a Great HL Subject for University Applications

Universities value Language and Literature HL for its analytical depth, communication skills, and cultural awareness. It shows that you can:

• Analyse complex texts with precision.
• Write clearly and persuasively.
• Engage with global issues from multiple perspectives.
• Handle academic research and formal presentation.

HL Language and Literature is especially useful for degrees in:
🎓 Law
🎓 Journalism and Media
🎓 International Relations
🎓 English Literature
🎓 Linguistics
🎓 History
🎓 Politics
🎓 Business & Marketing

The Hardest Parts of IB Language and Literature

❌ Comparative Analysis – Many students find it challenging to link two texts in a coherent, balanced way.
❌ Close Reading Under Time Pressure – Paper 1 requires speed, accuracy, and organisation.
❌ Finding a Strong HL Essay Question – HL students need a precise, arguable focus.
❌ Speaking Confidently in the IA – Requires clear structuring and rehearsal to stay within time limits.

HRB Education: Helping You Succeed in IB Language and Literature

At HRB Education, we help students go beyond simply “understanding” texts — we train you to master how to analyse and communicate ideas at the highest level. Our expert tutors provide:
✅ Paper 1 Skills – How to structure a perfect textual analysis under exam conditions.
✅ Paper 2 & HL Essay Coaching – Developing comparative arguments and academic essay writing.
✅ IA Support – Selecting texts, refining your global issue, and delivering a polished oral.
✅ Time Management Strategies – Balancing reading, note-taking, and revision.

📢 Want to achieve top grades in IB Language and Literature? Contact HRB Education today and let us help you excel!

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