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E N G L I S H L I T E R AT U R E
English Literature
The IB English Literature programme is an exciting and varied course of literature of many
different types. We will be reading books published within the last twelve months, literature
written in the fourteenth century, and a great deal in between; about a third of the works have
their origins overseas. As in the A Level course, pupils' enthusiasm to discuss wide-ranging ideas
will be exercised robustly, but the course will move much more quickly, with some texts given
close, in-depth analysis and others covered much more briskly.
You will need to be someone who enjoys reading and making your own mind up about things.
You will have an interest in the literature and ideas of different cultures and be prepared to
challenge your own prejudices and assumptions. You will also need to be a confident speaker
– prepared to contribute ideas in class and to present them in front of an audience. In return,
you will be given access to a wide range of exciting literature and the freedom to be original and
scholarly. Ultimately you will become a well-read, confident and proficient communicator, and you
will have benefited from the teaching of a team of outstanding, enthusiastic teachers in a lively,
friendly and highly successful department.
Higher Level
COMPONENT ASSESSMENT
CONTENT
Part 1
An essay of 1,500 words;
a Reflective Statement of
400 words 25%
Works In Translation (3 texts)
Part 2
Oral exam of 20 minutes 15% Detailed Study (3 texts of different genres)
Part 3
Two 2 hr examinations 45% Literary Genres (4 poetry collections;
unseen poetry)
Part 4
Presentation 15%
Options (3 texts)
Standard Level
COMPONENT ASSESSMENT
CONTENT
Part 1
An essay of 1,500 words;
a Reflective Statement of
400 words 25%
Works In Translation (2 texts)
Part 2
Oral exam of 10 minutes 15% Detailed Study (2 texts of different genres)
Part 3
Two 1½ hr examinations 45% Literary Genres (3 poetry collections)
Part 4
Presentation 15%
Options (3 texts)
A new syllabus is due to be published in 2019.This will be similar to the current
syllabus in many key respects, including style of assessment, number of texts, and
variety of text and genre.