IB Language A Tuition: Literature
Learn the syllabus, assessment style & exam format with structured guidance.
Study with expert IB DP English Examiners to aim for a perfect 7/7!
Why Riforma is the Top Choice for IB Language A Tuition: Literature?
85%
Of Riforma Students Students got 6+/7 in English language and literature
81%
Improved their English Language and Literature score by 1 point or more
10+
Certified IB DP English Language and Literature Examiners and Tutors
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See grade improvements within 2 months
What is IB DP Language A: Literature? Why Study it?
The IB Language A: Literature course encourages students to explore how literature serves as a powerful form of expression across cultures and historical periods. It aims to deepen students’ understanding of the many factors influencing the creation and interpretation of literary works — including the creativity of both writers and readers, the impact of cultural and historical context, and the evolving relationship between language, meaning, and artistic tradition. Through this study, learners discover the transformative and performative power of literature and its ability to shape thought, emotion, and human experience.
Your performance in the IB Language A: Literature course plays a crucial role in shaping your university admissions. Learn from certified IB Examiners and gain the insights, strategies, and feedback needed to achieve a perfect 7/7 score.
IB DP Language A: Literature Syllabus: Topics + Overview
This course is available at both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL). HL study requires a minimum of 240 teaching hours, while SL study requires a minimum of 150 teaching hours. At HL students typically study 13 literary works, and at SL 9 works, drawn from a broad selection of literary forms, periods and geographical regions. These works include texts originally written in the language studied, texts in translation, and freely chosen texts from the prescribed lists. Assessment is carried out through a combination of external examinations and internal/oral coursework.
Area of Exploration | Recommended Learning SL (hours) | Recommended Learning HL (hours) | Guiding Conceptual Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
Readers, Writers & Texts | 50 | 80 | Why and how do we study language and literature?; How are we affected by texts in various ways?; In what ways is meaning constructed, negotiated, expressed and interpreted?; How does language use vary among text types and literary forms?; How does the structure or style of a text affect its meaning?; How do texts offer insights and challenges? |
Time & Space | 50 | 80 | How important is cultural or historical context to the production and reception of a text?; How do we approach texts from different times and cultures to our own?; To what extent do texts offer insight into another culture?; How does the meaning and impact of a text change over time?; How do texts reflect, represent or form a part of cultural practices?; How does language represent social distinctions and identities? |
Intertextuality: Connecting Texts | 50 | 80 | How do texts adhere to and deviate from conventions associated with literary forms or text types?; How do conventions and systems of reference evolve over time?; In what ways can diverse texts share points of similarity?; How valid is the notion of a classic text?; How can texts offer multiple perspectives of a single issue, topic or theme?; In what ways can comparison and interpretation be transformative? |
IB DP Language A: Literature Exams and Past Papers: Overview
Paper 1
For both SL and HL
35% of SL Final Exam Grade
35% of HL Final Exam Grade
Time Allotted
Standard Level (SL) – 1 hour 15 minutes
Higher Level (HL) – 2 hours 15 minutes
Format
A guided literary analysis based on unseen texts.
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SL: Two unseen texts (from different literary forms) are provided; students choose one and write an analysis.
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HL: Both texts must be analyzed in two separate responses.
Content
-
Unseen texts can be from a variety of literary forms such as poetry, drama, prose fiction, or literary non-fiction.
Students demonstrate their ability to interpret, analyze, and evaluate the author’s choices in language, structure, and style.
Example Question - Poem Prompt
How does the poet use structure and language to evoke a particular mood or tone in the poem?
HL Essay
For HL only
20% of HL Final Exam Grade
Time Allotted
Not a timed exam — submitted coursework completed over an extended period.
Format
A formal analytical essay based on one literary work studied in the course.
Students develop a personal line of inquiry and explore it through close analysis and interpretation.
Content
Length: 1,200 – 1,500 words
Assessed externally by IB examiners for argument, organization, and language.
Example Question – Thematic focus
How does Shakespeare use imagery of light and darkness to explore moral ambiguity in Macbeth?
Paper 2
For both SL and HL
35% of SL Final Exam Grade
25% of HL Final Exam Grade
Time Allotted
Standard Level (SL) – 1 hour 45 minutes
Higher Level (HL) – 1 hour 45 minutes
Format
A comparative essay based on two literary works studied in the course.
Students choose one question from four broad prompts and write a structured analysis comparing themes, techniques, and contexts.
Content
The essay focuses on comparison, analysis, and interpretation of authorial choices, themes, and contexts across two works.
Students are assessed on their ability to develop coherent arguments and explore how meaning is shaped through form, style, and context.
Example Question - Theme of Power
Compare how two works you have studied explore the theme of power and its impact on individuals and society.
Individual Oral (IO)
For both SL and HL
30% of SL Final Exam Grade
20% of HL Final Exam Grade
Time Allotted
-
15 minutes total (10 minutes student presentation + 5 minutes teacher discussion)
Format
A prepared oral response connecting one literary work (in the language studied) and one work in translation.
Students analyze how a chosen global issue is represented through each work’s content and form.
Content
Focus on comparison, interpretation, and context of global issues such as identity, power, or inequality.
Assessed internally and moderated externally by the IB.
Example Topic
How marginalisation provokes resistance in two texts you have studied.
Is IB DP Language A: Literature Difficult?
The IBDP Literature course is intellectually rigorous, emphasizing advanced literary analysis and critical thinking across texts from diverse cultures and time periods. Students explore complex themes, multiple perspectives, and a wide range of literary forms—developing strong interpretive, analytical, and communication skills. The program requires consistent reading, writing, and active participation in discussions, as well as the ability to express nuanced interpretations both orally and in essays. The Higher Level (HL) component introduces additional depth through extra works and the demanding HL Essay, offering a greater academic challenge. For students passionate about literature, the course is both rewarding and transformative, fostering a deeper appreciation of language, art, and human experience.
Tips for IB English Success from Riforma’s Expert IB English Tutors
Read Actively and Critically
Engage deeply with every text—question authorial choices, analyze patterns, and connect themes to broader cultural and historical contexts.
Strengthen Analytical Writing
Practice structuring essays clearly, using precise language and textual evidence to support your interpretations in Papers 1 and 2.
Explore Global and Human Themes
Relate literary ideas to universal issues such as identity, power, or morality—essential for success in the Individual Oral and HL Essay.
Build Exam Confidence
Simulate timed responses regularly to refine planning, coherence, and time management under exam conditions.
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