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International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (English A: Lang & Lit) Syllabus

The Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (English A: Lang & Lit) syllabus for International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) in full: 4 chapters, 13 topics and 19 sub-topics, every one listed below, plus 51 Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (English A: Lang & Lit) flashcards with answers.

4Chapters
13Topics
19Sub-topics
51Flashcards

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (English A: Lang & Lit) syllabus: all 4 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  1. Areas of Exploration

     3 topics
    • Readers, Writers, and Texts
      • How language constructs meaning
      • Style, structure, and authorial choices
      • Reader response and interpretation
    • Time and Space
      • Cultural and historical contexts of texts
      • Texts as products of their time and place
    • Intertextuality: Connecting Texts
      • Comparison across works and forms
      • Genre conventions and transformation

  2. Literary and Non-Literary Text Types

     3 topics
    • Literary Forms
      • Prose fiction: novel and short story
      • Poetry
      • Drama
    • Non-Literary Body of Work
      • Advertisements and infographics
      • Speeches, opinion columns, and editorials
      • Photography, cartoons, and digital media
    • Translated Works and World Texts

  3. Conceptual Understandings

     3 topics
    • Identity, Culture, and Creativity
    • Communication and Perspective
    • Transformation and Representation

  4. Assessment Components

     4 topics
    • Paper 1: Guided Textual Analysis
      • Analysis of unseen non-literary passages
      • Responding to a guiding question
    • Paper 2: Comparative Essay
      • Comparing two studied literary works
      • Responding to general questions
    • Individual Oral (IO)
      • Global issue and extract selection
      • Linking a literary and non-literary text
    • Higher Level Essay (HL only)

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (English A: Lang & Lit) flashcards — 51 questions with answers

  1. In IB English A: Language and Literature, what are the three 'areas of exploration' that structure the entire course?

    1) Readers, Writers and Texts; 2) Time and Space; 3) Intertextuality: Connecting Texts.

  2. What is the central focus of the 'Readers, Writers and Texts' area of exploration?

    The nature of language and literature, the relationship between texts and their readers, and how meaning is constructed, negotiated, and expressed through close attention to language and form.

  3. What is the central focus of the 'Time and Space' area of exploration?

    How texts are products of their context (historical, cultural, social) and how that context shapes and is shaped by their production and reception across different times and places.

  4. What is the central focus of the 'Intertextuality: Connecting Texts' area of exploration?

    The connections, similarities, and differences between texts—how texts relate to one another and to literary/cultural conventions, traditions, and movements.

  5. What is a 'text' as defined in IB English A: Language and Literature?

    Anything from which meaning can be communicated and constructed—including written, spoken, visual, and multimodal forms—not limited to traditional literary works.

  6. In Lang & Lit, what is the difference between a 'literary text' and a 'non-literary text'?

    Literary texts are works of literature (e.g. novels, poems, plays, prose fiction/non-fiction studied as literature); non-literary texts are body texts such as advertisements, speeches, blogs, cartoons, infographics, and articles studied for their use of language and meaning.

  7. How many literary works must Standard Level (SL) students study, and how many at Higher Level (HL)?

    SL students study 4 literary works; HL students study 6 literary works.

  8. How many distinct 'bodies of work' of non-literary texts must students study in Lang & Lit?

    A minimum of two non-literary bodies of work (e.g. two different authors, sources, or types of non-literary text).

  9. What is a 'body of work' in the context of non-literary texts?

    A collection of non-literary texts by the same author/source or of the same type, studied together so students can identify recurring features, style, and purpose.

  10. What are the three required selection criteria for the literary works studied (place, time, form)?

    Works must represent a range of literary forms, periods (time), and places/origins—including works in translation, and works originally written in the language studied.

  11. How many of the literary works must be studied in translation at SL and HL?

    SL: at least 1 work in translation; HL: at least 2 works in translation.

  12. How many literary works must be originally written in the language studied (English)?

    At least 1 work (SL) / 2 works (HL) must be originally written in English; the remainder offers free choice across the prescribed lists.

  13. What are the four main literary forms recognized in the IB Language and Literature course?

    Prose: fiction (e.g. novel, short story); prose: non-fiction (e.g. essay, memoir, biography); poetry; and drama.

  14. What is the PSCL/analysis question a reader asks under 'Readers, Writers and Texts'?

    How and why is language used to create meaning, and how do choices of form, structure, style, and technique shape the reader's response?

  15. Define 'translated works and world texts' as used in the course.

    Literary works originally written in a language other than English, studied in English translation, which broaden students' exposure to diverse cultures and world literature.

  16. Why does the IB require the study of works in translation?

    To expose students to perspectives, cultures, and literary traditions beyond their own language, fostering international-mindedness and intercultural understanding.

  17. What is 'intertextuality'?

    The shaping of a text's meaning by other texts—through allusion, quotation, parody, genre conventions, influence, or response—so that texts are understood in relation to one another.

  18. Name three common forms intertextuality can take.

    Allusion (reference to another text), pastiche/parody (imitation), and adaptation/appropriation (reworking a text in a new form or context). Other forms include quotation and genre conventions.

  19. What does 'context of production' mean for a text?

    The circumstances under which a text was created—the author's time, place, culture, biography, and the social/historical conditions that influenced its writing.

  20. What does 'context of reception' mean for a text?

    The circumstances in which a text is read and interpreted—the reader's time, place, culture, and assumptions—which can change a text's meaning across audiences and eras.

Show the other 31 Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (English A: Lang & Lit) flashcards

  1. How is meaning understood to be created in this course (writer, text, reader)?

    Meaning is constructed through the interaction of writer's intention, the text's language/form, and the reader's interpretation—it is negotiated rather than fixed solely by the author.

  2. Define 'identity, culture, and creativity' as a thematic concern in Lang & Lit.

    How texts construct, reflect, and challenge personal and cultural identity, and how creativity expresses individual and collective experience and values.

  3. Define 'transformation and representation' as concerns in textual study.

    Representation is how reality, people, and ideas are constructed (not neutrally mirrored) through language and form; transformation is how texts can be reshaped into new forms, contexts, or meanings.

  4. What does 'perspective' refer to when analyzing a text's communication?

    The point of view, stance, attitude, or ideological position from which a text is constructed, which shapes what is included, emphasized, or omitted.

  5. List the seven key 'concepts' that underpin the Lang & Lit course.

    Identity, Culture, Creativity, Communication, Perspective, Transformation, and Representation.

  6. What is 'Paper 1' in IB English A: Language and Literature?

    Guided Textual Analysis: an unseen externally-assessed exam where students analyze previously unseen non-literary text(s) guided by a question.

  7. How many texts appear on Paper 1 at SL versus HL, and how many must be analyzed?

    Both SL and HL receive two unseen non-literary texts. SL writes ONE analysis (choice of one text); HL writes TWO analyses (one on each text).

  8. What is the duration of Paper 1 at SL and HL?

    SL: 1 hour 15 minutes; HL: 2 hours 15 minutes.

  9. What accompanies each Paper 1 text to direct the analysis?

    A guiding question that focuses the student's analysis on a particular technical or formal aspect of the text.

  10. What is 'Paper 2' in IB English A: Language and Literature?

    The Comparative Essay: an externally-assessed exam where students compare and contrast two literary works studied, in response to one of four general questions.

  11. How many questions are offered on Paper 2 and how many must be answered?

    Four general questions are offered; students choose and answer ONE, comparing two of the literary works they have studied.

  12. What is the duration of Paper 2 for both SL and HL?

    1 hour 45 minutes (the same for SL and HL).

  13. On Paper 2, may students use the same works they used for the Individual Oral or HL Essay?

    No—works used for the IO and HL Essay cannot be reused for Paper 2; each assessment must use different works to avoid overlap.

  14. What is the 'Individual Oral' (IO) in Lang & Lit?

    An internally-assessed oral in which the student explores a global issue through ONE literary work and ONE non-literary body of work they have studied.

  15. State the exact prompt/format of the Individual Oral.

    "Examine the ways in which the global issue of your choice is presented through the content and form of one of the literary works and one of the non-literary texts you have studied."

  16. How long is the Individual Oral, including its components?

    15 minutes total: 10 minutes of student presentation followed by up to 5 minutes of teacher questions.

  17. What is a 'global issue' as required for the Individual Oral?

    A topic of wide/transnational significance, explored in a specific way through the texts. It must have wide scope, be transnational, and have everyday/local relevance.

  18. What are the five suggested 'fields of inquiry' for choosing a global issue in the IO?

    1) Culture, identity and community; 2) Beliefs, values and education; 3) Politics, power and justice; 4) Art, creativity and the imagination; 5) Science, technology and the environment.

  19. What may the student bring to the Individual Oral?

    Two extracts—one from the literary work and one from the non-literary body of work—each no more than 40 lines, plus brief outline/bullet-point notes (max 10 points).

  20. What is the 'HL Essay' and who must complete it?

    A formal, externally-assessed written essay of 1,200–1,500 words, required only for Higher Level students, exploring a line of inquiry about one literary or one non-literary text studied.

  21. What is the word count limit for the HL Essay?

    1,200 to 1,500 words.

  22. On what may the HL Essay be based—literary or non-literary text?

    Either ONE literary work OR ONE non-literary body of work studied in the course; the student develops a focused line of inquiry of their own choosing.

  23. List the assessment components and weightings for SL Lang & Lit.

    Paper 1 (Guided Analysis) 35%, Paper 2 (Comparative Essay) 35%, Individual Oral 30%.

  24. List the assessment components and weightings for HL Lang & Lit.

    Paper 1 25%, Paper 2 25%, Individual Oral 20%, HL Essay 20%.

  25. Which Lang & Lit assessments are externally assessed and which is internally assessed?

    Externally assessed: Paper 1, Paper 2, and the HL Essay. Internally assessed (by the teacher, moderated by IB): the Individual Oral.

  26. What is a 'guiding question' meant to do in Paper 1, and must students restrict themselves to it?

    It directs attention to a key technical/stylistic feature to anchor analysis; students should address it but may also discuss other relevant features—they are not strictly limited to it.

  27. What does the analytical term 'tone' refer to in textual analysis?

    The writer's or speaker's attitude toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice, syntax, and style (e.g. ironic, somber, celebratory).

  28. Distinguish 'denotation' from 'connotation' in analyzing language.

    Denotation is the literal, dictionary meaning of a word; connotation is the associated emotional, cultural, or implied meanings it carries.

  29. What is the difference between 'comparison' and 'contrast' required in a Paper 2 essay?

    Comparison identifies similarities between the two works; contrast identifies differences. A strong Paper 2 integrates both, not treating works in isolation.

  30. What is meant by the 'form' of a non-literary text (text type conventions)?

    The conventions and features specific to a text type—e.g. an advertisement's slogan and imagery, a speech's rhetoric and address, an infographic's layout—that shape its purpose and audience effect.

  31. Why is 'audience and purpose' a core consideration for non-literary texts?

    Non-literary texts are crafted to achieve specific purposes (persuade, inform, entertain) for particular audiences, and their language/form choices are best understood in relation to that intended effect.

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (English A: Lang & Lit) FAQ

What is in the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (English A: Lang & Lit) syllabus?

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (English A: Lang & Lit) is split into 4 chapters: Areas of Exploration, Literary and Non-Literary Text Types, Conceptual Understandings and Assessment Components. Together they contain 13 topics and 19 sub-topics.

How many chapters are in International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (English A: Lang & Lit)?

4 chapters, containing 13 topics and 19 sub-topics. The largest chapter is Assessment Components, with 4 topics.

Are there flashcards for International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (English A: Lang & Lit)?

Yes — a 51-card Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (English A: Lang & Lit) deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.