IB English Literature Internal Assessment: Best Tips For Success (2025)

The Individual Oral (IO) is a crucial component of the International Baccalaureate (IB) English A: Literature course in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). It is designed to evaluate a student's analytical and interpretative skills through a focused oral presentation. Excelling in this assessment requires strategic preparation and a deep understanding of the expectations. This guide offers comprehensive insights and actionable tips including how to seek out IB tutoring to help you succeed in your IB English Literature IA.​

IB English Literature IA Individual Oral

The IB English Literature IA, known as the Individual Oral (IO), is an internally assessed component that contributes 30% to your overall mark if you're an SL student and 20% if you're an HL student.

The assessment is a 15-minute oral examination divided into two parts:

• Presentation (10 minutes): Students deliver a structured analysis connecting two literary works, one written in its original language and the other translated, to a selected global issue.​
• Discussion (5 minutes):The teacher engages the student with questions pertaining to the presentation, further exploring the analysis and interpretations presented. The questions asked by the teacher will follow your analysis, so keep two or three strong points in your pocket for the Q&A. Here are some examples:
  • Which fictional character did you find most intriguing and why? How did the writer construct the character this way, and with which language features?
  • Did you observe any contrivances in the work that were in some way distracting?
  • How powerfully—or not—would you say the setting or context affected the work?

Choosing Texts and Global Issues for Your IB English Literature IA

Selecting the right texts and global issue is foundational to a successful IA. Here's how to approach this critical step:​

Selecting Texts

1. Relevance: Ensure both texts offer substantial material related to the chosen global issue.​
2. Complexity: Opt for texts with rich themes and stylistic elements to allow in-depth analysis.​
3. Interest: Choose texts that genuinely engage you, as enthusiasm can enhance your presentation.​

Example: A student might present on Shakespeare’s Othello (Act 1, Scene 1). They might emphasise the dramatic structure of the scene (with Brabantio above Iago and Roderigo), or Iago’s manipulative language.

Identifying a Global Issue

A global issue should be significant, transnational, and observable in daily life. Consider the following themes:​

• Culture, Identity, and Community: Exploring migration or gender bias​
• Beliefs, Values, and Education: Examining ethical dilemmas or cultural conflicts​
• Politics, Power, and Justice: Analyzing human rights or social justice​
• Art, Creativity, and Imagination: Investigating censorship in literature​
• Science, Technology, and the Environment: Discussing climate change narratives​

Choosing a specific and focused issue within these themes allows for a nuanced analysis. It’s best for this student to outline the context of their extract or poem first, and then focus secondly on around three distinct themes. Try to include elements from different parts of the text in your analysis – don’t just move chronologically, to show extra knowledge!

Structuring Your IB English Literature IA IO

A well-structured presentation ensures clarity and coherence. Follow this framework:​

Introduction (1 minute):

• Introduce the global issue and its relevance​
• Present the selected texts​
• State your thesis or main argument​

Body (8 minutes):

• Text 1 Analysis (4 minutes):
  • Discuss how the global issue is portrayed
  • Examine content, themes, and stylistic features
• Text 2 Analysis (4 minutes):
  • Analyze the presentation of the global issue
  • Focus on content, themes, and stylistic elements

Conclusion (1 minute):

• Summarize key findings​
• Reflect on the significance of the global issue in both texts​

This structure ensures a balanced and comprehensive analysis.​

Have a look at our comprehensive set of IB Study Notes and IB Practice Questions, developed by expert IB teachers and examiners!

IB English Literature HL Essay

For Higher Level (HL) students, you are also required to write a formal essay of 1,200–1,500 words on one of the works studied during the course. The essay must be based on a literary work studied in the course, excluding texts used for the Individual Oral assessment or Paper 2. According to the official subject brief, it is worth 20% of your overall grading.

What should you write about?

Here are some ideas:

• Explore the inversion of social constructs in Primo Levi's "If This Is a Man";
• Analyse masculinity and strength in Yukio Mishima's "The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea";
• Investigate alienated masculinity in Katherine Mansfield's "The Garden Party and Other Stories."

Assessment Criteria for the IB English Literature HL Essay

The HL Essay is marked based on four key criteria, each contributing to the overall score:

1. Knowledge, Understanding, and Interpretation (Criterion A)

• Demonstrates a deep understanding of the chosen literary work.
• The interpretations should be well-supported by textual evidence.
• A strong, coherent focus on the selected topic is required.

2. Analysis and Evaluation (Criterion B)

• Shows insightful analysis of how literary elements contribute to meaning.
• Evaluates the effects of literary techniques and structures.
• Goes beyond surface-level interpretation to present a nuanced discussion.

3. Coherence, Focus, and Organization (Criterion C)

• Maintains a logical and well-structured argument throughout the essay.
• Each paragraph builds upon the previous one, ensuring clarity.
• The introduction and conclusion effectively frame the discussion.

4. Language (Criterion D)

• Uses precise, academic language appropriate for literary analysis.
• Demonstrates accuracy in grammar, sentence structure, and terminology.
• Employs a formal and engaging writing style.

How to Succeed in the IB English Literature HL Essay

To achieve a high score, follow these key steps:

1. Choosing a Strong Research Question

• Select a text that genuinely interests you and has sufficient depth for analysis.
• Your essay must focus on a literary aspect, such as theme, character development, symbolism, or narrative style.
• Ensure your research question is clear, precise, and analytical.

2. Planning and Research

• Read the text thoroughly, taking notes on relevant passages.
• Gather multiple textual examples to support your thesis.
• Consider critical perspectives or secondary sources (if allowed).

3. Structuring Your Essay

• Introduction (150-200 words): Introduce your text, research question, and thesis statement.
• Body Paragraphs (1000-1100 words): Each paragraph should explore a specific point, providing textual evidence and analysis.
• Conclusion (150-200 words): Summarise your key arguments and reflect on their significance.

4. Drafting and Revising

• Write a first draft without focusing too much on perfection.
• Seek feedback from teachers or peers to refine your analysis.
• Edit for clarity, coherence, and conciseness before submitting the final version.

IB English Literature IA Options

The final part of your IB English Literature IA focuses on three works, freely chosen from the Prescribed List of Authors, regardless of genre. It’s assessed through a 10-to-15-minute oral presentation and constitutes 15% to your overall mark. These are common topics students choose to write about:

• Cultural context
• Thematic focus
• Characterisation and construction
• Literary techniques and style

Let’s look at another imaginary student. They chose F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, focussing on the motif of the green light across the bay.

This assignment is worth 30 marks and uses a marking scheme very similar to Part 1 of the English Literature IA (Works in Translation) – although criteria C (Appreciation of the Writer’s Choices) and D (Organisation and Development) are replaced by a 10-mark Presentation criterion.

This Presentation category measures how effective you are in conveying your presentation’s message. For a higher mark, use a range of presentational devices: gestures, tonal shifts, posters, dramatic monologues, artwork or music – if appropriate!

Final Thoughts

After reading this article, you should now be on your way to success in your IB English Literature IA. One of those coveted 7s should now be within your reach! Remember – although helpful guides and articles can give you tips and tricks, only your own hard work and passion for English Literature hold the key to acing your English Literature IA. So, go on and get reading!

If you’re looking to score a 7 in your IB English IA exams, then working with an online tutor can be the best way to fast-track your success. At TutorChase, all of our IB English IA Tutors have years of experience, having also achieved a 7 in their own exams. Reach out to our team today and we’ll find the perfect tutor for you.