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LITERATURE

(LANGUAGE A1)

INTRODUCTION

An Extended Essay in Literature (registered as Language A1) allows candidates with an opportunity to:

study intensively a topic which is suitable in nature and scope for discussion in this form;
engage in personal critical judgement of literature and compare this, where appropriate, with established critical comment;
develop the ability to put forward their views persuasively and in a well-structured manner, using a register appropriate to the subject.

An Extended Essay in Literature may be offered by non-native speakers of the language. Creative writing is not permissible.

CHOICE OF TOPIC

The essay should be based on either the literature of countries where the language is spoken, or, comparative literature. The topic chosen must be literary in nature and could be a particular aspect, or comparative study, of a work or works, author, period or genre. The choice of literary texts is not restricted to those on the IB book list. The Essay may relate to works studies in class but must in all cases demonstrate wider reading. A "Comparative Literature' essay must compare a work or works originally written in a foreign language with at least one work originally written in English. In choosing the topic candidates must ensure that they will be able to achieve an appropriate balance betwen narrative/descriptive material and analysis.

The following examples are intended as guidance only.

Clergymen in Jane Austen's novels.

A comparison of Brave New World and Nineteen Eighty-Four.

The nature and role of comedy in selected plays by Wole Soyinka.

Comparative Literature

The portrayal of Joan of Arc by playwrites of differing nationality (Shaw, Anouil, Schiller)

A comparison of Gay's The Beggar's Opera and Brecht's The Threepenny Opera.

The following titles illustrate that focused topics (indicated by the first title) should be encouraged rather than broad topics (indicated by the second title).

Religious imagery in Wuthering Heights but not The Brontes.

The problems of racial conflict as shown through the works of James Baldwin but not Racial conflict in the twentieth century.

TREATMENT OF THE TOPIC

The literary aspect of the essay is very important. However, literature essays inevitably contain strong interdisciplinary elements: philosophy, politics or social questions, for example, are often what make an author or work interesting. Candidates who concentrate on a limited number of such elements are more lokely to succeed than those who attempt a wide-sweeping survey.

Primary source material should normally be read in English, with the exception of Comparative Literature essays where one or more of the works may have originally been written in another language. Secondary source material may be witten in another language.

Candidates should not use the essay solely as a vehicle for their own thoughts but, after providing careful analysis of the author's ideas, should present their personal views on the way the author has treated the subject. There should be compromise between building on the wisdom of more experienced critics and introducing new personal elements. The mere reiteration of views of established literary critics will not result in a successful essay.

In writing the essay, student's should bear in mind that narrative/descriptive material should be included only in so far as it is directly relevant to the critical analysis. A precis of the candidates' reading is not sufficient.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

J To what extent does the candidate knowledge and personal appreciation of the literature studied?

Achievement Level

0 The candidate demonstrates no satisfactory knowledge or understanding of the literature studied and/or the essay is based solely on works written in a language other than English

1 The candidate demonstrates some knowledge of the literature studied but does not attempt to express his/her personal views or the candidate expresses personal views only.

2 The candidate demonstrates some knowledge of the literature studied and includes some personal views.

3 The candidate demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge of the literature studied and shows some ability to make independent literary comment on the basis of personal responses and views.

4 The candidate demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of the literature studied and makes assured literary judgements on the basis of justified personal responses and views.
K To what extent does the candidate achieve a balance between exposition and analysis?

Achievement Level

0 The essay is seriously deficient in both descriptive material and critical analysis and/or the essay is based solely on works written in a language other than English.

1 The candidate offers sufficient descriptive material but does not attempt a critical analysis.

2 The candidate offers sufficient descriptive material and occasionally attempts a critical analysis.

3 The candidate achieves a balance between descriptive material and critical analysis.

4 The candidate successfully intergrates descriptive material and critical analysis.
L To what extent does the candidate write persuasively and in a register appropriate to the topic?

Achievement Level

0 The candidate consistently makes an inappropriate choice of register and/or the essay is solely based on works not wriiten in English.

1 The candidate occasionally makes an iappropriate choice of register

2 The candidate is occasionally able to write persuasively, using a register which is appropriate to the topic.

3 The candidate generally writes persuasively, using a register which is appropriate to the topic.

4 The candidate consistently writes in a persuasive manner, using a register which is both effective and entirely appropriate to the topic.
IB Homepage Extended Essay homepage General guidelines General Grading Criteria Subject Grading Criteria

J	To what extent does the candidate knowledge and personal appreciation of the literature studied?
Achievement Level
0	The candidate demonstrates no satisfactory knowledge or understanding of the literature studied and/or the essay is based solely on works written in a language other than English
1	The candidate demonstrates some knowledge of the literature studied but does not attempt to express his/her personal views or the candidate expresses personal views only.
2	The candidate demonstrates some knowledge of the literature studied and includes some personal views.
3	The candidate demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge of the literature studied and shows some ability to make independent literary comment on the basis of personal responses and views.
4	The candidate demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of the literature studied and makes assured literary judgements on the basis of justified personal responses and views.

K	To what extent does the candidate achieve a balance between exposition and analysis?
Achievement Level
0	The essay is seriously deficient in both descriptive material and critical analysis and/or the essay is based solely on works written in a language other than English.
1	The candidate offers sufficient descriptive material but does not attempt a critical analysis.
2	The candidate offers sufficient descriptive material and occasionally attempts a critical analysis.
3	The candidate achieves a balance between descriptive material and critical analysis.
4	The candidate successfully intergrates descriptive material and critical analysis.

L	To what extent does the candidate write persuasively and in a register appropriate to the topic?
Achievement Level
0	The candidate consistently makes an inappropriate choice of register and/or the essay is solely based on works not wriiten in English.
1	The candidate occasionally makes an iappropriate choice of register
2	The candidate is occasionally able to write persuasively, using a register which is appropriate to the topic.
3	The candidate generally writes persuasively, using a register which is appropriate to the topic.
4	The candidate consistently writes in a persuasive manner, using a register which is both effective and entirely appropriate to the topic.