IB EnglisH Language & Literature
Words of wisdom
Contributors: Pallas Yiu, Alison Leung, Alisha Pradhan, and Louis Hardy
What do you wish someone told you before you chose English Lang. & Lit.?
"Alisha: Small class sizes + Discussing your own POV on texts = Hilarious inside jokes and fun bonding time with your class
Alison: I second the inside jokes.
Louis: I third the inside jokes."
"English Lang. & Lit. is different from English Lit. because it focuses on the practical applications of the English language in real life, and how the use of English can be applied to things like the media to influence readers and promote certain beliefs." - Louis
"Also it's very clear that one part of it is language and creative writing while the other part is pure analysis. It's not integrated in the way one might expect. So for us, it most of term 1/3 of year 12 was focused on language, media etc., while the rest of the course was focused on the IOC and Paper 2 texts. You could have a comic strip to analyse in your exams, so you need to know lots of techniques related to innumerable different text types!" - Alisha
"Alisha: Small class sizes + Discussing your own POV on texts = Hilarious inside jokes and fun bonding time with your class
Alison: I second the inside jokes.
Louis: I third the inside jokes."
"English Lang. & Lit. is different from English Lit. because it focuses on the practical applications of the English language in real life, and how the use of English can be applied to things like the media to influence readers and promote certain beliefs." - Louis
"Also it's very clear that one part of it is language and creative writing while the other part is pure analysis. It's not integrated in the way one might expect. So for us, it most of term 1/3 of year 12 was focused on language, media etc., while the rest of the course was focused on the IOC and Paper 2 texts. You could have a comic strip to analyse in your exams, so you need to know lots of techniques related to innumerable different text types!" - Alisha
What tips do you have for acing the exam?
“Be smart. #1 exam technique." - Louis
"I like to make documents for each paper with the notes specific for the format of getting marks. So for Paper 1, I have a list of good connectives and literary devices to put in to make the essay flow better. Then I also learn the format of my comparative essay, so introduction, then themes, writer’s craft, characterization and so forth just to help me keep my structure on point." - Alison
Any general advice for students?
“You become the author. The author is you." - Alisha
"Really, for just having a massive focus on cultural context is so important. Make sure you understand all different perspectives. You can have your own opinion, but back it up, and try not to demolish other people’s views. Be open to different interpretations!" - Alisha
"Be open about your own beliefs. Your teacher will often take a neutral stance on matters and won't lead you toward anything. You can make your own conclusions about a text and its meaning, but they have to be explained properly. Interesting discussion is good because interpreting something differently can change the meaning of the whole text, but your interpretation still has to be valid, and that requires evidence." - Louis
“Don’t generalise! Try stick to the basics first before trying to become the next Dickens in your analysis." - Alison
"IB is widely different from iGCSE and KS3. It feels the same initially but soon you’ll realise that they look for a little bit more sophistication. And you’ll develop that eventually, not only through your writing but also through your thought process and how you approach texts." - Alisha
“Try your best. 90% of students in their first few months screw up a lot, but getting a 4 for your first essay is not indicative at all of your future performance." - Louis
Notes / Resources
"There are 0 resources aside from the typical Shmoop, Sparknotes, and all that jazz." - Alisha
"Honestly, I don't think people doing English Lit. & Lang. should be relying on study guides. English isn't a subject you can cheese with guides." - Louis
"Honestly, I don't think people doing English Lit. & Lang. should be relying on study guides. English isn't a subject you can cheese with guides." - Louis
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