IB English A Language and Literature (SL and HL)

Course Overview
Ms. Zarzycka
azarzycka@isb.rs

Introduction: Welcome to IB DP English!

IB DP Language and Literature involves the study of fiction texts of varying genres (6 for HL and 4 for SL), as
well as many other texts; it covers not only the classic analysis of literature and “literary” texts, but also
examines a wide variety of non-fiction and visual texts from a range of sources.

Students will focus closely on the language of the texts they study, and become aware of the role of each
text’s wider context in shaping its meaning. This is an inquiry based course, and students will be
encouraged to question the meaning generated by language and texts, which can be argued, and are rarely
straightforward and unambiguous.

Course Aims:
The aims of Group 1 courses are to:

1. introduce students to a range of texts from different periods, styles and genres
2. develop in students the ability to engage in close, detailed analysis of individual texts and make
relevant connections
3. develop the students’ powers of expression, both in oral and written communication
4. encourage students to recognize the importance of the contexts in which texts are written and
received
5. encourage, through the study of texts, an appreciation of the different perspectives of people from
other cultures, and how these perspectives construct meaning
6. encourage students to appreciate the formal, stylistic and aesthetic qualities of texts
7. promote in students an enjoyment of, and lifelong interest in, language and literature.

In addition, the aims of the language A: language and literature course at SL and at HL are to:

8. develop in students an understanding of how language, culture and context determine the ways in
which meaning is constructed in texts
9. encourage students to think critically about the different interactions between text, audience and
purpose.

Objectives
There are four assessment objectives at SL and at HL for the language A: language and literature course.

1. Knowledge and understanding

– Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of texts
– Demonstrate an understanding of the use of language, structure, technique and style
– Demonstrate a critical understanding of the various ways in which the reader constructs
meaning and of how context influences this constructed meaning
– Demonstrate an understanding of how different perspectives influence the reading of a text

2. Application and analysis

– Demonstrate an ability to choose a text type appropriate to the purpose required
– Demonstrate an ability to use terminology relevant to the various text types studied
– Demonstrate an ability to analyze the effects of language, structure, technique and style on the
reader
– Demonstrate an awareness of the ways in which the production and reception of texts contribute
 to their meanings
– Demonstrate an ability to substantiate and justify ideas with relevant examples

3. Synthesis and evaluation

– Demonstrate an ability to compare and contrast the formal elements, content and context of texts
– Discuss the different ways in which language and image may be used in a range of texts
– Demonstrate an ability to evaluate conflicting viewpoints within and about a text
– At HL only: Produce a critical response evaluating some aspects of text, context and meaning

4. Selection and use of appropriate presentation and language skills

– Demonstrate an ability to express ideas clearly and with fluency in both written and oral
communication
– Demonstrate an ability to use the oral and written forms of the language, in a range of styles,
registers and situations
– Demonstrate an ability to discuss and analyze texts in a focused and logical manner
– At HL only: Demonstrate an ability to write a balanced, comparative analysis

Course Content:
The four parts to the course develop different skills. The IB has named these parts of the course, but they are
NOT done in order. In grade 11, we will focus on Parts 2 & 4, and in grade 12, we will focus on parts 1 & 3.
Each part of the course has related assessment tasks, which are outlined in more detail following the table,
below.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Title Language in Language and Literature: texts & Literature: critical

cultural context mass contexts study
communication

Focus Language & The media, Understanding Appreciating

culture, identity, journalism, literary texts through language and how
community, power, propaganda, various contexts literary and
and gender. rhetoric, (historical, social, stylistic devices
advertising political, etc.). are used to
Text & image techniques, bias, convey meaning.
analysis, close sensationalism Approaches to
reading skills literature and
traditions of literary
criticism.

Texts Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Things Fall Apart by Selected Poetry of

non-fiction texts non-fiction texts Chinua Achebe Langston Hughes
based on 3-5 based on 3-5
topics topics A Doll’s House by The Great Gatsby by
Henrik Ibsen F. Scott Fitzgerald

Chronicle of a Death
Foretold by Gabriel The Things They
Garcia Marquez OR Carried by Tim
Alternate Text (TBD) O’Brien (HL only)
(HL only)

Assessment Written Task Written Task Written Task Written Task

s Further oral Further Oral
Activities Activities Paper 2: Exam Individual Oral
Commentary
Paper 1: Exam Paper 1: Exam
Assessment Overview

IBDP Candidates:

External Assessment 70%

Paper 1: Exam Textual Analysis (SL students choose one out of two texts to analyze. HL Students write a
comparative analysis)    (25%)

Paper 2: Exam Essay (SL & HL students write an essay in response to one of 6 questions based on the 2 -
or all 3 at HL - literary texts studied in part 3)          (25%)

Written Tasks: Completed over the course of two years (SL students produce 3 written tasks based on
material studied in the course and submit one of these for external assessment. HL students produce 4 and
submit two) (20%)

Internal Assessment 30%

Individual Oral Commentary – IOC - (Students comment on an extract from a literary text studied in part 4 of
the course)                 (15%)

Further Oral Activities (Students complete two further oral activities – group presentations - one based on
part 1 and one based on part 2 of the course. The mark of one further activity is submitted for final
assessment.       (15%)

ISB English:
Your grade is based on the IB scale of 1 to 7 (3/7 SL and 4/7 HL is a passing grade). All in-class
assessments, tests and semester exams will be taken into consideration in calculating your final
quarter/semester grades. Please see the percentage indicated below.

ISB Grading Policy

Year 1 DP and non DP – Final Semester 1 and 2 grades:
40% - Quarter 1
40% - Quarter 2
20% - semester exam

Year 2 DP and non DP: Semester 1 grades:

40% - Quarter 1
40% - Quarter 2
20% - semester exam

Year 2 DP - Semester 2 grades: Year 2 non DP ISB – Semester 2 grades

20% - Mock Exam (March/April) 80% Quarter 3
80% - Quarter 3 20% semester exam (May)
Classroom Details and Expectations

Class Assignments / Tests / Semester Exams

 Over the course of the next two years, you will be given the opportunity to practice the necessary
skills to do well on the final assessments/exams for this course. Your assignments will include:
o Participation in class discussions and activities
o Written responses to various texts
o Unit tests and quizzes
o Formal presentations

 All class work will be assessed using the published IBDP criteria that best matches the assignment.

 You will receive quarterly/semester grades based on your completion of these

assignments/tests and semester exams

Late assignments will not be accepted for consideration of your quarter/semester grades; all missing work
will be given a zero in the ISB grade book. The required IBDP IAs (internal assessments) may be accepted
late, but will not be considered when calculating the ISB report card grades.

Please note that completing assignments in a timely manner ensures that you are practicing the skills and
receiving the feedback you need to do well on your final assessments and exams. Time management and
responsibility are critical to your success in this course.

If you are absent you need to make sure you find out what you have missed (check on the class website,
review the assignment sheet, and/or check with a reliable classmate). DO NOT WAIT until the next time we
meet to figure out what you are missing. Missing work due to absences must be made up in a timely
manner; this timetable must be discussed and then established with me.
 

Come prepared to class: Be on time with the related materials, ready to participate and learn.

 Take your studies seriously and treat all homework assignments as an opportunity to learn. Engage
in class discussions and activities in a positive and meaningful way.
 Be proactive about your learning: Approach me for additional help outside of class – I will be happy
to meet with you individually to help you succeed in this course.

Academic honesty:

Have in mind that plagiarism will lead to serious consequences, including the possibility of being unable to
participate in the IB Diploma Program. Work sent to the IB that is not properly cited or plagiarized in any part
with work or ideas that are not your own will result in a 0 and failure in the IB Diploma Program.

Distinguish between correct paraphrasing, direct quotation, and citation formats. Please consult the proper
citation and note-taking resources on our class website or ask if you are unsure about how and when to cite.
ALL formal assessment tasks MUST include citations and a Works Cited page.

For more information, please see the ISB Assessment and Academic honesty policy document.

Feel free to contact me at any time with any questions or concerns at: azarzycka@isb.rs

Our class website can be found at: http://mszenglishclasses.weebly.com/