The written assignment is based on one work in translation studied in part 1 of the IB course syllabus. For us, that means Medea, Blood Wedding, or Ghosts. Students produce an analytical, literary essay (1,200-1,500 words) plus a reflective statement (300-400 words) undertaken during the course and externally assessed by the IB.
The process This foundation for this assignment has been completed already. Now we have reached the last part of the process, which is choosing a work, developing a topic and writing an essay of 1,200-1,500 words on (a) literary aspect(s) of the work.
The essay topic is one that you generate and develop from one of the supervised writing assignments done in class. I will work with you to develop that idea, and I will conference with you during the writing process. Then, I will give you feedback on the outline if requested.
After the outline draft, you are on your own to revise prior to submitting it to the IB for external assessment (next year). In the words of the IB, “After the receiving feedback on the first draft, the student must complete the written assignment without further assistance.” The final draft of the written assignment (the essay plus reflective statement) is assessed and weighted 25% of your overall score for the IB Language A1 HL certificate.
Additional details:
•Work submitted: Literary essay 1,200–1,500 words (assessed) on ONE work from part 1, plus relevant reflective statement 300–400 words (assessed)
•If the word limit is exceeded, the assessment of the reflective statement will be based on the first 400 words and the assessment of the essay on the first 1,500 words.
•Your topic must be based on one of your pieces of supervised writing. There must be an apparent connection between the supervised writing and the final essay, although you provide your own title and develop the chosen prompt in an independent direction.
•A combined mark out of 25 is to be awarded for the reflective statement and the literary essay, based on five assessment criteria (A-E) (see rubric for Written Assignment)
Below are examples of prompts for the supervised writing, showing how that prompt could be applied to a specific work and developed into a suitable essay title:
Prompt Which minor character plays the most significant role? Work A Doll’s House by Henrik IbsenEssay title Mrs Linde as role model in A Doll’s House.
Prompt Do you think there are some characters in the work whose chief role is to convey cultural values? Work Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez Essay title The Vicario brothers as champions of honour.
Prompt Identify one or more symbol, motif or strand of imagery. What role do they play in the work? Work Dr Zhivago by Boris PasternakEssay title The contrasting roles of ice and snow in Dr Zhivago.
The titles demonstrate the degree of focus for this assignment. Your title should closely relate to your thesis, which could be your title stated as a complete sentence. Topics must be individual; no two students should have the same title, thesis, or focus to the degree possible.
