IB Higher Level Essay (HLE) Overview—20% of English IB HL assessment score

IB Higher Level Essay (HLE) Overview—20% of English IB HL assessment score

Slides with directions and A LOT of resources (Links to an external site.)

Definition of the Written Assignment: The Higher Level Essay (HLE) is based on a 1200-1500-word formal essay which develops a particular line of inquiry of the student’s own choice in connection with a non-literary text, a collection of non-literary texts by one, same author, or a literary text or work studied during the course. It assesses the student’s ability to develop as an independent, critical, and creative reader, thinker, and writer of a literary or language topic over an extended period of time. The HLE requires students to construct a focused, analytical argument examining the work from a literary or linguistic perspective. It also requires the student to adhere to the formal framework of an academic essay, using a recognized format of citations and references. (“IB Language A: Language and Literature Guide, First Assessment 2021” 42-3).

The task: The HLE is “based on the exploration the student has carried out in the learner portfolio. During this exploration process, the student will have investigated a number of works and texts from a variety of different perspectives” (43). The student must decide:

Which text or texts (by the same author) to focus on for further investigation and which topic to write about.
Which of the course’s seven concepts will be consulted in the choosing of the topic.
Any text, texts, or literary work studied in class may be selected with exception of the texts used for the internal assessment

HLE Process:

Read and annotate the attached rubric. On the back is the IB rubric that is used to externally score the essay. Highlight what key words in the rubric are important to earning points for each criteria on that rubric.

Stage 1: Selection of text: -2nd Semester Junior Year (see works selected form for assistance*)

Stage 2: Reflective journal entries: Think about the works from this year

Stage 3: Research and narrowing of topic:

Stages 4: Collect evidence and submit a “Proposal Form” with Topic Outline:

Submit a paper proposal with thesis and an outline of one body paragraph than conference with your teacher. Proposal and outline must be approved before continuing.

Stage 5: Draft, revise and edit essay: April-early May Begin drafting your essay. Use the handouts/guides you receive on literary, rhetorical techniques, composition of introductions and thesis statements, body paragraphs, MLA format, etc. Your HLE full draft will contain:

Proposal and Topic Outline from Stage 4.
Outline for Essay- Hard copy brought to class May 13th/14th
Rough Draft – Hard copy brought to class on May 16th/17th
Essay: Must be 1200-1500 words (higher marking papers are usually over 1350 words—heading, Title, and Works Cited page are NOT included). Paper must contain: A Working Title, correct MLA internal citations and format, a works cited page (on separate page), and the accurate word count at the end.
HLE submitted to best of abilities for Junior year final.