Introduction to IB English Curriculum
The International Baccalaureate (IB) English A: Language and Literature course challenges students to explore how language shapes meaning, identity, and social reality. A key component of the assessment is the Individual Oral (IO)—a spoken analysis that tests how well students can link a global issue to both a literary work and a non-literary text.
To support this analysis, the IB introduces five Fields of Inquiry. These fields act as thematic umbrellas under which students develop their global issues and connect them to their chosen texts. Mastery of these fields is critical for success in both the IO and the overall course.
What Are the Fields of Inquiry?
The five fields of inquiry in IB English serve as conceptual frameworks for exploring how texts address pressing societal and human concerns. Students must choose one field to anchor their global issue, which becomes the basis for comparing a literary and a non-literary text in the IO.
The 5 IB Fields of Inquiry Are:
- Culture, Identity & Community
- Beliefs, Values & Education
- Politics, Power & Justice
- Arts, Creativity & Imagination
- Science, Technology & the Environment
These fields help students create meaningful, interdisciplinary connections and develop thoughtful interpretations.
Field 1 – Culture, Identity & Community
This field explores how texts shape and reflect cultural and personal identity. Topics often include nationalism, marginalization, family, gender roles, and community belonging.
Key Global Issues:
- Cultural assimilation
- Gender identity
- Immigration and heritage
- Race and representation
Text Example:
In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah, the theme of identity in diaspora and cultural tension in a foreign community provides rich analysis opportunities.
Non-literary Example:
A magazine spread or documentary on bicultural identity or minority voices in the media.
Field 2 – Beliefs, Values & Education
This field looks at how values and belief systems—religious, ethical, social—are expressed or challenged in texts. It also includes how knowledge and education shape worldviews.
Key Global Issues:
- Censorship in education
- Moral conflict in society
- Religious representation in media
- Cultural indoctrination
Text Example:
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi shows how belief systems impact education and identity during the Iranian Revolution.
Non-literary Example:
Editorial cartoons or news articles about ideological clashes in educational content.
Field 3 – Politics, Power & Justice
This field investigates how power structures are presented and questioned in texts. It includes themes of authority, oppression, propaganda, and legal or political injustice.
Key Global Issues:
- Freedom of speech
- Government surveillance
- Racial injustice and legal systems
- Feminist resistance
Text Example:
George Orwell’s 1984 explores state surveillance, censorship, and the manipulation of truth.
Non-literary Example:
A political speech or advertisement using language to exert authority or sway public opinion.
Field 4 – Arts, Creativity & Imagination
This field explores how artistic expression contributes to understanding and commenting on the human condition. It includes how imagination, aesthetics, and creative media reflect and reshape cultural narratives.
Key Global Issues:
- Censorship of art
- Role of satire in political critique
- Cultural preservation through art
- Representation in film and media
Text Example:
The Handmaid’s Tale uses speculative fiction as a tool for social critique.
Non-literary Example:
A protest poster, graffiti art, or short film addressing societal issues through symbolism and creativity.
Field 5 – Science, Technology & the Environment
This field examines the ethical and social implications of scientific innovation, digital media, and environmental concerns. Texts may address humanity’s impact on nature or how technology influences identity.
Key Global Issues:
- Climate change communication
- Ethics of AI and surveillance
- Social media and self-perception
- Eco-activism
Text Example:
Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake addresses biotechnology and environmental collapse.
Non-literary Example:
A news article or advertisement discussing environmental sustainability or the digital divide.
How the Fields of Inquiry Support IB Assessments
The Individual Oral (IO) requires students to:
- Choose one global issue within one of the five fields.
- Select one literary text and one non-literary text.
- Analyze how both texts reflect, explore, or challenge that issue.
- Deliver a 10-minute oral presentation, followed by 5 minutes of teacher-led discussion.
The field of inquiry ensures that the global issue is framed in a way that promotes in-depth analysis and aligns with the IB’s emphasis on global understanding.
Practical Examples from Literature and Non-Literary Texts
- Culture, Identity & Community
- Literary Example: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
- Non-Literary Text: Photo essay on immigrant communities
- Beliefs, Values & Education
- Literary Example: The Crucible by Arthur Miller
- Non-Literary Text: Religious campaign advertisement
- Politics, Power & Justice
- Literary Example: Animal Farm by George Orwell
- Non-Literary Text: Political cartoons or protest posters
- Arts, Creativity & Imagination
- Literary Example: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- Non-Literary Text: Visual art representing oppression
- Science, Technology & Environment
- Literary Example: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
- Non-Literary Text: Climate change news article or infographic
Study Strategies for Mastering the Fields
- Understand Each Field Deeply: Read about each theme and collect sample global issues.
- Build a Text Bank: Annotate both literary and non-literary texts with field-specific questions.
- Practice Comparative Analysis: Focus on how techniques are used differently across genres.
- Work Backwards from Global Issues: Choose an issue first, then find appropriate texts that reflect it.
- Use IB Markbands: Align your analysis with the IB assessment criteria for the IO.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Do I need to use the fields of inquiry for other assessments?
A: No, the fields are primarily used for the Individual Oral, not for Paper 1 or 2.
Q2: Can one text belong to multiple fields?
A: Yes, but for the IO, you must clearly choose one field and stick to it in your analysis.
Q3: How do I pick the best field of inquiry?
A: Choose a field that aligns with the global issue you're most passionate about or that your texts naturally explore.
Q4: Are the fields of inquiry part of the HL Essay?
A: Not directly. The HL Essay has a different framework based on literary concepts.
Q5: Can I use the same field for multiple IOs in class?
A: While your final IO is what counts, it’s fine to experiment with different fields during practice or class activities.
Q6: Is it okay if my field overlaps with another during analysis?
A: It’s fine if themes overlap, but your focus must remain within the chosen field’s lens.
Conclusion
The 5 fields of inquiry in IB English A aren’t just tools for organizing the Individual Oral—they’re gateways to global thinking, cultural analysis, and critical insight. By mastering these themes, students sharpen their analytical skills, engage meaningfully with diverse texts, and lay a strong foundation for academic and real-world success.
So, whether you're unpacking propaganda in political speeches or exploring identity in literature, let the fields of inquiry guide you toward powerful, relevant, and thoughtful interpretation
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