IB English A Lit SL Extended Essay Example

The student's investigation has a clear literary focus and a coherent line of enquiry throughout.

The student shows an organised methodological approach by combining close reading with relevant contextual and theoretical material.

The student's title and research question effectively signal the main concerns of the essay from the start.

The student's method would be stronger if they justified more clearly why each theoretical framework is necessary.

The scope of the investigation is sometimes a little broad, which can make the argument feel less tightly controlled.

At points the essay would benefit from a more explicit roadmap of the techniques the student is prioritising.

The student demonstrates solid knowledge of the novel’s plot, characters, and social landscape.

The student uses a substantial range of subject-specific terminology with generally accurate understanding.

The student often links concepts to textual evidence rather than leaving them as abstract labels.

Some theoretical terms are introduced too quickly and need more precise explanation.

A few concepts feel more decorative than analytically necessary because they are not always fully developed.

The essay would be stronger if the student relied less on broad terminology and more on carefully chosen, clearly explained concepts.