The No‑Stress Guide to Creative Literature for IB English B (HL Only)

Wait… English B can be literary?
- Yes! While English B is about language learning, HL students may be asked to show off creative literary skills: writing prose fiction, prose non-fiction, poetry and drama
- Think of it as a playground where you can:
- Invent worlds and voices
- Experiment with style and tone
- Show language mastery in a fun, artistic way
- Examiners want to see: Can you control English well enough to sound like a real writer?
Note
- At HL in Language B, you have to study two literary works written in the target language.
- You’re expected to understand the basics, plot, characters, themes, but you’re not doing full literary criticism (that’s for Language & Literature students).
- Instead, literature here is a springboard for ideas and discussion, especially in the oral assessment.
Why Creative Literature matters
- At HL, English B isn’t just about practical text types. You’ll also be expected to engage with fiction, poetry, or drama in ways that show:
- Understanding of themes: love, power, identity, injustice, resilience.
- Awareness of style: imagery, tone, rhythm, dialogue, symbolism.
- Connection to cultural context: how texts reflect or challenge their time, place, and values.
- Relevance to global issues: linking literature to areas like inequality, environment, or human rights.
The Big Four of Literature: What They Are and Why They Matter
Prose fiction
- What it is: Made-up stories written in everyday language (not poetry).
- Examples: Novels (The Handmaid’s Tale, Pride and Prejudice), short stories (Lamb to the Slaughter).
- Key features: Plot, characters, narrator’s voice, imagery, symbolism.
- Why it matters: Lets you analyse how writers invent worlds and explore themes like love, power, or identity.
Prose non-fiction
- What it is: Real-world writing in ordinary language that isn’t made up.
- Examples: Memoirs (Persepolis), essays, speeches, travel writing, biographies.
- Key features: Author’s perspective, argument, tone, structure.
- Why it matters: Shows how writers use facts, stories, and personal experience to persuade, inform, or reflect.