Creative literature (HL only) Notes

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

Wait… English B can be literary?

1. 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
2. Think of it as a playground where you can:
   1. Invent worlds and voices
   2. Experiment with style and tone
   3. Show language mastery in a fun, artistic way
3. Examiners want to see: Can you control English well enough to sound like a real writer?

Why Creative Literature matters

1. 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:
   1. Understanding of themes: love, power, identity, injustice, resilience.
   2. Awareness of style: imagery, tone, rhythm, dialogue, symbolism.
   3. Connection to cultural context: how texts reflect or challenge their time, place, and values.
   4. 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

1. What it is: Made-up stories written in everyday language (not poetry).
2. Examples: Novels (The Handmaid’s Tale, Pride and Prejudice), short stories (Lamb to the Slaughter).
3. Key features: Plot, characters, narrator’s voice, imagery, symbolism.
4. Why it matters: Lets you analyse how writers invent worlds and explore themes like love, power, or identity.

Prose non-fiction

1. What it is: Real-world writing in ordinary language that isn’t made up.
2. Examples: Memoirs (Persepolis), essays, speeches, travel writing, biographies.
3. Key features: Author’s perspective, argument, tone, structure.
4. Why it matters: Shows how writers use facts, stories, and personal experience to persuade, inform, or reflect.

Poetry