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Preparing for IB English A: Language and Literature Paper 2 or your Individual Oral (IO) starts with knowing your texts inside and out. Whether you're building a comparative pairing for Paper 2 or selecting extracts for your IO, this library brings together every text on the IB Lang & Lit list — drama, prose fiction, prose non-fiction, and poetry — in one place.
Paper 2 asks you to compare two of your studied works around a shared theme, technique, or structural feature, while the IO asks you to connect a global issue to an extract from one literary and one non-literary text. Both assessments reward students who know their texts closely enough to move beyond plot summary and into analysis of authorial choice, form, and context.
Browse the full collection below, build your personal library by selecting the texts your class is studying, then dive into each literary hub for guides, sample analysis, and practice questions built specifically for Paper 2 and IO preparation.
What Is IB English Paper 2?
IB English A Language and Literature Paper 2 is a comparative essay exam. Students write on two of the literary works studied during the course, responding to a general essay question by analyzing how both texts explore a shared idea. Strong Paper 2 responses require:
A clear line of argument that addresses both texts equally
Analysis of literary and stylistic features, not just content
Awareness of context, genre, and authorial purpose
Well-integrated textual evidence from both works
What Is the Individual Oral (IO)?
The IO is a 15-minute individual assessment where students explore how a global issue is presented through the content and form of one literary text and one non-literary body of work studied in class. Examiners look for:
A clearly identified global issue connected to both texts
Analysis of specific extracts (not the whole text)
Discussion of authorial choices and their effect on meaning
A structured, confident individual presentation
How to Use This Library
Pick your texts: Select the drama, prose fiction, prose non-fiction, and poetry works your class is studying.
Build your personal library: Your selections save so you can revisit them anytime.
Study each literary hub: Every text has its own page with themes, context, character/structure notes, and IO/Paper 2-specific guidance.
Practice pairing texts: Use thematic overlaps between your chosen works to prep comparative Paper 2 essays.
