World Literature Essay Assignment I (10%) (scroll down for World Lit II)
(all information below is taken verbatim from the Language A1 Guide. Copyright 1999 International Baccalaureate Organisation; Geneva, Switzerland,1999)

Assignment 1 must be a comparative study, based on at least two of the three World literature works studied in Part I of the programme. It must be between 1000-1500 words in length.

 Aspects

Each candidate must select an aspect of the Part I World Literature works for the assignment. The aspect selected must focus on some pertinent link between the two or three works used for the assignment, and may reflect the interests of the candidate. However, the link does not need to demonstrate the rationale by which the works have been studied as a group.

Candidates may choose, for their assignments, topics which focus on such aspects as:

·        narrative technique

·        characterization

·        portrayal of society in the literature studied

·        international perspectives on common human problems

·        cross-cultural perspectives on the artist’s role in society.

Approach

• The assignment must be a cogent piece of writing and should include some introductory and concluding remarks consistent with the conventions of writing in the Language A1 studied.
• Although the main body need not consist of formal exposition and development of ideas, it should constitute a reasoned argument.

Structure

• The introduction could be, for example, a brief statement of the aims of the assignment.
• The main body should reveal the candidate’s insight into the works and appreciation of the chosen link between the works. A variety of methods is acceptable including, for example, Socratic Dialogue, interview, or a formal development of ideas as in an essay.
• The conclusion could be, for example, a brief summary and personal evaluation of the discussion or the particular achievement of the writing.

World Literature Essay Assignment II (10%)
Candidates may choose one of the three alternatives, 2a, 2b, 2c.
(The following information is taken verbatim from The International Baccalaureate Language A1 Guide, copyright International Baccalaureate Organisation; Geneva, Switzerland, 1999.

 WL Assignment 2a: Comparative Study
(Works: 1 World Lit [Not used in W.L. I] and 1 Language A1)

• Assignment 2a is a comparative study based on an aspect of one World Literature work (not previously used in World Lit. I) and one Language A1 work, chosen from any part of the school’s syllabus. The assignment must focus on some pertinent link between the two works.
• Candidates may choose to explore, where appropriate, any cultural similarities and differences represented by the works. However, making generalizations about cultures is not the purpose of this exercise.

Approach

• The assignment must be a cogent piece of writing and should include some introductory and concluding remarks consistent with the conventions of writing in the Language A1 studied.
• Although the main body need not consist of formal exposition and development of ideas, it should constitute a reasoned argument.

Structure

• The introduction could be, for example, a brief statement of the aims of the assignment.
• The main body should reveal the candidate’s insight into the works and appreciation of the chosen link between the works. A variety of methods is acceptable including, for example, Socratic Dialogue, interview, or a formal development of ideas as in an essay.
• The conclusion could be, for example, a brief summary and personal evaluation of the discussion or the particular achievement of the writing.

WL Assignment 2b: Imaginative or Creative Assignment
(Works: 1 World Lit OR 1 World Lit & 1 Language A1)

• Assignment 2b is an imaginative of creative piece of writing based on one World Literature work or a combination of a World Literature work and a Language A1 work, chosen from any part of the syllabus.
• An imaginative or creative assignment is defined as an assignment, other than a conventional critical essay or commentary, which allows the candidate to apply the principles or techniques of literary criticism or appreciation in an informed, imaginative manner.

WL Assignment 2b: The Statement of Intent

A statement of intent must immediately precede the body of this type of assignment and must include a brief explanation of all of the following:

• The work(s) on which the assignment will be based
• The nature of the task to be engaged in, including considerations such as audience, register, form
• The aspects or elements of the work(s) on which the candidate intends to focus
• How the candidate intends to explore these aspects or elements.

The statement of intent must be included in the word count. The length of the statement will depend on the nature of the piece attempted and should, normally, not exceed 500 words. However, where the assignment takes the form of a single piece of writing, such as a short poem, the statement may be longer than the body of the assignment and longer than 500 words. Whatever the length of the assignment itself, the total number of words must be between 1000-1500.

WL Assignment 2b: Suggestions

There are many possibilities for creative approaches to World Literature assignments which, while giving the candidates and opportunity to exercise imagination and ingenuity, bring them to a deeper understanding of the work(s) being explored and to an increased appreciation of the writer. The following list of suggestions, while not exhaustive, provides some ideas for assignments.

• The diary of a character accompanied by a critical comment by the candidate.
• A director’s letter to the actor playing a particular role or scene.
• An exercise in which the candidate turns the ‘story’ or a portion of it onto another form such as dramatic monologue, biblical parable, folk tale or myth.
• A critic’s review of a dramatic interpretation/performance.
• An editorial objecting to censorship or exclusion of a work from a school syllabus.
• A letter to a publisher outlining the merits of a work to be published and reasons for publication.
• The creation of dramatic monologues that play the self-perception of the characters against the view of other characters or the author.
• A transcription either of an imaginary interview with the author about the work in question or of a conversation between two authors about their respective works.
• A postscript to a novel, or an extra chapter.
• An additional scene for a play.
• A pastiche (an imitation or re-creation of an already published work). In this assignment, candidates are encouraged to demonstrate their sensitivity to, and understanding of, a work by providing an original composition after the manner of that work.

WL Assignment 2c: Detailed study

Assignment 2c is a detailed study based on an aspect of one of the World Literature works studied in Part 1, Part 3, or Part 4 of the syllabus.

If extracts are chosen for analysis or commentary they should not be included in the word count, but copies must be attached to the assignment when submitted for assessment.

Approaches

There are a number of possible approaches to this type of assignment.

• A formal essay  A formal piece of writing which follows a logical sequence.
• An analysis of a key passage  The most important word here is ‘key.” The passage for study, whether a paragraph, a page, a chapter, or an extract from a poem, should have major significance for any of a variety of explorations that the candidate might choose to make, for example prose or poetic style, character study, plot development or theme. The reason why the candidate has chosen the passage should be briefly explained and the body of the assignment should explain the significance of the passage to the larger work form which it has been taken.
• Analysis of two key passages  Two significant passages from the same work could be selected in order to explore, for example, contrasting prose styles, descriptive method, character presentation and a range of other aspects. The candidate needs to justify briefly the pivotal nature of the passages chosen, and to demonstrate their particular similarities and differences which the candidate considers interesting.
• Commentary on an extract  In this exercise an extract, of approximately 30 lines of prose or the equivalent in drama or verse, is taken from a work for an in-depth analysis. Candidates should justify briefly their selection  of the particular extract; the body of the assignment should explore how language, imagery, organization of ideas, and stylistic and thematic aspects work in the passage.

Teacher Supervision (WL Assignments)

World Literature assignments are party of the Language A1 assessment, not part of the teaching. The assignments must therefore be the independent work of candidates. However, candidates are not expected to work completely on their own in writing their World Literature assignments. They must work independently, but with teacher supervision. It should be made clear to candidate that all work connected with the assignments must be their own. They should be familiar with the assignment requirements and assessment criteria for the World Literature component.