Language A: Literature · The HL Essay (HL only)
HLESSAY — Guiding the HL Essay
Language A: Literature · SL / HL · syllabus-mapped notes
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What the HL Essay is
A formal literary essay of 1,200 to 1,500 words on one studied work, worth 20 percent at HL, developed from your learner portfolio around a line of inquiry you choose.
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Finding a line of inquiry
The heart of the task: turning a broad interest in a work into one focused, arguable line of inquiry that can be sustained across the whole work.
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Writing and refining the essay
Structuring a developing argument, using evidence from the whole work, citing any secondary sources, meeting the criteria, and redrafting from the portfolio.