Quick Intro – The Higher Level Essay

Each student is required to produce a formal, focused and analytical essay of 1,200–1,500 words examining one literary work or non-literary body of work from a broad literary or linguistic perspective.  The essay is developed with the guidance of the teacher.  The HLE is out of 20 marks and this comprises 20% of your final IB grade, so make this essay count!

Step 1:  Choose a text – a literary work or a non-literary body of work

To help you, list what you have studied so far.  Depending on when you complete the HLE, you may not have studied all of your literary works.  That’s not only okay, it’s to be expected!

Literary works studied as part of the course:

• Literary work #1:
• Literary work #2:
• Literary work #3:
• Literary work #4:
• Literary work #5:
• Literary work #6:

Non-literary bodies of work studied as part of the course:

• Non-literary body of work:
• Non-literary body of work:
• Non-literary body of work:
• Non-literary body of work:
• Non-literary body of work:
• Non-literary body of work:

Step 2: Choose a focus – 2 options

Option 1: Literature

• Do you explore one of the seven course concepts to get a first idea of what to do?
• Or do you explore something related to theme, setting, conflict or character?And then do you connect that to one or more literary elements?
• Or do you explore a literary element to get a first idea of what you might want to do?(example: religious imagery in ….)
• Do you investigate using a different method?
• Look back at your notes, your Learner Portfolio, and the sample essays online to give you an idea of where to start.

Some possible literary devices/elements/techniques to explore might include: major characters, minor characters, significant settings, themes, symbols, motifs, key imagery or images, point(s) of view, narrative structure, narrative voice, beginnings, endings, conflicts, key scenes, title(s), techniques specific to your literary form (poetry, short stories, memoir, graphic novels, and drama) as well as other devices such as flashback, foreshadowing, foils, suspense, figurative language.

Option 2: Non-literary body of work

• Do you explore one of the seven course concepts to get a first idea of what to do?
• Or do you explore a larger idea related to the non-literary body of work?
• Or do you explore a technical element of some sort related to your non-literary body of work (example: symbols of cultural assimilation in …)
• Do you explore the non-literary body of work using a different method?
• Look back at your notes, your Learner Portfolio, and the sample essays online to give you an idea of where to start.

Step 3: Create a title for the essay

When constructing your title, do so in the form of a question.  This is for two reasons.  One, the principal examiner for the HLE gave this advice.  Two, it    allows you to frame the essay well.  Make sure you can answer this question in a 1200-1500 word essay.

Step 4: Create a line of inquiry

Write a thesis statement so you know what you are arguing.  If your teacher doesn’t use the word “thesis,” that’s fine.  What is the argument you are going to make in this essay?  And if you don’t have an answer yet, that’s okay too!  Some writers find they don’t know what they are arguing until they start writing.  But most writers also revise all the time and aren’t afraid of making changes!

Step 5: Find evidence/quotations

You must have textual evidence to support your thesis and argument.  Therefore, will need to find the best textual evidence for your claims.  You may choose to do step 6 first and come back to this step.

Step 6: Create an outline

Write an outline that includes your thesis, your topic sentences, your evidence/quotations as well as bullet pointed close language/image analysis.

Step 7: Write the first draft

This is the time to crank out your writing.  Get it down and get it done.

Step 8: Use a formal reference system

During the writing of your first draft, you should be using and adhering to a formal citation and referencing system.  It’s easier to do it in the process than at the end of it all!

Step 9: Create a Works Cited or Bibliography

Depending on the citation system (MLA calls it a Works Cited) you will need to have a list of source(s) you have referenced in the essay.  Remember, you don’t need secondary sources although you may choose to do so if you so wish.  On the date they tell you, submit your first complete draft to your teacher for feedback. 

Step 10: Revise your writing

On your own, using the criteria and self-reflection to guide you, revise your first draft before handing it to your teacher for official feedback.  Why?  Now is the time to show your best writing.  Why get feedback on writing that isn’t your best?

Step 11: Submit your first complete draft to your teacher

On the date they tell you, submit your first complete draft to your teacher for feedback.

Step 12: Get teacher feedback and re-write It

Actually use the feedback from your teacher to improve your draft, making it better.  Listen to what they are saying to you.  Ask them questions if you don’t understand something.  But make changes to what you have written so that it is a better essay than before you received their feedback.    

Step 13: Put the finishing touches on your essay

Clean up any last mistakes.  Proofread.  Go through the final checklist (found here).

Step 14: Submit the final draft

On the day your teacher tells you, submit your final draft.  Make sure it is your own work and make sure you adhere to all academic honesty policies.