As the name suggests, this assessment task is only completed by Higher Level (HL) students. And, as the name suggests, the examined task is an academic essay.

What is involved? You write an academic essay, either on a non-literary body of work by the same author, or a literary work studied during your course. You select your focus autonomously, but with guidance and advice provided by your teacher. Your essay must be 1200-1500 words in length.

When does it take place? The task will probably be introduced by your teacher after you have studied a number of non-literary and literary works. Your teacher determines this. 

How long do you have? Your teacher will give you a time-frame that will extend from establishing your initial ideas to your finished, polished product. Some work may be done at home and some may be done in class. This is determined by your teacher. Understand that the task is a process where your writing develops over time. The more you work at the task, and the more editing you do, the better the result is likely to be. This is important to remember!

What is it worth? Your essay is marked out of 20 marks. It makes up 20% of your overall assessment for the course.

Higher Level (HL)

A: Knowledge, understanding and interpretation - Do you show knowledge and understanding of the literary works or non-literary texts you have chosen? In view of your chosen focus or topic, do you draw meaningful and insightful conclusions? Do you support your claims with appropriate references to the work or text(s)? (5 marks)

B: Analysis and Evaluation - Do you show, with regard to your focus or topic, an understanding of the choices made by writers, including aspects of language, technique, and style, to establish meaning? Do you develop an argument that is evaluative and persuasive? (5 marks)

C: Focus, organisation, and development - Do you present your ideas in a consistently focused and coherent way? Is your argument organized? Do you effectively embed supporting examples into your argument? Do you develop your argument? (5 marks)

D: Language - Is your language clear, carefully chosen, and precise? Is your register (i.e. formality, style, word choice) appropriate, and do you use terminology effectively? (5 marks)