English A: Lang & Lit · HL Essay
IB English A: Lang & Lit Internal Assessment
Upload your HL Essay and get examiner-level feedback on every criterion — scored against the official IB Language A: language and literature HL essay assessment criteria (first assessment 2021). Free to try, no account required.
Assessment criteria — 20 marks total
Your HL Essay is graded against 4 criteria. iBacalao scores each one and tells you exactly where to gain marks.
Understanding and Interpretation
A thorough understanding of the literal meaning of the text, with a convincing and insightful interpretation of its larger implications and subtleties. Ideas supported by well-chosen references to the text.
Analysis and Evaluation
Analysis and evaluation of how textual features and/or authorial choices shape meaning — moving beyond description to evaluate the effect of the writer's choices.
Focus and Organization
An effectively organized and coherent presentation of ideas, with the analysis staying well focused throughout.
Language
Clear, varied and accurate language. Register and style appropriate to an academic essay: suitable vocabulary, tone, sentence structure and literary/linguistic terminology.
Common mistakes to avoid
Understanding and Interpretation
Staying at the literal/surface level without exploring implicationsClaims made without quoting or referencing the textReferences included but never tied to an interpretationMisreading the literal meaning of the text
Analysis and Evaluation
Describing or paraphrasing the text instead of analysing itDevice-spotting without evaluating the effect on meaningTreating features in isolation from purpose and audienceDrifting away from the guiding question
Focus and Organization
Line-by-line commentary with no overall structureParagraphs that drift from the focus of the analysisNo clear introduction or thesis for the analysisIdeas presented in an arbitrary order
Language
Informal register or conversational toneGrammar, vocabulary or sentence-construction errors that obscure meaningOverlong, tangled sentences instead of clear, varied onesLiterary terminology used imprecisely or incorrectly
Common questions
How is the IB English A: Lang & Lit HL Essay marked?
Your HL Essay is marked against 4 criteria totalling 20 marks using the official IB Language A: language and literature HL essay assessment criteria (first assessment 2021). Your teacher marks first, then the IBO moderates a random sample from your school — so your mark may be adjusted up or down if the moderator consistently disagrees with your teacher.
What is the most important criterion in the IB English A: Lang & Lit IA?
All criteria matter, but the highest-weighted criterion — worth the most marks — is "Understanding and Interpretation". Focus on what the mark band descriptor says for the top score and make sure every element it mentions is present in your submission.
Can I use AI to help with my English A: Lang & Lit IA?
The IBO allows AI for feedback and research support, but the submitted work must be entirely your own. iBacalao gives criterion-by-criterion feedback on your draft — the same kind of comment your teacher would give — without generating any text for your IA.