Studies in Language and Literature: Subject Specific GuidanceAn extended essay (EE) in studies in language and literature gives students an opportunity to undertake independent research into a topic of special interest to them within the subject. It is intended to promote advanced research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity.
The essay is open to students who are writing in a language that they would be capable of offering as a language A.
It must be written in the language for which it is registered.
Students must not submit a Group 1 EE in their Group 2 language.
Studies in language and literature EEs are divided into three categories:
Category 1 Studies of one or more literary works originally written in the language in which the essay is presented.
Category 2 Studies of a literary work or works originally written in the language of the essay compared with one or more literary works originally written in another language. (The work originally written in another language may be studied in translation.)
Category 3 Studies in language based on one or more texts originally produced in the language in which the essay is presented. Texts can be compared with a translated text originally written in another language.
At the point of submission, the category of language A essay must be identified.
Categories 1 and 2
An EE in categories 1 and 2 gives students an opportunity to:
study in depth a literary topic
engage in independent literary criticism
engage with established critical comment
develop the ability to put forward their views persuasively and in a well-structured manner, using a register appropriate to the study of literature.
Students must situate their analysis of their chosen text(s) in the wider context of the discipline. This should include other literary texts, or particular critical perspectives or insights. However, this wider discussion should enhance the knowledge and understanding of their chosen texts for the reader, without detracting from the main focus of their research question.
Category 3
A category 3 studies in language and literature EE gives students the opportunity to:
demonstrate skills of textual analysis by considering how language, culture and/or context influence the ways in which meaning is constructed in texts
examine critically the different relationships and interactions that exist between texts, audiences and purposes
engage with established (or developing) critical writing, as appropriate
develop the ability to put forward their views persuasively and in a well-structured manner, using a register and terminology appropriate to the subject.
