English

English — MYP 4

International Baccalaureate · Ages 14-15

MYP 4 Language and Literature works at close to Diploma standard. Students write sustained critical essays, analyse unseen texts under timed conditions, and evaluate competing interpretations.

Texts are studied in cultural and historical context, and students are expected to consider how a writer's choices position a reader. Media and non-literary texts carry equal weight with literary ones, which distinguishes the MYP from most national curricula.

Students continuing to the Diploma benefit particularly from developing the habit of close textual analysis with precise quotation, which the Language and Literature course assumes throughout.

Key topics covered

• Critical Essay — Sustained argument about a text with quotation and analysis.
• Unseen Analysis — Analysing unfamiliar literary and non-literary texts under time.
• Text & Context — How historical and cultural context shapes production and reception.
• Media & Non-Literary Texts — Analysing advertising, journalism and multimodal texts.
• Interpretation — Evaluating competing readings and justifying a position.
• Language Control — Register, precision, cohesion and academic writing conventions.