Hello, aspiring IB scholars! As a seasoned IB writer with years of experience, I’m thrilled to share some insights into Language A: Literature IA. In my path, I’ve seen how the right topic can set the stage for success. So, let’s get into some fantastic ideas to help you nail this critical assignment.
According to general IB criteria, your Internal Assessment (IA) in Language A: Literature should be an insightful research of a literary text. Now, choosing a topic that resonates with you makes the process more enjoyable and meaningful.
The IB Language A: Literature course has different expectations for Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) students, especially regarding the required complexity and depth of analysis. Here’s a categorization of the previously mentioned topics into HL and SL, keeping in mind the typical demands of each level.
Higher Level Literature IA Topic Ideas and Research Questions
HL students must engage with more complex texts and themes, demonstrating deeper analytical skills.
- Analyzing Symbolism in “To Kill a Mockingbird”. How does Harper Lee use symbolism to research social and racial issues in “To Kill a Mockingbird”?
- Exploring Feminism in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”. In what ways does Jane Austen challenge women’s traditional roles through her portrayal of female characters in “Pride and Prejudice”?
- Tragedy in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”. How does Shakespeare’s use of soliloquy in “Hamlet” enhance our understanding of the protagonist’s internal conflict and the concept of tragedy?
- Satire in Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels”. What social and political criticisms are conveyed through satire in Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels”?
- Identity in Toni Morrison’s “Beloved”. How does Toni Morrison use the character of Sethe in “Beloved” to research the psychological impacts of slavery?
- Magical Realism in Gabriel García Márquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. How does Gabriel García Márquez use magical realism to reflect Colombia’s political and social history in “One Hundred Years of Solitude”?
- Power Dynamics in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”. How are themes of power, hysteria, and superstition intertwined in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”?
- Absurdism in Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”. What does Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” suggest about the human condition through its portrayal of absurdism?
- Political Themes in “Antigone” by Sophocles. How does Sophocles’ “Antigone” research the conflict between individual moral duty and state law?
- Gender Roles in Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”. How does Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” represent the struggle against gender roles and societal expectations in 19th-century Norway?
- Modernist Elements in T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land”. How does T.S. Eliot use fragmentation and allusion in “The Waste Land” to reflect the disillusionment of post-World War I society?
- War and Its Effects in Wilfred Owen’s Poems. How does Wilfred Owen convey the realities and horrors of World War I in his poetry?
- Heroism in “The Lord of the Rings”. How does J.R.R. Tolkien define and depict heroism in “The Lord of the Rings”?
- Moral Conflict in “Crime and Punishment”. What does Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” reveal about the psychological complexities of guilt and redemption?
- Colonialism in “Heart of Darkness”. How does Joseph Conrad critique the concept and consequences of European colonialism in “Heart of Darkness”?
- Historical Context of “The Grapes of Wrath”. How does John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” reflect and critique the social and economic conditions of the American Dust Bowl era?
- Cultural Conflict in “Things Fall Apart”. How does Chinua Achebe portray the clash of cultures and the impact of colonialism in “Things Fall Apart”?
- Existentialism in “The Stranger” by Albert Camus. How does Albert Camus’ “The Stranger” explore themes of existentialism and the absurdity of human existence?
- Existential Themes in “The Trial” by Kafka. How does Franz Kafka’s “The Trial” portray existential themes and the concept of alienation?
- Narrative Techniques in “The Book Thief”. How does Markus Zusak’s narrative perspective and death as a narrator in “The Book Thief” affect the portrayal of themes such as war and humanity?
- Character Development in “The Kite Runner”. How does Khaled Hosseini use character development to explore themes of redemption and guilt in “The Kite Runner”?
- Themes of Freedom in “The Handmaid’s Tale”. How does Margaret Atwood use dystopian elements in “The Handmaid’s Tale” to discuss themes of freedom, gender politics, and power?
- Moral Ambiguity in “Frankenstein”. How does Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” challenge traditional notions of morality and ethics through the character of Victor Frankenstein?
- Duality in “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”. How does Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” explore the theme of duality in human nature?
- Alienation in Kafka’s “Metamorphosis”. How does Franz Kafka use the transformation in “Metamorphosis” to research themes of alienation and human identity?
- Power and Corruption in “Animal Farm”. How does George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” use allegory to critique political systems and the nature of power?
- Interpreting “Moby Dick”. How does Jonathan Swift use irony in “A Modest Proposal” to critique society?
- Irony in “A Modest Proposal”. How does Jonathan Swift’s use of satire and irony in “A Modest Proposal” serve as a critique of British policy towards Ireland?
- Symbolism in “The Bluest Eye”. What does Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” convey through its symbolism?
- Gothic Elements in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”. What gothic elements are present in Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” and how do they enhance the story?
When working on your Internal Assessment, balancing your insights with critical analysis is like walking a tightrope. On the one hand, subjectivity adds color to your interpretation of the chosen topic for IA. On the other, objectivity grounds your arguments in solid analysis. Incorporate diverse critical perspectives to enrich your IA, blending them seamlessly with your unique voice.
Standard Level Literature IA Topic Ideas and Research Questions
SL students are expected to demonstrate a solid understanding of literature, focusing on clarity and coherence in analysis. So, you can consider one of these topics:
- Moral Conflict in “The Scarlet Letter“. How does Nathaniel Hawthorne depict the moral conflicts of the characters in “The Scarlet Letter”?
- Social Commentary in “The Catcher in the Rye”. What does J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” suggest about the adolescent struggle against societal norms and expectations?
- Family and Dysfunction in “A Streetcar Named Desire”. How does Tennessee Williams explore the theme of family dysfunction and its impact on individual characters in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
- Romanticism in the Poetry of William Wordsworth. In what ways does William Wordsworth’s poetry embody the principles and values of Romanticism?
- Cultural Identity in the Poetry of Langston Hughes. How does Langston Hughes use his poetry to explore and assert African American cultural identity?
- Nature and Transcendence in the Works of Mary Oliver. How does Mary Oliver convey the relationship between nature and personal transcendence in her poetry?
- The Role of Fate in “Romeo and Juliet”. How is the theme of fate presented in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” and what impact does it have on the development of the tragedy?
- Love and Loss in “Wuthering Heights”. How are the themes of love and loss portrayed in Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights,” and how do they affect the main characters?
- Tragic Flaws in “Othello”. What are the tragic flaws in Shakespeare’s “Othello,” and how do these flaws contribute to the downfall of the main characters?
- Unconventional Love in “The Great Gatsby”. How does F. Scott Fitzgerald explore unconventional forms of love and its consequences in “The Great Gatsby”?
- Romantic Irony in “Jane Eyre”. How does Charlotte Brontë use romantic irony in “Jane Eyre” to critique social norms and expectations of her time?
- War and Heroism in “All Quiet on the Western Front”. How does Erich Maria Remarque portray the realities of war and the concept of heroism in “All Quiet on the Western Front”?
- Internal Conflict in “The Bell Jar”. How does Sylvia Plath explore the theme of internal conflict and mental health in “The Bell Jar”?
- The Hero’s Path in “Harry Potter” Series. How is the concept of the hero’s path depicted in J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series, and what does it reveal about the character’s development?
- Social Class in “Great Expectations”. How does Charles Dickens address the issues of social class and mobility in “Great Expectations”?
- The Harlem Renaissance and “Invisible Man”. How does Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man” reflect the themes and ideas of the Harlem Renaissance?
- Interpreting Symbolism in “The Alchemist”. What symbols does Paulo Coelho use in “The Alchemist,” and how do they contribute to the novel’s message about life and destiny?
- Motifs in “Macbeth”. How does Shakespeare use recurring motifs in “Macbeth” to enhance the play’s themes of ambition, guilt, and the supernatural?
- The Role of Women in “Madame Bovary”. How does Gustave Flaubert portray the role of women in 19th-century French society in “Madame Bovary”?
- Narrative Structure in “Life of Pi”. How does Yann Martel use narrative structure in “Life of Pi” to convey its themes and impact the reader’s perception of reality?
- Character Analysis in “Lolita”. How are the characters of Humbert Humbert and Lolita portrayed in Vladimir Nabokov’s “Lolita,” and what do they represent within the novel’s thematic context?
These topics and research questions cover various literary works and subjects for your English IA. Choosing a topic that interests you and you can research thoroughly and passionately is essential. Your enthusiasm and depth of analysis will be crucial. Also, you must avoid common IA writing mistakes.
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Resources for Literature IA Research
Online databases and libraries are invaluable when gathering resources for your Literature IA. Platforms like JSTOR and Google Scholar and your school or local library’s digital collections offer a wealth of scholarly articles, literary critiques, and historical context relevant to your chosen work. Use these databases to find peer-reviewed articles and critical essays that will add depth and credibility to your analysis. Remember that effective research is about quality, not just quantity.
Secondary sources, such as critical essays, biographies, and literary analyses, are essential for comprehensively understanding your chosen text. These resources offer different perspectives and interpretations that can enrich your analysis. Look for works by renowned critics or scholars related to your IA topic. Be selective and critical, ensuring your chosen sources enhance your understanding and argument. Integrating insights from these resources can add a layer of sophistication to your IA, showing your ability to engage with complex academic discussions. You can also find more Language and Literature IA ideas in our blog.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right IA topic is a road worth taking. Reflect on these ideas, find your unique angle, and begin this exciting scholarly quest. In my experience, a topic chosen with passion and thoughtfulness can lead to an IA that’s not only academically sound but also personally rewarding. I wish you the best of luck! And remember that our Internal Assessment Writing Service experts are always ready to help!
Nick Radlinsky
Nick Radlinsky is a passionate educator, marketer, and management expert with over 15 years of experience in the education sector. After graduating from business school in 2016, Nick embarked on a journey to earn his PhD, fueled by his dedication to making education better for students everywhere. His extensive experience, beginning in 2008, has made him a trusted authority in the field.
Nick's groundbreaking article, published in Routledge's "Entrepreneurship in Central and Eastern Europe: Development through Internationalization," showcases his keen insights and commitment to improving the educational landscape. Guided by his motto, "Make education better," Nick's mission is to simplify students' lives and promote efficiency in learning. His innovative ideas and leadership have helped transform countless educational experiences, setting him apart as a true pioneer in his field.
