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Criteria

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  • The old course /
  • Assessment (2020 exams)/
  • Paper 1/
  • Criteria

When preparing for the Paper 1 exam, you should familiarize yourself with its assessment criteria. If you know what examiners are looking for, then you are more likely to write effectively and score well. Self assessment, peer assessment and teacher assessment are key to preparing for this exam. You will want to practice by writing Paper 1s from previous years. An overview of both the SL and HL Paper 1 criteria are offered here.

The overview of the assessment criteria have been slightly reworded from the original descriptors, which we recommend you read in the official Language A: Language and Literature guide. As you read the official descriptors, you will notice a difference between the Standard Level and Higher Level criteria. For example, whereas HL students must have an 'excellent' understanding of the texts to earn full marks for criterion A, a SL student can have a 'very good' understanding of the text to earn full marks for criterion A. These differences in descriptors apply to all forms of external assessment. For internal assessment, descriptors all read the same. 

Remember: At SL students analyze one of two unseen texts. At HL, students compare one of two pairs of unseen texts. On both Paper 1 exams, one of the texts may be a visual text. On the HL Paper 1, one of the four texts may be a literary text.

Paper 1 - Textual analysis (SL)

Criterion A - Understanding of the text - 5 marks
The analysis of the text should show an understanding of the text's purpose, its context (where this can be deduced) and target audience. One's analysis of the text needs to be supported by relevant examples from the text.

Criterion B - Understanding of the use and effects of stylistic features - 5 marks
The analysis of the text must show an awareness of how stylistic features, such as tone, style and structure, are used to construct meaning. A good analysis comments on effects of these features on its target audience.

Criterion C - Organization and development - 5 marks
The analysis must contain coherent arguments that are well-developed. The analysis must be organized effectively.

Criterion D - Language - 5 marks
The language of the analysis must be clear, varied and accurate. The register of the analysis must be appropriate, meaning it contains formal sentence structure, good choice of words and effective terminology.

Paper 1 - Comparative textual analysis (HL)

Criterion A - Understanding and comparison of the texts - 5 marks
The analysis should show and understanding of the similarities and differences between the texts. There needs to be a clear understanding of the target audience, the purpose and the context (where possible) of the text. The comparative analysis must be supported by relevant examples from the texts.

Criterion B - Understanding of the use and effects of stylistic features - 5 marks
The comparative analysis should show an understanding of how various stylistic features, such as tone, style and structure, are used to construct meaning. The analysis should comment on the effects that these features have on their target audience.

Criterion C - Organization and development - 5 marks
The analysis must be well balanced, meaning that it treats both texts equally. Furthermore, it must be well structured, coherent and organized.

Criterion D - Language - 5 marks
The language of the comparative analysis must be clear and accurate. It should be appropriate, meaning it contains formal sentence structure, good choice of words and effective terminology.