HL Essay Assessment Criteria

 The HL essay is graded both internally (by me) and externally (by the IBO). In class, there will be a variety of assessments (collected first paragraphs, word checks,
drafting days, rough drafts, etc…) culminating in an essay grade.
 The IBO has specific parameters for what they are looking for.
0 Marks 1 Mark 2 Marks 3 Marks 4 Marks 5 Marks
Criterion A The work does There is little There is some knowledge There is satisfactory There is good There is excellent
Knowledge, understanding and interpretation not reach a knowledge and and understanding of the knowledge and knowledge and knowledge and
 How well does the candidate demonstrate knowledge and understanding standard understanding of the work or text shown understanding of the understanding of the understanding of the work
of the work or text chosen? described by work or text shown through the essay in work or text shown work or text shown or text shown through the
 To what extent does the candidate make use of knowledge and the descriptors through the essay in relation to the topic through the essay and through the essay essay and a persuasive
understanding of the work or text to draw conclusions in relation to the below. relation to the topic chosen. an interpretation of its and a sustained interpretation of their
chosen topic? chosen. References to the work or implications in relation interpretation of its implications in relation to
 How well are ideas supported by references to the work or text in relation References to the text are at times to the topic chosen. implications in the chosen topic.
to the chosen topic? work or text are appropriate in relation to References to the relation to the topic References to the work or
infrequent or are the chosen topic. work or text are chosen. text are well-chosen and
5 marks rarely appropriate in generally relevant and References to the effectively support the
relation to the chosen mostly support the work or text are candidate’s ideas in
topic. candidate’s ideas in relevant and support relation to the chosen
relation to the chosen the candidate’s ideas topic.
topic. in relation to the
chosen topic.
Criterion B The work does The essay is The essay demonstrates The essay The essay The essay demonstrates a
Analysis and evaluation not reach a descriptive and/or some appropriate analysis demonstrates a demonstrates an consistently insightful and
 To what extent does the candidate analyse and evaluate how the choices standard demonstrates little of textual features and the generally appropriate appropriate and at convincing analysis and
of language, technique and style, and/or broader authorial choices shape described by relevant analysis of author’s broader choices in analysis and times insightful evaluation of textual
meaning in relation to the chosen topic? the descriptors textual features relation to the chosen evaluation of textual analysis and features and the author’s
5 marks below. and/or the author’s topic, but is reliant on features and the evaluation of textual broader choices in relation
broader choices in description. author’s broader features and the to the chosen topic.
relation to the chosen choices in relation to author’s broader
topic. the chosen topic. choices in relation to
the chosen topic.
Criterion C The work does Little organization is Some organization is The essay is The essay is well The essay is effectively
Focus, organisation and development not reach a present. No apparent. There is little adequately organized organized and mostly organized and cohesive.
 How well organized, focused and developed is the presentation of ideas in standard discernible line of development of a line of in a generally cohesive cohesive. The line of The line of inquiry is well
the essay? described by inquiry is apparent in inquiry. manner. There is some inquiry is adequately developed.
 How well are examples integrated into the essay? the descriptors the essay. Supporting examples are development of the developed. Supporting examples are
below. Supporting examples rarely integrated into the line of inquiry. Supporting examples well integrated into the
5 marks are not integrated into structure of the sentences Supporting examples are mostly well structure of the sentences
the structure of the and paragraphs. are sometimes integrated into the and paragraphs.
sentences and integrated into the structure of the
paragraphs. structure of the sentences and
sentences and paragraphs.
paragraphs.
Criterion D The work does Language is rarely Language is sometimes Language is clear and Language is clear and Language is very clear,
Language not reach a clear and appropriate; clear and carefully chosen; carefully chosen with carefully chosen, effective, carefully chosen
 How clear, varied and accurate is the language? standard there are many errors grammar, vocabulary and an adequate degree of with a good degree and precise, with a high
 How appropriate is the choice of register and style? (“Register” refers, in described by in grammar, sentence construction are accuracy in grammar, of accuracy in degree of accuracy in
this context, to the candidate’s use of elements such as vocabulary, tone, the descriptors vocabulary and fairly accurate, although vocabulary and grammar, vocabulary grammar, vocabulary and
sentence structure and terminology appropriate to the HL essay). below. sentence construction errors and inconsistencies sentence construction and sentence sentence construction;
and little sense of are apparent; the register despite some lapses; construction; register register and style are
5 marks register and style. and style are to some register and style are and style are effective and appropriate
extent appropriate to the mostly appropriate to consistently to the task.
task. the task. appropriate to the
task.

Total: 20 marks
 Top Assessment Tips

1. Criterion A measures the extent to which your “topic is clear and allows for an in-depth exploration of the work/text. There is excellent knowledge and
understanding of the works/texts through the essay. References to the text are well chose and effectively support the candidate’s ideas in relation to the
chosen topic.” Notices that this descriptor mentions “topic” twice. In the HL Essay you have complete freedom to choose a topic that interests you. Keep
in mind, however, that your argument or thesis needs to be debatable and subject to the rigorous close interpretation of the textual evidence you select.

2. Criterion B looks for the demonstration of “an insightful and convincing analysis and evaluation of the features and/or writer’s choices in relation to the
chosen topic.” This is where you can consolidate all of the close reading skills you have acquired/enhanced and display that at full force. The advantage
here is that you have the time to edit and revise your work so that it exhibits the very best of your literary aptitude.

3. Criterion C measures the effective organization and coherence of the essay such that the “line of inquiry is well developed” and “supporting examples
are well integrated.” Take advantage that you will have the time required to strategically (re)shape the through-line and progression of your analysis
both vertically (logical stages of argument and the transitions between them) and horizontally (smooth grammatical integration of quoted evidence into
the structure of your sentences).

4. Criterion D measures the “very clear, effective” use of language with “carefully chosen and precise” diction, a “high degrees of accuracy in grammar,
vocabulary, and sentence construction” and a register and style that is “effective and appropriate to the task.” Challenge yourself by exploring new,
innovative, and sophisticated forms of literary expression. Regularly practicing this in your class discussions and Learner Portfolio—even when your
attempt doesn’t always turn out the way you had intended or hoped—is essential to expanding the depth, breadth, and precision of our expressiveness.

5. For those of you taking Theory of Knowledge (ToK), be careful not to treat this as a ToK paper. This paper is not about how we know what we know. It is
a specific literary analysis, but the ways of knowing can inform the ways you approach your chosen text.