The gist: Most lost HL-essay marks come from a few repeat mistakes: plot summary, a question too broad, feature-spotting, and an argument that doesn't develop. Learn to catch each.
The same HL-essay slips come up again and again — which means you can train yourself out of every one.
The big four: retelling the plot instead of analysing; a line of inquiry so broad the essay becomes a list; naming devices without their effect; and an argument that repeats rather than develops. Fix these and your essays move past where most students get stuck.
The big mistakes (and the fix)
Summary → analysis
Retelling the work fixes to analysing authorial choices.
Broad question → sharpen it
A vague topic fixes to a focused, arguable ‘how’ line of inquiry.
Feature-spotting → add effect
Naming devices fixes to analysing their effect and evaluating.
No development → build
A repeating argument fixes to one that adds a layer each paragraph.
The key move: Self-check for the big four: am I analysing (not summarising)? focused (not broad)? giving effects (not feature-spotting)? developing (not repeating)? Fix on the spot.
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Why it matters in the exam: These errors map onto lost criteria: summary and feature-spotting cost A and B; a broad question and no development cost C. Knowing them turns vague ‘be more analytical’ feedback into a concrete checklist.
Diagnose the mistakes in this HL-essay opening: ‘This essay is about the themes in the novel. The novel is about a family who move house. The writer uses metaphors and similes and imagery. It is a very good book with lots of interesting ideas.’
Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Watch out: The sneakiest HL-essay mistake is analysis that's really summary in disguise: ‘the writer shows the character is sad when the character is sad’. If your sentence doesn't name a CHOICE and its EFFECT, it isn't analysis yet.