Key Idea: The HL essay is a formal essay of 1,200–1,500 words on ONE work, built around a line of inquiry you choose. It is marked out of 20, on criteria A–D.
| Feature | What it means |
|---|---|
| Length | 1,200–1,500 words |
| Work | One literary work OR one non-literary body of work; no comparison |
| Question | Your own focused, arguable line of inquiry |
| Marks | /20, criteria A–D |
What it is not
- Not a summary of the work.
- Not your personal opinion.
- Not a comparison of two works.
It is a developed, evidenced argument about one work.
How long is the HL essay? 1,200–1,500 words.
Who sets the question? You do.
How many works does it cover? One.
What register does it use? Formal.