Group 1: Language English English Literature or English Language and Literature Extended Essay
What do you need to know? It is written in English. It is focussed on literature. It can be based on poetry, novels, short stories, plays, prose other than fiction. It should avoid pop literature (Stephen King, the Twilight series etc) It is written in English. It is focussed on literature. It can be based on poetry, novels, short stories, plays, prose other than fiction. It should avoid pop literature (Stephen King, the Twilight series etc)
What do you need to know? It is analytical. It puts forward an argument about the texts. It requires discussion of the CONSTRUCTION of the text, not simply plot summary and character description. It is analytical. It puts forward an argument about the texts. It requires discussion of the CONSTRUCTION of the text, not simply plot summary and character description.
What do you need to know? It requires you to move BEYOND the texts you study in class. It is an opportunity to read widely and explore authors you’ve been dying to meet. It requires you to move BEYOND the texts you study in class. It is an opportunity to read widely and explore authors you’ve been dying to meet.
What do you need to know? It requires a narrow, specific focus. It must be guided by a research question. It requires you to spend time reading – LOTS! It requires a narrow, specific focus. It must be guided by a research question. It requires you to spend time reading – LOTS!
What do you need to know? It allows you to compare texts – either two texts written in English or one text written in English with a work in translation. This means you should be comfortable writing compare/contrast essays. It allows you to compare texts – either two texts written in English or one text written in English with a work in translation. This means you should be comfortable writing compare/contrast essays.
Sample Research Questions JRR Tolkien has been criticised for the seemingly exclusive masculinity of his The Lord of The Rings trilogy. To what extent is The Lord of The Rings an empowering work for the female?
Sample Research Questions What themes are represented through the outhouse in Chris Abanis’ Graceland? What is the role and function of “the outdoors” in Jane Austen’s novel, Emma? What themes are represented through the outhouse in Chris Abanis’ Graceland? What is the role and function of “the outdoors” in Jane Austen’s novel, Emma?
Sample Research Questions What is the role and function of weather imagery in Dickens’ Bleak House and Oliver Twist? How does Cormac McCarthy portray common thematic elements in No Country For Old Men and The Road? What is the role and function of weather imagery in Dickens’ Bleak House and Oliver Twist? How does Cormac McCarthy portray common thematic elements in No Country For Old Men and The Road?
Sample Research Questions How and why have Sylvia Plath in The Bell Jar and Charlotte Perkins Gilman in The Yellow Wallpaper used inanimate objects as motifs for female madness?
Sample Research Questions How is the subject of death treated in selected poems by Emily Brontë and Emily Dickinson? How does Margaret Atwood use the motif of clothing in Lady Oracle, The Edible Woman and A Handmaid’s Tale? How is the subject of death treated in selected poems by Emily Brontë and Emily Dickinson? How does Margaret Atwood use the motif of clothing in Lady Oracle, The Edible Woman and A Handmaid’s Tale?
Sample Research Questions In want ways are the themes and style of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard related to Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett?
Sample Research Questions In what different ways do Shaw, Anouilh and Schiller present Joan of Arc in their respective plays? (English/French/German plays)
Sample Research Questions What is the literary function of the dialogue between language and nature in David Malouf’s An Imaginary Life?