What Is the IB English Individual Oral?

You’re doing IB English and you’ve been told there’s an oral presentation. But, what is the IB English Individual Oral? Often called the "IO", it’s a spoken presentation that you'll give to your teacher, a small group of class-mates, or the whole class. 

If this idea fills you with dread, try not to worry. I’ve yet to meet a student who isn’t nervous about the prospect! But, you’ll be surprised what a sense of achievement you’ll feel when it’s over. Plus, it’ll make you more confident for interviews, or for the next time you deliver a presentation. That’s why it’s on the course. 

Here’s all the information you’ll need to prepare.  

Key Takeaways

• You'll speak for 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of questions from your teacher.

• You can use a single page of notes as a prompt.

  • Around 10 bullet-points

• Choose two texts that both connect to the same global issue you've identified.

• When choosing your global issue, make sure it’s specific, relevant to current society, and relatable across cultures.

Overview of the IB Individual Oral

What does it involve? 

You’ll start with a 10 minute presentation, followed by 5 minutes of questions asked by your teacher. The questions aren’t meant to trick you - they help you gain marks by prompting you to elaborate. 

Your IO typically happens during the second year of your IB course (your school will give you a specific date). This gives you time to choose the right texts, plan, and rehearse your presentation.

It’s all recorded so it can be checked by IB examiners.

What you’ll do

• Choose two extracts (around 40 lines each) from works you’ve studied

  • Pick the beginning of the text, or a section that focuses on your global issue

• Do a close analysis on each with a clear global issue in mind

• Write up your analytical speech ready to rehearse

• Make notes on a single page to use during your presentation (up to 10 bullet-points)

If you feel unsure about the analysis part of the task, we’ve some help on How to Revise for IB English Language and Literature. 

What texts can you pick? 

This depends on your course. Let’s see what the differences are. 

Top tips for text selection:

• Choose texts you understand and find interesting.

  • Enjoyed the graphic novel you studied? Use this alongside another text with the same themes.

• They should both have good connections to your global issue.

What is a global issue?

A global issue is a topic that affects people across different countries and cultures. Pick something you feel strongly about so you’ll feel confident talking about it.  

While there is no set list, here are a few ideas: 

• Culture, identity and community 

• Beliefs, values and education

• Politics, power and justice 

• Art, creativity and the imagination 

• Science, technology and the environment

Essentially, the more specific you get, the more focused your analysis will be. For example:

Examples of Weak Global Issues: 

• Social media

• Discrimination

• Injustice 

• AI 

Strong Global Issues:

• How social media creates unrealistic beauty standards

• How language is used to exclude minority groups

• The pressure on young people to conform to gender stereotypes

• The ethics of using artificial intelligence in decision-making

How to Structure Your Oral

Here's a structure that works well:

Part 1: Introduction (about 1 minute)

• State your global issue and explain why it matters

• Introduce both texts briefly (title, author, form)

• Define what you're going to explore

Example opening: "Today I'll be exploring how language is used to manipulate public opinion during political conflicts. I'll be examining an extract from George Orwell's novel 1984 and a 2023 newspaper editorial about international relations. Both texts reveal how those in power use specific linguistic techniques to control how we think about war."

Part 2: First Text Analysis (about 4 minutes)

• Present your first extract connected to your global issue

• Analyse specific language features and structural devices

• Show you understand the text's context and the author's aims

Part 3: Second Text Analysis (about 4 minutes)

• Present your second extract connected to the same global issue

• Analyse specific features and devices

• Show similarities and differences with your first text

Part 4: Conclusion (about 1 minute)

• Clarify your final comparison between the texts

• Reflect on what you’ve revealed about the global issue

• End with a thoughtful observation

Pro tips for structure:

• Don't analyse each text separately – make connections between them throughout

• Use transition phrases like "Similarly, in my second text..." or "In contrast to ..."

• Save some time for your conclusion so it isn’t rushed

Understanding the Assessment Criteria

Your IO is marked using three main criteria (opens in a new tab) in both Language and Literature courses. Let's break down what each one means.

Criterion A: Knowledge, Understanding and Interpretation 

This is about showing you "get" your texts. You need to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the contexts in which texts are written and/or received

• Show you understand implied meanings in the texts

• Explain how the texts connect to your global issue convincingly

To hit the top marks: Go deep. Don't just say what happens – explain why it matters, what it suggests, and how it relates to your global issue. 

Criterion B: Analysis and Evaluation

Show off your analytical skills. You need to:

• Analyse the ways in which the texts create meaning

  • For example, the literary, stylistic, rhetorical, visual and/or performance craft

• The relationships between the texts, such as how they show different perspectives

• Evaluate the authorial choices – why did the writer/creator do this?

To hit the top marks: Be specific! Instead of saying "the author uses imagery," say "the violent imagery of 'blood-soaked fields' creates a sense of horror that..." Always link features to effects and purposes.

Criterion C: Organised and clear communication

How you structure and deliver your presentation is key. You need to:

• Organise your ideas logically and clearly

• Make smooth transitions between points and balance your time between both texts

• Use clear, accurate English, with some literary terminology

• Speak fluently and confidently

For top marks: Every point should relate to your global issue, with each idea building on the last. 

Practise until you're comfortable with your material. Remember, it's fine to pause and think – that shows reflection. Speak like you're having an intelligent conversation, not delivering a memorised speech.

What’s the difference between SL and HL students?

For both IB English Language and Literature (opens in a new tab) courses the IO is worth:

• 20% for HL students

• 30% for SL students 

This gives you the chance to earn a lot of marks that are outside of an exam situation, and on a topic and texts you’ve chosen. With good preparation, this can be a real bonus!

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Let's look at how you can sidestep some common traps.

Mistake 1: Choosing a Global Issue That's Too Vague

How to avoid it: Make your global issue specific and current. Ask yourself: "Could I explain this issue to someone and have them immediately understand what I mean?"

Mistake 2: Treating the Texts Separately

How to avoid it: Keep weaving links throughout your presentation. After making a point about your first text, explicitly link it to your second text. 

Mistake 3: Not Actually Analysing

How to avoid it: Always ask yourself "How?" and "Why?" Instead of "The author uses a metaphor," say "The metaphor of society as a 'machine' suggests the dehumanising nature of industrialisation."

Mistake 4: Poor Time Management

How to avoid it: Practise with a timer! Aim for roughly equal time on both texts (4 minutes each), with time for your introduction and conclusion. If you consistently go over, cut content – don't speak faster.

Mistake 5: Reading from Notes

How to avoid it: Your notes should be bullet-points of key words and phrases, not full sentences. Know your material well. It's absolutely fine if you don't use the exact same words every time.

Mistake 6: Ignoring the Context

How to avoid it: Show you understand the context. A novel written in the 1950s might reflect very different attitudes than a modern article.

Mistake 7: Weak Extracts

How to avoid it: Select extracts that are rich in techniques and clearly connect to your global issue. They should be moments where significant things happen or where the author's craft really shines.

Tips for Practising and Delivering Your Oral

Preparation is the best way to feel confident and get those higher marks.

The Process:

Week 3-4 Before Your IO:

• Finalise your extracts and global issue

• Create a detailed plan of what you'll say

• Start practising out loud (yes, really out loud – practising in your head doesn't count!)

Week 2 Before Your IO:

• Time yourself with every practice run

• Practise in front of a mirror, recording device, or friendly audience

• Refine your notes down to 10 clear bullet points

  • Highlight or colour-code sections

  • Include key quotes or facts you want to mention

• Ask someone to give you feedback

Week Before Your IO:

• Do at least one full practice run every day

• Practise the Q&A section too – have someone ask you unexpected questions

• Get comfortable with your notes so you barely need to look at them

On the Day:

Speaking Clearly:

• Take a deep breath before you start

• If you're being recorded, try to forget about the camera

• Speak at a natural pace (pause briefly between main points)

• Make eye contact with your teacher or class-mates

• If you lose your place, look at your notes, and continue

Managing Nerves:

• Remember: your teacher wants you to succeed!

• If you make a small mistake, just keep going

• Focus on communicating your ideas, not on being "perfect"

The Follow-Up Questions:

After your presentation, your teacher will ask questions for five minutes. To ace this, you could:

• Listen carefully to each question before answering

  • Ask for clarification if you don't understand

  • Take a moment to think before responding

• Connect your answers back to your global issue when relevant

• If you don't know something, be honest but try to engage with the question

If the idea of public speaking keeps you up at night, find out about our Free Exam Anxiety Relief Kit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do HL and SL students have different requirements for the IO?

No. The Individual Oral has the same assessment criteria at Standard Level or Higher Level. You'll have the same time limits, too. 

The difference between SL and HL is the weighting. For HL students, the IO makes up 20% of the final grade, while for SL students it’s 30%. 

How do I choose a good global issue?

A strong global issue has three key qualities. It’s specific, global, and connects to both texts. If you're struggling to make the connections, refine your issue or reconsider your text choices.

How is the IO different from the Paper 1 or Paper 2 exam?

You can look through our breakdown of IB English Language and Literature exam assessments. But here are the key differences: 

The IO:

• You speak rather than write

• You choose your own texts in advance

• You can use notes during your presentation

Paper 1 and 2:

• You write timed essays in response to questions

• No notes are allowed

• There are some unseen texts

Final Thoughts

The Individual Oral might feel daunting at first. In fact, it’s student-friendly! You can choose texts that interest you, explore an issue you care about, and prepare thoroughly in advance. 

During the course, you’ve been developing the analytical and comparative skills you’ll need – now's your chance to talk about them.

Finally, take a deep breath, trust in your preparation, and remember that your teacher knows it can be scary!

Improve your grades with Save My Exams

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Check out our wide range of IB revision resources written by subject experts and examiners:

IB Revision Notes, Past Papers & Exam Questions

References: 

IB English: Studies in language and literature (opens in a new tab)

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Subject Brief: Literature (opens in a new tab)

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Subject Brief: Language and Literature (opens in a new tab)