IB Literature and Performance: Full Topic List

Are you thinking of studying IB Literature and Performance? Perhaps you’ve already enrolled on the course. What will you learn, though? Knowing exactly what you’ll cover will get you ready for success. So, let’s look at exactly what you’ll learn in an IB Literature and Performance full topic list.  

Key Takeaways

• Unique interdisciplinary approach: This course combines literary analysis with theatrical performance

• Practical and academic blend: You'll develop analytical writing skills alongside creative performance abilities 

• Flexible study structure: The course covers three core areas. These are: literary texts, approaches to texts, and your own performance transformations

• Only at Standard Level: Literature and Performance is exclusively offered at Standard Level. Other IB English courses offer Higher Level

What Is IB Literature and Performance?

IB Literature and Performance is a Standard Level, Group 1 (studies in language and literature) course in the IB Diploma Programme. It bridges three key elements: 

1. Reading and analysing literary texts through close reading

2. Performing and exploring dramatic works on stage

3. Transforming literature into theatrical performances

You’ll cover analysis of language, literature, and undertake critical reflection. The course takes a creative approach to examining literary texts with your own dramatic performance.

Course Structure and Core Themes

The (opens in a new tab)curriculum (opens in a new tab) covers three key interdisciplinary areas that look like this: 

Analysis of Literary Texts

Throughout the course, you'll engage with all kinds of literature across time and place. 

Prose Fiction: You'll study contemporary literary fiction, historical novels, or short story collections. Teachers choose your specific set list. You may study novels like The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Prose with detailed characterisation, complex plots, and rich internal monologue are typical.

Drama Texts: You'll study classical and contemporary plays. Classical examples include Shakespeare, Chekhov, or Ibsen. Contemporary plays might include work by writers like Caryl Churchill or Simon Stephens. You'll examine how playwrights use dialogue, stage directions, and structure. This knowledge is applied to your own adaptation work.

Poetry and Spoken Word Texts: Narrative poetry, dramatic monologues, or contemporary poetry collections. Poetry's structure and imagery create unique performance opportunities. A single poem can become a realised theatrical moment.

Analysing and performing dramatic texts

Analysis and performance of plays teaches you how a playwright makes dramatic choices. You'll learn how they create audience response and deliver themes. You'll explore how context links to cultural identity. 

Transforming non-dramatic literary texts into performance

Here you’ll bring together your knowledge of literature and theatre. You’ll translate your knowledge of writers’ methods by changing extracts into performance. This could be a novel, poem, or story, for example

Full Topic List for IB Literature and Performance

Critical Study of Literary Texts: prose, poetry, plays, and spoken word

Students engage with a range of literary works, focusing on:

• Close reading and textual analysis

• Considering authorial context and historical/cultural contexts

• Recognising how different readers interpret texts

Assessment: one examination - a comparative literary analysis of two studied texts.

Exploration of Dramatic Texts and Adaptation

You'll analyse classic and contemporary plays, and find out how playwrights use:

• Dialogue and subtext

• Stage directions and physical movement

• Structure and pacing

• Theatrical conventions and dramatic techniques

This section involves actively creating performance pieces, considering:

• Character development and interpretation

  • Making choices about how characters move, speak, and interact.

• Staging and design thinking.

  • Deciding what theatrical elements (lighting, sound, props, costume) serve your interpretation.

• Audience engagement.

  • Considering how to communicate to a live audience.

• Reflection and justification

  • Articulating particular choices.

Assessment: Written coursework essay of 2,000 words. An analysis of dramatic choices in a performance.

Interpreting Texts for the Stage

You'll examine how non-dramatic texts could become dramatic by:

• Identifying key scenes or moments suitable for staging

• Understanding how to condense or expand material for performance

• Considering how different genres require different adaptation approaches

• Exploring how literary imagery translates to visual/physical theatre

As you read texts, you’ll ask questions like these:

• How do you stage a character's thoughts or emotions?

• If a novel has a first-person narrator, how do you represent that in performance?

• When should you use realistic staging, stylised movement, direct address, or experimental techniques?

• How do you stay true to the original whilst making bold artistic choices?

Your performances could be solo, group, or ensemble work. Mixed models could mean that some students perform whilst others manage technical elements. 

Assessment: Transformative performance and individual oral.

Transform an extract of a non-dramatic literary work into a theatrical performance.

Reflect on performance in an oral presentation.

Skills You'll Develop in Literature and Performance

The value of the course lies in its blend of academic and creative skills. These are both excellent for further study and for public speaking. Universities value its interdisciplinary and creative approach.

Let's hear from a previous student of the course, (opens in a new tab)Smit Chirtre. (opens in a new tab) His Harvard University interviewer was “impressed” by his “transformation of García Márquez’s Chronicle of Death Foretold”.

You’ll develop transferable skills like:

• Literary Analysis – The way meaning is created through language

  • This is perfect for university-level study across humanities disciplines

• Critical Writing – How to articulate complex interpretations clearly and persuasively

• Performance Technique – Voice projection, physical awareness, character development, and audience engagement

  • Useful for interviews, job presentations, and public speaking

• Collaborative Skills – Practise teamwork and receiving feedback

• Problem-Solving – Quick and creative thinking  

  • For instance, how do you stage a train journey? How do you make a poem visual?

• Interdisciplinary Thinking – Applying knowledge from literature and theatre

How to Use This Topic List for Revision

Your revision should be similar to traditional IB English Language and Literature. However, you’ll add some extra strategies because of the performance component. Here’s how: 

• Identify weak areas – Which texts haven't you fully explored? Are you stronger with analysis or with practical performance work? Focus additional time here.

• Know your terminology  – Can you identify specific literary techniques? 

  • Our Literature experts have a ready-made list of the Top 127 Literary Devices

• Study in thematic clusters – Group texts by theme to aid comparative thinking. 

• Plan study schedules – Spread revision across both analytical and practical work 

  • Use techniques like spaced repetition to boost memory of content.

• Write essays under timed conditions –  Use past papers to prepare 

  • Your teachers can provide you with these

  • Brush up on writing skills with our guide on how to write fast in an exam

• Prepare your oral presentation – Write out key points and practise delivery.

  • Use the questions listed in this guide to identify focal areas

• Practise your performance– Rehearse in front of others, get feedback, refine, and repeat!

• Engage with live theatre – If possible, see plays performed. If not, watch films.

  • Observe how directors make choices and how actors interpret characters

Some of my students say that watching their favourite actors helps them decide exactly how to move or speak with more impact. The (opens in a new tab)Shakespeare Learning Zone (opens in a new tab) has some great videos of actors rehearsing plays.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Literature and Performance different from IB English?

Literature and Performance differs from standard English courses because of the performance element. IB English courses focus on reading, analysing, and writing about literature. But, Literature and Performance lets you create theatrical performances based on literary texts. You'll justify those performances through written analysis. In other words, you're learning to think like both a literary scholar and a theatre maker.

Do I need acting experience to succeed in this course?

Not at all. What matters is your willingness to take creative risks, think about textual meaning, and commit to rehearsal. You’ll develop performance skills during the course. That said, you’ll need to be fairly comfortable performing in front of a small audience.

How many texts do I need to study?

You’ll study at least five texts. For instance, you might study two novels, two collections of poetry, and one play. Your teacher will choose the specific selection.

Is Literature and Performance accepted by universities?

Absolutely. Universities recognise this course for its analytical and creative and collaborative approach. You'll demonstrate an ability to think across disciplines and integrate knowledge.

What if I'm not a confident writer?

One of the great things about this course is that you’ll be rewarded for your performances. But, you’ll still write two pieces: Paper 1 (comparative essay) and the Written Coursework (2,000 words maximum). 

Can I perform in a group, or must I perform solo?

You’ll likely do solo performances and group work. However, assessment is individual—each performer is marked on their own contribution. 

What happens if I get nervous during my performance?

This is completely normal. All actors and performers get nervous. Don’t worry! You'll have rehearsed, your teacher will have prepared you, and your audience will be supportive (usually your class and teacher). 

What texts are typically studied?

There's no prescribed list, so your teacher will choose. Popular texts include novels like Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, or The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Poetry collections might include work by poets like Carol Ann Duffy, W.H. Auden, or Sylvia Plath. You'll study Shakespeare, and contemporary playwrights like Arthur Miller or Tennessee Williams. You can ask your teacher for the list you’ll study. 

How much time should I spend on each part of the course?

Roughly, each part of the course is given around 50 hours, for a total of 150 taught hours. Revise with this in mind. Still, you may spend more time on rehearsing a performance outside class time, or on weaker areas.  

Final Thoughts

IB Literature and Performance is ideal if you enjoy analysis and creative expression. Employers and universities value these skills. You'll also develop critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and confidence.

This IB Literature and Performance Full Topics List demonstrates how you'll engage with a variety of texts. You'll also think imaginatively, and reflect creatively. You're developing a rare and valuable set of skills. Be ready to take creative risks as you engage with texts and performance!

References: 

Literature and performance course - International Baccalaureate® (opens in a new tab)

IB University Admissions and Latest Curriculum Updates (opens in a new tab)

IB Literature and Performance Subject Brief (opens in a new tab)

Shakespeare Learning Zone (opens in a new tab)