What Is IB Literature and Performance?

Are you choosing your IB Diploma subjects? You may have stumbled across IB Literature and Performance and wonder what it’s all about. Perhaps you’ve already enrolled and want to get ready for it. How is it different from the standard IB Literature or IB Theatre courses? Is it right for you? Find out all you need to know about the course content and how it’s assessed here. 

Key Takeaways

• A unique blend: Literature and Performance combines traditional literary analysis with the creative and practical skills of theatrical performance

• Who it's for: Perfect for students who love both analysing texts and bringing them to life on stage

• Group 1 subject: It’s part of the IBDP's Language, Literature and Culture group

• Practical and academic: You'll write essays, give oral presentations, and perform

Overview of the Course

IB Literature and Performance is a multidisciplinary Group 1 subject that covers literary analysis and performance studies. Instead of only studying texts through essays and exams, this course lets you explore literature in action.

Essentially, you'll read and analyse texts like literature students do, but you'll also interpret and perform those texts. You might analyse a Shakespeare play, then actually perform a scene from it. You’ll study a contemporary novel and create a theatrical interpretation of a key moment. 

The course recognises that performance is a powerful way to understand ideas from the perspective of readers and audiences - ideal if you're excited by both analysis and creativity.

What You'll Study

You'll encounter a range of texts across the course:

Prose works like classic novels, contemporary fiction, or short story collections. You'll read for plot, character development, and deeper themes.

Plays and dramatic texts form a core part of the course, ranging from classical works to modern plays.

Poetry collections and individual poems are included, too. You’ll explore how language, rhythm, and imagery creates meaning.

Other performance texts could include screenplays, monologues, or contemporary spoken word pieces.

The key difference from traditional literature study is how you engage with these texts. You'll write analytical essays exploring themes and techniques and you’ll spend time on your feet, experimenting with how a character might move, speak, or react. You'll consider directorial and staging choices, too. 

How the Course Is Assessed

In Literature and performance (opens in a new tab) your final grade isn't based solely on exams. This allows you to demonstrate your skills in different ways. If you're creative, your practical work can really boost your overall grade.

Here’s a breakdown.

While the exam and coursework is marked by IB (External assessments), the performance and oral assessment is marked by teachers and moderated by IB (internal assessment). 

How does it fit into the overall IB Diploma? 

Note that IB Literature and Performance is only available as a standard level (SL) course. 

Normally, three subjects (and not more than four) are taken at higher level (HL), and the others are taken at standard level (SL). 

It’s one of the three Diploma Programme (DP) courses that focus on language and literature. While the skills of analysis and critical reflection are the same across the three IB language and literature studies, this course integrates two disciplines. You’ll develop deeper insight through the creative and performative elements - not possible within the single disciplines alone. 

Key Skills You'll Develop

IB Literature and Performance will build skills that'll serve you far beyond the classroom.

Close reading and textual analysis sharpens your understanding of language and literature. How does word choice shift meaning? How does a playwright create tension?

Critical thinking and interpretation becomes second nature. You'll get comfortable asking "why did the author make this choice?" and "what does this reveal about the character?" 

Performance and embodiment skills teaches you to use your voice and body to communicate ideas – a skill that transfers to presentations, interviews, and public speaking.

Collaboration and teamwork are built into practical work. You'll perform with others, giving and receiving feedback.

Creative problem-solving is a key skill: creative challenges require imagination and flexibility.

Communication across different mediums – you'll move fluidly between written essay, spoken analysis, and physical performance.

How It's Different from IB Literature or Theatre

Let’s summarise the key differences.between IB Literature and Performance and similar options.

Is IB Literature and Performance Right for You?

It’s best to check with your teacher before you get too excited. There’s a chance your school doesn't offer it as an option. You may want to check which UK schools offer IB.  

Once you know it’s available, think about where your literary and theatrical skills lie. 

You'd probably love this course if:

• You get excited about reading literature and performing it

• You’re comfortable writing a sophisticated essay, and you can translate literature into performance

• You’re happy performing to an audience, even if it’s just your class

• You don’t like lots of essay writing

• You love debating dramatic and literary choices

You might find it less suitable if:

• You find performance nerve-wracking

  • Although that’s entirely natural, and the course is designed to help you build confidence, you do need to be open to the idea of being on stage

• Essays and exams are your comfort zone

• IB Literature (opens in a new tab) might be better, if so

• You don’t like exams at all

  • In this case, try IB Theatre (opens in a new tab)

Tips for Success

Now that you know what IB Literature and Performance is, here's how to make the most of it.

Balance analysis with creativity: Don't let your analytical side turn performances into lectures. Equally, don't let creativity run wild without grounding it in textual evidence. 

Keep a performance journal: After you watch a performance in class, jot down what you noticed. Even watching films and TV can help. One of my students told me they based an entire performance off Katniss in The Hunger Games. 

Embrace collaboration: Work generously with classmates on group performances and be open to feedback. You'll learn a lot from their interpretations.

Connect your essays to your performances: When you write analytically, remember the scenes you've performed or watched. This is always the best way to analyse dramatic choices and stagecraft. 

Don't aim for "perfect" performances: While you may want to be as good as Judi Dench performing Shakespeare, don’t be too hard on yourself. Thoughtful interpretations are well rewarded.

Prepare for assessments early: For practical work, rehearse well in advance. For written exams, revise your texts thoroughly. Our guides on how to revise for IB Literature may come in handy. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IB Literature and Performance available at Higher Level?

No, the course is offered at Standard Level (SL). If you want a HL course, you may be better off with IB Literature or Theatre.

Can I take this course if I'm not an experienced performer?

Definitely! The course teaches performance skills; it doesn't assume you already have them. You'll develop confidence and technique as you go. What matters is your willingness to try.

Do universities value this subject like standard IB Literature?

Most universities recognise it as a Group 1 qualification. An IB study (opens in a new tab) showed that “a mark of “5” in IB Literature and Performance SL represented the same level of achievement …as the equivalent mark in IB Language and Literature SL”. Still, if you're applying to a programme that specifically requires literature, check the university requirements. 

Here’s what Smit Chirtre (opens in a new tab), currently a student at Harvard University, said: “Indeed, Harvard, much like the IB, prides itself on its interdisciplinary approach that fosters different modes of thought, as opposed to simply exposing students to a wide range of facts and information.”

Can I take this course alongside IB Theatre?

Technically, yes – but check whether your school allows this combination and whether it's realistic given your other subjects. Taking both means a lot of performance work. 

Final Thoughts

What is IB Literature and Performance? It’s is an exciting subject for the right student. It's not a compromise between Literature and Theatre – it's a rigorous, integrated course that takes both elements seriously. You'll develop analytical skills, creative confidence, and a richer understanding of how stories work and communicate meaning. You'll leave the course able to write a compelling essay and stage a scene – a rare and valuable combination.

If you’re still not sure, why not browse through our list of other IB options. 

Good luck!

References: 

Studies in language and literature/individuals and societies: Language and culture (opens in a new tab)

DP literature and performance: Alignment with studies and language and literature (opens in a new tab)

IB Literature Brief (opens in a new tab)

IB Theatre Brief (opens in a new tab)

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