English B subject report · May 2015

May 2015 extended essay reports Page 1 English B Subject Report Overall grade boundaries Grade: E D C B A Mark range: 0-7 8-15 16-22 23-28 29-36 The range and suitability of the work submitted The May 2015 session included a reasonably wide range of topics, though there are very few examples of Category 1, language based essays. Examiners’ experiences varied but it was agreed that Category 3 literary topics are still generally the most successful of the group. These essays have tended this session to include more on popular modern texts rather than only on ‘safe’ well -known traditional texts and were fairly well grounded with the more successful students showing good awareness of meaningful literary analysis. Less successful students tended to rely on plot summary and/or personal reaction to the text often failing to use sufficient textual evidence in support of the ideas in the essay. It is important for students and supervisors to remember that all texts analysed must originally have been written in English. Many candidates and supervisors continue to have difficulty understanding the focus of Category 2 essays, some of which were far too broad for meaningful investigation. Many also failed to address the socio-cultural impact on the use of English in Category 2a essays, and a number in Category 2b failed to examine cultural artefacts with a focus on English speaking countries and cultures. Media- based research questions were almost always either too broad in scope, or they set out to analyse specific language within the media, yet failed to do so within the body of the essay, resulting in vague generalities. The essays on various subcultures in Category 2 (e.g. rap/hip hop culture, or specific school populations etc.) were noticeably weak, lacking in viable sources and heavily reliant on students' personal knowledge. Students and supervisors must understand that the Category 2 heading “Culture and Society” is divided into two more focused perspectives, one based on language impact and