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IB English A: Language & Literature: Intertextuality: connecting texts

Comparing texts, conventions and genre. 4 subtopics, 20 key terms.

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In this topic: 3.1 · 3.2 · 3.3 · 3.4

3.1Genre and conventions

Genre: A category of texts sharing conventions (e.g. dystopian novel, tragedy, op-ed, news report).
Conventions: Typical features audiences expect from a genre.
Subverting conventions: Deliberately breaking expectations for effect.
Hybrid genre: A text mixing conventions of different genres.

Readers interpret texts through genre expectations: a news report should be objective; a horror film should scare.

The full notes, worked example and check questions for this subtopic are in the app.

Exam tip: Naming the genre's conventions gives you a ready-made comparison point: expectation vs. what the text actually does.

Intertextuality: The ways texts refer to, borrow from or respond to other texts.
Allusion: A brief reference to another text, person or event.
Parody: An imitation of a text's style for comic or critical effect.
Pastiche: An imitation that celebrates or pays tribute, without mocking.
Adaptation: Transforming a text into a new form or context (novel → film).

Meaning is shaped by the reader's knowledge of other texts: an allusion only works if the audience recognises it.

The full notes, worked example and check questions for this subtopic are in the app.

Exam tip: Explain what the reader needs to know for the reference to work, and how it shapes meaning; spotting the allusion isn't enough.

Comparison: Analysing similarities AND differences between texts.
Point of comparison: A shared focus (theme, technique, context) used to compare.
Comparative connectives: Similarly, likewise, in contrast, whereas, conversely, however.
Synthesis: Bringing the texts together to reach an overall insight.

Strong comparison is integrated: each paragraph discusses both texts on one point.

The full notes, worked example, interactive diagram and check questions for this subtopic are in the app.

Exam tip: Start each body paragraph with a comparative topic sentence that names both texts and the point of comparison.

Identity: How texts shape and express who we are.
Culture: How texts reflect and shape cultural values.
Creativity: How writers innovate with language and form.
Communication: How texts transmit meaning between writer and reader.
Perspective: Whose point of view is presented, and how.
Transformation: How texts change and are changed (adaptation, intertextuality, reader response).
Representation: How texts portray reality, people and ideas.

Concepts connect texts across areas of exploration and help you build arguments for the IO, Paper 2 and HL essay.

The full notes, worked example and check questions for this subtopic are in the app.

Exam tip: Pair a concept with a specific technique in your thesis: concepts give direction, techniques give evidence.