HL only — SL candidates read too
The Written Assignment is a Higher Level component only (25% of HL final grade). SL candidates do not submit a Written Assignment — but the writing strategies in this guide apply directly to SL Paper 2 (Written productive skills). For the full IB Spanish B structure, see our IB Spanish complete guide →
What the Written Assignment Is
The IB Spanish B HL Written Assignment is a 500-word creative writing piece produced in response to three literary works read in class. It is submitted as part of your internal assessment and moderated externally. You have significant freedom in choosing the text type and angle — but that freedom is a double-edged sword: most marks are lost through poor task choice rather than weak writing.
The Four Assessment Criteria
Criterion A — Language (10 marks)
Vocabulary range and accuracy, grammatical complexity and accuracy, register and style appropriate to the chosen text type. This is the largest criterion and where strong vocabulary pays off most directly.
Criterion B — Content (10 marks)
How effectively you engage with the source literary work(s). Examiners want to see genuine textual understanding — not a plot summary but an exploration of themes, characters, or ideas. The best Written Assignments choose an angle that allows subtle literary insight through a creative form.
Criterion C — Format (5 marks)
Whether the text type conventions are used correctly and effectively. A diary entry must read like a diary entry. A letter must follow letter format. This is five "free" marks that many candidates waste by choosing an unfamiliar text type.
Criterion D — Rationale (5 marks)
Your 100-word explanation of why you chose this text type and angle, and how it connects to the literary works. The rationale is marked separately — it must be precise, specific, and show that your choices were deliberate rather than accidental.
Choosing the Right Text Type
The most common mistake: choosing a text type that is hard to sustain for 500 words without exhausting its conventions. A diary entry is structurally simple but becomes repetitive. An interview is dynamic but requires writing convincingly for two voices. An article or opinion column is the safest choice for most candidates because it allows extensive argument, connectors, and vocabulary range without tight format constraints.
Register is the most-penalised criterion gap
In the IB Subject Reports for Spanish B, examiners consistently note that candidates who mix formal and informal register within a piece lose Criterion A marks they could have kept with minimal awareness. Before submitting, read your piece aloud and flag every sentence that sounds out of register. The Lingaso Writing Analyser checks register consistency alongside CEFR vocabulary level.
A Step-by-Step Writing Process
Step 1: Choose your angle before your text type
Start with the literary theme or idea you want to explore — not the format. "I want to explore how the protagonist's identity changes after migration" is an angle. From that angle, the best text type will become obvious (possibly a letter from a character to a relative back home).
Step 2: Draft the rationale first
Writing the 100-word rationale before you write the main piece forces you to articulate your choices clearly. If you can't write a clear rationale, your angle is likely too vague to produce a focused 500-word piece.
Step 3: Write a 600-word draft, then cut to 500
The word limit is strict. Writing 20% over and then cutting forces you to prioritise — the strongest vocabulary and clearest ideas survive, weaker filler disappears. This consistently produces tighter, higher-scoring pieces than writing exactly to length.
Step 4: Check vocabulary range explicitly
Scan your 500 words for frequency vocabulary. If you've used hablar three times, replace two with debatir, destacar, or señalar. If your adjectives are all A1 words (bueno, malo, grande), upgrade them. This targeted substitution is the fastest way to improve Criterion A from 6 to 8.
FAQ
Can I write the Written Assignment in any Spanish variety?
Yes. IB does not mandate Peninsular or Latin American Spanish. Consistency within your piece matters — don't mix varieties, as this creates register inconsistency that penalises Criterion A.
Does the 500-word count include the rationale?
No. The rationale has its own 100-word limit and is assessed under Criterion D separately from the main 500-word piece.
Can I use the same literary work for multiple IB assessments?
You may not use the same literary work in both the Written Assignment and Paper 2 for your written response. Check your school's guidelines — teachers typically coordinate this to prevent overlap.
What happens if I exceed 500 words?
Examiners are instructed to stop reading at 500 words. Content or language excellence beyond that limit is not assessed. Write to exactly 500 or slightly under.
Related guides
IB Spanish B & Ab Initio: Complete Guide →
Full exam breakdown, criteria, and vocabulary strategy.
IB Spanish Vocabulary by Topic →
The five core topic areas and what to prioritise for Criterion A.
IB Spanish Individual Oral Guide →
How to score 7/7 on the oral component.
Formal Letter Writing Guide →
Format, phrase banks, and register tips for the Written Assignment.