IB English IO Structure & Timing (2025 Guide)
How to organize your 10-minute presentation and 5-minute Q&A, without rambling, rushing, or missing key marks.
Many students struggle with the structure and timing of the IB English IO, and many teachers don’t explain it in a way that’s practical. If you’re not sure how to organize your ideas, manage the 10 minutes, or stay on track during the Q&A, don’t worry. We’ll walk you through it step by step.
This guide breaks down the full structure of the Individual Oral, including intro, body, and conclusion strategies, how to use your outline, and how to approach the 5-minute follow-up questions - all aligned to 2025 IB expectations.
IB English IO Format & Requirements (2025)
The Individual Oral (IO) is a 10-minute spoken presentation followed by a 5-minute teacher-led Q&A. It’s an internal assessment, but it carries real weight, and your structure plays a big role in how well you score.
Here’s what the task looks like:
Lang & Lit students: one literary work and one non-literary body of work (BoW)
Literature students: two literary works (one in English, one in translation)
Global issue: you choose one issue that appears clearly in both texts
Extracts: you’ll closely analyze one passage from each work and connect it to the whole
SL and HL students follow the same format. The only difference is how much it counts:
SL: 30% of your final grade
HL: 20% of your final grade
Everything else - the structure, the timing, the criteria - is the same.
Ready to master your English IO? Book a one-on-one trial session with an experienced IB Examiner who will help you refine your structure, strengthen every criterion, and confidently boost your final score.
What Examiners Want from Your IB English IO Structure
Examiners don’t just care about what you say. They care about how clearly you say it. That’s where structure and timing come in.
Your IO is marked using four criteria. Criterion C, worth 10 out of 40 marks, specifically assesses how well-organized and focused your presentation is.
If your ideas are scattered, your timing is off, or your points don’t tie back to the global issue, you lose marks - even if your analysis is strong. Clear structure also makes your thinking easier to follow, which helps in Criteria A and B too.
A well-structured IO does three things:
Keeps you on topic
Guides the examiner through your analysis
Helps you finish strong without rushing the ending
That’s why getting the format right from the start matters. In the next section, we’ll show you exactly how to break it down.
Already working on your English IO and want expert feedback? Send your draft for review and get actionable guidance before you present.
The IB English IO Format & Timing Breakdown
Your IO should fit into a clear 10-minute structure:
Introduction: ~1 minute
Body: ~8 minutes
- Text 1
• Zoom In (extract): ~2 minutes
• Zoom Out (whole text): ~2 minutes
- Text 2
• Zoom In (extract): ~2 minutes
• Zoom Out (whole text): ~2 minutesConclusion: ~1 minute
That’s the core structure most examiners expect. Stick close to this format and you’ll stay balanced, clear, and within time.
You’re also allowed a 10-point outline, printed on one A4 page. It should include:
Your global issue
Text titles and authors
Main points and transitions
No full sentences or scripted lines.
After the 10-minute presentation, you’ll do a 5-minute Q&A.
We’ll break that part down fully later in this guide.
You’ll want to rehearse this format more than once. We’ll show you how to practice effectively later in the guide.
Structuring Your 10-Minute IO Presentation
This is the IB English IO structure most students follow, and the one most aligned with how examiners are trained to listen. It’s clear, balanced, and easy to execute if you’ve prepared well.
Introduction (~1 minute)
The goal of the intro is to clearly frame your task and set your IO on strong footing. Keep it focused and confident.
State your global issue in one clear sentence
Introduce Text 1 and Text 2: give the title, author, text type, and how each connects to the global issue
Preview your approach: you can briefly explain how you’ll be analyzing each text (e.g. extract first, then wider context)
This doesn’t need to be fancy. Direct is best, especially if it helps calm nerves and get you into your flow.
Body (~8 minutes)
Split your time evenly between both texts. For each one, you’ll follow a Zoom In, Zoom Out structure:
Text 1 (~4 minutes)
Zoom In: analyze your chosen extract in detail
Zoom Out: connect that analysis to the rest of the work or BoW
Keep tying everything back to the global issue
Text 2 (~4 minutes)
Same structure: Zoom In on the extract, Zoom Out to the whole
Make sure this analysis is just as detailed as the first
It’s fine to include light comparison, but it’s not required unless you’re using an integrated structure
Use signposting throughout to keep things organized:
“In this extract, we see…”
“Elsewhere in the novel…”
“Turning to my second text…”
“Both authors highlight…”
Conclusion (~1 minute)
Your conclusion wraps everything up and leaves a lasting impression.
Summarize your key findings from both texts
Offer a final comparative insight or reflection
Reaffirm the global issue and why it matters in both works
End with a clear final sentence that doesn’t trail off
A strong conclusion shows control and confidence - even if your nerves are kicking in.
Alternate IO Structure Approaches
The standard IB English IO structure (Text 1, then Text 2) works well for most students. But there are other formats that can work, especially if you’re confident with comparison and pacing.
These two alternate structures are both examiner-approved, but require sharper planning to pull off effectively.
The Integrated “Theme-by-Theme” IO Structure
Instead of analyzing one text at a time, this approach organizes your IO around 2–3 thematic points, and weaves both texts together throughout.
For example:
Theme 1: Text 1 + Text 2 analysis
Theme 2: Text 1 + Text 2
Theme 3: (optional) Final point or synthesis
This format allows for deep comparative insight and a more fluid presentation. But it’s harder to execute because you’re jumping between texts and need tight transitions.
It’s best suited to students who’ve practiced heavily and feel confident structuring around ideas rather than texts.
The Hybrid “Comparative Conclusion” IO Structure
This approach combines the clarity of the text-by-text structure with a final comparative twist.
Analyze Text 1 fully (Zoom In, Zoom Out)
Analyze Text 2 fully
Save 2-3 minutes at the end for a focused comparative conclusion
This “hybrid” format gives you space to show insight across both texts, without needing to juggle both throughout. It’s a good middle ground, slightly more ambitious than the default, but still manageable.
Using Your IO 10-Point Outline Effectively
You're allowed to bring one A4 sheet into the IO, but it can only contain 10 bullet points, max. No full sentences, and no script. Just short prompts to keep you on track.
What to include:
Your global issue (in clear wording)
Titles and authors of both texts
Extract page numbers (if needed)
Main ideas or transitions (for example, “Zoom In - irony in tone” or “Zoom Out - loss of identity”)
Key comparative point (if relevant)
Think of this as your anchor, not a crutch. The outline helps structure your thoughts, but you need to know your material well enough to speak naturally from it.
Final IO Prep: Practice, Pitfalls, and Last-Minute Tips
Once your IO is structured and your outline is solid, the last step is to rehearse. This is where clarity, timing, and delivery really come together.
Practice Tips That Actually Work
Do full run-throughs with a timer
Use pacing checkpoints to stay on track
Record yourself and listen back for tone, clarity, and timing
Practice with your outline only, not a script
IO Pitfalls to Watch For
Even strong students lose marks over common mistakes. Here’s what to avoid:
Unclear or overly vague global issue
Too much summary, not enough analysis
Uneven attention to texts or timing
Over-rehearsed delivery or freezing in Q&A
Checklist: Final IO Readiness
Before exam day, make sure you can confidently say yes to these:
My global issue is focused, arguable, and clearly present in both texts
I have a clear intro, structured Zoom In/Zoom Out body, and a strong conclusion
My outline fits within the 10-bullet limit and helps me stay on track
My analysis is balanced and relevant across both texts
I’ve practiced responding to Q&A questions with clarity and confidence
I can link my answers back to the global issue even under pressure
My final timed rehearsal stayed within the 10-minute limit
I feel ready to deliver without sounding scripted or memorized
How to Handle the IB English IO Q&A (5-Minute Follow-Up Guide)
After your 10-minute presentation, your teacher will ask follow-up questions for five minutes. These questions are meant to help you expand on what you already said, not quiz you on unrelated details.
What kinds of questions will I get during my IO Q&A?
Most IO Q&A questions fall into a few predictable areas:
Clarifying an idea you mentioned
Asking about a different part of the text (beyond your extract)
Inviting comparison between the two texts
Exploring a technique, tone, or authorial decision
Probing your interpretation of the global issue
How to answer the Q&A well
Listen fully before you respond
Pause for a second to organize your thoughts
Give one clear point, supported with evidence
Link back to your global issue whenever it fits naturally
Stay calm, even if the question is unexpected
Helpful practice tip
Do one or two short mock IO Q&A rounds. The goal isn’t to memorize answers, but to get used to thinking aloud under gentle pressure and speaking clearly without drifting off-topic.
Get Guidance for Your IO Structure and Q&A
If you’re unsure about your timing, structure, or how to handle the Q&A, you don’t have to figure it out alone. The IO is one of those tasks that’s much easier to prepare for with someone who knows what examiners look for.
Our IB English tutors can help you refine your structure, choose extracts, and practice real Q&A questions so you feel confident on the day. We work with experienced IB graduates, teachers, and examiners, so the feedback you get is accurate and practical.
IB English IO Structure & Timing - FAQ
What is the ideal structure for the IB English IO?
Intro, Text 1 (Zoom In, Zoom Out), Text 2 (Zoom In, Zoom Out), and a brief conclusion. This keeps your analysis balanced and easy to follow.
How long should each part of the IO be?
Intro: ~1 minute, Body: ~8 minutes total, Conclusion: ~1 minute. Staying close to this pacing helps you finish without rushing.
How many points can I put in my IO outline?
Ten bullets total, one side of A4. No full sentences. Keep each bullet specific enough to guide you.
Do I have to compare my texts in the IO?
No. Comparison is optional. If you include it, keep it brief or place it in the conclusion.
Should I memorize my IO?
No. Memorizing sounds unnatural and can throw you off if you forget a line. Practice enough to speak confidently from your structure.
What happens if I run out of time during my IO?
You risk losing marks for structure and clarity. Time your practice so you know exactly when to move on.
How do I prepare for the IO Q&A?
Practice short, structured answers. Most questions ask you to clarify a point, comment on another part of a text, or reconnect to the global issue.
How do I manage nerves during the IO?
Slow your pace, focus on your outline, and practice a few full run-throughs. Nerves usually settle once the structure feels familiar.
