IB English A Language and Literature Paper 2: How to get top marks

IB English paper 2 requires students to compare and contrast two literary works they have studied as part of their course. This paper can seem daunting but it needn’t be: this blog will help show you exactly what examiners will be looking for, grouped under each assessment criteria, as well as providing you with some concrete tips.

The IB offers a choice of four questions for students to choose from and they will focus on different elements of literary works including:

• Character
• Setting
• Structure and plot development
• Themes 
• Genre
• Literary techniques
• Purpose and authorial intention

The IB Assessment Criteria – English Paper 2

Criterion A (Knowledge and Understanding)

This assessment focus is on how much knowledge and understanding of the texts you can demonstrate to the examiner. Firstly, stay focused on the question. Your examples and references need to be relevant to the specific question you have chosen. Make sure your links to the question are clear: use the language of the question throughout your essay. Try not to assume the examiner knows a literary work as well as you do: think of it as helping them to understand the work better. 

Secondly, make sure you compare and contrast: it will help to show an excellent understanding of your two works if you can explore both similarities and differences. Ensure you have some key quotations memorised which you can draw on for each work. The examiner needs to see evidence of interpretation. This means you need to explain why an author has made the choices they have made, and not simply describe them. For each example you give, ask yourself:

What is the author’s purpose here?

Why is this moment/quotation/literary technique so significant?

What is the author’s intended message?

How does this moment/quotation/literary technique further the plot or the character development?

How does the author want the reader/audience to react to this moment/quote/literary element?

Does this mark a change or a shift in the work? 

Criterion B (Analysis and Evaluation)

This assessment focus is on language choices, authorial intent, and a comparison of the two texts based on this. It can help if you choose two different text types for this paper (e.g. a play and a novella). In this way you are giving yourself maximum opportunity to explore how the authorial choices of the works function differently depending on the text type, but also contain areas of similarity.

Firstly, aim to explore a range of authorial choices in both works; I recommend at least three per work. Some might overlap between both works but make sure you show that you appreciate the different authorial choices in both works. Treat all authorial choices in the works as deliberate: the author has included them for a reason, and it’s up to you to offer an explanation as to “why”.

Secondly, aim to explore more obscure techniques such as perspective, paradox, irony and ambiguity. As with criterion A, link all your analysis back to the question. Don’t underestimate the power of the word “therefore”. For example, “Therefore, this clearly shows…”

Criterion C (Focus and Organisation)

This assessment focus is on the organisation of your essay. The examiners are looking for a structure that is logical and effectively developed. To achieve this, make sure you consider how to group your ideas prior to starting the essay. Examiners like to see evidence of a plan.

The IB expects candidates to have an introduction and a conclusion: make sure you plan for this and allow yourself enough time to bring your ideas to a close at the end.

I recommend using the 5 paragraph structure:

Introduction

Point of contrast 

Point of similarity

Point of contrast/similarity

Conclusion

Firstly, introductions should offer a brief overview as to why your chosen works are relevant to the question. However, don’t get carried away providing a long synopsis of both works here. If it isn’t relevant to the question or your argument, it doesn’t need to be included.

Secondly, develop a thesis statement that is relevant to the question; make sure it is included in your introduction and return to it in the conclusion. Some possible sentence starters for a good Paper 2 thesis statement are:

In this essay, I will be exploring how both works explore ____ but in very different ways.

In this essay, I will be arguing that my two chosen works present ___ in order to…

Thirdly, begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that relates back to your thesis statement – this will help keep your essay focused and relevant. Discourse markers such as firstly, furthermore and similarly are essential, especially at the start of each paragraph.

Finally, conclusions should be short but sweet: return to your thesis statement and summarise in a sentence or two how you have proved it. Leave the examiner with a positive impression of your essay.

Criterion D (Language) 

This assessment focus is on how you use language. The examiner wants to see a good range of relevant text and subject-specific terminology applied with accuracy. I recommend students revise terminology related to language, structure and form to ensure they are well equipped for any question that is thrown their way. One way to do this is to create your own terminology lists for each work to help you revise.

Make sure you maintain an academic register – your essay needs to sound formal. This will include not only the vocabulary you use but also the sentence structures and punctuation. Read examples of effective essays to help you understand what an effective academic register looks like and ask for help from your tutor if you want to see ‘model’ answers.

The best essays use language effectively: this means showing confidence in your writing and putting forward an argument persuasively. The examiner wants to be engaged and interested in what you are writing. Think about the first and last sentence of your essay very carefully – how can you immediately engage your examiner in the beginning, then leave them with a lasting impression at the end? For example, you could begin your essay with a relevant rhetorical question, and then end your essay with an answer to that rhetorical question. 

Now all that’s left to do is practise! Have a go at the Paper 2 Practice paper provided and see how you get on. Good luck, and do remember that here at Owl Tutors we are happy to help with exam preparation and general essay skills.