How to tackle an IB English Language and Literature Paper 2
What is IB English?
Have you been struggling with understanding how to go about preparing for your IB English Language and Literature exams ?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Language A course is designed for students aged 16-19 to develop a deeper understanding of concepts and principles in English. For your Language A class, you have the opportunity to either take the Literature or Language and Literature courses. Language and Literature course offers a comprehensive coverage of both literary and non-literary mediums of text and allows you to understand both the context and the outcome of these texts.
Today we will take a deeper dive into paper 2 and how you can go into your exam feeling more prepared.
Understanding your texts
In order to write a solid Paper 2, you need to choose texts that you have studied in class and make sure that you understand them thoroughly. Ideally, you want to prepare three texts for your paper 2. Although you only need two, preparing three means that whatever the question may be, you will have a text that will appropriately answer the question.
When picking what texts to do for your paper 2, you want to choose texts that have a sufficient breadth of examples of literary devices and information/plot that will make them easier to compare. Although you do not necessarily have to pick two of the same text types, we would recommend that they are at least of similar lengths. For example, although you could compare a poem with a novel, you would be better off leaving your poetry analysis for your IO, and comparing that novel with a play. For more information on how to successfully compare texts for your IO, amongst other internal assessments, check out our insights on all things IB English Language and Literature IAs.
To make sure you fully understand the texts, you want to make sure you have a good grasp on some key features: context, setting, plot, themes and stylistic devices. Having these prepared will mean that when you need to compare the texts, you will not struggle to find elements to directly compare.
Understanding the question
Although understanding your texts is a huge element in making sure you can successfully write a paper 2, making sure you can decode the question is perhaps the most essential step to your writing. Paper 2 questions will typically cover different elements of the texts such as context, themes or stylistic devices, and although you are free to choose any of the four questions, we would usually recommend sticking either to a context question or a theme question. These tend to be slightly easier in terms of looking at the texts as a whole, without having to refer to the actual specific wording within a text.
Now that you have chosen your question, what you want to do is to circle the key terms that will need defining in the text. These key terms will be the drivers of your answer and what you will have to focus your writing on as a whole. For these, you will want to come up with your own definitions.
For example, if the question is asking you about a “struggle” shown in your texts, what does struggle mean to you? Does it mean a physical altercation between two individuals, or a verbal conflict? Could it also mean an internal struggle between what is expected of a character and the way they act?
Identifying exactly what the definitions of the key terms in the question are will be key for you to successfully write a thorough analysis and show the examiner that you have understood what is expected of you.
Answering the question
Now that you know what books you are going to write about as well as how you are going to answer the question, it’s time to put those two things together.
Make sure you jot down any information about the text that is relevant to the question. Think about any characters, plot lines, or stylistic devices that may be relevant to making sure you can answer the question. When you write these all down, you will be able to draw connections between the two texts, which will set the foundations for your plan moving forward.
When drawing connections, you want to try and find two topics from the two texts. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the same exact theme, but that they cover the same general ideas. For example, if one text talks about existentialism and the meaning of life, but the other text talks about mourning life and the feeling of grief- although they are not talking explicitly about the same thing, they touch on the value of life and hence can be grouped together for comparison.
Write
Now all you have left to do is write! Make sure when you write you remember your essay writing skills regarding PEE paragraphs, and that you not only consider the question, but include quotes and analyse what effect they may have on the reader.
Unlike other assignments, prepping for your paper 2 takes a lot of work beforehand, so you want to make sure you go into the exam feeling confident and like you know your texts well.
At Aegis Advisors, we specialize in guiding students through the intricate world of IB English. Contact us to start your tutoring journey today so that you can feel more secure going into your exams!