Paper 2 of the IB Language and Literature curriculum is a comparative essay designed to test students' abilities
In this article, we will explore key elements of Paper 2 and provide sample responses along with detailed analyses to help students understand how to approach this assessment effectively. We will delve into the different criteria used to evaluate the essay, examine effective writing strategies, and review complete sample responses to illustrate how students can excel in this challenging task.
Paper 2 is a comparative essay with a duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes. Both Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) students are presented with four general questions, from which they select one. The goal is to write a comparative analysis that focuses on two literary works studied in class. Students can use works in translation and texts chosen freely, but cannot use texts that were used for other IB assessments, such as the Individual Oral (IO) or the HL Essay.
A good approach is to pre-select three literary texts for Paper 2 preparation, ensuring that they share some thematic similarities but also offer interesting contrasts. Selecting texts with both overlapping and distinct features can make for a more engaging comparative essay. The choice of works is critical, as selecting texts that have enough depth and complexity allows students to fully explore the nuances and make meaningful comparisons.
To ensure a strong performance in Paper 2, it is crucial for students to engage deeply with the texts during their study period. This involves identifying key themes, examining authorial choices, and considering the historical and cultural context of each work. Such preparation will help students feel confident in making connections and comparisons during the exam.
Paper 2 is assessed based on four criteria: Knowledge, Understanding, and Interpretation, Analysis and Evaluation, Focus and Organization, and Language. Each criterion focuses on different aspects of the essay, and understanding them is critical to achieving a good score. Below, we break down each of these criteria and how they contribute to the overall evaluation.
This criterion assesses a student’s understanding of the chosen texts, including their ability to make clear and relevant references to specific moments within the works. A crucial aspect of this criterion is the ability to interpret the works in light of the given question and draw meaningful conclusions about the similarities and differences between the texts. For example, a sample response comparing how characters in Death and the Maiden and Sizwe Banzi is Dead experience oppression would need to clearly identify relevant moments in each work that highlight this theme.
Students need to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of each work and show an ability to discuss themes, character motivations, and conflicts that arise. It is also important to understand how different elements of the text work together to convey larger messages. Effective essays provide specific examples that are rich in detail and supported by a comprehensive understanding of the text.
This criterion focuses on a student’s ability to analyze authorial choices and evaluate how language, techniques, and style shape meaning. It is important to go beyond simply identifying literary features—students need to explain their effect and relevance to the text’s themes. Effective comparative essays often incorporate frequent comparisons of how different authors use language to convey similar or different messages. A strong response might compare how lighting is used in both plays—darkness to reflect Paulina’s fear in Death and the Maiden, and light to represent Sizwe’s weakness in Sizwe Banzi is Dead.
In addition to discussing the authors' choices, it is essential to evaluate why these choices were made and how they contribute to the overall effect of the work. This involves thinking critically about the text and considering the implications of the author's decisions. For instance, students might analyze how the use of dramatic irony enhances the audience's understanding of the characters' internal struggles, or how symbolism contributes to a recurring theme across both works.
Organization is key to writing a successful Paper 2 essay. A clear thesis, focused arguments, well-integrated references, and smooth transitions between paragraphs help maintain coherence. Students can adopt different structural approaches, such as the alternating method (learn more) or the block method (learn more), to organize their comparative points. A well-balanced essay gives equal attention to both works, ensuring that each comparison point is fully developed.
The alternating method involves comparing both texts simultaneously within each paragraph, ensuring that each point made is directly relevant to both works. This method helps to maintain a clear comparative focus throughout the essay. On the other hand, the block method involves discussing each work separately and then drawing comparisons between them. While this method can still be effective, students need to be careful to ensure that their comparisons are explicitly drawn, rather than implied.
Regardless of the method chosen, it is crucial that the essay remains focused on the question. Each paragraph should begin with a clear topic sentence that relates back to the thesis and the central question. The use of cohesive devices and transitions also plays an important role in guiding the reader through the essay and maintaining logical flow.
Language assesses the clarity, accuracy, and appropriateness of vocabulary and tone. Students should strive to maintain a formal academic register, avoid informal language, and use varied and precise vocabulary. Reviewing and editing one’s writing during the exam is crucial to ensuring accuracy and avoiding simple errors.
Effective language use also involves choosing vocabulary that is both sophisticated and appropriate to the analysis. This means avoiding overly simplistic words and phrases, as well as refraining from using overly complex language that may confuse meaning. Instead, students should focus on using language that conveys their ideas clearly and effectively.
Consider a sample question: Compare the ways in which at least two works you have studied portray individual weakness. A strong comparative essay might focus on Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman and Sizwe Banzi is Dead by Athol Fugard.
Both plays explore individual weakness in characters struggling against oppressive systems. Paulina in Death and the Maiden displays psychological fragility—she hides in darkness, reliving the trauma of her past, which is exacerbated by her fear and distrust. Lighting plays a significant role in depicting her weakness, with darkness representing her inability to move on. In contrast, Sizwe Banzi is Dead uses light to symbolize Sizwe’s struggle to maintain his identity in the face of apartheid. The use of lighting highlights his vulnerability as he contemplates giving up his name and identity to survive under an oppressive regime.
In this comparative essay, the student effectively highlights similarities in how both authors use dramatic elements to represent individual weakness, while also acknowledging the different contexts and outcomes of each character's experience. The alternating method of comparison ensures a balanced exploration of both works, providing a thorough analysis that supports the essay’s thesis.
The essay would benefit from a more in-depth exploration of the cultural and historical contexts of both works. Understanding the socio-political background of apartheid in South Africa and the aftermath of dictatorship in Chile can add another layer of depth to the analysis, demonstrating a more nuanced understanding of the factors that contribute to the characters' struggles.
Question: In what ways have two of the works you have studied made use of rituals and to what effect?
Texts used: A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams (1947) and A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen (1879)
Response:
Our lives are defined by our rituals. As we grow, we discover these rituals, grow accustomed to them, and either move on to newer experiences and routines, or in some cases, cling onto them our entire lives. Rituals are often associated with primitive deity worshiping dances around a mystical fire, but the truth is, there is ritual in everything we do. There is ritual in waking up and attending school each day, working a 9-5 job, and even in the way we play with our hair when we’re nervous, consent to our parents' expectations, or laugh too hard at our crush’s jokes. As literature is essentially a mirror to the human soul, it also contains these ritualistic elements. Both Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House and Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire explore the notion of ritual by presenting the recurring mannerisms and nuances that shape their characters’ identities and relationships. Because both these plays are created on the structures of realism, they strive to capture the daily habitual rituals that are small acts but significant indications of who we are as people. Thus, by showcasing these rituals, both Ibsen and Williams reflect different essences of humanity that are relevant and authentic in our own style.
Paper 2 requires students to demonstrate not only their understanding of two literary texts but also their ability to compare and analyze authorial choices meaningfully. A successful essay is well-structured, with a clear thesis and balanced arguments that effectively respond to the given question. By focusing on specific literary techniques, supporting claims with textual evidence, and practicing under exam conditions, students can enhance their performance in this challenging but rewarding assessment.
The ability to critically analyze and compare different works of literature is a valuable skill that goes beyond the exam room. The process of writing Paper 2 helps students develop their analytical skills, improve their writing abilities, and gain a deeper appreciation of literature and its role in reflecting and shaping society. By delving into the complexities of the texts and exploring different perspectives, students can not only excel in the exam but also grow as readers and thinkers.
Ultimately, Paper 2 offers students the opportunity to engage deeply with literature, challenge their analytical skills, and articulate their thoughts in a clear and coherent manner. By approaching the assessment with a structured plan, focusing on authorial choices, and practicing extensively, students can develop the confidence needed to produce insightful, well-crafted essays that demonstrate a thorough understanding of the texts and their comparative elements.
The comparative essay is a rewarding endeavor that encourages students to make meaningful connections between different texts, offering insights into human experiences, social contexts, and the power of literary expression. It is through these comparisons that students can truly appreciate the richness of literature and its ability to speak to universal themes that resonate across time and cultures.