The Ultimate Guide to IB English Paper 2: Tips, Strategies, and Success

Introduction to IB English Paper 2

Paper 2 (P2) is the second externally-marked exam paper you have to write. You write a single essay answering one of six possible unseen essay questions on at least two of the texts you studied for Part 3 of the course. Unlike Paper 1, which focuses on textual analysis of unseen non-literary texts, Paper 2 requires you to write a comparative essay based on literary works you have studied during the course. This paper tests your ability to engage in a deeper analysis of themes, characters, and contexts across different texts. As with Paper 1, SL students get 1h30m and HL students get 2h.

Keywords: IB English Paper 2, IB English comparative essay, IB Literature exam, IB English analysis

How to Prepare Notes for IB English Paper 2 Books

Know Your Works Inside Out

Remember, you cannot bring your texts into the examination, so you need to know them well. This doesn't necessarily mean memorizing every line but having a strong grasp of the key elements. One of the first steps in this approach is to familiarize yourself with the prescribed texts. This involves reading the texts multiple times, taking notes, and highlighting key passages.

Practice Without the Text

Try to fill out revision grids without referring to your literary works. This will help you gauge how well you know the texts and where you need to focus your revision. Key areas to focus on include:

• The title of the work and the author's name.
• The publication date or first performance (for plays).
• A succinct summary of the plot (not more than 100 words).
• Key thematic concerns.
• Important contexts (historical, cultural, political, etc.).
• The setting and its significance.
• Main and supporting characters and their development.
• The mode of narration or narrative voice.
• Structuration/plot details.
• Language style and literary devices.

Understand the Significance and Context

Reflect on what each work suggests about the human condition. Literature is not just about stories but also about offering insights into society, morality, and human experiences. Think about how your works relate to broader themes and what they reveal about different aspects of life.Take the time to research the historical and cultural context in which the texts were written. This will provide valuable insights into the author's intentions and the societal issues they may have been addressing.

Understanding the context will also enable you to make connections between the texts and the world in which they were created. For example, if one of the prescribed texts is George Orwell's "1984," it is crucial to understand the political climate of the time when the novel was written. Orwell's dystopian vision of a totalitarian society was influenced by the rise of authoritarian regimes in the mid-20th century, such as Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia.

By familiarizing yourself with this historical context, you will be able to analyze the novel's themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language, and the dangers of unchecked power more effectively. Furthermore, delving into the cultural background of the texts can provide additional layers of meaning. If one of the prescribed texts is Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude," it is essential to explore the rich cultural heritage of Latin America. Marquez's use of magical realism, a literary technique prominent in Latin American literature, adds a unique flavor to the narrative. Understanding the cultural context will allow you to appreciate the blending of reality and fantasy in the novel and grasp the profound symbolism embedded in its pages.

Making Your Personal Notes

Your analysis should start with identifying the core themes the novel explores. These could range from human nature and societal issues to more specific themes like the impact of technology on society or the nuances of family dynamics. Understanding the historical, cultural, political, and economic context in which the novel was written enriches your interpretation and allows you to see the story in a broader societal framework.

When analyzing themes, consider their significance and relevance to the text as a whole. Look for evidence within the text to support your interpretations and consider how the themes are eventually expressed through macro choices such as characterization, plot design, setting choices, narrative voice etc.

For example, in a novel about social inequality, you might analyze the theme of injustice and explore how it is portrayed through various characters and events. You could examine instances where characters face discrimination or unfair treatment. Consider their motivations, conflicts, and character development throughout the story. Pay attention to the relationships between characters and how they contribute to the overall themes.

For instance, in a play about family dynamics, you might analyze the character of the protagonist and how their internal struggles and relationships with other family members drive the plot forward. You could analyze their growth or transformation throughout the play and how it reflects the larger themes explored in the text.

Select Relevant Quotations

Choose 10-15 quotations that are particularly relevant or significant to understanding the work. Think about how these quotations reveal aspects of themes, characters, or settings. Remember, it's not about the quantity of quotations but their quality and relevance to your analysis.

The Marking Criteria & How to Score Well On Them

P2 for HL & SL is marked on the same five criteria, though as with before the HL rubric is slightly different (stricter) than the SL rubric. Here's what each of these criteria are and our advice on how to do well on them.

Criterion A: Knowledge & Understanding

How well you understand not just what happens in your texts but why.

• Make sure you understand the effect of each of your text's TAP DANCE elements on the audience!
  • You can prepare this well before the exam! Make & organize notes into the types of P2 questions detailed above, such as in this example organizer.
• Provide evidence from (and related, for context) your texts that demonstrate your varied & deep understanding of them.
  • This includes but isn't limited to quotes, paraphrasing & summarizing from the text.
  • Memorizing 50 irrelevant quotes won't help; knowing 4-5 short quotes per text that together exemplify all important themes, formal features, etc. of the text will.
  • Evidence should come from all parts of your text and demonstrate a wide range of devices/techniques. Don't only pick quotes from small sections of your texts!

Criterion B: Response to the Question

How relevant and diverse/varied your response to the question is.

• Answer the question!
  • Make sure your response is what it says on the tin---directly address all key aspects of the question as stated.
  • Don't go on some tangent---no matter what you're discussing, whether context or formal features or anything, always link it back to the question and what it asks you to discuss.
• Outline & brainstorm different perspectives!
  • When preparing for the exam, start thinking of different ways you might approach your texts in relation to their themes, contexts, stylistic devices, etc.
  • During the exam, take care to unpack your chosen question in detail---consider points and possible counterpoints!
  • Keep asking yourself questions about the question!
  • Start with simple questions like "What does this theme mean? How is it represented in my texts?" and branch out from there until you've defined/brainstormed all parts of the question.

Criterion C: Appreciation of Literary Conventions

How well you demonstrate an extremely strong understanding, specifically, the formal features in your text and how they influence the text's effect on a reader.

• Talk about it!
  • While this may seem like stupidly simple advice, lots of students fall into the trap of only discussing plot progression & themes without appreciating formal features.
• Don't forget text-type specific conventions!
  • 'Literary conventions' includes both general stylistic/literary devices and text-type specific conventions (like those for verse & visual texts), so don't forget either!
  • Different text types will have specific features you ought to look out for (e.g. visuals, stage directions, etc.) and discuss.
  • See Further Resources for some more resources to learn more in this regard

Criterion D: Organization & Development

How well your response is organized and how clearly it develops a strong, supported argument.

• You don't always need to compare.
  • Unlike Asian parents, the IB is fine with you not always comparing things.
  • A degree of comparison definitely strengthens your response, but you don't always need to comment on the two texts in constant unison.
  • You can choose sometimes to simply focus on one at a time---how one text approaches a given idea, then switching to the other text, before finally tying the two together.

Criterion E: Language

How consistently strong your own English writing is throughout your response

• As in P1, write formally & with a wide vocabulary, but don't throw a thesaurus at your response!
  • As in P1, you should, of course, use a formal, academic style of writing with correct grammar/spelling, but scoring well on P1 is not about big words! Keep your writing consistent before making it complex.
  • If you use fancy words, make sure you understand them & use them correctly---no one likes a showoff, especially not your IB examiners!
  • This is the time to bring in any vocabulary particularly relevant to your text---specific themes (e.g. metanarration) or text-type specific conventions (e.g. proxemics) will all enhance your score if you know what they are!

Choosing the Right Question

Understanding the Questions

The Paper 2 exam provides general questions that are broadly applicable to the texts you have studied. These questions often focus on universal themes such as power, identity, conflict, and the role of women. Your task is to select the question that best allows you to explore these themes across two or more of your texts.

Question Types

Out of your six possible question choices on P2, you will always get at least one question from each of the following question types:

Context & Audience

How a text's intended audience and its context of production/interpretation influence its content, formal elements (e.g. stylistic/literary devices) and artistic elements (e.g. themes, characterization) and thus its effect on the reader.

Example: How do the writers of at least two of the works you have studied convey a sense of place to their readers and to what purpose? (May 2017)

Genre, Convention, Technique & Structure

How formal elements of a text, particularly those specific to/conventional within its genre/text-type and as influenced by context, have certain effects on the reader.

Example: Writing is both an art and a craft, where form and content are carefully constructed and language and style artistically embellish the whole. Discuss in what ways at least two works you have studied effectively combine both art and craft. (November 2013)

Theme & Characterisation

How artistic content/elements of a text relating to themes & characterization, perhaps influenced/emphasized by formal elements of a text and context, have certain effects on the reader.

Example: Can the ends ever be said to justify the means? Consider the ways in which this idea is explored or discussed in at least two of the works you have studied. (May 2014)

Strategies for Choosing the Right Question

1. Review past papers: Before the exam, review past papers to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that are typically asked. This can help you anticipate which themes might be featured.
2. Identify key terms: When interpreting and approaching each type of question, it's crucial to read the question carefully and identify key terms.
3. Plan your essay structure: Organizing your thoughts and examples before you begin writing will help you create a coherent and compelling argument.
4. Consider your strengths: Choose a question that allows you to showcase your knowledge of the texts and your analytical skills.
5. Think comparatively: Remember that you need to discuss at least two texts, so choose a question that allows for meaningful comparison between your chosen works.

Sample Questions and Approaches

Consider the following sample questions from past papers:

• "Discuss the theme of justice as portrayed in the two texts you have studied."
• "Analyze the development of the protagonist in one of the works you have read."
• "How do the authors use symbolism to enhance the themes of their respective works?"

For each of these questions, you should:

1. Identify the key themes or literary elements being asked about (e.g., justice, character development, symbolism).
2. Consider how these elements are presented in at least two of your studied texts.
3. Think about similarities and differences in how these elements are treated across your chosen texts.
4. Consider the broader implications or messages conveyed through these elements in each text.

Final Advice

Remember, there is no "right" or "wrong" question to choose. The best question for you is the one that allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and analytical skills most effectively. Take your time to read through all the options carefully before making your decision. If you've prepared well, you should be able to answer any of the questions competently.

Keywords: IB English Paper 2 questions, IB essay themes, choosing Paper 2 question, comparative analysis

Writing an Effective Introductory Paragraph

Crafting a strong introduction for your IB English Paper 2 essay is crucial as it sets the tone for your entire response. A well-written introduction engages the examiner and lays a solid foundation for a high-scoring essay. Here's a step-by-step guide to crafting an impactful introduction paragraph:

1. Start with a Hook

The first sentence of your introduction should grab the reader's attention and make them want to continue reading. This can be done by using:

• A compelling quote
• A thought-provoking question
• A surprising statistic
• A brief anecdote

The hook should be relevant to the topic of your essay and should set the stage for the argument you will be making.

Example: For an essay comparing the theme of power in George Orwell's "1984" and Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale", you might start with:

"Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing." This chilling assertion from Orwell's "1984" encapsulates the central theme of power that dominates both his dystopian vision and Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale".

2. Provide Context

After grabbing the reader's attention, it's important to provide some background information on the topic. This can include:

• A brief summary of the texts you will be analyzing
• The historical or cultural context in which the works were written
• Any relevant information that will help the reader understand the significance of the topic

Example: Continuing with our "1984" and "The Handmaid's Tale" comparison:

Both novels, written decades apart, explore totalitarian regimes that exert absolute control over their citizens. Orwell's post-World War II narrative and Atwood's response to the rising Christian fundamentalism of the 1980s offer unique yet surprisingly similar perspectives on the nature of power and its corrupting influence.

3. Outline the Scope of Your Essay

Briefly mention the main points you will be discussing in your essay. This gives the reader a roadmap of what to expect in the following paragraphs.

Example:

This essay will examine how both authors use narrative techniques, symbolism, and character development to illustrate the devastating effects of unchecked power on individual freedom and societal structures.

4. Crafting Your Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement is the main argument or point that you will be making in your essay. It should be:

• Clear and concise
• Specific and focused
• Directly addressing the prompt or question

Avoid vague or general statements. Instead, focus on a strong and focused thesis that provides a clear direction for your essay.

Example:

While both Orwell and Atwood depict power as an oppressive and dehumanizing force, they differ in their portrayal of resistance: Orwell presents a bleak, hopeless struggle against power, whereas Atwood offers glimpses of resilience and the potential for change, suggesting that the human spirit, particularly through feminine strength, can endure even in the face of overwhelming oppression.

5. Transition to the Body of Your Essay

End your introduction with a sentence that smoothly transitions into your first body paragraph. This helps maintain the flow of your essay.

Example:

To understand how these authors craft their critiques of power, we must first examine the dystopian worlds they create and the mechanisms of control employed by their respective regimes.

Tips for a Strong Introduction

• Keep it concise: Your introduction should be approximately 10% of your total essay length.
• Be specific: Avoid general statements about literature or writing. Focus on the specific works and themes you'll be discussing.
• Show confidence: Use assertive language to demonstrate your understanding of the texts and your argument.
• Revise: If time allows, revisit your introduction after writing your essay to ensure it accurately reflects the content of your analysis.

Remember, a strong introduction sets the stage for a compelling essay. It should engage the reader, provide necessary context, clearly state your argument, and hint at the analysis to come. With practice, you'll be able to craft introductions that effectively launch your Paper 2 essays.

Writing Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs of your IB English Paper 2 essay are where you develop your argument and provide detailed analysis of your chosen texts. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to structure and write effective body paragraphs:

General Structure

• Aim for three body paragraphs, each focused on a distinct main idea.
• Main ideas can be context, stylistic/literary devices, rhetorical appeals, or thematic ideas.
• Trying to write more than three body paragraphs, given the limited time you have, often results in an overly broad & insufficiently detailed analysis—we don't recommend it.

The PETAL Approach

Use the PETAL approach to structure each body paragraph:

• P - Point: Start with a clear topic sentence that states the main idea of the paragraph.
• E - Evidence: Provide a relevant quote or specific example from the text.
• T - Technique: Identify the literary or stylistic technique used in the evidence.
• A - Analysis: Explain how the technique contributes to the overall meaning or effect.
• L - Link: Connect your analysis back to the essay question and your thesis.

Incorporating TAP DANCE

Remember to incorporate elements of TAP DANCE throughout your analysis:

• T - Tone: The attitude of the author towards the subject.
• A - Audience: The intended readers or listeners.
• P - Purpose: The author's reason for writing.
• D - Diction: The author's word choice.
• A - Atmosphere: The mood or feeling created by the text.
• N - Narrative voice: The perspective from which the story is told.
• C - Convention: The typical features of the genre or text type.
• E - Effect: The impact on the reader.

Elements of TAP DANCE should be embedded throughout your analysis. Do not write one body paragraph for each element of TAP DANCE!

Comparative Analysis

In Paper 2, you need to compare at least two texts. Here are strategies for incorporating comparison:

• Alternating method: Discuss a point about Text A, then a related point about Text B.
• Block method: Discuss all points about Text A, then all points about Text B.
• Integrated method: Discuss both texts together, point by point.

Choose the method that best suits your argument and the texts you're comparing.

Example Body Paragraph

Here's an example of a body paragraph comparing the theme of power in "1984" and "The Handmaid's Tale":

Both Orwell and Atwood demonstrate how totalitarian regimes use language manipulation as a tool of power and control. In "1984", the Party creates Newspeak, a simplified language designed to limit the range of ideas that can be expressed. Orwell writes, "The purpose of Newspeak was not only to provide a medium of expression for the world-view and mental habits proper to the devotees of Ingsoc, but to make all other modes of thought impossible." This linguistic control serves to prevent rebellion by making it literally unthinkable. Similarly, in "The Handmaid's Tale", Atwood shows how the Gilead regime renames women according to their function, such as "Offred" (literally "of Fred"), stripping them of their individual identities. Atwood writes, "My name isn't Offred, I have another name, which nobody uses now because it's forbidden." This renaming reinforces the women's status as property and emphasizes their loss of autonomy. In both cases, the authors use these linguistic techniques to illustrate how totalitarian power extends beyond physical control to shape the very thoughts and identities of their citizens. However, while Orwell's portrayal suggests a near-total success of this linguistic control, Atwood allows her protagonist to retain her original name in her mind, suggesting a small but significant space for mental resistance.

Tips for Effective Body Paragraphs

• Stay focused: Each paragraph should discuss one main idea or aspect of your argument.
• Provide evidence: Always support your points with specific examples or quotes from the texts.
• Analyze, don't summarize: Go beyond merely retelling the plot. Explain how and why the author's choices are significant.
• Compare meaningfully: Don't just point out similarities and differences. Explain why these comparisons are significant to your overall argument.
• Use transitions: Ensure smooth flow between paragraphs and ideas.
• Vary your sentence structure: Mix short and long sentences to maintain reader engagement.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Over-quoting: Use quotes sparingly and always follow them with analysis.
• Superficial comparison: Avoid simply stating that the texts are similar or different without explaining how or why.
• Ignoring context: Remember to consider the historical, cultural, or social context of the texts when relevant.
• Neglecting literary techniques: Always discuss how the author's choices in language, structure, or style contribute to the meaning.

Remember, your body paragraphs are where you build your argument and demonstrate your analytical skills. By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you'll be well-prepared to write strong, insightful body paragraphs in your IB English Paper 2 essay.

How to Use Quotes in Your IB English Paper 2

Understanding the Role of Quotations

Quotations are not mandatory in Paper 2, but they can be powerful tools. They serve to:

• Provide evidence for your arguments
• Illustrate your points
• Demonstrate your understanding of the text

Remember, though, that quotations should support your argument, not replace it. Your analysis and interpretation are what the examiners are most interested in.

Selecting Quotations

Choose quotations that are relevant and add value to your argument. When selecting quotes:

• Look for quotes that succinctly capture the essence of a character, theme, or stylistic feature relevant to your discussion.
• Avoid overusing quotations or selecting ones that are too long or complex.
• Aim for a mix of short phrases and longer sentences to provide variety in your evidence.
• Select quotes that allow for rich analysis – ones that use literary devices or have multiple layers of meaning.

Embedding Quotations

Quotations should not stand alone but be integrated into your essay. The 'quotation sandwich' method is an effective way to do this:

1. Introduce the Quotation: Before presenting a quotation, set it up. Explain the context or the point you are about to illustrate.
2. The Quotation: Insert the quotation, ensuring it's correctly attributed and cited.
3. Explain the Quotation: Follow up with an explanation of how this quotation supports your argument or analysis.

Example:

In "1984", Orwell illustrates the Party's manipulation of reality through language. This is evident when Winston reflects, "Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past" (Orwell 37). This paradoxical statement underscores how the Party's control of information and language allows them to reshape history and, by extension, dictate the future, demonstrating the profound link between language, thought, and power in the novel.

Accuracy and Attribution

It's crucial to quote accurately. While slight deviations might be forgiven, completely misquoting or misattributing can undermine your essay's credibility. If you're unsure about a quotation, it's often better to paraphrase.

• Double-check your quotes against the text if possible during your preparation.
• If you're not confident about the exact wording, use phrases like "Orwell writes to the effect that..." or "To paraphrase Atwood..."
• Always attribute the quote to the correct character or narrator.

Paraphrasing as an Alternative

If you find it challenging to remember exact quotations, paraphrasing is a good alternative. It involves rewriting the author's ideas in your own words and is perfectly acceptable as long as it's relevant and supports your argument.

Example of paraphrasing:

In "The Handmaid's Tale", Atwood demonstrates how the Gilead regime uses naming conventions to reinforce women's loss of identity. The protagonist is stripped of her original name and referred to as "Offred", literally meaning she belongs to a man named Fred, emphasizing her status as property rather than an individual.

Balancing Quotations and Original Thought

Your essay should not be a mere collection of quotations. The examiners are interested in your analysis, interpretation, and original thought. Use quotations to bolster your points, not to make them for you.

• Aim for a balance of about 80% your own analysis and 20% quotations.
• Always provide more analysis than the length of the quote itself.
• Use quotes as a springboard for deeper analysis, not as a substitute for it.

Quotations and Comparative Analysis

In Paper 2, where you often compare two texts, quotations can help highlight similarities or differences in themes, styles, or characters. Use them to draw parallels or to contrast the authorial choices in the texts you have studied.

Example of comparative use of quotes:

Both Orwell and Atwood use language to illustrate the oppressive nature of their dystopian societies. In "1984", Orwell writes, "War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength" to demonstrate the Party's use of paradoxical slogans to control thought. Similarly, Atwood employs religious language in "The Handmaid's Tale", such as "Blessed be the fruit" as a greeting, to show how familiar phrases are co-opted to reinforce the regime's ideology. In both cases, the authors use these linguistic devices to highlight how language can be weaponized to shape societal norms and individual thoughts.

Tips for Effective Quote Usage

• Keep quotes brief: Generally, try to keep quotes to a sentence or less. If you need a longer quote, consider breaking it up.
• Introduce and analyze: Always introduce a quote and follow it with analysis. Never let a quote speak for itself.
• Use ellipsis (...) for omissions: If you need to shorten a quote, use ellipsis to indicate omitted text.
• Use brackets [ ] for clarifications: If you need to add or change words in a quote for clarity, use square brackets.
• Vary your verbs: Instead of always using "says" or "writes", use verbs like "argues", "contends", "illustrates", or "demonstrates" to introduce quotes.

Practice with Purpose

As part of your preparation, practice embedding quotations into your essays. This practice will not only help you remember significant quotes but also teach you how to use them effectively to build a strong argument.

• Create a bank of key quotes for each of your texts, organized by theme or literary device.
• Practice writing paragraphs that incorporate these quotes smoothly.
• Review past papers and practice selecting and analyzing relevant quotes for different types of questions.

In summary, while quotations are not the be-all and end-all of your Paper 2 essay, they are valuable tools that, when used judiciously, can significantly enhance the quality of your analysis and argument. Use quotations wisely to illustrate, support, and enrich your essays, not to overshadow your original thoughts.