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Top 10 Tips For Paper Two

The document provides 10 tips for students taking the IB Literature Paper Two exam. It advises students to [1] thoroughly prepare and study the two works they will be comparing, [2] focus on analyzing specific key moments in the texts, and [3] fully answer the exam question by comparing and contrasting the works. Students are also told to [4] take their time to think during the exam rather than rushing to write, [5] outline their argument in a thesis and outline before writing, and [6] wear a "comparative hat" to extensively discuss similarities and differences using comparative language. The document stresses the importance of [7] using specific details and references from the texts to support points, [8

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38 views2 pages

Top 10 Tips For Paper Two

The document provides 10 tips for students taking the IB Literature Paper Two exam. It advises students to [1] thoroughly prepare and study the two works they will be comparing, [2] focus on analyzing specific key moments in the texts, and [3] fully answer the exam question by comparing and contrasting the works. Students are also told to [4] take their time to think during the exam rather than rushing to write, [5] outline their argument in a thesis and outline before writing, and [6] wear a "comparative hat" to extensively discuss similarities and differences using comparative language. The document stresses the importance of [7] using specific details and references from the texts to support points, [8

Uploaded by

Ida
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Top 10 Tips for Paper Two

Paper Two is all about what is in our control. You can go into that exam room and have a
clear plan and bring your knowledge and skill set and crush the question. Follow some of
these steps to reduce your anxiety and write a great response!

Paper Two Requirements:

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes


Weighting: 35% at SL
25% at HL

Students are given four questions of a general nature. The task is to compare and contrast
two texts in relation to the given question.

Here are our top 10 tips!

1. Prepare - You are asked to write a comparative essay on two literary works that
you have studied in your class. Study them. Take notes on them. Make charts that
compare the two texts. Read outside sources. Be the expert.

2. Study Key Moments - Select specific moments for close study: You can’t have
precise detailed knowledge of every chapter of a 300 page novel. You can’t study
all 11 scenes of A Streetcar Named Desire or every poem by Carol Ann Duffy.
Instead, select specific moments or scenes to study closely.

3. Answer the Question (all of it). Your job is to answer the question precisely. Read it
carefully and be sure you understand what it is asking. Many questions have
multiple parts (Compare how and to what effect is violence used in two of the
works you have studied?).

4. Don’t Rush to Write - You have 1 hour and 45 minutes for this task. You need
proper thinking time so take time to ponder your question and consider how you
can best answer the question.
5. Create a Thesis and an Outline - You need an argument so craft a strong
comparative thesis AND write down your main comparative points in a
rudimentary outline.

6. Wear the Comparative Hat - Your job is to compare and contrast so talk
extensively about similarities and differences and be sure to use comparative
phrasing, not just in your topic sentence but throughout your body paragraphs.

7. Use Specific Details - For each comparative point, you need references and details
from the works. These don’t always have to be specific quotations but they need to
be rooted in a specific moment or part of the text. We’re not just watching the
movie. We’re the experts.

8. Focus on Choices - Your job is to discuss authorial choices which means that you
need to label and analyze technical features of the text. This is also something you
can/should study before you come into the exam.

9. Analyze, Don’t Summarize - One pitfall is just retelling the plot of a given work.
Your job is to answer the question and unpack the authorial choices. Avoid a retell.

10. Be a Scholar - You are not here to have a casual conversation with a friend. You
are here to show command of the texts. Write and think like a scholar. Use
academic language and register. You’re the expert.

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