Compare/contrast at least two texts in relation to a selected essay question (A Doll's House, Things Fall Apart)
Formulate an argument in response to the essay question and show the development of ideas across the essay.
Demonstrate your understanding of how language and context shape your reading of each of the texts.
Formulate an argument in response to the essay question and show the development of ideas across the essay.
Demonstrate your understanding of how language and context shape your reading of each of the texts.
- 25% of your final mark
- 2 hours
- In response to one of six questions, students write an essay based on at least two of the literary texts studied in part 3
- Essay must answer only one question
Paper 2 Rubric: Rubric - Lang Lit HL Paper 2.docx
You will be marked on five criterion
- -Crit A: Knowledge and understanding (of the texts and their contexts)
- -Crit B: Response to the question (have you answered the essay prompt?)
- -Crit C: Understanding the use of effects of stylistic features
- -Crit D: Organization and development
- -Crit E: Language
Criterion A - Knowledge and understanding - 5 marks
The essay demonstrates an understanding of the works and knowledge of the contexts in which they were written. The student shows how context affects interpretations of the texts.
Criterion B - Response to the question - 5 marks
A Paper 2 essay should focus on the question chosen. The implications of the exam question need to be explored in depth, and the student's response must be relevant to it.
Criterion C - Understanding of the use and effects of stylistic features - 5 marks
In the Paper 2 exam, a connection needs to be made between the author's use of stylistic features and the effect of them on his or her audience. As Paper 2 questions invite students to explore how meaning is shaped by context, answers will have to explain why authors choose for a certain genre, narrative technique or structure.
Criterion D - Organization and development - 5 marks
The essay must develop an answer to the question coherently and effectively. Topic sentences should guide the ideas of paragraphs. Illustrations should be integrated well and explanations should shed light on the subject matter.
Criterion E - Language - 5 marks
The language of the Paper 2 exam should be effective and accurate. The choice of vocabulary and use of grammar should be consistent and appropriate.
Steps:
In preparation for this paper, you need to have constructed a detailed concept map that outlines the relationships between concepts, features of the novels, aspects of the novels and quotes.
- Know your exam strategy – how much time will you allocate to each step of the process?
- Select an essay question to which you feel you can develop a well-reasoned argument AND demonstrate your understanding of language and context
- Deconstruct the question
-What is the question asking? Identify the key words.
-Are there terms that will require specific clarification and definition in relation to the texts?
-What is the position that you will take in response to the question? - Plan your response.
-What is/are the main aspect(s) of context that you will cover?
-What are the main ideas that you will cover in each paragraph?
-Which quotations will you use in each paragraph?
-Which language features or literary devices will you discuss? - Remember that your response is comparative – how will you discuss both texts in a balanced way and demonstrate your knowledge of the relationships between them.
- Write your response. While you write, keep referring back to the key words of the essay question to ensure that you argument is relevant and focused.
7. Proofread and edit your response.
Click to access: Approaching a Question: Planning Document
Tips For Paper 2
From am IB English: Language and Literature 'InThinking' website (http://www.thinkib.net/englishalanglit/page/2884/tips)
- Remember that the Paper 2 exam is asking you to do three things. In fact, these correspond to the first three criteria. Try looking at good samples and with three different colors of highlighter pens, highlights examples of each of these three.
A) Be knowledgeable on the text and the context.
B) Do not forget to answer the question.
C) Remember to comment on the author's use of language, style and structure. - Remember that there are 6 questions on the exam. Not all questions will lend themselves to the works you have read. What's more, some questions are more criteria-focused than others. For example, a question such as, 'Explain why your literary works are timeless', will lend itself well to criterion A, where you must comment on the context in which works were written and received.
- Do research on the time period when the work was written and the authors that you have studied for Part 3 works. Find 3-5 points from his/her life that may be relevant to the work you read. Be knowledgeable of 3-5 social events or societal changes that are relevant to the works you read.
- Have you shown how well you read the novels? Try to write a little bit about these three things in the essay in order to score well on Criterion C:
A) Setting - How is it important to understanding the context?
B) Plot - Was there a twist, a climax, a conflict that was of particular importance?
C) Narrative technique - Who is telling the story? Why did the author choose to tell it this way?
Example Planning
Sample Question: What is the role of CONFLICT in both texts
Click the question to see a Padlet response to the question
- RELATIONSHIPS are often a crucial factor in the conflict, tension or emotion in a text. How are RELATIONSHIPS depicted in the texts and what is revealed through them?
Introductions - A Checklist
- Quick opening connected to the themes that will be discussed or the question topic
- Introduce both texts --> writers, titles, text types, publication dates
- Introduce the plot and contexts of each text --> plot details relevant to your essay response and historical, social, political context FACTS that are relevant
- Introduce big ideas and themes in the question. Connect the texts to the question.
- Thesis statement
Exemplars
Example introduction: Strong response to the question. This interpretation of the question shows strong critical thinking. The student is applying his/her knowledge of the texts and is able to interpret the question effectively. This is not a memorized approach.
Question: In what ways do at least two of the works you have studied (in form and/or content) question or subvert norms, conventions or traditions?
Question: In what ways do at least two of the works you have studied (in form and/or content) question or subvert norms, conventions or traditions?
Exemplar Paper 2 - Mocks
Question: How do literary works both reflect and challenge the spirit of the times in which they were written?
Positives: Strong introduction and thesis, excellent use of examples, clear development of ideas
Next steps: Develop the analysis of "why"? Why has the writer made these choices?; Argument for TFA loses focus towards the end. The student changes the interpretation of "spirit of the times" which causes some confusion; Response to the question needs a bit more focus on "the times in which they were written". This is done well for ADH but needs a stronger emphasis for TFA.
Question: How do literary works both reflect and challenge the spirit of the times in which they were written?
Positives: Strong introduction and thesis, excellent use of examples, clear development of ideas
Next steps: Develop the analysis of "why"? Why has the writer made these choices?; Argument for TFA loses focus towards the end. The student changes the interpretation of "spirit of the times" which causes some confusion; Response to the question needs a bit more focus on "the times in which they were written". This is done well for ADH but needs a stronger emphasis for TFA.
| exemplar_p2.pdf |
