The basics and concept links

• Engels
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Goals for today 

The basics and concept links

Dates 

Last English lesson 7th April 

Reread the works you chose for paper 2 (three works) 

Exams start 28th April 

Paper 2 comparative essay 

Paper 2 is based on two literary works that have not been used in previous assessment components ( no double dipping). In this exam you must respond to one of four essay questions. The exam is 1 hour & 45 minutes + 5 minutes reading time

The basics 

1. Answer the question being asked. 

2. Be knowledgeable about the literary works.

3. Compare and contrast them in relation to the question.

4. Remember to comment on the author's use of language, style and structure and to compare and contrast them with the other literary work.

There are 4 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.

Practice writing outlines for questions that appeared on previous tests (or one of the Specimen Papers). 

Practice using the assessment criteria by examining both good and bad 

Criterion A 

Knowledge, understanding and interpretation 

1. How much knowledge and understanding of the works does the candidate show? 

2. To what extent does the candidate make use of knowledge and understanding of the works to draw conclusions about their similarities and differences in relation to the question? 

Paper 2 Criterion A 

The IB clearly states in the criterion descriptor that the understanding students show must be in terms of the question. Thus, understanding the demands of the question and using the wording of the question to frame all of the discussion is critical. Background and contextual knowledge that is irrelevant to the question will not contribute to the score in any way.

 Paper 2 is a comparative essay by definition and students need to “wear their comparative hat” when they study, when they plan and when they write. Learning how to compare overtly and frequently will be a skill we will work on.

Criterion B 

Analysis and evaluation 

1. To what extent does the candidate analyse and evaluate how the choices of language, technique and style, and/or broader authorial choices, shape meaning? 

2. How effectively does the candidate use analysis and evaluation skills to compare and contrast both works? 

Paper 2 Criterion B

Students are asked to identify author choices frequently and discuss how they shape meaning. By using the author as the subject of many of your sentences, you can be sure that we are thinking about the choices that the authors make.  

You do not only have to compare and contrast ideas,  characters and themes in the texts but you also need to compare and contrast HOW the authors crafted their works. 

Criterion C 

Focus and organization 

1. How well structured, balanced and focused is the presentation of ideas? 

Paper 2 Criterion C

You need to remember that the paper must be balanced. This means that you give equal attention to both works and that the paper’s structure makes it clear. There are two methods; the alternating and the block method. Focus on the question and clear paragraphing is also important here.

Criterion D 

Language 

1. How clear, varied and accurate is the language? 

2. How appropriate is the choice of register and style ("register" refers, in this context, to the candidate's use of elements such as vocabulary, tone, sentence structure and terminology appropriate to the essay). 

Paper 2 Criterion D

You need to be accurate and clear so you need to identify your own mistakes and seek to learn ways to address these issues.

Vocabulary needs to be precise and elevated but you also need to be confident in the words you choose. It takes a lot of time and focused practise to expand your descriptive and academic vocabulary.  Reading over your work for even 5 minutes can also make a huge difference.

Concepts 

1. On your poster paper, write the three titles of literary works that you have chosen. Spread them out over the paper  You need enough space to write around them. 
   
2. Attach to the titles the concepts that we generated for each of our literary works. The concepts are on the next slides. 
   
3. Draw an icon for your concepts.
4. We will then add the IB concepts. 

Act 1

Human Experience concepts Literature  

The Great Gatsby 

Human Experience Concepts: 

Belonging    Dreams    Authenticity    Insecurities 

Concepts we generated: 

Power dynamics, oppression, patriarchy, identity, rebellion 

Concepts HL literature The Handmaid's Tale

Central concepts in The White Tiger

Inequality corruption education freedom 

Act 1

Concepts  

A Doll's House 

Concepts we generated: 

Identity, (marriage) relationships, ethics, gender roles, money 

Act 1

Concepts  

Carol Ann Duffy 

Concepts 

Love          loss    gender   politics        capitalism 

Concepts HL Lit 

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous 

Concepts to consider: trauma, identity (sexuality), language,    racism, memory

Act 1

Concepts  

If This is a Man 

Concepts we generated (top 5): 

Dehumanization,(loss of) identity, humanity, language & morality 

Concepts HL Lang Lit 

The Things they Carried

Concepts we generated: 

friendship or relationships, trauma, tragedy, responsibility, love

Concepts HL language and literature in 1984

Concepts we generated:

Control, Rebellion, love, totalitarianism, sex

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Concepts 

Szymborska's poetry 

Concepts: warfare, the human condition, nature, trauma, grief 

Concepts 

Macbeth 

Concepts: Ambition gender roles power appearance vs reality supernatural 

Concepts 

Othello 

Concepts we generated: Jealousy, manipulation, trust, race, love 

Concepts 

A Clockwork Orange 

Concepts: The inviolability of free will, Manipulation, Power, Violence, Language and communication

Add to the works the IB concept(s) that you feel align with these works. You can add as many as you feel are applicable. 

Link the works together through shared topics, concepts and themes. 

Draw to clarify your thinking. 

Write on the connecting lines what the shared topic, concept or theme is. 

Menu of literary texts studied 

Wislawa Szymborska Selected Poems (Readers, Writers, Texts)	A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen (Time and Space)	1984 by George Orwell (Intertextuality)	Watchmen by Alan Moore [graphics by Dave Gibbons] (Intertextuality)
The Things They Carried by Tim O’brien (Readers, Writers Text)	Macbeth by William Shakespeare (Readers, Writers, Text)