Paper 2 Overview
Paper 2 overview
Paper 2 is an externally assessed, comparative essay on two works of literature and 1
of 4 unseen essay questions. Both higher and standard level students of the Language
and Literature course and the Literature course receive the same 4 essay questions
and have 1 hour and 45 minutes to write their essay. At SL, Paper 2 counts toward 35%
of your final grade. At higher level, Paper 2 counts toward 25% of your final grade. The
assessment criteria are the same at SL and HL.
Instructions before you sit the
exam
Answer one of the four essay questions only. You must base your answer on two of the
works you have studied and compare and contrast these works in response to the
question.
You may not bring copies of the literary works that you have studied into the exam
room.
The maximum number of marks that you can earn for this exam is 30.
You have 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete this exam, after 5 minutes of silent
reading.
Criterion A Criterion B Criterion C Criterion D
Knowledge, Analysis and evaluation Coherence, balance, Language
understanding and focus and organisation
interpretation
To what extent does the To what extent does the To what extent does the To what extent is the
essay show knowledge and essay show analysis and essay show coherence, student’s use of
understanding of the evaluation of how both balance, focus and vocabulary, tone, syntax,
works? authors use stylistic and organisation? style and terminology
structural features to accurate, varied and
shape meaning? effective?
To what extent do To what extent does the
interpretations draw on essay compare how
similarities and differences authors use stylistic and
between the works in structural features to
relation to the question? shape meaning?
Grade Boundaries
Dos and Don’ts of Paper 2
Themes
Before you think about 'how' to write your Paper 2 essay,
it helps to know 'what' you are going to write about.
Even though you do not know the exam questions, there
are many ways in which you can prepare your knowledge
of your literary works.
Which works are you planning on writing about for your
Paper 2 exam? After you have ear-marked one work for
you individual oral, there are only three (SL)) works left
for your to explore for your Paper 2 exam, and you only
need to explore two. What themes do these works
have in common? In groups with a large piece of paper,
draw a three-way (triangle) or four-way (square) diagram
like the one below to depict the thematic connections
between works. One the lines between the works write
the themes that connect the works.
Stylistic Devices/ Structure
What stylistic and structural features do
your literary works have in common?
These kinds of connections are best made
visible by using a table, like the one
below. In this example, narration, turning
points and symbols are explored (without
much depth). You may want to focus on
other stylistic and structural aspects of
your works, such as imagery,
characterisation,
Exploration
After creating a table like the one above, what kinds of opportunities do you see for
comparison? Which works are best suited for comparison? What do you still need to
find out about your literary works, before you can write successfully about them?
Unpacking the Qs
On the Paper 2 exam, you will find 4 unseen questions. Which one should you choose?
What should you do with the question that you have selected? For criterion A and B,
which account for 20 of the 30 marks, you are assessed on your ability to respond to
the question. So how should you 'unpack' your question?
Unpacking a question is best done by annotating it or creating a mind map around it.
Underline the key words in the question and connect those to two of the works that
you have read. Here is an example of how The Great Gatsby and The Reluctant
Fundamentalist relate to a question about justice.
Unpacking the Question
Before you can make a mind map, like the one above, you may want to unpack the
question by questioning the question. In relation to the question from the mind map
about justice, these are some questions that you might ask:
What is meant by 'struggle'? Physical? Emotional?
What is meant by 'speak to readers'? Do readers identify with particular struggles?
What is meant by 'unjust worlds?' Evil? Dystopian? Unfair?
Should I compare the unjust world or the authors' 'depictions' of these worlds?
Unpacking Difficult Questions
Unpacking an essay question is one skill. Selecting the right question is another skill. If
you have not already done so, browse through the practice Paper 2s on MB. Read at
least 16 questions to gain a better understanding of the nature of the questions that
will be asked on the exam. If you could put these questions into several categories,
how would you label these categories? What commonalities do you see among the
questions?
In the previous activity, were some questions difficult to answer? Some exam
questions are nearly impossible to answer, no matter which works you have read.
Other questions might be excellent, but not relevant to your works. What makes the
following questions[NEXT SLIDE] difficult to answer? How can you learn to identify such
impossible questions?
Let’s Practice Unpacking
Handout and Next Few Slides
Preparation
Assessment
To what degree can you prepare for Paper 2? Even though you do not know the essay
questions in advance, you can still have a thorough understanding of your works. You
can also explore very versatile works in class. Making tables like the ones given, to see
connections between works, and mind mapping questions in relation to your works are
great ways to prepare for the unexpected.
Questions to avoid
The meaning of a literary work can change over time. Compare how the meanings of
two literary works that you have read have changed over time.
One characteristic of a literary work is that it never stops speaking to audiences.
Compare how two literary works have continued to speak to their audiences over time.
How have the writers’ choices of character names and places contributed to the
meaning of two works that you have studied?
Past paper Qs
SEE MB for link
Structure - Expectations
Handout.
Your purpose is to compare and contrast your two texts in terms of the guiding question.
COMPARATIVE LANGUAGE
Nail your intro: Full title and authors of the two texts and when they were published. Brief context and
THESIS STATEMENT: how are you going to compare and contrast the two texts in terms of the guiding
Question?
Aim to have as much situational evidence as you can.
Have at last one quote per text to offer some analysis
DO NOT SUMMARISE or re-tell the story
Use Connectives – Furthermore, Moreover, In addition etc
Topic sentences for EACH paragraph linking to the guiding question, what you will talk about in your
paragraph and how.
Conclusion: An evaluation of the two texts and how they are relevant to the guiding question.
AIM FOR: Intro, 2 similarities paragraphs in terms of the guiding question, and one differences paragraph
and conclusion.
Let’s Examine
Please see the sample answer and examiners comments attached [handout]
Highlight Comparative phrases
Underline Connective Phrases.
Map out the structure of their paragraphs – what are they talking about and how?
Circle textual or situational evidence
Take note of their introduction and Thesis Statement.
Consider – Question Types
The Practice Paper 2s consist of four questions. Actual IB Paper 2 may not be
organised this way, but these practiced questions are designed to help you prepare
for the following types of questions:
The first question is about a stylistic or structural feature. These types of questions
lend themselves well to Criterion B: analysis and evaluation. If the feature is about
'narrative perspective', for example, you may want to write body paragraphs on
related features, such as flashbacks, dialogue and characterisation. As always, connect
form to meaning, while answering the question.
The second question is intentionally difficult. The IB has been known to include
questions that require deeper understanding of literature and contexts. Questions
about how the meaning of a work has evolved over time or how the author's life has
influenced the work are difficult (if not impossible) to answer. If you do not feel
confident exploring answering these types of questions, avoid them!
The third question is often about some kind of conflict or struggle. These struggles
may be between competing concepts, such as 'new' and 'old', or juxtaposed settings,
like 'rural' and 'urban', or characters, such as 'men' and 'women'. As you prepare your
works, consider conflict, paradox and juxtaposition. You may be able to do something
with these ideas or your Paper 2 response.
The fourth question in these Practice Paper 2 questions relates to an abstract concept,
such as justice, faith, home, wealth or identity. These may or may not be related to
one of the 7 concepts from the course: identity, communication, creativity,
representation, transformation, perspective or culture. Discussing literary
works in relation to these concepts is good preparation for Paper 2.
Concepts
Study the questions in the Practice Paper 2s. What kinds of trends and patterns do you
notice? If you were to make a prediction about the kinds of questions that will appear
on this year's exam, what would you predict?
Compare the questions from the Practice Paper 2s to the Areas of Exploration. How are
they similar or different? Check out the page on the 7 concepts from this course. How
do these questions encourage you to explore these concepts?
[Link]
HOW DO I REVISE?
Look at as many past questions as possible
Practice unpacking the questions asked
Write out a plan as to how you would go about answering this question
Have a bank of key quotes / key moments from each text
Know your texts INSIDE OUT
Practice your introduction
Checklist – Have you filled in your
comparative tables?
Think comparatively – your two main texts show women under some for of control –
unpack this. [Key moments, what techniques are used, what quotes can you give as
evidence?]
Your two main texts focus on women in a pursuit for freedom – unpack this
What themes are comparative across your two texts? Gender Roles and Patriarchal
Control, Female Autonomy and Rebellion, Marriage and Power, Appearance vs Reality,
Freedom and Confinement, Identity and Voice, Societal Expectations and Repression
Comparative Revision: A Doll's
House and The Handmaid's Tale
Thinking critically about themes,
authorial choices, and key moments
Recall and explore key themes in both texts
Identify key moments and quotations that represent these themes
Analyse how language, structure, and literary techniques present these ideas
Build comparative thinking skills for Paper 2 or the IO
Revision Activity Starter
List 3 major social issues explored in both texts. What do they have in common?
THEME DISCOVERY TASK
In pairs or small groups:
Task: You will be given a theme title card. Without using your notes or devices,
brainstorm:
What this theme might look like in each text
At least 2 moments from each text that reflect it
One quotation per moment
Themes
Gender Roles & Patriarchy
Rebellion & Resistance
Power & Marriage
Freedom vs Confinement
Identity & Voice
Appearance vs Reality
Freedom, Fulfilment, Individual
Desire
“What do the main characters want, and how far do they get it?”
Nora: Wants freedom and respect → gains independence but loses family
Offred: Wants safety, her daughter, Luke → only limited progress, symbolic hope
Task: Build a goal-obstacle-outcome chart
Sort character actions into “pursuing happiness” vs. “sacrificing happiness”
Goal – Obstacle - Outcome
Obstacle Outcome
Goal (What
(What (Do they Effect /
Character Text do they
stands in achieve Technique
want?)
their way?) happiness?)
Patriarchal Leaves her
To be seen as marriage, family to find Symbolism
A Doll’s an equal, societal self- (door slam),
Nora
House independent expectations, fulfilment; realist
person Torvald's ambiguous structure
control happiness
A respectable Nora’s Loses Nora;
A Doll’s family life; secret, his illusion of Irony,
Torvald
House control over own pride control character foil
Nora and ego shattered
Add Offred, Serena, Moira
Which character’s pursuit of happiness is more tragic or successful?
What comment do the authors make about society through these pursuits?
Theme Tracker – to be shared on
One Drive
Theme Text Key Quote Technique Effect /
moment Interpretati
on
Analysis Prompts
When you find your quotation, ask:
What technique is used? (e.g. metaphor, symbolism,
irony, motif, structure)
What does it reveal about the character or society?
How does the reader respond?
How would this compare across the two texts?
PETAL Paragraph Writing…
Compare and Contrast Paragraph Starter:
"Both Atwood and Ibsen explore the theme of [X] through their portrayal of [Y]. In A
Doll's House, this is shown when... whereas in The Handmaid's Tale..."
Where in the text are women powerless or
silenced?” → “What methods does the writer use to
show this?”
Find actions/quotes to thematic ideas (e.g. confinement, lack of choice)
NORA SERENA JOY
Eg. Atwood uses ___ to present how Gilead limits female
agency, such as when…
Characters
OFFRED MOIRA
Create a visual Venn diagram comparing how each
society treats women
Structural Techniques / Symbolism /
Tension
Which early moments hint at later developments?
A Doll’s House: The Christmas tree, the Tarantella, Nora hiding the macaroons
Handmaid’s Tale: Flashbacks, recurring motifs (red, eyes, scrabble), Aunt Lydia’s
sayings
Create a timeline of clues and their later outcomes
Read each quote carefully. Identify the technique (e.g.
symbolism, irony, dialogue, structural placement).What
might this moment foreshadow later in the text? What is
the effect on the reader or audience?
What does it Effect on
Quote Text Technique
hint at? reader/audience
ADH The decay of Nora’s Suggests that
illusion of a happy appearance is being
Symbolism, stage maintained — sets up a
“Hide the Christmas Tree carefully, direction family life
contrast with the later
Helene. The children mustn't see it till unraveling
this evening.”
ADH
“It’s a thing hundreds of thousands of
women have done.” – Nora
Nothing changes instantaneously: in a THT
gradually heating bathtub you’d be
boiled to death before you knew it.
“Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.”
THT