How to Tackle IB English Paper 2 Prompts: Tips and Strategies
Whether studying IB English Literature or IB English Language and Literature, students must sit a Paper 2 exam. Candidates must respond to one of four prompts. In doing so, IB English students must write comparatively, discussing two literary texts that they have studied in relation to the prompt they have selected. For Higher Level students, the IB English Paper 2 amounts to 25% of their total grade; for Standard Level students, Paper 2 is weighted at 35%.
The English Paper 2 is a challenging exam. However, in this blog post we will discuss ways to improve your responses to reach the higher end of the mark band.
Understanding IB English Paper 2 Prompts
A candidate’s success in IB English Paper 2 rests on their ability to understand the prompts. As obvious as this may sound, countless marks are lost each year by students who misinterpret what they are being asked to do. Consequently, it is vital that each prompt is carefully read and essential keywords are identified—these include, ‘analyse’, ‘compare’, and ‘discuss’—as differing keywords dictate the type of response required.
IB English learners should also be aware of the different types of prompts they may encounter. While these can indeed vary, there are a number of commonly occurring types of prompts. These include:
Theme: these require responses dealing with selected themes, such as love, power, or identity.
Character: these prompts generally require candidates to discuss the development of certain characters throughout both texts’ narratives.
Style: students are charged with comparing the styles of both texts and how the author’s writing seeks to establish themes, characters, and so on.
How to Approach IB English Paper 2 Prompts
All successful IB English Paper 2 essays must begin with a plan. Following an analysis of the prompts and the decision as to which will be tackled during the exam, IB English students should begin planning. This involves deciding on a thesis, or argument, that will be explored throughout the essay, as well as jotting down relevant quotations and literary devices that will be discussed. Once all of this is put down on paper, the ideas can be organised. IB English learners should incorporate a five paragraph structure for their essays.
This is as follows:
Introduction: the essay’s thesis is outlined and a roadmap is given, indicating how the response will progress.
Body paragraphs: IB English Paper two responses should consist of three body paragraphs, each composed in the PEEL style (point, evidence, explain, link to question). The third of these paragraphs can often contain a counterargument that is summarily undermined, thereby adding greater authority to the essay’s central thesis.
Conclusion: the thesis is restated and the argument is summarised.
It cannot be overstated that, throughout the essay, students use quotations and textual evidence and reference to the works’ impact on the audience.
Common Themes in IB English Paper 2 Prompts
Thematic questions often occur on Paper 2 for IB English. Themes that are often referenced in IB Paper 2 prompts include identity, power, authority, love, and freedom. In regard to the theme of power, a prompt may read, ‘What questions about power has your study of two works of literature raised?’ When considering their response, IB English students should look beyond traditional power structures—police, government, et cetera—and consider the relationships that exist between parents and children, or between genders, to name but two. Put simply, IB English students should become comfortable in looking beyond the more obvious examples of thematic representation in a given text. By doing so, they will find much more to write about and, likely, compose a more interesting read for the examiner.
It is recommended that, in preparation for IB Paper 2, learners scour IB English Paper 2 past papers and compile a list of commonly occurring prompts. From here, it is beneficial to compose essays that respond to these prompts. Use the accompanying mark schemes to aid in grading each essay. Creating an essay bank for frequently set questions is a handy revision tool.
Below, you will find a list of English Paper 2-style thematic prompts, offering a great sense of the types of questions asked:
Compare how two works in your study have explored the themes of judgement and punishment, or disguise and deceit, or love and friendship, and with what effect.
How is the theme of happiness explored in two literary works?
In what ways, in two works you have studied, have technology or technological advances played a role as a theme or a source of conflict?
In what ways is the theme of individual freedom presented in any two works you have studied?
Great literary themes involving love and death have sometimes been treated in ways that are unique or are unexpected. Discuss how any two of the works you have studied demonstrate this phenomenon.
Explore the ways in which the themes of chance and coincidence are presented in any two works of literature you have studied.
Discuss how themes of death and dying exist in two works that you have studied.
Economic circumstances can be critical elements of the way a writer presents the world through literary forms. In what way has the theme of economic inequality been included in the work of two writers you have studied?
Consider the theme of justice and how it is represented in two works of literature.
Discuss the role that regret plays in two works studied. How is regret central to the works’ central ideas or themes?
Tips for Success on IB English Paper 2
As mentioned early, building up a question and essay bank is an important tip for success, but there are a number of others that IB English Paper 2 candidates can also try. Make sure to write essays to time. Use a stopwatch to monitor progress. The exam, after all, is a timed event so it is essential that all students practise writing under these conditions. It should be noted that essay writing practice does not necessarily mean completing full essays. It can be just as useful to practise paragraphs in isolation. This can mean selecting a prompt and working on the introductory paragraph to this essay, or the conclusion, and refining this. Writing a single body paragraph can also be beneficial in honing PEEL-paragraph writing skills. Building up to a complete essay over time can have more longer term benefits than forcing the completion of a five paragraph essay while having little idea of how to really write a paragraph.
How BartyED’s IB English Tutors Can Help You Prepare
At BartyED, our expert IB English tutors are keenly aware of the challenges that the IB English Paper 2 holds. It is a complex task that requires IB learners to engage multiple skills at once, and each one of these skills must be carefully developed over time. That’s why our team of experienced tutors work closely in a one-on-one environment with each student to ensure that they understand the skills needed to succeed and how best to apply them. Our focus is on building confidence and developing writing skills that are highly adaptable so that, regardless of the prompts, IB English candidates feel prepared to take on the task. If you think that you or your child could benefit from the guidance of a BartyED IB English tutor, reach out to us today by phone (+852 2882 1017) or email (enquiries@bartyed.com).
Frequently Asked Questions
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There are four prompts for the IB English paper 2.
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An IB English Paper 2 essay should be no less than five paragraphs long—an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This should amount to roughly 1200 words, with 250 words per body paragraph.