How difficult is the IB Language and Literature Paper 2?

The Paper 2 exam, since a restructuring in 2020, now looks the same for both SL and HL Lang/Lit students. IB English students are allowed to choose one question out of four, and are tasked with writing a comparative analysis of two literary works in an hour and 45 minutes. The essay should address the ways in which language and context contribute to your reading, and show sophisticated understanding of literary devices in a comparative sense.

The difficulty of the Paper 2 exam lies in the analytical depth and balance that the examiner will be looking for. With a task like comparative analysis, students need to spend a significant portion of the exam planning their essay so that there is a meaningful discussion of both texts. This is quite a challenge as it demands a very sophisticated understanding of both texts, strong comparative interpretation skills, quick critical thinking, and succinct argumentation and expression skills.

Typical Paper 2 questions

The types of questions that students will get are fairly generalised to accommodate the different texts that students can choose to write about. Usually, these questions involve propositions for students to argue in support of or against, or some thematic or characterisation point of discussion. Here are some examples of previous questions asked in the Paper 2 exam:

Discuss the ways in which philosophical or aesthetic ideas are represented in at least two of the works you have studied.
In at least two of the works you have studied, discuss the means as well as the effectiveness with which power or authority is exercised.
Pleasure is often deferred, delayed or denied. Discuss why this is so by analysing examples in at least two of the works you have studied.
Consider why writers create characters who do not conform to norms in at least two of the works you have studied.

Perfecting the Paper 2 structure

The Paper 2 exam is unique in that the task demands an essay structure that is even more clear and streamlined than other non-comparative commentaries. Students simply cannot approach this task as they would any other literary commentary, as comparative analysis needs to be evident the whole way. The piece is guided, structured, and elevated by the depth of comparative textual, subtextual, and contextual analysis. Let us consider Ibsen’s ‘Hedda Gabler’ and O’Brien’s ‘The Things They Carried’, works that were created within different historical moments. Ibsen’s Gabler is a work of realist drama which reflects the everyday details of its context; O’Brien’s TTTC is a work of postmodernism which seeks to destabilise the form of memoir and the strangeness of war. These points should be reflected in the structured argumentation and presented through a sophisticated comparison and contrast of the techniques used by the authors, and the different effects they might have depending on context and purpose.

Model IB Language and Literature Paper 2 response

To see this structure in practice, have a look at this model Paper 2 body paragraph to the past paper 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?

Both Ibsen’s Gabler and O’Brien’s TTTC are rich in symbolism, or the use of specific objects to represent ideas or qualities. In Gabler, Hedda is in possession of “General Gabler’s pistol”. The pistol is a phallic symbol which immediately connects it to masculinity. Moreover, the pistol represents male power and aggression. This representation is supported by the fact that these pistols originally belonged to Hedda’s father, an army general, the embodiment of male power and aggression. Hedda’s acquisition of the pistols indicates her desire to possess power and control over her life that would usually only be afforded to men in this era. This is subversive because in the Victorian era women were expected to be passive actors with little control over their life. O’Brien also uses symbolism in TTTC to examine cultural gender norms. In the short story ‘Spin’ the symbol of the puppy is central to this subversion. Ted Lavender adopts “an orphan puppy”. His adoption of the innocent, helpless animal symbolises Lavender’s caring and empathetic nature. Additionally, the symbol of the “puppy” is not just a helpless animal but also a baby animal. The empathetic and nurturing nature of this adoption makes it necessarily maternal. Maternal instincts are clearly associated with the feminine. This undermines the expected adherence to masculine gender performance. In conclusion, both texts use rich symbolism to challenge the efficacy of gender stereotypes within the historical periods they were created. It may be argued that Ibsen’s text is more subversive as gendered expectations were much less challenged in the Victorian era than in the late twentieth century, when O’Brien’s text was published.

Where to get help for IB Language and Literature Paper 2

With a complicated and nuanced task like the Paper 2, the value of understanding the rubric and assessment criteria cannot be overstated. BartyED IB English tutors have seen countless students struggle with revision, exam technique, time management, essay structure, essay planning, and every step of the Paper 2 revision and exam process. Understandably, the exam can be exceedingly difficult to revise for independently, and many students turn to experienced IB Lang/Lit tutors to ensure top marks in the course. If you feel that you could benefit from individualised Paper 2 support, or IB Lang/Lit tutoring in general, feel free to check out our website here for information on our IB English Lang/Lit tutoring programmes. Or, reach out today at (852) 2882 1017 or enquiries@bartyed.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

The IB Language and Literature Paper 2 is 1 hour and 45 minutes long. This is the same for both Higher Level and Standard Level IB Language and Literature students. During that time, students answer one essay question from a group of four.
For students who are studying IB Language and Literature at Higher Level, the Paper 2 examination is worth 25% of their overall grade. In the case of Standard Level students, the IB Language and Literature Paper 2 amounts to 35% of their total grade.
The IB Language and Literature Paper 2 is considerably different from Paper 1. Put simply, for Paper 2, students at both HL and SL must compare and contrast two literary texts that they have studied. This differs from Paper 1, during which students must analyse unseen non-literary texts, i.e. a magazine article, an advertisement, and so on.
The IB Language and Literature Paper 2 is a comparative task. Therefore, students must structure their answers in such a way that, in each paragraph, both texts are compared and contrasted. This should take place across three body paragraphs, meaning that, with an introduction and a conclusion, a completed essay comes to five paragraphs.