ib english guys paper 2 thesis statement

Structuring Your IB English Paper 2 Essay

The blueprint for a perfect essay.

IB English Paper 2 is your chance to shine by demonstrating your ability to compare and analyze literary works effectively. A well-structured essay is crucial for conveying your ideas clearly and scoring high marks. Let’s break down the ideal structure for your Paper 2 essay to ensure you hit all the key points and impress the examiners.

ib english guys paper 2 thesis statement

Understanding the Basics

Exam overview.

Duration : 1 hour and 45 minutes
Format : Comparative essay based on one question chosen from a set of six.
Texts : Compare at least two works from the prescribed reading list.

Key Elements of the Essay

Thesis Statement : Your central argument or perspective on the chosen question.
Comparative Analysis : Balanced examination of similarities and differences between the texts.
Textual Evidence : Quotations and references to support your analysis.
Coherent Structure : Logical flow of ideas with clear paragraphs.

Detailed Essay Structure

Introduction (1 paragraph).

Example: "In the realms of literature, the portrayal of human struggle often reveals profound truths about society and the individual."
Example: "Both George Orwell's 1984 and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World explore dystopian futures, yet their approaches highlight different aspects of societal control."
Example: "While Orwell's 1984 focuses on the overt oppression of a totalitarian regime, Huxley's Brave New World depicts a subtler form of control through pleasure and conditioning, revealing the multifaceted nature of human subjugation."

Body Paragraphs (4-6 Paragraphs)

Each body paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of comparison, such as themes, characters, settings, or literary techniques. Use topic sentences to introduce the main idea of each paragraph.

Example: "One of the central themes in both novels is the manipulation of truth."
Example: "In 1984 , Orwell illustrates this through the Ministry of Truth, where historical records are continuously altered to fit the Party's current narrative. A prime example is the character Winston Smith, who works to falsify documents, creating a reality where the Party is always right."
Example: "Conversely, in Brave New World , Huxley presents a society where truth is manipulated through the use of hypnopaedic conditioning. The constant repetition of slogans like 'Ending is better than mending' ensures that citizens accept the engineered reality without question."
Example: "Both authors reveal how the manipulation of truth serves to maintain control, albeit through different mechanisms."

Repeat this structure for each aspect you are comparing, ensuring that each paragraph transitions smoothly to the next.

Conclusion (1 Paragraph)

Example: "In conclusion, Orwell and Huxley offer compelling insights into the nature of societal control, with 1984 emphasizing overt oppression and Brave New World highlighting the insidious power of pleasure and conditioning."
Example: "While both novels address the manipulation of truth and the subjugation of individuals, their differing approaches underscore the complexity of totalitarianism."
Example: "As we navigate our own rapidly evolving societies, these dystopian visions prompt us to reflect on the subtle ways in which our perceptions of truth and freedom may be shaped."

Tips for Writing a Strong Paper 2 Essay

Plan your essay.

Spend the first 5-10 minutes planning your essay. Outline your main points, textual evidence, and how you will structure your analysis. A clear plan will help you stay focused and organized.

Use Comparative Language

Throughout your essay, use comparative language to highlight similarities and differences. Phrases like "similarly," "in contrast," "both," and "whereas" can help create a coherent comparative analysis.

Stay Relevant

Ensure that every point you make is directly related to the question and your thesis. Avoid tangents or overly broad statements that do not contribute to your argument.

Be Concise and Clear

Clarity is key. Express your ideas succinctly and avoid unnecessary jargon. Ensure that each paragraph contributes to your overall argument.

If time permits, proofread your essay for any grammatical or spelling errors. Ensure that your arguments are clearly articulated and that your essay flows smoothly.

Mastering IB English Paper 2

A well-structured essay is crucial for success in IB English Paper 2. By following the outlined structure and incorporating the tips provided, you can write a coherent, insightful, and persuasive comparative essay that impresses the examiners.

Ready to master IB English Paper 2? Join RevisionDojo today and access personalized study tools, curriculum-specific question banks, and resources enhanced by Jojo AI. Let us help you navigate your reading list, practice your comparative analysis, and achieve your academic goals with ease.

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IB English Paper 2 - Details and Tips

TLDR In this informative video, Andrew and Dave, the IB English guys, delve into the intricacies of Paper 2, offering a comprehensive guide to mastering this comparative essay component of the IB English exam. They cover the basic requirements, express their affection for Paper 2 due to its focus on intertextuality and literature's power to deepen human understanding, and introduce 'The Fabulous Four' strategy for breaking down questions. They also provide actionable steps for success, including crafting a strong thesis and planning effectively. The video concludes with a detailed analysis of sample questions, highlighting the importance of understanding key terms and authorial choices to critically engage with texts and societal critiques.

📃 The IB English Paper 2 is a comparative essay requiring students to discuss two literary works in response to one of four general questions.
🗞️ Students have 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete the essay, with it accounting for 35% of the score for SL students and 25% for HL students.
📚 Texts used for the Higher Level Essay or Individual Oral cannot be used for Paper 2.
📖 A key aspect of Paper 2 is intertextuality, comparing and finding commonalities and differences between texts.
📝 Students have control over their success in Paper 2 by preparing and understanding their chosen texts thoroughly.
📱 Literature in Paper 2 is valued for its ability to deepen understanding of the human condition and foster empathy.
📌 The 'Fabulous Four' strategy includes answering the question directly, understanding themes and details, knowing the style and language, and comparing and contrasting the texts.
💬 Planning is crucial for a successful Paper 2 essay, including outlining the question, identifying keywords, crafting a comparative thesis, and planning body paragraphs.
📝 Authorial choices and literary craft are essential to discuss in response to the essay question, focusing on how these elements convey themes or criticisms.
👁️ A good response involves a systematic approach, including defining key terms, integrating thematic knowledge, and considering the significance of the texts in a broader context.

What is the format and duration of Paper 2 in the IB English exam?

- Paper 2 is a comparative essay that lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes for both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) students.

How many literary works must be compared in the IB English Paper 2?

- Students must apply the given questions to two literary works.

Can texts used for the Higher Level Essay or Individual Oral be used again in Paper 2?

- No, students cannot use texts in Paper 2 that they have already used for the Higher Level Essay or Individual Oral.

Why do the IB English Guys love Paper 2?

- They love Paper 2 because it focuses on intertextuality, allows control over the texts being studied, and centers around literature which fosters a deeper understanding of the human condition and empathy.

What are the 'Fabulous Four' strategies mentioned for succeeding in Paper 2?

- The Fabulous Four includes answering the question directly, understanding the themes and details of the works, knowing the style and language of the texts, and effectively comparing and contrasting the texts.

Why is planning important for writing Paper 2, according to the IB English Guys?

- Planning is crucial as it helps organize thoughts, ensures a clear argument through a thesis statement, and outlines the body paragraphs, leading to a more focused and coherent essay.

How should students approach defining key terms in the essay question for Paper 2?

- Students should interpret and define key terms in the introduction to show they've understood the question in relation to their chosen works.

What does the IB English Guys suggest about the use of comparative language in Paper 2?

- They suggest integrating comparative thesis statements, topic sentences, and using comparative language throughout the essay to maintain a comparative perspective.

What emphasis do the IB English Guys place on authorial choices in Paper 2?

- They stress the importance of focusing on authorial choices and craft as a key component of the analysis, especially in response to the essay question.

How do the IB English Guys suggest students interpret the 'significance' of elements in the literary works for Paper 2?

- They suggest linking back to the thematic knowledge and considering what the works convey about the human condition or societal critiques, emphasizing the broader implications of the texts.

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Skills Practice

Welcome to the skills practice page! Here you’ll find revision material for a range of critical skills. This is the place to master thesis statements, topic sentences, and other key skills to help us score the points we deserve on exam day.

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Document: How to Annotate

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Document: Nail the Thesis

Watch this video to learn how to LINK the thesis to all topic sentences.

Document: Thesis and Topic Sentences

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IB English Guys

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That IB Guy

Helping ib students worldwide with what they dread., ib english l&l – paper 2 techniques.

Hey everyone! Welcome back to That IB Guy where we will today cover the techniques I feel are most effective when answering questions from Paper 2. As we already know, Paper 2 is the comparative essay and requires you to know 2 literary works extremely well so that you can make accurate references to them when answering your selected question.

The most important step towards scoring well in this paper all begins with a choice of a question. You are provided with around 4 questions roughly, each of which have different demands of you and will require different ways of answering. If you so happen to pick a question that is not well suited to your strengths, you’ll find yourself struggling to generate content for your essay and whatever you do have will not be addressed to your full potential. This is basically half the battle, and to increase your chances of doing well, I have a few tips for you that worked for me.

The very first thing is obvious, read through every question and understand what each demands. I have seen numerous students pick one random question based off the way it sounded. The first impression you may get of a question can be incredibly misleading and you may not realise it until you are about halfway through your essay. Take your time, read each question twice and draw up a rough spider diagram of what you understood from each question next to it. This will help you in deciding which question suits you best as the one with the most webs means that it is the one you are most confident in analysing. Also make sure you are aware of the meaning of every term in the question. You don’t want to write something you aren’t sure of. Furthermore, you’ll notice some questions have 2 questions embedded within them, mostly separated by an ‘and’. These questions are sometimes notorious as most students only consider half the question and forget to address the second half entirely. If you choose this, make sure you are fully aware of the question and always reread the question multiple times throughout the time you are writing your essay so that you stay on track.

Next comes the introduction which has been covered in a previous post. If you missed it, you can take a look at it here . I have one template (sort of) for my Paper 2 introductions, and you’ll notice from the sample I’ve attached that each introduction starts off pretty much the same way. I start by giving brief summaries of my literary works in context of the question. I then proceed to form an answer to my question and briefly tell the reader or examiner exactly what I will be doing in my essay. This technique is called signposting and it’s a technique to help keep you on track and makes the life of an examiner significantly easier as they know what to expect in your essay. Whatever you choose to write in your thesis, analyse it in your essay, do not leave it for an examiner to notice that you did not do what you said you would do.

And now the biggest chunk of your essay, the main body. There are two approaches to this, either write a separate paragraph for each literary work and compare them one after the other, or use one paragraph to compare and contrast both of them. I personally find it much easier to have two separate paragraphs as I then can focus on one work at a time and compare it to the other. There’s really nothing you need to worry about in terms of style here, what does need attention are your quotes. Your quotes are what will determine the question you will answer and will also form the backbone of your analysis. Currently, the IB does not allow you to bring a copy of the novel or a paper with quotes into the exam, so you need to use the old trusty way of cramming. What I like to do is choose a couple of universal quotes. These quotes can basically be twisted to analyse multiple questions. I like to take quotes that describe symbols and quotes that are somewhat generic in the book. This gives me a good chance to be able to attempt most questions in a Paper 2 exam, and I am sure you will notice it in the essays I write which will be attached to this post as a reference for what you should try to do.

I am no expert in English, and I encourage everyone to try their own style of writing as English is broad, so write in whatever way gets you the best marks. I just wanted to share my way of writing so that it may be a good starting point for those of us who are struggling to get started. With that, I hope you have a great day and be sure to stick around for more blog posts concerning other aspects of the IB DP curriculum.