IB ENGLISH A: 10 Tips for Paper 2

[@swethav231]

Have my IB exams coming up this May, this was very helpful.

[@kaneeshkmehra4136]

Thank you!!! My paper 2 was so much better this time thanks to you guys

[@arnavsharma8462]

Hey once again thank you so much for the tips and my mock IO about 1984 and basquiat went well just wanted to ask can we apply majority of the skills we use in paper 1 here for example effect on readersor just the textual and authorial choices and compare them

[@ibenglishguys]

The Paper 1 and the IO are cousins. Of course, you can use these skills! Do so. Go as deep as you can in the SHORT amount of time you have. Explore authorial choices in detail and connect to your GI. That is the game plan for the IO.

[@arnavsharma8462]

@@ibenglishguys Hey respected sirs, I just gave my mock IB exams and ended up getting a 4 in paper 1 and 2 and an IB 5 in the mock io, I was wondering if i send you my respective papers digitally along with the prompt could you maybe dissect it and sort of use it as an example of what not to do because I see alot of generally good examples in your videos and I think having a not so well performing paper for analyzing could be beneficial too (atleast for paper 1)

[@franciscocidfriz5033]

god bless you guys

[@elelma255]

Hi, thank you so much for the tips! I have a very serious question regarding paper 2. Our class has been answering 3 questions (Choosing one of the divided sections or types of text and answering every question (3 questions) in that section (for example Drama)) After doing some research and looking at sample answers. It looks like you have to answer only one question fully. Is this true? I am panicking as I have not been practicing focusing on one question and answering fully.

[@ibenglishguys]

For the Paper 2, you will receive four general questions and you are meant to choose ONE question to respond to. You are asked to write a comparative essay on two texts you have studied. One question only. You are using an exam from the old course that separated the genres. This is no longer done. You get FOUR questions that can apply to any genre. Again, you are meant to choose one of those questions. Good luck.

[@elelma255]

@@ibenglishguys Thank you for your response. Is it the same for every language?

[@meilun7237]

@@elelma255 Yes, it is

[@ashar4121]

Hi Andrew and Dave, it's two weeks till the exam and I have two options: either to stick with two texts or start revising another text so that I'll have three texts to use. Which option do you think is the better strategy?

[@ibenglishguys]

Go with 3. Study the 3rd, take notes and make a study guide. You could even ask GPT some critical questions about your 3rd text and generate a great study guide.

[@ashar4121]

@@ibenglishguys Thank you! Btw one of my texts is Dubliners, and I really struggle to fit three stories into the essay. Do all of these stories have to be deeply analysed or you can for example just mention one of them in somewhere convenient? Will that count?

[@magikallynx68]

@@ibenglishguys Is it permitted to use compare three texts in your paper 2?

[@lucacaramani8833]

@@magikallynx68 yes

[@cesruhf2605]

How specific should be the reference to the text? The literary device used and how it shapes meaning?

[@ibenglishguys]

Be anchored in a moment (scene/chapter) in your text and use whatever rich detail you remember. A phrase, a symbol, a detail. Your knowledge should be detailed as possible. You have no notes so do what you can. Answer the question at all costs.

[@SrivatsaThummalapalli]

My Paper 2 IB Lang and Lit is tmrw wish me luck guys

[@ambrero6367]

Good luck! Mine is in 3 hours…

[@leonardothomson9567]

Would it be a good idea to use the magic sentence in paper 2 responses?

[@ibenglishguys]

Sure, the magic sentence works great for Paper 2. Please remember to compare and contrast rich ideas as well as authorial choices and how they shape meaning!

[@leonardothomson9567]

@@ibenglishguys Thanks!

[@yitbemengistu3080]

is having 2 argments enough for a paper 2

[@ibenglishguys]

Two comparative points seems a bit light but if they are developed thoroughly and have very rich discussion for each with many comparative comments, this might be OK. Aim for more than 2 if you can.

[@manavporwal8006]

Hey guys what do you think is the recommended words or pages?

[@ibenglishguys]

You have to make the length something you can achieve. It needs to be as developed as you can in the time you have. This takes practice. Top scoring papers are often around 1,000 words give or take. But for now, work on your volume and stamina as a writer and write as much as you can but be focused and precise with your writing as well. It’s a tough skill but practice will get you there.

[@SB-rd9on]

how many thesis to take?

[@ibenglishguys]

You’ll have one thesis but it has a few parts. Focus on a rich comparative idea in your essay and answer the question with a clear argument.