How to Write IB English Language and Literature Paper 1

In this article, we talk about how to write IB English Paper 1 to impress the examiner and maximise your score.

IB English Paper 1 analysis is the initial stage of your assessment, contributing a significant 35% to your final grade. 

This means that to succeed, you need to prepare for it carefully and strategically. Below, we explain what to expect from this part of the external assessment, provide best practice tips, and suggest an optimal structure to guide your writing.

What is English Language and Literature Paper 1?

IB English Paper 1 involves a targeted analysis of an unseen text. You will be given two excerpts, each ranging from 1 to 2 pages. Standard Level (SL) students choose one to write an essay, while their Higher Level (HL) peers work with both. Regardless of the level, your task is to analyse the writing. To get a high mark, you need to demonstrate a strong understanding of literary devices, language choices, and the author’s purpose.

If you are at SL, you will have 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete the analysis of one text. On the other hand, HL students must provide two essays within 2 hours and 15 minutes.

IB English Language and Literature exam covers  diverse text types. They might include magazine articles, blog posts, speeches, interview scripts, radio transcripts, instruction manuals, brochures, web pages, and much more.

Besides, some texts will represent literary excerpts from the following categories:

• non-fiction prose (scientific articles or essays);
• fictional prose (novels, short stories, etc.);
• dramatic plays;
• poems.

At least one text is likely to include a visual element, such as an image or a cartoon. You will need to analyse the relation between the text and the visual.

IB English and Literature Paper 1 Marking Criteria

Paper 1 contributes 35% to your overall score. A perfect answer will bring you 20 points distributed across four marking criteria. These criteria assess not only how well you understand the text but also how effectively you express your thoughts. As you will recall from other exams the understanding mark scheme is central to maximising your score.

Criterion A: Understanding and Interpretation (5 marks)

Criterion A focuses on your ability to grasp the main ideas and themes of the text. To excel here, it is important to identify key ideas, convey a profound analysis (author’s purpose, intended audience, literary devices, etc.), and support your claims with textual evidence. 

Criterion B: Analysis and Evaluation (5 marks)

This criterion tests your ability to evaluate the text’s effectiveness. In particular, how successful you are at analysing the writer’s use of language (vocabulary and structure) and the impact they want to have on a reader.

Criterion C: Focus and Organisation (5 marks)

To earn 5 marks with this criterion, you need to make sure your essay has an appropriate structure, and your writing – an efficient flow. Each paragraph should have a focused point and smoothly connect with other elements of your essay.

Criterion D: Language (5 marks)

This criterion looks closely at your usage of English. It demands clear, concise, and fluent writing. To do so, you need to demonstrate a strong vocabulary with precise word choice and good grammar, as well as maintain an appropriate tone.

A Practical Guide to Writing Essays Paper 1

A quarter of points fall on the criterion Focus and Organisation. It goes without saying that a clear structure is important to help the examiner understand your thoughts. The following tips will give you an idea of how to effectively present your essay.

Writing a Strong Thesis Statement in the Introduction

The introductory paragraph of your Paper 1 essay helps set the stage for the following analyses. One of the most important elements of this section is the thesis statement, i.e. a single sentence that outlines your central argument and demonstrates your understanding of the text’s message. A strong thesis is a must to showcase your analytical skills from the get-go.

How do you make sure that your thesis is strong? First of all, you must clearly articulate your main argument or interpretation of the text. Besides, the thesis has to present a debatable point of view. This allows room for discussion and it invites an examiner to engage with your analysis.

In addition to the thesis, your introduction must contain brief information about the text itself. Many IB teachers unckuding those on the TutorsPlus tutoring teamsuggest using the TAPAC structure to complete this section. It stands for the following:

• Text Type: Start your introduction by identifying the type of text – is it a poem, a news article, or perhaps a dramatic excerpt?
•  Author: Briefly introduce the author, mentioning any relevant biographical details that might shed light on their writing style or perspective.
•  Purpose: Analyse the author’s intent in creating the text. Do they want to inform, persuade, or entertain the reader? What message are they trying to convey?
• Audience: Consider the intended audience for the text as it may inform your analysis.
• Context: Provide any relevant background information about the text’s historical or cultural context that might influence its meaning.

Choosing the Right Essay Structure for IB English Paper 1

Once you’ve provided a compelling thesis statement, it’s time to build the body of your Paper 1 essay.

Many students struggle with body paragraphs, not because they lack ideas, but because they have too many of them. To help you avoid losing your focus, we recommend the PEEL structure. Its goal is to promote clear organisation of your thoughts and guide your analyses.

Let’s imagine that your unseen text is a story about a character lost in a desert. This is how you can analyse it using the PEEL structure.

P: Point

Each paragraph of your essay must contain arguments about a specific aspect of the text. They are something like mini-thesis statements that elaborate on your overall thesis.

For example, if you wish to describe how the author uses various techniques to convey the protagonist’s mood, you can write the following: “The author utilises vivid imagery to create a sense of isolation, which contributes to the text’s exploration of the protagonist’s emotional state.”

Ideally, you should have three points. If you’re confident in your time management skills, you can introduce four points (especially at HL) but don’t go beyond that. Can you have a good score if you have only two? Well, examiners consider both the depth and breadth of your analyses, that’s why you have better chances with more points than fewer.

E: Evidence

This means that you need to provide evidence from the text that supports your point. This could be a specific quote, a stylistic technique, or a key detail within the text. For instance: “The author uses a metaphor on line 12, comparing the protagonist’s surroundings to a ‘vast, empty desert.'”

E: Explain

After providing evidence, explain how it supports your point. In particular, you can discuss what the author wants to achieve with the selected literary device and how it is supposed to affect a reader. For example, you can pinpoint that the desert metaphor reflects the protagonist’s feelings of loneliness and isolation. Overall, your explanation should allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the author’s craft and the impact of their choices.

L: Link

Finally, you should connect your point and evidence back to the overall purpose of the text. What is the text’s meaning and significance? How does it help to see the bigger picture? For example, the protagonist’s isolation might contribute to the text’s exploration of the human need for connection.

Remember, the PEEL is guidance, not a rigid formula. You can easily adapt it to your specific points and evidence. However, it is important to maintain a clear connection between your analysis and the overall purpose of the text.

Writing a Literate and Understandable Text

IB English programme is all about using language effectively. While typos or grammatical hiccups might slide in other subjects, English simply has higher standards. But a great Paper 1 essay goes beyond just grammar. It also puts your literary devices to the test to see how convincing and flexible your language is.

As we have already mentioned, Criterion D is responsible for assessing your English. To earn 5 marks, examiners will be looking for:

• Accuracy in Grammar. Your essay doesn’t have to be perfect grammar-wise. However, if it is riddled with errors, they will simply distract from your ideas. That’s why your goal is to maintain a ‘high degree of accuracy in grammar’.
•  Flexibility in Choosing Sentences. Varying sentence structures will keep your writing interesting and show that you’re in control of the language.
•  Wide Vocabulary. Precise and vivid words can maximise your chances of scoring high.
•  Creative Devices. Things such as figurative language (similes, metaphors, etc.) can truly add depth to your analysis. It is actually a good idea to use the same techniques as the author since it shows your understanding of their creative language.

Summing up, if your goal is all 20 marks, ensure that your writing is clear, grammatically sound, and skilful.

Proper Paragraphing

When producing your English essay, keep in mind a three-part structure: Introduction, Body Paragraphs, and Conclusion. The introduction and Conclusion will have their separate paragraphs, while the Main Body should feature an individual paragraph for each point. These could be a specific theme, literary devices, key features of the unseen text, etc. So, if you present three points, ensure to break them into three paragraphs for a more cohesive look.

Having said that, you can’t just string together isolated paragraphs. Ideally, you should use linking sentences that bridge the gap between your points. Try to avoid such cliché phrases as “Another aspect of the text is…” Instead, use more variation to create a smooth flow of ideas. Remember, a cohesive essay feels greater than the sum of its parts, that’s why natural transitions are a must.

Because of the sheer number of IB English papers examiners need to process each year, they often skim essays. In this case, a well-structured essay with a clear flow of ideas will always hold an edge over an unstructured essay with excellent but disconnected content.

Using Quotations and Examples from the Text

You must build your arguments on a foundation of well-chosen quotes and textual references. The key here is ‘well-chosen’ – you should be looking for quotes that directly support the specific point you’re making in each body paragraph.

The paragraphs can contain more than one quote. Ideally, you can try to select quotations from the beginning, middle, and end of the text and note any developments in their device or style. But don’t overdo with quotations since your Paper 1 essay isn’t about citing the author but about analysing their work. Therefore, it is important to find a balance between using textual evidence and your own analytical voice.

Here are some other suggestions that will make your use of quotes more effective:

• Always properly reference the specific line or page numbers;
• Instead of using long quotations, rely on key phrases or single lines;
•  Focus on specific details within quotes and explain how they contribute to your argument;
• Integrate the quotes seamlessly within your paragraph structure to ensure a smooth flow.

Proper quotation is important not only to support your argument but also to prove your ability to engage with unseen texts.

Writing a Conclusion

The conclusion of your IB English Paper 1 analysis serves a dual purpose: not only does it wrap up your argument but also leaves a lasting impression on the examiner. Sometimes, it is even an opportunity to complete your thesis statement with newfound insight. If you’ve discovered a subtle layer of meaning during your analysis, you should definitely highlight it in the conclusion.

Whether you have additional observations or not, you need to offer a concise recap of the main areas you explored and remind the examiner of the key arguments you’ve presented. It is best to avoid lengthy recaps since your body paragraphs should already provide a detailed analysis.

When writing a conclusion, your goal is to make it as persuasive as the introduction. To do so, you may use the following persuasive appeals:

• Appeal to Logic (Logos). Conclude with a final logical statement that reinforces your overall analysis. It should clearly show your point of view about the text’s meaning and impact.
• Appeal to Emotion (Pathos). If appropriate for the text, consider leaving a thought-provoking question or a sense of emotional resonance.
•  Appeal to Ethics (Ethos). It is a good idea to reference a relevant literary scholar or critical theory. If possible, you can even state the impact of the text on the culture or a famous figure.

A well-crafted conclusion will contribute to marks according to every criterion. That’s why keeping it on par with your overall essay is a must.

Using a Unified Language Style

A successful Paper 1 IB English essay demonstrates a profound understanding of the unseen text, and this extends to your writing style as well. Showing your own clear and analytical voice is important but you should also strive to subtly reflect the tone and style of the excerpt.

Is the text a formal speech by a political leader? Then it would be great to adopt a more formal tone. On the other hand, if you’re working with a humorous blog post, informal language might be more appropriate.

Whatever style you see fit, stick to it throughout your essay. It won’t look cohesive with a formal introduction and informal main body, let alone with a tone shift across paragraphs. Remember, consistent language style is one of the requirements of the Criterion D: Language.

How to Practice and Prepare for IB English Paper 1?

So, now you know how to meet IB English Language and Literature Paper 1 criteria… in theory. However, true mastery comes with consistent practice. Here is what you can do to be ready to write a well-scoring literary analysis.

Practice Regularly with Past Papers and Sample Texts

Past papers are an invaluable revision resource. First of all, they can introduce you to a variety of formats and genres you are likely to encounter in your exam. Along with that, if you get familiar with past paper questions, you can gain a clear understanding of the specific demands of each task. When you know what to anticipate and are able to prepare for it, your chances of success increase dramatically.

Here you can learn more about some sample text types and possible answers.

English is not kind of subject where you need to memorise a lot of terms. What it tests is your ability to apply your analytical skills to diverse texts. Past papers provide the perfect platform for this application. In particular, you get to test your understanding of literary devices, thematic exploration, and textual analysis in a practical setting.

Apart from that, past papers contribute to building your confidence. With each practice session, you’ll gain experience in constructing compelling thesis statements, adapting your writing style to different text types, and persuasively arguing your interpretations. By the time you approach exam day, you should get comfortable with analysing any text type that may come your way. 

After completing every training essay, take the time to critically review your writing. Are there areas where you stumbled? Did you get to provide a strong thesis statement and effectively analyse a literary device? Try to give honest answers since they will allow you to find areas for improvement.

If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, then get in touch with us. Our tutors are expereinced IB teachers and examiners and can give you this kind of feedback quickly.

Seek Feedback from Teachers

You cannot objectively assess your own work? Then your teacher should be able to help. Of course, you cannot expect them to mark every essay you write, but they might agree to review a few and offer valuable feedback

Their guidance can also extend beyond this. Many teachers incorporate in-class writing exercises. If you analyse the feedback they give carefully, you will be able to identify your weaknesses and actively work on rectifying those mistakes. Learning from past errors is key to avoiding them on exam day.

You don’t want to bother your teacher? Then how about cooperating with your classmates? You can form a study group to practise with past papers, exchange your answers, and get an honest opinion of each other’s work. This can also help you experience the creative thinking and arguing of others.

There is one more great way to understand how you’re faring – an IB English tutor. Thanks to their tailored feedback on your writing, they may identify recurring patterns in your mistakes, and offer strategies for improvement.

Use the IB Mark Scheme as a Guide

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a cheat sheet telling you exactly what examiners are looking for in your IB English Paper 1 response? That’s basically what mark schemes are. These detailed guides break down the exact things examiners consider when grading your analysis.

This means that you can rely on mark schemes as a sort of briefing for your analysis. Besides, they show what separates a good response from a great one. Knowing your goals and what to do to achieve them can let you tailor your writing accordingly.

Conclusion

Writing a successful IB English Paper 1 response is no walk in the park. But if you know what makes a good literature analysis and you can apply this knowledge in practice, a high score is almost in the bag.

Remember, consistent essay writing with the criteria in mind is key. Use the tips and strategies we’ve outlined to formulate your arguments and structure the analysis effectively.

Sometimes, however, studying on your own might not be enough, especially if you are not sure if you can meet the marking criteria. Here’s where an experienced tutor can make a world of difference.

At TutorsPlus, we understand the unique challenges of the IB English Language and Literature exam. Our team of highly qualified English tutors (who are also certified examiners) can provide the guidance and feedback you need to succeed.

So, if you wish to convert all your hard work into 20 points, don’t hesitate to contact us at 41 022 731 8148 or info@tutorsplus.com. We are here to help you refine your analytical skills, improve your response structure, and simply give you more confidence.

By Sara Lloyd

Sara has been an education consultant for TutorsPlus for 15 years, and is an expert on international IB education.  She is also a parent of two lively children.

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