1. Paper 1
Exam Review

2. Don’t Panic!

3. Paper 1 Details Duration: 2 hours Time: HL: 8:15-11
Location:1931 Arena Blvd (Staff development room)
Paper will be provided; writing implements will not
You MUST use pen

4. For HL:
The pairing will have some evident point of comparison such as the:
intended audience
intent of the texts
topic or thematic point
narrative stance
features of a genre
Aim to identify that point first after reading your two texts as it will guide your analysis, especially of Criterion A.
Tip: The provenance (origin and author) will always be given and should be considered.

5. Remember!
Your task is not so much to discuss what is being said, rather it is to discuss why (A) and how (B) it is being said.
Conduct a textual analysis on the relationship of language, meaning and context.
Note: Throughout this presentation the evaluated Criterion is listed in (parentheses).

6. Strategies Close Reading Paper 1 Purpose (HL)
Read the 2 passages until you feel confident and have absorbed their contents. Then analyze and structure your commentary with a thesis statement
Paper 1 Purpose (HL)
compare and analyse the pair of texts by commenting on the similarities and differences between the texts through the significance of contexts, audience and purpose (A) and the use of stylistic (structural, linguistic and literary) devices (B)

7. Strategies Overall Organization Thesis Creation (not the only option)
Intro, Criteria, Conclusion
Include a strong, focussed topic sentence and clear, transitory concluding sentence for each body paragraph
Evenly include both texts in each body paragraph
Thesis Creation (not the only option)
explicitly explore how, why and to what degree the texts are effective, engaging or successful in achieving their purpose and relating to their audience
Sentences’ Structure:
Point (Statement) -> Quotation(s) -> Comment (Analysis)

8. Must Haves to Score 5+ Similarities AND differences (A, B and C)
Direct quotations (A and B)
Comparative analysis (A, B and C)
An understanding of texts, their types, purpose and possible context (ie. cultural, temporal, relation to audience) (A)
Exploration of purpose and effect of stylistic features (B)
Clearly defined and followed structure (C)
Equal treatment of texts (A and C)
Purposeful language and register (D)

9. General Strategies Timing 2 hours total for Paper 1
Dedicate minutes to a close reading
Read purposefully
Use an identification strategy (colour coding, underlining, symbols, etc)
Dedicate 5 mins to an outline
Identify the cross-textual commonality; use that as the basis for your global argument
Dedicate minutes to writing
Review if time permits…do not waste any time!

10. Criteria A Strategies Rubric language: You must:
There is excellent understanding of the texts, their context and purpose, and the similarities and differences between them; comments are fully supported by well-chosen references to the texts.
You must:
Explore the similarities AND differences in a balanced manner; if you do not, you CANNOT score above a 2: “and the similarities or differences”
Include direct quotes or purposeful paraphrasing; if you do not, you CANNOT score above a 1: “summary predominates and observations are rarely supported by references to the texts”

11. When and where possible, you should be utilizing the provenance explicitly to address the context component
Read the provenances before looking at the texts so you are reading them through a contextual lens
You may use your background knowledge if it assists in clarifying the context, purpose or audience; however, DO NOT include it if you are unsure!
Continually ask yourself ‘what is the significance?’ and explicitly connect it to AT LEAST the cross-textual connection

12. REMEMBER …
Criterion A and B are worth the same amount! While IB does not require that your Criterion A sections are the same word/paragraph count as your Criterion B exploration, do not treat the Stylistic Devices as an afterthought.

13. Criteria B Strategies From the Rubric:
There is excellent awareness of the use of stylistic features, with very good understanding of their effects on the reader.
If you do not explore the effects, you cannot score above a 1: “little or no illustration of their effects on the reader”
Note: the rubric does NOT require you to compare and contrast; DO link to the cross-textual commonality
Stylistic features include any techniques purposefully employed by writers or creators of texts.
Written texts may make use of literary devices, rhetorical devices, tone, diction, techniques of persuasion, structural choices, etc.
What is essential is that you not only note specific stylistic features, but also explore their EFFECTS on the texts and reader/audience

14. “Write Club!”
First Rule of Write Club is only identify the aspect if you can explain the aspect! Second Rule of Write Club is only identify the aspect if you can explain the aspect!
Aggressively avoid adding alliteration
and assonance as analyzed aspects
are always absent!

15. Analysis: IDENTIFY AND EXPLAIN
Do not state the obvious, instead show your thought process and analysis via your writing
Avoid lengthy and specific summarization
Adopt a ‘So what?’ mentality – every single aspect/device you mention should have you thinking “So what?” does this device do for the passage? How does it contribute to the overall effect or meaning?
Answer the question and explicitly write it in your paper. This will strengthen your discussion of the effects
Examine the device`s specific effect using the words/ideas used in the selected device
Explore it both from a specific and global perspective

16. Criteria C Strategies From the Rubric:
The comparative analysis is well balanced and effectively organized, with a coherent and effective structure and development.
Most are organizing their commentaries well, so here are some suggested refinements:
Expand introductions and Include conclusions
Integrate quotations
Ensure balance
Explicitly and specifically explore the significance (A) and effect (B): `raise A and B and C will follow`

17. Organizational Suggestions
1. Discuss text 1, then text 2, comparing by referring back to text 1 as text 2 is analysed
2. Break the argument into a number of related comparative points and then alternate paragraphs between texts, discussing these points in relation to each text in turn
3. Synthesize ideas, making each paragraph of the essay an analysis of a single comparison between the texts

18. Criterion D Strategies
From the Rubric:
Language is very clear, effective, carefully chosen and precise, with a high degree of accuracy in grammar, vocabulary and sentence construction; register and style are effective and appropriate to the task.
Check your work for grammar and spelling errors, particularly:
Comma splices, capitalization, sentence fragments, missing possessives and incorrect semi-colon use
Diversify your register through specific word choices and advanced punctuation use
Use semi-colons, colons, dashes and parentheses
Do not use more than 1 point-of-view
Use transitions, both in and between body paragraphs

19. Write Well and Prosper…