What is IB English Paper 1 all about?
Hey there! So, you’re aiming for a 7 on your HL essay? Awesome! Don’t worry, we are here to walk you through it in simple steps. Your essay in the IB Board will be marked out of 20 points and split into 4 key areas.
If you nail each of these areas, you’ll be well on your way to scoring that perfect 7!
Let’s break it down:
Get Your Free Guide To Ace Your IBDP Scores.
Paper 1: The Guided Textual Analysis in IB English
You’ll have 2 hours and 15 minutes to analyze two non-literary texts, each from a different text type (like an ad, a news article, or a speech, to name a few). Each text will come with a guiding question that directs your analysis toward a specific aspect of the text—this could be its use of language, structure, or the way it conveys meaning.
In other words, your job is to dig deep and explore how and why the text works the way it does.
You’ll write two separate analyses in IB English—one for each text—focusing on the guiding question provided. Together, these two analyses are worth 40 marks and make up 35% of your final grade. So yes, it’s important!
What Does “Non-Literary” Mean?
In Paper 1 of IB English, you’re not looking at novels or poems. Instead, you’ll get two pieces of non-literary text—things like:
- Advertisements
- Opinion articles
- Webpages
- Brochures
- Magazine covers
- Political speeches
- Comic strips
What Are You Analyzing?
In each of your analyses, you’ll focus on how different features of the text work together to create meaning. To highlight a few, this includes:
- Language: What kind of words are being used? Are there metaphors, rhetorical questions, or emotive language?
- Imagery and Symbolism: Are there any images that stand out? Do they symbolize something bigger?
- Structure and Layout: How is the text organized on the page? Does it have headings, bullet points, or columns?
- Tone: Is the tone persuasive, formal, humorous, or sarcastic? How does this affect the text’s impact?
By the end of your analysis in the IB English exam, you’ll need to explain how these elements help convey the purpose of the text and how they relate to the guiding question.
What’s the Weightage?
The IB English paper accounts for 35% of your final grade. That’s a pretty significant chunk, so doing well here can really boost your overall score.
Your Key Takeaways
Don’t worry, you don’t have to be an expert in every text type to do well in Paper 1.
Here’s a quick approach to help you:
- Read the guiding question carefully. This will tell you what aspect of the text to focus on (for example, tone or structure).
- Annotate the text. Underline important words, circle visual features, and make notes about how these elements contribute to the text’s overall meaning.
- Organize your response. Structure your essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs that focus on different features, and a conclusion that ties everything back to the guiding question.
So, there you have it!
Paper 1 of IB English is all about analyzing non-literary texts and explaining how different features of the text work together to communicate meaning. With a little practice and a sharp eye, you’ll be ready to tackle any text that comes your way!
FAQs
IB English Paper 1 is a 2-hour 15-minute exam where students analyze two non-literary texts, each from different genres (e.g., advertisements, speeches, or articles). You’ll respond to a guiding question for each text, analyzing how the text uses language, structure, and other features to convey meaning. This paper accounts for 35% of your final grade in IB English.
To prepare for IB English Paper 1, start by practicing analyzing various non-literary texts like advertisements, opinion articles, and political speeches. Focus on identifying key features like tone, imagery, language use, and structure. Make sure you can explain how these elements contribute to the text’s overall meaning. Familiarize yourself with guiding questions to improve your focus and analytical skills.
In IB English Paper 1, you’ll analyze non-literary texts such as advertisements, opinion articles, web pages, brochures, and political speeches. Each text type has its own conventions that you’ll need to examine, including tone, language, imagery, and structure. Understanding these conventions helps you provide a more insightful analysis in your exam.
