IB advice for paper 1 English

1. SL question : Discuss similarities and differences between the texts and their
theme(s).
Include comments on the ways the authors use elements such as structure, tone,
images and stylistic devices to communicate their purposes.
structure
tone
images
stylistic devices
Standard level Paper 1
The form of the literature. Prose -simple/complex sentences.
Ungrammatical sentences. Length of paragraphs. Poetry – verse form,
rhythm. Drama - length of speeches, or the way the lines are shared.
Light-hearted/humorous, gloomy/pessimistic, angry/bitter, sad/poignant.
Ironic. Detached/clinical. Ecstatic/joyful. Emotive language.
The pictures created by the language. Imagery/descriptive writing /sensual
writing.
Everything else!
Active/passive voice in verbs and their tenses. 1st/3rd person. Direct
speech (in prose/poetry) repetition, alliteration and assonance (sibilant,
aspirate, plosive) onomatopoeia. Specialist/technical vocabulary.

2. To begin, we will be examining quite straightforward Standard Level texts.
As your analytical methods improve, we will begin to consider more
complex, challenging literature while eventually, we will examine paired
texts. Standard Level, then moving on to Higher Level ( Toward the end of
Year 1)
Read the passages ‘out loud’ ( inside your heads in the exam! ) Listen for their
tones and think about how meaning is organised into units that make sense for
the reader or listener.
Mark the passage with highlighters as you read, making notes on any
outstanding characteristics. Then make notes on general characteristics:-
•Audience ( who are the texts aimed at?)
•Subject (what are they about?)
•Purposes (what are they intended to achieve? Why were they written?)
When reading any of the texts on the reading list in your Welcome booklet, use
the above method. This sort of active engagement with literature will give you
the skills needed for the comparative paper.