When doing the IB English Literature Paper 1, many focus on the content and forget to prioritise structure as much. The danger with forgetting to prioritise structure, other than losing marks in Criterion C (Focus and Organisation), is that students end up without a line of argument or direction to their response.
The structure below works for an analytical response in the IB English Literature Paper 1 commentary.
Introduction:
A summary of the given extract
Connect the given guiding question with the summary or main idea of the given extract
Thesis statement (connecting literary techniques to question)
Body 1
Topic sentence (how technique 1 relates to the question)
Provide quotes to illustrate point/argument
Explanation and analysis (reinforces thesis statement)
Body 2
Topic sentence (how technique 2 relates to the question)
Provide quotes to illustrate point/argument
Explanation and analysis (reinforces thesis statement)
Body 3
Topic sentence (how technique 3 relates to the theme/question)
Provide quotes to illustrate point/argument
Explanation and analysis (reinforces thesis statement)
Conclusion
Summary of central points (return to the thesis statement)
Final argument(s) and observations about the text
Optional link back to hook (1a) offering final thoughts
Do check out the sample paragraphs of paper 1 essay for unseen text,
focusing mainly on its structuring!
Intro
Body
Conclusion
Comments