Unlike the Paper1 unseen text analysis essay, Paper 2 asks you to write a comparative essay based on literary works read in your English A course over the past school terms.
Since you started IB DP English A course, you have studied various literature texts, and some have been adopted for your IO or HLE, then finally a few still should be remaining for paper 2 essay.
And in the final exam, depending on the essay prompt you chose, you have to choose two works and write an essay comparing and analysing them.
If you have decided on 2-3 works for paper 2 revision, it’s time to make revision notes for both, so called ‘literature cheat sheet’ to ACE paper 2 essay.
Then what contents should be included in such notes?
Context of the literary works: time period, social, cultural and political contexts– When does the story take place? When did the author write it? This is important because it can give you ideas about bigger and deeper understanding of the context of the story, which therefore makes a better analysis.
Main theme(s) – This is definitely vital. The main thematic elements of the literary works you’ve studied should be thoroughly understood. I say ‘should’ not because it’s a requirement in the exam but because you’ll have SO much more to talk about in your writing with them.
Characters
For each work, you must organise all important events and contents, including the main features and development process for Protagonists, Antagonists, and Other characters.
Symbols
Like themes, symbols are important elements in literary analysis, at least 3-5 symbols that are major for each work should be fully included in your cheat sheet.
Background of the author –
Quotes:
Without referring to the core quotes and their literary significance, there is no higher than 5! In other words, there is no high score on Paper 2 without quotes!
From a realistic approach, once you collect only the 6-10 core quotes in each literary work and revise them repeatedly, you will naturally memorise them. Don't be too stressed!
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