How do you write a level 7 essay in IB SL literature?

[ncarmont]

Hi guys

 

I am an 11th grade SL literature student and am very happily getting a 7 so far in lit as I have done well in presentations and notes. The problem though is that now I'm expected to be able to write a level 7 essay and can't get above a 5! AGHH! can anyone help me or give me any tips on how to write level 6-7 literature essays? :3

 

Thank you!

[ShootingStar16]

Umm it is super hard to get a 7 I heard because the marking is super subjective (though I have 7's in the commentaries I have written so far)  but to get the best marks possible: with the commentary, be sure you have a solid thesis that encompasses the entire passage (this makes up a huge part of your mark) and discuss literary details in relation to your argument (don't just simply state what literary details there are. Explain why they are important like if there was a simile, explain why they compare something to a specific object); pick apart the specifics in the evidence you use and IB really likes it if you use precise literary terms. I've seen example paper 1 commentaries that scored high, but they ended up writing their way into the commentary. Try your best not to do that. If it's an in class, your teacher should take the time constraint into consideration, but still make a habit to have a clear, solid thesis in your intro and then dive into your argument. 

 

Btw what really works for me in terms of structure is point, proof and discussion. Make sure you have at least two sentences of discussion for each literary detail you will talk about. 

 

I am not sure how the other essays go though because we have only written commentaries for our IB writing :/ 

Edited April 22, 2015 by ShootingStar16

[Blackcurrant]

Lots of practice with feedback. Without feedback from your teacher, you might end up spinning your wheels. It sounds like you have to get to know your own strengths and weaknesses rather than wondering why you don't (or can't ) get a higher mark.

 

Has your teacher sat down with you and carefully gone thru your commentaries? It is no good asking your classmates (even those that are good) but often they will have no clue why they do well. And they are not trained. Get your teacher to give you that precise, exact feedback so that you are not left wondering how you can get ahead why you are not doing better. Shooting Star is right: getting a 7 may not be easy--but it IS possible if you you know where you are in terms of each criterion.

 

General advice is good as a start, but you need to have much more awareness about your own commentary writing and someone who can give you that feedback.

 

That's what I got in my final year, well ahead of exams, and it made a big difference. 

Edited April 23, 2015 by Blackcurrant

[redpanda_19]

Here are some of my suggestions:

Read up on literary devices and important terminology. I've been getting 7s but not as good as they could be because I lack the technical terms, such as caesura or enjambement, etc.

Have a clear opening thesis to start with, to outline your main points of discussion. Include the author/poet's name and the title of the piece (like Shootingstar16 said). If you need to add context, talk about it in the intro and then go into more depth by linking it with your points below.

You can analyze chronologically or thematically. It's easier to do it chronologically; it's more methodical and you go step by step through the piece, so you won't forget or miss out on important tidbits. It's also a pretty clear structure. However if you find that there are 2 or 3 main themes that really stick out at you then do it thematically. That way your essay will be more cohesive. 

PETAL paragraphs are good - Point, Evidence, Technique, Analysis, Link. You don't have to quote the whole thing, but when you quote make sure it's a direct quote. If you're quoting 2 lines from a poem, then don't write it all in one line - show the line break with a /. 

Use the conclusion to sum up your arguments and maybe a little of a personal reflection on the essay. But don't break too far away from the point of the novel/poem. For example when I wrote an essay on Soap Suds I wrote how it causes the audience to also reflect on childhood in a busy world. 

 

I hope this helps

[Sandy]

You can go through this link for tips on writing essays.

[azara]

You can analyze chronologically or thematically. It's easier to do it chronologically; it's more methodical and you go step by step through the piece, so you won't forget or miss out on important tidbits. It's also a pretty clear structure. However if you find that there are 2 or 3 main themes that really stick out at you then do it thematically. That way your essay will be more cohesive. 

I wouldn't analyse chronologically if you want to get a 7.  Analysing thematically sounds a lot more sophisticated and it's easier to make a cohesive argument.  The point of writing this essay is to have some kind of argument or thesis about what the whole thing is about (or a couple) and each paragraph should deal with one piece of that argument.  The introduction and the conclusion should tie all of those paragraphs together.  For example (this is made up, not based off anything real)

 

Intro: the inevitable change which occurs with maturing from a child to an adult

Para 1: learning own identity and becoming independent

Para 2: changing influences and sources of inspiration

Para 3: alienation which occurs from change

Conc: features of the inevitable change which occurs with maturing from a child to an adult

 

See how, thematically, the argument is stronger than if you went stanza by stanza and came up with jumbled mess of ideas? this way, you can be choosier with what you include, picking only the strongest stuff, and your argument seems stronger as you've got each section with its own set of quotes and analysis.  Plus, it shows you've really engaged with the content so it will get you higher marks in the first criteria (understanding the text).

 

I know people can do it chrono, but I really wouldn't if you're going for a 7.  Each to their own, though.

[King112]

Please dont revive old threads