Languages A1/A Literature
For discussion on Languages A1/A Literature ONLY.
There is a separate forum for Languages A2, B and Ab Initio and a subforum for A Literature & Language.
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My classmate sent me this for tomorrows exam and I found it to be most helpful, so I wanted to share it with you guys A good way is to discuss the following for both prose and poetry: · The five W’s – What? Who? When? Where? Why? · Ambiguities · Diction · Imagery · Tone · Mood · Structure · Pattern · Voice · Syntax Prose-specific: · Plot · Narrative point of view · Characterization · Chronology (Use of time) · Setting · Paragraphing Poetry-specific: · Layout · Stanzas · Metre · Sound Organization of Time: 30 minutes – Read the passage, over and over again until you feel confident about the passage and have absorbed its contents. Then analysis and structure your commentar…
Last reply by JeffThorsen777, -
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Tips for the A1 Individual Oral Presentation (IOP) Skip to: Marking Criteria 1. Topics can be quite general This isn't like the World Literature papers where your question has to be absolutely dead on target. You can pick from themes, characters, symbols, sections and so on. You're at liberty to make this into something of a discussion topic and you shouldn't fret too much about what title you give to the presentation, provided you can give it a decent introduction and conclusion. Even something as simple as "the theme of Death in Book X" should be fine. Remember the IOP is pretty chilled out (which is why it's often the first thing to be tackled). 2. Use your presenting…
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Tips for the A1 Individual Oral Commentary (IOC) 1. Find out how your teacher wants to play it... Okay very technically speaking the rules re: the IOC state that you should be presented with a series of envelopes each containing an extract totally unknown to you from any one of the texts/poems etc. you have studied. However, quite a large percentage of IB schools seem to be into alternative versions of the rules, including some where they will let you choose which texts they'll use and even the odd school where they let you choose your extract. Clearly if your teacher is going to let you select which novel you want to get, you're in with an advantage (and can save yoursel…
Last reply by 239sama, -
Mine was Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys interview with main character ( Antoinette Cosway)
Last reply by pelumi, -
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Here are some tips and suggestions for reading books (for A1 languages ) during IB. Not comprehensive; all suggestions and additions appreciated! 1. Read the books early. If possible don't leave the book reading too late... i.e. preferably before you begin working on it in school, and the first time (more about this later) if possible before the start of the school year/term. This takes some of the load off of you during the school year, when you will have homework and other time-erasing responsibilities. 2. Read the books often. In the simplest terms, more is better. There's no universally accepted 'magic number': you can read the books as many times as you want. But I'd…
Last reply by MariadaPenha, -
Tough! Okay, maybe not that harsh, but basically: you have to find a topic yourself as this is something you are assessed on. We will happily critique the topics you've found, say whether they're great, rubbish or average and give you plenty of guidance if you ask for it, but we will not give you a topic to write about. It's part of your grade, not ours! Good places to start for searching your OWN topics are sites or books with notes on major themes and characters (e.g. Sparknotes!) which may inspire you. Main themes, characters and symbols are always excellent ways to start thinking about what you want to write about As a hint! You can also find tips on the tips thread.…
Last reply by Schrodinger's CAS, -
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Here are the links to the notes and sample essays for Languages A1 we have on our Files archive. To be able to download files, you have to be a VIP member or a VIP subscriber. Please see the FAQfor information on how to become a VIP or how to buy a VIP subscription. If you want to donate and contribute files to our archive, please see this announcement or this FAQ section. Languages A1 English A1 Exam techniques and essay notes Tips and notes on how to approach essays, commentaries, oral commetaries and presentations Work-specific notes Notes on specific works of English A1 literature Sample essays Sample essays for English A1,…
Last reply by Survival Robot, -
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A lot of people get scared by the prospect of doing a commentary on something they have never seen before, but really, paper 1 isn't hard at all, and a 7 is relatively easy to get. What is required of you: You'll be judged on five criteria, each with five markband descriptors. The highest mark you can get is 25. The criteria and the requirements to achieve five marks in each are listed below. Criterion A : Understanding of the Text 5 : Excellent understanding of the text # perceptive understanding of the thought and feeling expressed in the text as well as some of the subtleties of the text # detailed and persuasive references to the text. Criterion B: Interpreta…
Last reply by J-bone, -
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I made a list and some notes on literary features to look out for (especially during the unseen commentary). Feel free to use this list to help prepare for your own May exams. List of Literary Features - Allegory o a figurative mode of representation conveying a meaning other than the literal, usually through symbolism - Allusion o a brief reference, explicit or indirect, to a person, place or event, or to another literary work or passage - Analogies o Something unfamiliar explained using an equivalent familiar example - Anecdotes o Short, entertaining side stories that related to the plot - Antithesis o used to describe a character who presents the exact opposi…
Last reply by ro_1293x, -
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Hey guys, I was just wondering if any of you guys, especially the ones who have done the IOC already and succesfully, have got some good structures to follow when doing the IOC. Is there 1 that will suit both a prose and poem or will I have to learn 2 possible structures? Many Thanks, the shiz
Last reply by Wide Eyed Wanderer, -
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hey guys. i've got my mock IOP in three days and i've sort of picked my topic or the whole theme on which i'll base my presentation. but i don't know how to go about it.. i mean the structure of the presentation. i was wondering if someone could list, in order, the way i should frame this whole presentation.. for example the intro first, then perhaps summarising the works ? thanks, Vidit
Last reply by cricketcrazynerd, -
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Hello guys! Does anyone know a good website that has analysis about this book (Running in the Family by Michael Ondaatje)? Sparknotes only has The English Patient by him ... :[ EDIT: My bad! I should have put this under Literature! Sorry!
Last reply by Jennifer K, -
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Tips for Literary Analysis and Writing The following information is my suggestions and knowledge of the following: analyzing literary texts analyzing tone narrative techniques vs literary devices to look for how to analyze large excerpts of literary text strategies for writing commentaries approaching prose helpful terminology quick tips specifically for IB English World Literature Assignments TERMINOLOGY TO KNOW BEFORE BEGINNING TO ANALYZE OR WRITE IN A LITERARY MANNER Literary Devices: Diction the important and individual words the author uses jargon; slang-colloquial; sophisticated individual words to create attitude Imagery the word pictures creates by groups of w…
Last reply by turtle turtle, -
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So, I need to pick a IOP topic on The Great Gatsby. I have the choice to make it on The Scarlet Letter, or the poems (which we haven't read yet), but just encase I don't like the poetry I'd do TGG (I don't like The Scarlet Letter too much). So far I've thought of: Comparison of Daisy and Myrtle How the 4 settings are used in the novel The role of the past in the novel Any ideas? And do the three ideas I thought up too vague or okay?
Last reply by shivamgoyal01, -
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Hey guys I want to know how to write the perfect World Literature essay. I have started writing mine it's on the theme of imprisonment and isolation on the 2 novels 'One day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich' and 'Metamorphosis'. I want to know the tips and things to include in order to write a perfect or almost perfect World Lit essay.
Last reply by amunnda, -
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Hello everyone! So my English teacher gave me a list of past IB drama questions for paper 2, and I thought it would be good to share them with you as a way to revise by either making essay plans, or practicing writing a timed essay. These questions are based upon characterisation, motivation and interaction, so obviously not all the topics are covered, but I hope you find them useful! Just a side note: SL students should be writing about 2 plays only (no more, no less), whereas HL students can write about 2 or 3 I believe (correct me if I'm wrong please). 1. 'Characters in a play are often motivated by strong passions or desires.' Compare and contrast plays you have s…
Last reply by sameera95, -
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I once talked to Lc about this. Yesterday I was just having a conversation with one of my classmate about a lit course she's doing and we got around to talk about our A1 books, which is one depressing list. I challenge you to find an A1 text list more laden with pessimism, death, doom and gloom than mine. Part I: Sophocles: Oedipus Rex - you can't get much more depressing than this tragedy, unless you're doing Antigone. Camus: The Outsider - for a while it got me thinking in a very existentialistic way, which, someone like me, is really scary. Buchner: Woyzeck - it's about jealous rages and murder. Part II: Conrad: Heart of Darknes - a bundle of joy, that one. …
Last reply by meghankdm, -
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Hi, so we have been doing our collaborative interactive orals (not sure if they're the same as IOP) for some time now, and I have already written several reflective statements. The problem is, I'm not sure if I'm doing them right. We have to answer the question: How was your understanding of cultural and contextual considerations of the work developed through the interactive oral? I'm not entirely sure what that means. What I have been doing this whole time is summarize what each interactive oral talked about (i.e. different underlying themes in the text, symbols, etc.). Is this what you are supposed to do to? Because I don't believe I talked about CULTURAL relevance. Al…
Last reply by Duck Sized Horse, -
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How does literary devices like simile, metaphor, diction, structure and sound affect the poem? How do I go about analyzing how these will have an impact on the poem? Please help urgent.
Last reply by IOwnAndPwnU, -
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In December, all the A1 English students (standard or higher level) have to do these oral commentaries where you go into a room (where there is a teacher, of course) and pick randomly from a table an extract from some previously studied literary work. As soon as you open the envelope that contains the extract, you have twenty minutes to read, analyse, and write a plan for an oral commentary on the extract. After your planning time has finished, you have to present your oral commentary to the teacher (and it should be around 12 minutes long). So I'll be doing this next month, and I was wondering if anyone has tips or pointers for preparing for this, or things to keep in mi…
Last reply by Kikkicrazy, -
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Hi! I'm curious--how have your teachers told you to structure your IB English A1 HL Paper 2's? We haven't actually done a mock one, so I'm not sure, especially in terms of using quotes and analyzing language. It seems to me to be a basic essay, but with IB, I don't know ;-) If someone could give tips on that and also how to study for the next seven days, it would be beneficial for others, including myself : ) Thanks!
Last reply by Chommpuu, -
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My goal is to try and get 7 in english or at least a 6. But one thing i absolutely hate about english is writing essays and tests in a limited amount of time (exam). Could you guys please give suggestions, maybe people who are getting 6 and 7s in english? Also, in the beginning of grade 9 i was actually a really bad writer and didn't even know the basics like parts of speech etc. but i have improved so much, but whenever i write an in class test i always seem to do poorly because i'm always off topic (unfocused) or i'm not being SPECIFIC. My teachers have told me to do practice tests, commentaries but it's so hard trying to find time and i get distracted easily. Help woul…
Last reply by ro_1293x, -
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For the external English A1 SL exam, approximately how long is a good, 7 score essay? I usually fill 3 sheets of paper (first 2 sheets have both sides filled, 3rd paper one side filled) but according to my teacher its not enough o.o Also, good luck to may2012 class!
Last reply by opus92fan, -
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Hello, So, lately, I've been thinking about why HL English A1 is difficult. A lot of people don't get 7s (which is true for all IB courses in general), but I want to know. Even 6s are difficult. In other courses, I know what to do to get a level 7 (i.e. in math, do practice questions forever), but in English, I'm pretty lost in what I need to do. I've only begin IB English, but coming from the MYP program, I have a relative idea about where I am right now. At this point in time, since it's the beginning of the course, I have a lot of time to improve. And thus, I am willing to try anything to improve my mark. How do you get a level 7 (or 6) in IB HL English A1? I understan…
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I just read the English subject report for May 2012 and one of the advice that the report gave was that candidates should not be encouraged to "write a template i.e where the introduction to the commentary briefly summarises the plot of the extract/poem and then outlines the range of literary features that which will be employed in the analysis". Our teacher had advised us to do exactly that. We have been penalised by doing any different. So my question really is what should be included in an introduction to a commentary and what should be included in the conclusion; I noticed they also mentioned 'thesis statements' for the introduction and I am wondering what that is and…
Last reply by MainRostand, -
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I know how to analyse an extract but I'm not quite familiar with analyzing poetry. Can someone help? Thanks!
Last reply by Arrowhead, -
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Hi, my teacher tells me my conclusions are awful and that they just repeat the main points of commentary-I always thought that WAS a conclusion. Apparently not, could you please give me some advice on writing a conclusion? My topic is Lady Macbeth's soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 5. Thanks
Last reply by Shelby, -
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I have my first creative assignment due and we have to write a statement of intent except my teacher didnt really explain how to write one.. I'm doing my creative assignment as a critic's review of "Like Water for Chocolate" by Laura Esquivel and was wondering if anyone can tell me what makes a really good statement of intent, what i should add in it?
Last reply by Hannah.M, -
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hey guys can you tell how to write reflective statement? we have been told to do so on 'wide sargasso sea'.
Last reply by twilight, -
What does "to what effect" actually MEAN?
by Guest ASDFASDFASDFADFASF- 4 replies
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This is a Paper 2 question. I just want to know what exactly the question means when it says "to/with what effect". For example: - Compare how writers in your study have explored the themes of judgment and punishment, or disguise and deceit, or love and friendship, and with what effect. - In what ways and to what effect have your writers focused on either the darker or lighter side of life in two or three works you have studied? I understand the "how", but when they asked "to/with what effect", what exactly are they trying to ask for? Are they asking for what effect these things have had on the reader? Or what effect these things have had on the plot? Or even how effectiv…
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Hey ! Facts: Norwegian is my mother tongue. I've spent 5 years at an international school where all subjects are taught in English. I started learning English at the age of 6. These are the subjects I'll most likely choose: Maths HL Economics HL Chemistry HL English A1/A2 SL Spanish B SL Physics / Norwegian SL. The dilemma is: I really want to study physics, but if I do - I'll either have to choose English A1 or drop the Spanish. Spanish is very important to me, so that is not really an option. Is there a gigantic difference between English A1 and A2 ? Will I be able to cope if I study hard and do my best to become fluent? I really like physics and I'm not going to hav…
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hey! can some one answer this? i got a 23/30 on my Oral commentary, what would that be? a 5? thanks!
Last reply by I`m Potato, -
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Hi, So I have to do a past paper for english, it's from May of 2007. The poem is called "Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle".. I got the general theme to be the loss of childhood and/or the presentation of memory.. but other than that, i don't know what to say about it.. help? thanks!
Last reply by bekie008, -
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I need to hand in an iop outline tommarow. however i dont understand what is supose to include! i need HELP FAST!!!!!
Last reply by clever500, -
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So, it's the night before my Written Assignment is due and I'm making final revisions to my paper. Is it graded on the 1-7 scale or by letter grade? If 1-7, what is the minimum score needed to achieve a 4?
Last reply by TykeDragon, -
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ccc
Last reply by slizzie, -
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I've looked around a fair bit now and all i can seem to find is English literature papers, any help would be appreciated.
Last reply by DRISHTI BATHIJA, -
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My exams are in 3 months, and we still have not done the IOP and IOC. But most importantly, what is the IOP and IOC? Oh, and also, what is the WL? So many abbreviations! How should these be done and when? Unfortunately, my English teacher is new and does not know much about IB. We are also supposed to do 4 written tasks, 2 of which we already did last year - what is this part of? As far as I understand, in Language A1 there is the IOC, IOP and the written tasks in English, in addition to the IB Exams. Any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you!
Last reply by ibfederer, -
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Is there a big difference between English A1 HL and SL in terms of IA and how high your grades are?
Last reply by Aak, -
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With the new rubric, what do you think will be the grade boundary distribution for paper1 and 2?
Last reply by GeekChloe, -
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hi! just want to know how other people in the world who is doing Vietnamese A1 doing? I'm doing self-taught at the moment and my Oral is in 3 weeks. until now I still have no clue what should I do for my oral!=.=
Last reply by Kelly Do, -
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Hey! So my summer break is almost over and so far I have not done much (I was part of the staff team in a summer camp and I still have an IB revision course ahead of me). Now I am scared of the next months, EE and everything :/ Anyhow, I have fortunately already written my first World Lit. Assignment before the break so that I just have to correct it now. What is subject to the word count?? In some instructions we received, it says: "Quotations from works must be included in the word count, but footnotes and bibliographies are not to be included". So do I need to count the research question and all the stuff on the title page or not? Thanks!! (Hopefully the answer is not …
Last reply by Hyperbole, -
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I promise, this is the last time I'll be bugging you guys about any sort of oral...my last oral, for french, is coming up soon and although I already have a topic (something on juvenile delinquency) I was wondering if you guys could suggest me a few other ideas. I onyl chose my current topic because I had to choose something - for some reason I can't seem to think of anything that would really interest me at the moment, so I'd be much obliged if you could think of something. Current/recent events would be great as well, e.g. NASA discovery, some global controversy, a united nations problem etc...yeah such events seem easy enough to remember but my brain doesn't seem to be…
Last reply by MissyMurphy, -
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So hey guys, I'm supposed to write my written assignment for English, but I don't know where to start and I'm struggling. It gets send to the IBO right? What exactly are they looking for in the assignment? The assessment rubric isn't really that helpful. What kind of content should I provide in order to get a good grade? To what extent does it have to be related to the supervised writing? I'm kind of nervous cause English is my weak subject and the written assignment is worth like 20% of your overall grade. BTW if it helps, I chose the play Medea by Euripides and my prompt is "How does Euripides characterize Medea to be a believable character to Jason through her interact…
Last reply by Sandwich, -
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For English AI HL Paper 2, is it a comparative essay?? My teacher said if the question does not say "compare or contrast" there is no need to compare the works chosen and we do not integrate the 2 or 3 works together in arguments, but rather do separate paragraphs for each work in every argument. I just found this a bit strange since what's the point of using 2 works if we're not comparing them.... Any thoughts/advice? An example my teacher gave is this example (where we do NOT have to compare) "Authors favor certain characters, often portraying them in positive light, wherein others are portrayed contemptuously. How far have you found this to be true with your chosen no…
Last reply by Shelly Tsui, -
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Hi everyone, I recently did this Paper 1, and the mark scheme says that satisfactory to good papers should "comment on how form and structure affect the meaning of the poem." Here's the poem: Child and Insect He cannot hold his hand huge enough. How can he cage the sudden clockwork fizz he has snatched from the grassblades? He races back, how quick he is, look! to his mother through the shrieking meadow. But kneeling at her side finds only a silence in his fearful clutch. Revealed, the grasshopper lies broken on his palm. It is nothing now: its dead struts snapped even the brittle lidless eyes crushed into the tangle. Sunlight and the landscape flood away in tears. For ho…
Last reply by James Epps, -
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I understand the cultural part of the question, but I'm a bit confused as to what 'contextual context' means. I'm supposed to make a presentation on this. We're studying the novel Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata. Please help!
Last reply by flinquinnster, -
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im very confused about the difference between an english analysis and a commentary. can anyone explain to me how they are different?
Last reply by __inthemaking, -
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I've read that you shouldn't choose popular books (e.g., harry potter, lord of the rings) or classic texts used in school curriculum and such because they'll likely be heavily critiqued and analyzed already... So how exactly do you go on about choosing a topic for the english e.e? :/ I really need help, I'm not sure how to begin to choose a topic... Do I narrow down my choices by the books I like? Please help! P.s i didnt know if i shoulda put this in this forum or the e.e forum
Last reply by thebest, -
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So we have been reading "If This Is A Man" by Primo Levi and have been given the task of writing a reflective statement of no more than 400 words. This is the question we have to answer: How was your understanding of cultural and contextual considerations of the work developed through the interactive oral? This is all we have been told and I dont know if it should be more about the actual text or the research I had to do for the interactive oral?
Last reply by Theijan,
