Literature
Here you can discuss books, poetry, short stories, plays, etc., either for your reading pleasure or books that you have to read for A1 class. This forum is for the discussion of books only, whereas discussion of any literature assignments should go in the Language A1 forum.
366 topics in this forum
-
- 2 replies
- 1.8k views
Here goes my first post; My IOC is right behind the corner, and as I am revising one of the scenes which is the sleepwalking scene (act five, scene one) I am facing a slight struggle annotating it. If here's anyone who would be willing to share their knowledge and toss me a couple of literary techniques of this paragraph or generally how to survive from the IOC I would be more than happy! I kind of regret taking English Lang & Lit now Thanks beforehand!
Last reply by Milja Tammisto, -
- 3 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi, Criterion B for the IOP evaluates the strategies used to interest the audience. In order to get full marks for this criterion, do I need to create unique/creative strategies (e.g. a skit, an interactive component), or will the usual presentation strategies suffice? (Like audibility, eye contact, gestures). Thanks!
Last reply by aTeddy, -
- 0 replies
- 587 views
Hello! I am having my two last exams on the 16th and 17th (Spanish A Literature: Self-taught). It is my second Language A since I also took English A Language and Literature. Therefore, I was wondering if I can apply in Spanish A LIt the same techniques that I used for Paper 1 and Paper 2 in English A L&L. Do they have big differences? Which ones? Do I have be careful about something? Thank you in advance and best wishes on your remaining exams.
Last reply by d123, -
- 1 reply
- 637 views
Hello everyone, My English Literature class is currently studying the novel The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. I've been assigned the task to do a chapter analysis on Chp 13 - The Terror. Currently struggling to put together a cohesive analysis (point form) other than point by point form. Anyone who has read the book has any tips and ideas for themes associated with the chapter? Thanks in advance, b_w
Last reply by Blackcurrant, -
- 4 replies
- 644 views
Hallo, i do arabic A self thaught, and i looked on the past peapers language and literature – Standard level – Paper 2 they have asked to answer one qustion from the list and your ansower it depend on two books you read in part 3. my qustion is i have selected a biography in my part 3 and i can not answer any qustion of them, what i have to do if i get the same problem in my exam. thank you
Last reply by Dutchie, -
- 2 replies
- 691 views
Hi I am in Junior and am starting writing my EE. I originally planned to write one on Bio or Chem, but I am not going to do them(too hard lol) Anyway, I want to analyze a text for my ee. Do you think this quetion is too broad? or fine? "How is humanism presented in Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro?" Please leave a comment; Thank you!!
Last reply by Blackcurrant, -
- 11 replies
- 1k views
Hi! I took literature because I love to read and I am good at analyzing texts. I created this topic to open a space where we could share what we are reading (in class and outside of class/in our free time), what are our favorite books, favorite genres, favorite authors, book recommendation, and everything you would like to share. I took English A Lit HL and we read: Persepolis Woman at Point Zero (loved it) A Doll's House The Great Gatsby All my sons Death of a Naturalist (poems) That's it so far. In my free time (IF I CAN EVER FIND SOME FREE TIME, IB LIFE ) I am reading The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. He is one of my …
Last reply by nicolech00, -
- 3 replies
- 816 views
Hi guys, I am slightly worried about Norwegian Self Taught literature. I am decent enough at Norwegian, however I do not know whether or not I should hire a tutor to get practice in literature. I am worried that this grade will go very bad, as it is now because I have no experience with the marking of these papers. The only thing I do know however is that the tachers are supposed to be more lenient when it comes to the marking and grading. Anyone here who has had exams in a self-taught course? Which grade did you get?
Last reply by kw0573, -
- 1 reply
- 773 views
I'm supposed to write a thesis, but I don't really understand what I'm supposed to write about. We read Antigone by Sophocles and Anouilh and A doll's house. If anyone has any ideas on topics I can write about I would greatly appreciate it. Im sorry if this is the wrong place to post, I'm new here.
Last reply by ABKor752, -
- 3 replies
- 1.3k views
Hello, I have decided to do a poem for my IOP since it seems like the easiest option, but I really don't know which one I should do. Does anyone have any suggestions for good poems? I would also appreciate suggestions regarding presentation ideas for Wide Sargasso Sea or Zoo Story!
Last reply by onlinenerd, -
- 3 replies
- 1.1k views
Just wondering what books you would've liked to read and discuss in the IB. My list below (not exhaustive): Catch-22: Just finished this; surprisingly potent mixture of tragedy and comedy Tono-Bungay: Somewhat obscure novel by Wells, overshadowed I think by his science fiction, but is quite a good criticism of certain facets of Victorian society Infinite Jest: Probably too lengthy to actually be part of the IB syllabus, but just a great novel overall (although to nitpick a little after re-reading it about 8 times, some of the math seems a bit strange; I mean, seriously, 'post-Fourier analysis'? Also, the derivative of xn is wrong, though it may be just…
Last reply by Nomenclature, -
- 380 replies
- 51.9k views
I loved Remarque's "All Quiet on the Western Front", I fell in love with "The Wars" by Timothy Findley, love Jane Austin (too bad I wont get to read her books at all ) love and am looking forward to "The Stranger" by Camus. What about you? what books do you need for IB that you absolutely want to read?
Last reply by Befuddled, -
- 0 replies
- 465 views
Hi, My written task 2 is due soon and i do not have any ideas what to do it on. It should be related to part 1 and 2 and I have not yet found any ideas. Please help.
Last reply by Boomk8m8, -
- 0 replies
- 663 views
I am writing my World Lit essay on Mahfouz's Midaq Alley, specifically on the themes that the character Kirsha expresses. I have a thesis which, according to my teacher, works as an idea but is too wordy to understand. This is it: "...the alley cannot deny the reality that defiance from social expectations brings about destructive superiority over others." That is very wordy. I need help making it more comprehensible. Could any of you help me? Thanks!
Last reply by ABKor752, -
- 1 reply
- 916 views
HELP I'm going to have to do an IOP in April. The teacher gave us 3 things that we can do our IOP on which are poems by Bruce Dawe, "Othello" by Shakespeare and "Things Fall apart" by Chinua Achebe. At first, I was planning to do my IOP on Dawe's poems cause I really like his poems but after I've read "Things fall apart" I am not sure for my decision anymore because I also like "things fall apart" a lot...and I realised that the protagonists of "Things Fall Apart" and "Othello" actually has a lot of similarities and the two books both have similar themes like the roles of women in the society and reputation. I am thinking that I could do a comparison on the theme of …
Last reply by Jaysun, -
- 0 replies
- 712 views
Hey all, So I have my IO this Monday. Individuals in our class work in pairs of two for the IO. We have read Medea by Euripides. My topic is as follows: Consider the ways in which Greek drama is constructed – how are dramatic conventions used and how do these differ from/are alike modern drama? Consider when, how, and where Greek drama was predominantly performed. In relation to this, consider Aristotle’s definition of a tragedy. Now I have found out a little about the structure. There is a prologue and then the chorus enters. Thereafter there is an alternation between episodes (interaction between actors) and choral odes (songs/chants). At first I thought …
Last reply by HKamal, -
- 3 replies
- 1.1k views
So far I've come up with three different approaches to what I want to work on for my EE; which is western animation. The movies that I have seen potential in for analysis are the ones mentioned in the questions. I need some feedback on which of these is more acceptable for an English Extended Essay (if any) and some suggestions on the wording/scope of them. The first was suggested to me by my adviser. Topic Question South American Settings How are South American settings explored in Postcolonial American Animated Films “The Road To El Dorado” and “Emperor’s N…
Last reply by swedishgäri, -
ok so i wrote a really amazing essay and my teacher gave me a ****ty mark
Last reply by IB`NOT`ez, -
-
- 1 reply
- 889 views
Hi everyone, I'm a junior working on my English IOP. Apparently I have non-verbal learning disorder, so English isn't really my strong point. But anyway, I'm working on my The Things They Carried IOP and was wondering if anyone had any ideas for what I should incorporate in my presentation. My topic, (approved by the teacher) is "How does O'Brien explore the ways in which characters deal with death" Any extra ideas or personal insights into this topic would be much much appreciated! Thanks, Nick
Last reply by tim9800, -
- 0 replies
- 656 views
Hey all, Anyone heard of the book Marcovaldo by Italo Calvino? It's one of the texts for my EE on Absurdism, and I'm happy to do analysis and discuss it, but I just lack substantial literary criticism for it On the contrary, the text I'm comparing it to is Catch-22 by Heller, which is no problem in terms of Absurdist lit crits. If anyone could link/point me in the direction to Marcovaldo lit.crits that discuss the Absurd, I would much appreciate it
Last reply by tim9800, -
- 2 replies
- 996 views
Hey guys If possible, could you please let me know if this is a good enough research question for an Extended Essay in Literature? Research Question - How does Cormac McCarthy use the relationship of the man and his son to address themes of morality in his novel The Road? I know there's a lot of meat when it comes to morality in this book, and the relationship of father and son seems to form the centrepiece of it. I'm just not 100% sure if this question will help me fulfil all the requirements for a literature EE. Thank you so much.
Last reply by tim9800, -
- 1 reply
- 794 views
hey! guys i need your help, i want ideas for my written task! its in arabic but you can give me any idea in english or point that may lead to idea thank you so muchh
Last reply by Natalia Hess, -
- 5 replies
- 1.7k views
Hey all, I just got my IOP grade for English A SL. I got 22/30 a grade 6. I was told that the grade does not matter at this point, only the points since they are added to the IOC points next year to get a grade. I also understand that the IOP is 15% of the grade and the IOP together with the IOC is 30% (right?). Anyway I knew it would be hard to hit a 7 but I am not really satisfied with what I got, I was expecting more. Is a 7 still within reach for my final grade? Need some motivation, I feel like this is a bad grade. I haven't had literature before the IB and it took me up until now to get a feel for what a thesis means and some of the literary devices. I am a sci…
Last reply by HKamal, -
- 2 replies
- 2.1k views
Hello, I am doing my IOP on the book Persepolis and I am working on "How people abandon religion when faced with conflict/misfortune/adversity". X by TurboMac I have written about like 5 pages just filled with notes and evidence of where people abandoned religion in Persepolis (mainly focusing on Marji the character) but I still haven't written an actual thesis or introduction I guess and I'm struggling in doing that I don't know how to form it how to make it um interesting from the start. I will also record …
Last reply by revumol7, -
- 2 followers
- 11 replies
- 5.6k views
Hey all, I take English A SL and need to do my IOP after Christmas break. I have decided to do it on The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. My Thesis is: "The story creates an atmosphere that conveys a dark theme of insecurity and instability". I was to talk about punctuation, repetition,diction , the narrator , and the vulture eye (symbolism). My teacher says the thesis is too vague, that it needs to be falsifiable. What does this mean? And what can I come up with as an alternative. I want to be done quickly so that I can rehearse and perfect my presentation. All help is appreciated, I haven't had English literature before.
Last reply by Nomenclature, -
- 6 replies
- 1.1k views
Hey, I have an IOP practice coming up next week and it has to be on a work of fiction that comments on an issue or a tendency in society. For example the Crucible by Arthur Miller. I have no idea and i desperately need help. Any suggestions for works of fiction? please help!
Last reply by Violet7599, -
- 1 reply
- 663 views
Hello, I was just wondering if it is acceptable in IB to do your IOP and EE on the same book. So for example, if I did my IOP on Into the Wild on X topic, could I do my EE on Into the Wild on Y topic? Thank you,
Last reply by Rosalina, -
- 2 replies
- 604 views
I've been wanting to read some french literature in order to improve my comprehension and vocabulary, but I'm not entirely sure where to start. I want something I can understand (with a bit of work), but not something that is basic and aimed at children. Books or poetry, I don't really mind. Maybe a French translation of an English book would be a good place to start? I'd appreciate any and all suggestions
Last reply by Befuddled, -
- 0 replies
- 1.3k views
Hello, We are doing a novel study on Chronicle of a Death Foretold, and I am trying to analyze two quotes that I found from the novella. They include... "By the time Ibrahim Nasar arrived with the last Arabs at the end of the civil wars, seagoing ships no longer came there because of shifts in the river, and the warehouse was in disuse." "General Petronio San Roman, hero of the civil wars of the past century, and one of the major glories of the Conservative regime for having put Colonel Aureliano Buenda to flight in the disaster of Tucurinca." How would these quotes bear significance, possibly in relation to the La Violencia period? (Colombian Civil Wa…
Last reply by Andy K., -
- 1 reply
- 612 views
I need someone to help me for my iop I'm in grade 11 and I just need someone to read it over thx
-
- 4 replies
- 1.1k views
Hey! Just quickly, our english class has an in class essay on Antigone tomorrow. This is our first in class essay of the year with no revealed question (We are not told the question) So, I want to ask you...what is the most effective way of preparing for an inclass essay on Antigone without knowing the question? *Some ideas would give me a great boost (Areas such as theme, characterization, literary devices??) Thanks a lot, much appreciated!
Last reply by Andy K., -
- 3 replies
- 1.3k views
ok im really scared to talk in front of the class for a long period of time.It has to be 10 mins and i think i want to do my iop about European colonization in africa.Any tips on making it exciting and not just a basic presentation and also any tips on presenting??thank you in advance
Last reply by sodonewithib, -
- 2 replies
- 1.2k views
Hello everyone! I've got a practice IOP next week, and the real thing after the holidays. I have 2 ideas for topics, one for my practice and one for the real thing. My problem is, I can't pick! My book is The Great Gatsby, by the way. Here are my ideas: To what extent is Nick Carrawayan unreliable narrator, and how does Fitzgerald use this to present the ambiguity of the Jazz Age? Feminist interpretation of The Great Gatsby My teacher said the former is more interesting, the latter more simple. He said both would be good topic, but I just can't choose, and I don't want to regret it later! Both let me look at characterisation/context/symbolism/Fitzgera…
Last reply by Inigo Montoya, -
- 7 replies
- 2.5k views
I absolutely detest English and writing essays in English, AND HAVING TO INTERPRET POETRY! I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT POEMS MEAN. However, I must do English as my first language - HOW DO I OVERCOME THIS? I am even struggling to interpret Bruce Dawe's poetry.... I hate You English.
Last reply by TheMagical7even, -
- 3 replies
- 924 views
Hi, Reading literature is important but often insufficient to do well at the exams and that's what we all want (do well). Therefore when we were asked to buy Jane Eyre i wanted to supply it with a study guide. There is plenty of them on the market and I wanted to ask, form your personal experience, which are the best? I mean which publishing house/ series offers the best study guides, thus i will do well and understand everything. Here are some of the examples (for Jane Eyre). Which of these ould you advise me to buy?: - SparkNotes https://www.amazon.com/Jane-Eyre-SparkNotes-Literature-Guide/dp/1411469674/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479680950&sr=8-1&keywords=…
Last reply by kw0573, -
- 1 reply
- 701 views
I have a couple weeks before I need to present my Literature IOP and I'm still wading through ideas. My idea for my IOP topic is: How does Herman Hesse use astronomy in Siddhartha? Any feedback? Thanks
Last reply by tim9800, -
- 0 replies
- 582 views
Hi guys! I'm about to write my first in class commentary from a random prose in A Doll's House tomorrow... I have written a practice commentary with a given prose however, tomorrow will be different with a 45 minute time limit! :(((( Moreover, our teacher suggests us to follow the PEA structure (point, evidence, analysis), but I just don't seem to grasp the concept of analysis (Mine are awkward, so would like some intuitive explanation of what to do)... Could someone give me a helpful advice on how to prepare and approach the commentary tomorrow?? (The prose will be random+there is a time limit) I know that I am probably not smart enough to score …
Last reply by Andy K., -
- 3 replies
- 2k views
Hi! I'm doing a poetry assignment (Scaffolding by Seamus Heaney) where I have to answer a few questions. I came to one question and I am not quite sure what it exactly wants. Question: What strikes you most about this poem in terms of knowledge of self and others? (base your answers for these questions off of the description of how this poem acts a metaphor) I'd just like to get this clarified so that I can answer appropriately, Thanks everyone!
Last reply by Sandwich, -
- 2 replies
- 902 views
So I just found out my date for my iop, December, and as of now I am gathering my information together on the literary work I will be presenting. Being that this is my first time with this kind of presentation I was wondering if my fellow ib-ers have any tips on how to; for example, control nervousness and to catch the audience's attention. Also I should limit the amount of information that I put on the powerpoint for my presentation. Lastly, do you think I should steer clear of reading directly off the powerpoint and try to sort of memorize what I'm going to say or should it be more conversational rather than formal? Thank for your help. Feel free to leave any tips or an…
Last reply by baller2712, -
- 1 reply
- 868 views
Hey, It has been a month since I started IB and it is intense! I am doing Lit HL and we are doing a short story anthology called The Bloody Chamber and other stories. For my IOP, which is in a month's time, I am choosing the main story, which is The Bloody Chamber, which has a lot of gothic description. I am thinking of doing 'The Visual Interpretation of Settings in The Bloody Chamber.' In this, I select a few major settings in the short story and convert them from text to images (I am gonna draw them) and present them visually and explain some things in it and the significance of the setting. Does this sound like a good IOP? Last week I did a short pract…
Last reply by azara, -
- 3 replies
- 1.1k views
Hey guys! In terms of revising for the English Comparative Essay, how crucial is it for us to also consider the use of props, sound + lighting, space, etc when we're analysing the play? So far in my notes, I've considered mostly themes, characterisation, motifs and the context and I'm not sure if it is necessary to also include the elements of a staged production as well. Thanks!
Last reply by IB`NOT`ez, -
A book that I had to read for school that I absolutely despise is Julius Caesar. I had to read it back in 10th grade (Pre-IB) and I thought it was absolutely boring. If I read it over a few times more, I might begin to like it, but I doubt that would happen. So what are some of the books that you all can't stand?
Last reply by TheTroll73, -
-
- 19 replies
- 2.9k views
Is anyone reading Death of a Salesman, A Doll's House, or The Pickup?
Last reply by Amina13, -
- 2 replies
- 724 views
Hello :), I just have a few questions which popped into my head just recently, In literature class, we have just started reading a play by Arthur Miller called "The Crucibles" My teacher urges us to use sticky notes. Tons of them. Now I am about to start and just want to get clear about few points before I do so. 1. If any of you use or have used this method of reading, how do you apply the sticky notes to your advantage? (How are they used?) 2. It does seem effective, but how long would this process take? (144 pages, and I must focus on other stuff too!!) 3. What things should I look for when I am reading? (I generally know what to expect, b…
Last reply by kw0573, -
- 0 replies
- 1.5k views
I'm currently in the process of writing my Written Assignment on The Stranger by Albert Camus. My research question is: How does the contrast between the natural and the civilized world underline the conflict between Mersault and society? Is this overly specific? Too long? Furthermore, must the topic be stated as a question? If not, an alternative would be to simply use the theme of conflict between society and the natural world as my topic.
Last reply by marcelgs, -
- 0 replies
- 771 views
For my Extended Essay I chose English literature, and decided to write about influence of poetry on the characters' morale in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. I am interested if anyone's got any experience or advice.
Last reply by zli.d, -
- 3 replies
- 1.1k views
I'm interested in Japanese literature lately. I've been reading Murakami the whole time but now I want to explore more on other Japanese writers, in any era. Any suggestion for Japanese literature books/novels that are already translated to English? So far I know that Natsume Soseki and Akutagawa Ryuunosuke are well-known Japanese writers.
Last reply by Blackcurrant, -
- 1 reply
- 741 views
I'm starting to write my extended essay and I want to do it on a book but I have no idea how to go about it. I know I want to do it on an in depth study of a theme in a literary work. The examples online are lacking at best and none fit what I want to do, does that mean I am offtrack/wrong? I want to do it on Peter and Wendy or Alice in Wonderland, explore the underlying messages of childhood innocence, wonder, naivety or imagination through an analysis of techniques and metaphors. Any help/ideas?
Last reply by Blackcurrant, -
- 4 replies
- 3k views
Hi everyone, I'm writing my English Literature SL Written Assignment this summer. I'm studying the text "Death and The Maiden" by Ariel Dorfman and my question is "How does Dorfman uses the gun in Death and The Maiden to explore the theme of female empowerment?" I'm struggling to have a plan of what to write, so if possible can someone help come up with some ideas of what my points can be in the essay? Thank you so much.
Last reply by Blackcurrant, -
- 3 replies
- 3.3k views
Hello! I am a student taking HL Literature and I am working on the Written Assignment. I am struggling to do well with writing this - so I am wondering if I could receive some tips on how to write a good Written Assignment essay. I am also curious to know what differentiates a a mediocre essay from a very well-written one. I would greatly appreciate your help Thanks!
Last reply by Merril889,
