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.
Subforums
-
- 1.7k
- posts
2,240 topics in this forum
-
- 0 replies
- 592 views
I'm currently looking for someone who'd like to read my essays and give me some feedback. Being self-taught, I don't really get that much help... And even something as little as this would mean a lot to me
Last reply by vals, -
- 0 replies
- 1.1k views
Hey there, I'm an Italian A: Lit self-taught student and I'm having some problems constructing my course of study. I don't really know what authors and titles to choose as my Part 4 works, which, as I understand, can only be Prose non-fiction for self-taught students. My Italian syllabus encompasses a selection of essayists only (although the authors have obviously written things other than essays, the section of my syllabus is called "Essays" so I guess I'm only allowed to choose from their selection of essays) but I don't really know what sort of presentation will I carve out of essays... I'm undecided about the choice I'll make in terms of authors: should I pick autho…
Last reply by vals, -
- 0 replies
- 1.2k views
Hi! I'm doing self-taught Spanish A SL and I'm extremely worried about paper 2, since I'm not confident I'll be able to analyse the books having never done them in a class setting. I'm reading Cien años de soledad & La casa de los espíritus (I don't have time to read the 3rd book, but it's Maria by Jorge Isaacs) and so I was wondering if anyone else (self-taught or otherwise) is using those two works and could help me out with good quotes for memorizing or just some tips on how to write paper 2 (we did poetry in English and my prose analysis is a bit rusty to be honest)
Last reply by battlescarves, -
- 2 replies
- 2k views
My teacher is giving us ten days to write the draft of our Written Assignment for English HL!! I'm completely lost as to what it is. I have read the course syllabus but its very confusing for me to understand. Please explain to me (IN SIMPLEST TERMS), of what the Written Assignment is. What are the goals of it? What is the reflection? And also please explain any further very important details. I have already picked my book and have done the supervised in class assignment as well as the Interactive Oral for The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. PLEASE HELP ME!!
Last reply by guywithnolife, -
- 17 replies
- 2.2k views
Write what books you were given in english a1 SL and if you liked them or not
Last reply by MAAD, -
- 2 replies
- 3.7k views
Hey guys I'm just about done writing my IOP, which is a comparison between the poems 'Australia' by A.D. Hope and 'My Country' by Dorothea Mackellar. Throughout it I basically compared the differences in views of the country Australia using the literary features, and the contexts. One poem presents a very harsh and condescending view of the country, but the other is more positive and superficial. But, I'm not sure how to write a conclusion for it. Should I just put in my personal response? What else could I do to conclude?
Last reply by superbasel97, -
- 3 replies
- 1.2k views
When reading information on the literary essay for IB Literature HL (25% of that grade), I realized that the reflective statement was supposed to be relevant to the literary essay. I had been told this before, but I wasn't sure about how strong that link had to be. Since the reflective statement regards things discussed in Interactive Oral Presentations (IOP's), I thought it would be difficult to establish a strong link between the statement (a discussion of ideas discussed in a group) and the literary essay (which seems to me to be a personal project focused on closely analyzing literature). I've always felt that the IOP's focus more closely on culture than literature. I…
Last reply by Thrashmaster, -
- 2 replies
- 1.1k views
I'm working on my essay for Works in Translation and I feel like my essay is kind of off topic and I was considering changing the topic question. Does this question sound okay for an IB Essay? In what ways does Antigone give insight into the Ancient Greek Culture? My original topic was addressing the influence of culture on the play, but I kept referencing the text and interpreting the culture through the text opposed to how the culture influenced the work.
Last reply by Chloe S, -
- 6 replies
- 1.3k views
Hello IBers, I am working on my Works in Translation essay and have my thesis. However, I am not too sure as to how I am to structure this essay. Is it like any other essay? If not, what are other details that I need to include in my essay? It would be great if someone can outline what should be done for the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Thanks!
Last reply by IB ., -
- 1 reply
- 2.9k views
how did you guys feel about it?
Last reply by IBStudent10, -
- 1 reply
- 5.4k views
Hi, Im doing works in translation essay for "Blood Wedding", you guys got any tips specific or in general? Thanks so much!
Last reply by psychologystudent501, -
- 7 replies
- 2.5k views
Hope everyone did well! ONE QUESTION THOUGH. Because I know that paper 3 is on part 3 of the syllabus. Our part 3 books are: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro The Color Purple by Alice Walker Oryx & Crake by Margaret Atwood God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy For some reason, I ended up writing a compare and contrast essay between Never Let Me Go and MACBETH! Yes, I know. I know. So how will this affect my marking? Is it an automatic fail? How does this work exactly now? Please get back to me asap! Thanks in advance
Last reply by yii yann, -
- 7 replies
- 1.5k views
Do students who are doing a self taught Language A get special considerations when their work is being marked? Or is their work marked the same as 'normal' standard level students? Thank you
Last reply by psychologystudent501, -
- 1 reply
- 971 views
Hi, Im taking German A Lit self-taught, and was just wondering if there is any difference at ALL from the paper grading, than the ones from class? Like I go to a school where there is a German Lit class, but it didnt fit into my time table, so I had to do it self-taught. Thanks in advance for any help! AND GOOD LUCK '14 CLASS, WE'RE ALMOST THERE!!
Last reply by Negotiation, -
- 3 replies
- 1.1k views
Hello! So my IOP is on the 20th of this May, and I sort of have realized that I have absolutely no idea how I am going to structure this thing. My topic that I chose was how Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby is a tragic hero. My original plan was to ask a broad question about what constitutes a tragic hero and begin to narrow my focus down to what makes Gatsby a Tragic hero and how he fits the description. The main problem however is that idk if i can extend it to meet the 15 minute requirement. I think if i find a way to transition better from such a broad question to my more focused topic, I can definitely add minutes but as of right now i'm at a loss for ideas. Any ide…
Last reply by twizzlenat, -
- 1 reply
- 1.3k views
For paper 1 in HL English, is it complulsory for us to write a commentary on the poem? For internal tests, our English teacher says we can only do the poem for some reason, and he gives us a common paper for both HL and SL. Which is easier?
Last reply by elaifyanre, -
- 1 reply
- 1.2k views
Hey guys, I was wondering what some common questions IB likes to ask for paper 2 - the comparative essay, specifically for "Prose: novel and short story". I know one of them is usually something about narrative techniques/styles, but what are the other big ones? Thanks
Last reply by syng, -
- 6 replies
- 3.2k views
How did it go for everybody? For me it went very well, I chose the prose for paper 1 (what a simple text it was) and chose question 7 for paper 2 (also in my opinion the easiest question in regards to the novels which I have read). By the way I have read Things Fall Apart, Purple Hibiscus and Remains of the Day.
Last reply by Magyar18, -
- 2 replies
- 979 views
Hi guys, so today whilst writing my P2, I ran out of time, and was not able to finish my sentence or write a conclusion. Will I get many points deducted for this? Thanks, and good luck.
Last reply by jlai928, -
- 1 reply
- 1.1k views
So the 3 plays I am specifically analyzing are Cosi, Importance of Being Earnest, and Amadeus, however this year there are no General Questions on Literature, so I am wondering, the drama questions are extremely specific in terms of stage directions, monologues, character entrances, etc. However, most of my current quotes are all about different aspects of the theme, what kind of quotes should I be memorizing, because the questions can vary, and if I memorize all the stage directions, but there are no questions on it..... Just wondering what you guys are memorizing and if you have any tips.
Last reply by Sandwich, -
- 2 replies
- 871 views
I have English paper 2 tomorrow and the texts are Oldman and the sea, wuthering Heights, and the scarlet letter. Help me with things I could relate and generally write in p2
-
- 1 reply
- 943 views
NEED HELP ! a tous les francophones qui passent ou qui ont passé l'oral de francais presentation orale sur les questions faites en cours qui sont les suivantes, Drama1. Comment on the way the writer uses humour, or lack of it, to shape the audience’s response to thispassage.2. Analyse the effect of language and action on how a minor character is presented to the audience in thispassage.3. Comment on the methods used by the writer to create tension between characters in this passage.4. Explore the ways in which stage directions interact with the language of the play to produce dramaticeffects.5. Explore the presentation of the setting in this extract, considering techniq…
Last reply by insomniac writer, -
- 1 reply
- 1.6k views
Hey everyone! My teacher thought it'd be a good idea to make us do a comparison essay of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Medea by Euripides, the problem is I have no idea what to write since these two "stories" have almost nothing to do with each other. Has anyone studied the play and the novel? If yes, could you give me a few ideas or examples that I could use as a comparison? Thank you for your help in advance.
Last reply by Emmi, -
- 1 reply
- 1.4k views
Greetings! My individual oral presentation is due in less than 10 days. Right now, I'm choosing to do my IOP on So Long A Letter by Mariama Bâ, since the novel's length allows time to re-read completely, and, of course, I actually like the book. But I'm still kind of hazy on what to do for a topic. I was thinking of analyzing the reverence and adherence to religion and tradition, and I just want to know if this is a viable topic capable of a good thesis. Thanks in advance for any help that is given!
Last reply by Blackcurrant, -
- 4 replies
- 8.2k views
I'm due to appear for the May 2014 board examinations, and as all of you probably know by now, the English A Literature HL paper is in less than a week! For Paper 2 of the course, my school has chosen to study 4 fiction novels, 3 of which I have already read. Well, now is the time to study the books and honestly, I don't know how to go about it! Besides reading the notes written in class and going over past papers, there's a plethora of information on the internet so it's really difficult to filter out what might be important and actually remembering it. Sorry that became a bit of a rant, but could anyone please give me some tips on how to study for this paper, and how t…
Last reply by Blackcurrant, -
- 1 reply
- 1.2k views
Hi, in my school we are doing Othello, Death of a Salesman, Waiting for Godot, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Regardless of the books themselves, what are the best ways to score high on Criterion C in Paper 2? Thanks
Last reply by Blackcurrant, -
- 1 reply
- 1.8k views
So I was thinking of doing these IOP ideas for the novel 1984 by George Orwell: - theme of Language (Newspeak) - theme of surveillance I will be using a powerpoint and I will pull up quotes that contain the Newspeak language or the theme of surveillance, but is there anything I can do to make the IOP more interactive or interesting? Give your ideas and thoughts please.
Last reply by cricketcrazynerd, -
- 4 replies
- 2k views
What is the symbolism of Stella's pregnancy/child in Streetcar Named Desire?when she gave birth to the child, her sister was raped by her husband she was pregnant from the moment she was introduced the child attaches her to her husband my findings seem to be an underdeveloped theoryany ideas?
Last reply by Chris Schmitz, -
- 4 replies
- 1.5k views
Could someone just tell me which exam is which? I know there is a comparative and a commentary. Is the commentary on poems? Also what are the time restrictions on both exams? I have been looking for the answer to these questions for a while now but all I get are how to succeed in writing these papers.
Last reply by elaifyanre, -
- 4 replies
- 1.6k views
Hey Guys, I was wondering if any of you would be so kind to look over my WIT essay question and provide feedback. The text that I will be writing the WIT on is The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea by Yukio Mishima. The theme of glory in The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea To what is extent is glory, as a thematic value, the driving force in shaping the characterisation of Ryuji and Noboru in Mishima’s The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea?What is the importance of glory, as a thematic value, in the context of Ryuji/Noboru in Mishima’s The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea? The first one is broader in the sense that I would be talking about two …
Last reply by IB ., -
- 3 replies
- 1.2k views
I'm due to appear for the May 2014 board examinations, and as all of you probably know by now, the English A Literature HL paper is in less than a week! For Paper 2 of the course, my school has chosen to study 4 fiction novels, 3 of which I have already read. Well, now is the time to study the books and honestly, I don't know how to go about it! Besides reading the notes written in class and going over past papers, there's a plethora of information on the internet so it's really difficult to filter out what might be important and actually remembering it. Sorry that became a bit of a rant, but could anyone please give me some tips on how to study for this paper, and how t…
Last reply by iamyourmum, -
- 4 replies
- 518 views
hello everyone! i am a bit worried about my EE topic which is "realism and romanticism" in the selected poems of Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost. i have got feedback on this, where people say it's a very elaborate topic! i also need help in forming my research question and how to write the introduction of this ?
Last reply by ib_13, -
- 3 replies
- 585 views
Dicuss the impact of the narrative structure ? what literary tecniques contributr to the thems of the novel ? discuss how narrative style impact setting , characterization or plot ? what sort of techniques does the writers use to get you intrested in the story and the characters?
Last reply by bellfrankding, -
- 4 replies
- 3.5k views
Hi, I would like some feedback on my written assignment (including reflective statement). I bloched my draft so my teacher isn't able to give me any further assistance. My essay is attached. Feedback especially on the question, how well I've answered it, clarity of expression, is most welcome This is semi-urgent, due in a week. My question: How are the motifs of light and dark used to convey similar themes for the poems belonging to Marisol and Marisombra? Text: Twenty Love Songs and a Song of Despair by Pablo Neruda The criteria is here if needed: https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/live-exist/rest/app/pub.xql?doc=EX_instructions_2013_e∂=6&chapter=1&page=1 So for …
Last reply by kimchiramyun_, -
- 2 replies
- 1.3k views
I have an IOP to do based one of these three books: The Great Gatsby, Things Fall Apart, and This Earth of Mankind. This is my first year in DP and I haven't been striving in English, I'm not that good at analyzing literature. (Probably because English is my third language) Does anyone have a good idea for a topic? Thanks
Last reply by shoinhawaii, -
- 5 replies
- 921 views
The Scarlet Letter? I LOVE it! What do you guys think? What are your favorite books/ib books?
Last reply by Elisabed Gedevanishvili, -
- 4 replies
- 6.4k views
Hi I need some tips on structuring my ioc So for the ioc i know i will be talking about the subject /Characters / setting / narrator / theme/ Imagery / Figurative langaue / Sound / Diction / Structure / tone i know we need a structured commentary , can u think of any that i can say for any poem that im given ?? Robert frost ! so what would be a good intro and in what order can you arrange these items
Last reply by Blackcurrant, -
- 2 replies
- 2.5k views
Major help needed. We are doing poems for our IOCs and I have no idea how to do it. My teacher gave me an outline how should I approach IOC but it's not working for me. Let's say you get a poem, how are you going to analyze it? What are you going to start with? Please if you have structure you are planning to use on yours or if you have already used it, please,please do share it with me. Thank you
Last reply by Elisabed Gedevanishvili, -
- 4 replies
- 1.2k views
I've been discussing the issue presented in my title with some friends of mine. One of them stately said she felt more confident in drama, as apparently it has an "easier structure and clearly presented plot [...] less twists and it is more scenic", meaning it's all about the effect on the audience and therefore there's little subtle left to individual interpretation. I would argue that, unlike what my friend had said, drama actually offers a good example of how the same story can be reinvented and seen under different lights by different directors. This is why we have versions of the same play so differing from one another. However, I myself have observed that I have a …
Last reply by -._._.-, -
Drama essay practise
by Guest chelsea00- 1 reply
- 1.7k views
"Drama is created by placing ordinary people in situations of crisis" Explore some of the methods used to create drama in this way, in at least two of the plays you have studied. - Streetcar Named Desire vs Equus (This is a practise essay that we have to do) How should I structure it without it being device driven?
Last reply by mckenziefsg, -
- 2 replies
- 553 views
Please message me!
Last reply by yammy10, -
- 10 replies
- 29.2k views
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, -
- 2 replies
- 594 views
Hey guys! I had a question about the world lit paper. My teacher says that you are only suppose to use one work from Part 1. However, most sources on the internet say to use 2. What should be done here? Thanks
Last reply by flinquinnster, -
- 3 replies
- 564 views
Is 30 minutes too long of a time to plan?
Last reply by bluedino, -
- 10 replies
- 1.7k views
Hi everyone! Recently for my mock exams, in my English paper I had to analyse the poem "Shooting Stars" by Carol Ann Duffy. I have never read this poem before therefore it took around 45 minutes to understand the poem. Here is the poem: After I no longer speak they break our fingers to salvage my wedding ring. Rebecca Rachel Ruth Aaron Emmanuel David, stars on all our brows Beneath the gaze of men with guns. Mourn for our daughters, upright as statues, brave. You would not look at me. You waited for the bullet. Fell. I say, Remember. Remember those appalling days which make the world forever bad. One saw I was alive. Loosened his belt. My bowels opened in…
Last reply by Thrashmaster, -
- 1 reply
- 874 views
Fellow IB'ers, For wednesday, I need to hand in my written task 1, part 2, language & mass communication. The written task has to be linked with the MTV documentary: "Merchants of Cool". If anyone has already done this similar task, can you please please please give me some great ideas what sort of written task I have to make. I was thinking about an "interview" with the director of the MTV switch documentary, but quite a lot of people already have this same idea. And I want it to be a bit authentic and original. Please, help me, if you have seen the documentary and have done the similar task already. Give me your ideas! Many thanks, Bye! Steijn
Last reply by emmapatregnani, -
- 1 reply
- 685 views
After taking a practice test (the poetry or prose one), I tried to cover the usual poetic devices and the theme. What should I do to prepare for this part of the test? Also, what should I do to prepare for the other test that has the comparison and contrast part? (I'm going to look over the books our teacher said we could use: Great Expectations, Great Gatsby, The Awakening, and Their Eyes Were Watching God.) Thanks.
Last reply by Thrashmaster, -
- 1 reply
- 1.2k views
In a few weeks our english class will start with IOP Presentation and I still haven't gotten a topic yet. Our assigned novel was Philippines Novel called "Mass" by Sionil Jose. We also read Philippines Short Stories, and at last around 10 essays from around the world. I don't really like the "Mass" and Philippines short story as i'm not interested in them and i don't understand much about Philippines cultural context. So...i'm planning to do my IOP Topic on either on essay "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell or "Old China" by Charles Lamb. As of now, i'm considering Symbolisms in "Shooting an Elephant" but it seems to broad and not unique enough..I need you guys' help…
Last reply by Thrashmaster, -
- 2 replies
- 854 views
Hi im really confused by my ioc test which will be this month we have to talk 10 minutes about a poem , some poems are short and there is not much to talk about it .what should i add, and is there any format for ioc ? becouse ioc is a structured and well developed essay ...
-
- 4 replies
- 940 views
Hey guys, So I'm really worried about my English HL Paper 1. My teacher did not work on it that well because she felt that Paper 2 needed more attention but quite frankly, I'm more concerned about Paper 1 than Paper 2. Is it true that we can use first person when writing Paper 1? For example, can we say "I believe" or "In my opinion"? Also, can topic sentences frankly state, "My essay will discuss..."? Also, how many points should each paragraph discuss? I know this is a rather vague and self explanatory question, but my teacher frequently says that I try to tackle too much in one paragraph, which I happen to disagree with. I'm also quite worried about length. A lot of st…
Last reply by iamyourmum,
