Paper 2 Tips

[ShineeLikeMe 121]

Here are some tips that I think will help with formatting paper 2's for language B.

Sorry it's not very well edited.

Paper 2 Tips

Overarching tips:

-Register: Who are you talking to? Should you use “tu” or “vous”? Are you being subjective or objective?

-Linguistic elements: Always remember to include a variety of tenses and colloquial language. However, when considering tenses always make sure to stay consistent and match the tense that the prompt requires.

-Structure: For structuring, always make sure your paragraphs are cohesive and transitions are solid. As Lower would say “Give their eyes a break”.

-Principal ideas: This is very important. So important it needs to be bolded. STAY ON THE SUBJECT. Do not deviate from the subject and make sure you UNDERSTAND what the prompt is saying. Don’t write on it if you don’t understand a word that you feel is the key word. Start underlining the prompt while reading it, picking out key words and phrases. Be sure to use these phrases within your paper.

Journal entry

-Make it familiar: Journal entries are usually seen as more intimate than a letter. You can write it in letter form, or you can have fun with it. Write diagonally if you feel that it will boost the score (who knows sometimes it helps). If you are writing a letter begin with a familiar phrase such as “Cher journal” or “Mon cher ______”.

- Utilize mainly past tenses and future tenses: A journal entry is usually kept simple, as it is a recollection of an event that has recently passed. Remember to talk about what happened and what will happen and what you’re feeling.

- Cute pictures: No I’m not even kidding. Draw pictures. It helps with the aesthetics.

- Date and signature: This is a journal. Always remember to date a journal entry and sign it. This should be located in the upper right hand corner usually. Remember everywhere but the US uses dd/mm/yyyy.

-Ask self-questions: You’re being personal here. Ponder. Do some soul searching on paper. It’ll show the grader that you actually have a soul and emotions . Talk about what you fear, what you hope for, what you dream of. You know, the works.

-Name journal (optional): Give your journal a name “Chere mon petit Bob”.

Formal letter

-Formal: Well…considering this is a formal letter. USE VOUS! You have no choice. Sorry. End of discussion.

- Formatting: In the opening, don’t use “cher” just open with “Monsieur” or “Madame”. Always include the address for both you and the other person. Make it up. Also include appropriate dates and times.

- Vocabulary: You can throw in s****y words here! Do it!! Don’t forget transitions.

- Objectivity: This isn’t personal. In contrast to the journal entry, you don’t get to use the pronoun “I” too much here. Don’t go into your experiences. If it’s a formal letter, the other person will not care.

Imaginative discourse/speech

-“It has to be deep”: Not really though. But a speech should be thought provoking. So write in a way that provokes independent thinking of the grader. These are one of the harder essays to write but if you can get the grader to think about what he/she is reading in a way that is independent of what you have on the paper, you’ll major points.

- Be persuasive in your arguments: You are making a speech. Odds are, unless you’re a crazy lunatic, this speech is to a crowd. Make it good.

- Use “vous”: Just assume your speech will have more than one person listening to it.

- Utilize proper salutations: Remember, crowds = plural strangers. You don’t know them. Don’t write like you do.

-Subjective opinions: More opinionated writing. Yay! Make it some good opinions. You’re going to want to come on fast and strong. You only get one chance to get your ideas across so write it loud and proud.

-Artistic effects: Exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!!!! Make it exciting! Roar!

Informal letter

-Format : Use « tu ». You’re not writing to your school superintendent. Also use informal language.

- Proper salutations and closing : « Bisoux » is quite normal for a closing. Try mixing it up “chaleureusement” (with warm regards) and “bien a toi” (best wishes) are some better ones.

-Format: Always date it, it may be informal but it’s a letter. Use your first name to enhance familiarity. Address it as you would.

- Friendly: Ask them questions. You want to get everything you want to say in this letter. Ask them about their lives, their work, their friends, their family. (Don’t be a creep)

- Subjective: This is your friend. You can throw your opinions in there.

-Experiences: Maybe you have some experiences with this friend of yours you can share. Make them up.

Brochure

-Format: Fold the page. No, really. Fold the page as you would a real brochure. Draw some pictures. Change up the font.

-Give personal opinions: In other words, make up quotes.

- Make it dramatic: MORE EXCLAMATIONS! And use figurate language. Over exaggerate. Propagate!

- Organized: Don’t write paragraphs. Nobody wants to read that in a brochure. Make bullets and bold face them. Then if you need to write the description on the back. Make your space organized and make it seem well thought out.

- Command form: You’re going to want to say “come” so use “vous”.

- Be sure to include contact info, prices, phone numbers and other necessary information about the business the brochure is propagating.

Newspaper article

- Well structured: Vous. Always vous. You’re a journalist, be professional! And use past tense. This is a story you’re telling.

-Be sure to refer to school/city/organization if you’re making up cites and sources.

-Subjective: Once again, if you need to, make up some quotes from people who are biased. It makes your essay stronger.

-Change the fonts: Imagine a page off the newspaper. If you’ve never seen one now’s a good time to go look. Make sure you have COLUMNS when you write.

- When you end the article end with the date followed by your first and last name.

Edited March 14, 2011 by I'm Not Chinese

[Keel 481]

Language B Chinese Writing Formats

1. 写一篇讲话稿、演讲稿、讲演稿、讲稿 (write a Speech)
   
   
   
2. 写一封申请信、申请书 (write an application letter)
   
   
   
3. 写一封信 (can be formal or informal)
   
   Informal:
   
   
   
   Formal: see above for application letter
   
4. 写一个电影评论、影评、观后感 (write a movie review)
   
   
   
5. 写一个通知 (write a notice)
   
   
   
6. 写一篇日记 (write a diary)
   
   
   
7. 写一个广告 (write an advert)
   
   
   
8. 写一篇辩论稿 (write a debating script)
   
   
   
9. 写一封电邮 (write an email)
   
   
   
   

[vira.may 3]

are we really allowed to fold the answer sheets if we're making a brochure..?

[Drake Glau 438]

No one said you couldn't. It's attached by a silly little string. And don't think of IB as the super anal people we all think they are

[vira.may 3]

But don't our answer sheets just get scanned/photocopied, like they do for our other exams?

[Ajayalmighty 1]

But don't our answer sheets just get scanned/photocopied, like they do for our other exams?

No they get sent directly to the examiners who I believe send them to the head examiner who sends it to IB Cardiff.

[Drake Glau 438]

But don't our answer sheets just get scanned/photocopied, like they do for our other exams?

No they get sent directly to the examiners who I believe send them to the head examiner who sends it to IB Cardiff.

Some are some aren't. IB has started their switch to scanning test so examiners can grade them on a computer instead of paying thousands for mailing. It depends on the test honestly as to whether or not they will be scanned. The science papers are being scanned but I don't remember our coordinator saying anything about our english papers being scanned and I'd assume the languages to be all the same.

IB just started this transition though so chances are that by the time you test they still won't be scanning everything. Even still, the point of the folding is to make a line for your columns, not make a brochure that's actually fold-able

[ShootingStars 34]

More tips for Paper 2

- Learn some useful phrases (introductions/openings/closing lines/general stuff) for each format. They really help you get started in exams, and give you a bit of confidence too!

- Do not count on any specific format coming up on the exam. Usually there is a letter/journal intime, but year (May 2011) there wasn't. So be careful and know your formats! Sure you can avoid a few (I know a lot of people stay to steer clear of brochures etc, but thats more a personal decision) but make sure you know quite a few well. On the exam, you want to be choosing the easiest topic to write about, not according to format.

- Write lots of essays nearing the exam time. You'll get faster and better at writing and will learn how to think quickly in French, which helps unbelievably in the exam. Also, look at what you did wrong (always have essays corrected) and try hard to understand mistakes so you don't make them again.

[195 1]

Yeah, we were definitely told NOT to fold the exams because they get scanned. Of course, you can still make it look like a brochure by making columns, etc.!

[lalala! 0]

What are some useful phrases or idioms worth memorizing? My french is poor and I need anything to boost my grade...

[Emmi 1,396]

What are some useful phrases or idioms worth memorizing? My french is poor and I need anything to boost my grade...

Learn ones that can be used in a variety of settings. While it may be impressive to learn a super tough idiom, if the only time it's used is when your dog knocks over a flowerpot (idk or something equally not likely to come up on the exams), it's probably best to skip it. Learn about five or six good, multi-situational idioms and you should be good to go.

[keepxdreaming:) 5]

For Paper 2 (French B SL), do you have a choice of what to write or is there only one option? My teacher told us about the different writing formats we may have to do but she never said if there are multiple writing options or one that everyone does.

[Emmi 1,396]

For Paper 2 (French B SL), do you have a choice of what to write or is there only one option? My teacher told us about the different writing formats we may have to do but she never said if there are multiple writing options or one that everyone does.

There will be four options, you just choose one. You can pick any option you want. Each question might have a different format (a diary entry, a letter, a brochure, etc), that's just what she means.

[yghydumdam 1]

As far as formal letter is concerned: are we supposed to write (top of the page) all these data conerning addresee (his name, address, etc.) and date? Or should we begin with the content with "Dear Sir..."?

Edited May 2, 2013 by yghydumdam

[unintentionallyangsty 1]

As far as formal letter is concerned: are we supposed to write (top of the page) all these data conerning addresee (his name, address, etc.) and date? Or should we begin with the content with "Dear Sir..."?

You should prepare to have both the addresses of the sender (you) and the recipient (subject) at the top. Make up an address if you want, they don't care. And make sure to date it. Then you can open the letter and write it. Then close it.

[IBscrewed24/7 0]

Does anyone know how many marks they take off if you do not reach the 250 minimum word count? In reality, how much will this affect one's score?

[japaneseBSL 1]

IBscrewed24/7; If you don't reach the minimum word count they can take off 1 mark in Criteria A.

[xxhelenkolliexx 0]

What happens if you wrote a nice essay in the correct format but the content is different from what they had asked for ? Can you still pass ?

[turtle turtle 18]

So it's basically an essay type question? on what topic?