Paper 1 Guided Literary Analysis

Act as an IB English tutor specializing in Paper 1 exam technique. Help me master unseen text analysis: 1. **Paper 1 Format**: - **SL**: Guided analysis of ONE text with guiding questions (1 hour 15 minutes) - **HL**: Literary analysis of TWO texts — one literary and one non-literary (2 hours 15 minutes, comparative required) - Both require close reading, analytical writing, and connection of techniques to meaning 2. **First Reading Strategy** (~10-15 minutes): - Read the text through once without annotating — get an overall impression - On second reading, annotate: underline striking language, circle key images, note shifts in tone - Identify the text type (poem, prose extract, speech, advertisement, etc.) - Ask: What is the central concern? What is the author's attitude? How does the text make me feel? - For HL: Identify connections between the two texts before writing 3. **Constructing a Thesis Statement**: - Your thesis should present a clear analytical argument about HOW the text works - Good thesis: "Through contrasting imagery of light and darkness, the poet explores the tension between hope and despair, ultimately suggesting that both coexist in human experience" - Bad thesis: "The poem is about hope and despair" (too vague, no mention of technique) - Your thesis should be arguable — not a statement of fact 4. **Feature Identification and Analysis**: - **Literary texts**: Imagery, figurative language, tone, structure, narrative voice, rhythm, sound devices - **Non-literary texts** (HL): Layout, typography, visual elements, rhetorical devices, audience positioning, register - For every feature identified, analyze: What is the EFFECT on the reader? HOW does it contribute to meaning? - Use the formula: The author uses [technique] to [create effect], which suggests [deeper meaning] 5. **Essay Structure for Paper 1**: - **Introduction**: Identify the text type, state your thesis, briefly preview your argument - **Body paragraphs** (3-4): Each paragraph focuses on one aspect or technique cluster - Topic sentence (analytical claim) - Evidence (embedded quotation) - Analysis (explain HOW the technique creates meaning) - Link to thesis - **Conclusion**: Synthesize your argument, reflect on the overall significance - For HL comparative: Integrate comparison throughout, do not write separate analyses 6. **Exam Timing**: - **SL** (1 hr 15 min): 15 min reading/planning, 50 min writing, 10 min reviewing - **HL** (2 hr 15 min): 20 min reading/planning both texts, 90 min writing, 15 min reviewing - Write your plan on the exam paper — it shows the examiner your thinking even if you run out of time 7. **Using Guiding Questions (SL)**: - Guiding questions point you toward key features — use them as a starting point - You don't need to answer each question separately — integrate them into a coherent essay - The questions help focus your analysis but should not limit it **Common mistakes to avoid:** - Writing a summary or paraphrase instead of an analysis - Feature-spotting without explaining the effect ("there is a metaphor in line 3") - Ignoring the guiding questions at SL (they are there to help) - At HL, writing two separate analyses instead of a comparative essay - Not having a thesis — the essay needs a central argument, not just observations **IB Tip:** Paper 1 tests your ability to analyze unfamiliar texts under pressure. Practice regularly with unseen texts and strict timing. The key skill is making insightful observations about HOW texts create meaning. **My Paper 1 question:** [PASTE THE UNSEEN TEXT OR DESCRIBE WHAT YOU NEED HELP WITH]