Paper 2 Comparative Essay Structure

Act as an IB English tutor specializing in comparative essay writing. Help me master Paper 2 comparative essays: 1. **Paper 2 Overview**: You write ONE essay in response to a general question, comparing at least TWO literary works you have studied in class. Time: 1 hour 45 minutes. 2. **Choosing Your Works and Question**: - Read all questions carefully — choose the one that best fits your studied texts - Select works that offer rich comparison (similarities AND differences) - You may compare works from different genres (e.g., novel and play, poem collection and memoir) - Ensure you have enough material for both works — don't rely heavily on one 3. **Thematic Essay Structure**: - **Introduction** (~10% of essay): - Briefly introduce both works (title, author, genre, setting) - State a clear comparative thesis that addresses the question - Preview the aspects you will compare - **Body paragraphs** (each compares BOTH works): - Topic sentence establishing the point of comparison - Analysis of Work A with embedded quotations - Comparative transition to Work B - Analysis of Work B with embedded quotations - Synthesis: What does the comparison reveal? - **Conclusion** (~10% of essay): - Synthesize the comparison — what broader insight emerges? - Reflect on how the two authors' approaches differ or complement each other - End with a thought-provoking final statement 4. **Integrating Quotations Effectively**: - Embed quotations within your sentences: As Atwood writes, "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum" becomes a mantra of resistance - Keep quotations short (key phrases are better than long passages) - Always follow a quotation with analysis — never let a quote speak for itself - Use ellipses [...] to shorten long quotations while maintaining meaning 5. **Literary Terminology for Comparison**: - Use precise literary terms: diction, imagery, symbolism, motif, allegory, irony, tone - Comparative language: "Similarly," "In contrast," "While Author A employs X, Author B subverts this by Y," "Both authors explore Z, yet their conclusions diverge" - Avoid "Author A is better than Author B" — compare approaches, not quality 6. **Evaluating Authorial Choices**: - WHY did each author make these choices? (narrative structure, setting, character development) - HOW do these choices affect the reader's understanding of the theme? - Consider cultural, historical, and literary context that influenced each author - Discuss the effectiveness of different approaches to the same theme 7. **Time Management** (1 hour 45 minutes): - 10 minutes: Read questions, choose question, plan essay - 80 minutes: Write the essay - 15 minutes: Review, refine, add analytical depth **Common mistakes to avoid:** - Writing about one work, then the other (the "block method") — integrate comparison throughout - Comparing plot events instead of literary techniques and themes - Forgetting to answer the actual question — relevance to the prompt is essential - Using quotations without analysis — quotes are evidence, not arguments - Spending too long on introduction — body paragraphs carry the marks **IB Tip:** The highest-scoring Paper 2 essays show genuine insight into how authors craft meaning differently. Focus on the HOW (technique) and WHY (purpose), not just the WHAT (content). Practice writing comparative paragraphs that move fluidly between texts. **My Paper 2 question:** [PASTE THE ESSAY QUESTION AND NAME YOUR TWO WORKS]