IB Language and Literature: Preparing for Paper One SL

Nov 2011 JH

Writing A Textual Analysis Essay See your Philpot textbook pages 56-60 At SL this task involves completing a !guided analysis" of one text in an essay. You have one hour 30 minutes in an exam situation to do this. Steps 1. Read the guiding questions and the text several times, including any source details given, looking for: # the text type # any relevant contextual features given about it e.g. time period, place, producer # the purpose # the intended audience # the main topic and theme # 3-4 main language, structural or visual features which are most noticeable, distinctive, signicant about it (use your features checklists to guide you 2. Plan your response, using a structured overview or chart, then write your essay/ commentary in about 800 words. Note: see the TIP in your textbook page 59 about using the !Big 5" as a possible way to approach your essay planning. Introduction paragraph # * Start with a short, interesting sentence relevant to the text # * Give an overview of the 6 points above Body paragraphs (3-5?) Each body paragraph should: * explore one main feature and connect it to the audience and purpose * begin with a topic sentence that contains a transition or linking phrase which helps build the essay/argument to a conclusion * include quotations with line numbers as evidence for your claims. Remember the formula: Point, Evidence, Explanation/Elaboration of the idea. * use appropriate technical terms in your analysis Conclusion paragraph The nal paragraph should: # * bring your essay to a close by summarising your main ndings and connecting # them to audience and purpose. # * evaluate the overall effectiveness or impact of the text * nish with a short, high impact sentence Avoid * Using informal language: abbreviations, contractions, colloquialisms * Using past tense for what the writer is doing in the text * Making claims without evidence * Reading carelessly and writing too generally * Poor proof reading

JH September 2011