Rationale of Paper 1

(This info is taken from the IB Lang & Lit Curriculum Guide, p. 28-29)
Paper 1 contains two previously unseen passages from non-literary texts for analysis, of which students
select one. Students are instructed to write an analysis of one of the texts, including comments on the
significance of any possible contexts including speaker bias, audience, purpose and the use of linguistic and
literary devices.
In addition, two guiding questions are provided, encouraging students to focus their response on aspects of
the passage. A passage for analysis may either be a complete piece of writing or visual text, or an extract
from a longer piece. The texts for analysis are not necessarily related to specific parts of the syllabus. (Note:
Mr. Webster will not give you any guiding questions on the final exam. He wants to see what you can do on
your own without any guided assistance.)
Possible non-literary texts that may be found in Paper 1:
advertisement
opinion column
extract from an essay
electronic text (such as social networking sites, blogs)
brochure (such as a public information leaflet)

extract from a memoir, diary or other autobiographical text.

Students are required to analyze and comment on the text in the light of their understanding of its possible
audience and purpose. In order to achieve this, students need to analyze structure, language and style in
addition to aspects such as text type, context, bias and/or ideological position.
There are many acceptable ways of approaching the analysis of a text. Regardless of the approach taken the
analysis should be continuous and structured, and should include relevant examples from the text. Rather
than simply listing formal aspects, students should focus on how such aspects are used to create particular
effects, the recognition of which may contribute to a reading of the passage.
The paper is assessed according to the assessment criteria published in this guide. The maximum mark for
paper 1 is 20.

Example 2: Paper 1SL

Antigua and

Why Antigua and Barbuda?

Beaches, beaches, beaches

Antigua Sailing Week
The Museum of Antigua & Barbuda
Luxury hotels

Overview

Things To Do

Photos

Overview
The twin-island nation of Antigua & Barbuda, the largest and most
developed tourist destination in the Leeward Islands chain, has much to
offer visitors of many stripes.
Home to most of the nation's better-known hotels, Antigua is the larger of
the two islands at about 108 square miles. From its upscale resorts for
the very rich to comfy hideaways favored by sailors, Antigua's hotel
choices are varied, although they lack the presence of a U.S.-based chain.
Islanders claim their home boasts 365 beaches, and while the count is
questionable, the beaches are beautiful. Topography is varied as well,
with rugged mountain peaks ideal for island overviews, undulating fields
of grass once used to grow sugar cane, winding roads lined by pineapple
fields, with desert-like conditions rounding out the scenery.
The long reach of the British Empire is still evident in both the formal
demeanor of the local population and in the fascinating, must-see
historical site called Nelson's Dockyard. Another place that's popular with
visitors is Shirley Heights. Once used by the British Navy as a lookout
post, the site offers panoramic views, and is the home of a twice-weekly
party and barbecue for sunset-watchers. Although it's mobbed with
tourists and the food is overpriced, the atmosphere is pure fun and local
bands play infectious dance music.
Barbuda, the smaller sister island, is wild, woolly and barely inhabited.
Most visitors arrive by propeller plane from Antigua at tiny Codrington
Airstrip, which consists of one tiny cement block structure - the alleged
terminal building - and a short runway.

Language A: language and literature teacher support material

Example 2: Paper 1SL

About 1,000 inhabitants reside in Codrington, and beyond town are

beautiful stretches of uninhabited beach accessed by rutted roads
surrounded by scrub brush and cacti.
The most popular attraction here is actually offshore - the Frigate Bird
Sanctuary. Bereft of visitor-friendly signs and amenities, this mangrove
swamp is accessed by boat and is aflutter with majestic frigate birds.
Among but a handful of hotels, the island's best-known resort is the tony 1
K-Club, a very private redoubt 2 that serves the rich and famous. Most
visitors, though, are day-trippers, who can arrange a one-day tour with
lunch while staying on Antigua.

From the website: Antigua and Barbuda, www.wheretostay.com/caribbean/antigua-barbuda

- Comment on the writers use of structure and layout in this extract.

- How does the writer combine image and language here to create a
persuasive effect?

tony: stylish, fashionable

redoubt: a secure place of refuge or defence

Language A: language and literature teacher support material

Example 2: Paper 1SL

The Text is an internet advertisement for a holiday spot and its purpose is to persuade the reader to
celebrate their holiday in Antigua or Barbuda. The text is intended for richer people looking for a
unique holiday spot and this becomes clear in the following phrases. Upscale resorts for the very
rich and the Tony K club that serves the rich and famous In order to be more persuasive the
advertisement includes photos of the accommodations and attractions on the islands. All the people
pictured are different from each other showing the reader that anyone can go to the islands, if it is in
their budget, that it is for everyone, not only for a specific age group or gender. He or she would be
welcome in Barbuda or Antigua. Also the sentence age, sex, ethnicity of many stripes reinforces
this feeling.
The enumeration at the top of the text is in larger type and is in a different color than the rest of the
text. These four words immediately catch your eye. If the reader likes beaches and luxury Antigua
and Barbuda are the best places to go and the alliteration beaches, beaches, beaches again
persuades the reader by reinforcing the theme of the text. Phrases such as undulating fields of grass,
winding roads lined by pineapple fields and superlatives such as best known , largest and most
developed and the use of the number 365 in describing the beaches all add to the appeal of the
islands. The text is divided into clear paragraphs which makes for easier skimming and everything
that is related is together making the text easier to read. How you should spend your
vacation/holiday? This is evident in words such as tourist destination, hotels, etc. In order to
convince the reader the advertisement has to leave the reader with the desired feelings and
emotions after reading this is accomplished by the use of descriptive words and phrases like,
beautiful pure fun, infectious dance music, resort, rich and famous which set the tone and the
reader could be captivated.
The background of the text is blue. The blue being the color of the sea and therefore indirectly
connected to the sea contributing to the overall image. The background contains no larger picture
and there is an effective use of white space to keep the reader focused on the important
information. The advertisement contains a short piece of information on both islands to compare
the two versions of paradise. Example: Antigua is the largest and most developed tourist
destination and Barbuda is wild, wooly and barely inhabited. There is a contrast between the
islands to arouse the curiosity of the reader and to again show that there is something for everyone.
The idea that two islands so different from each other can exist so close together providing such a
varied selection of landscape and attractions giving the vacationer lots of choices is almost
irresistible. The reader will feel the possibility to do whatever he or she wants. The site also uses a
lot of natural, warm and relaxing colors contributing to the relaxed holiday feel.
Sometimes the advertisement uses long sentences and facts to give the feel of being informational
not only advertising. Because of it being a website the structure is also different in that it has
pictures that function as links both at the bottom and top of the page. The fact that the text at times
directly refers to the picture and further information can be gained by accessing one of the links is
convenient for the reader. The images support the text very well and provides great visual support
to involve the reader. In the third paragraph the advertisement includes a phrase (rugged mountain
peaks ideal for island overviews) and above the text a photo has been placed with a link for
overviews. The reader can directly access the photos and if they find them attractive find even more
reason to go there on vacation. The fourth picture shows a man surrounded by other people while
swimming/standing in what appears to be the sea with a huge fish in his hands. He appears very
Language A: language and literature teacher support material

Example 2: Paper 1SL

happy and seems to be having fun. This shot illustrates to the reader that its probably very special to
be there and the reader would probably like to go there as well.
The pictures at the bottom of the text show various attractions to be found on the islands. The bird
pictured has been mentioned in the text majestic frigate birds The attractions are not only
described to the reader but seen as well. If you read about it, then see it as well it creates a longer
lasting image and thus more involvement by the reader, this is of course the intention of the
advertisement. The writer also lists a lot of the attractions on the islands for example the historical
sites, but also the beaches and mountain peaks with beautiful island overviews. One of these has to
fit the readers interests and help to persuade him/her to go.
After reading this advertisement and looking through the information, then accessing the links to
view all the great things to see do, I would probably choose to go on this holiday if it were in my
budget. The descriptions of the islands attractions and the use of photos combined with the links
made me feel as if it would be the perfect holiday destination. The feeling that the islands had
something for everyone and that there were lots of choices from wild and wooly to the luxury of
upscale resorts closed the deal.

Language A: language and literature teacher support material

Examiners comments of Student ResponsePaper 1-SL

(Text: Antigua & Barbuda web page)
In paper 1, SL students are required to write an analysis on one previously unseen text, commenting on
audience, purpose, the significance of any contexts provided and the use of linguistic and literary
devices. Structure and use of text type should also be addressed.

A B C D Total
Criterion
Marks available 5 5 5 5 20
Marks awarded 4 5 4 4 17

Criterion A: Understanding of the text

This criterion assesses the student's understanding of the text, its type and purpose, as well as
possible contexts. The sample shows a good understanding of the text. The student realizes that this is
a web page, that it is intended to persuade the reader to visit this particular location, and that it
integrates various techniques to augment that persuasion. The student comments on audience. That the
text is intended for richer people looking for a "unique holiday spot is supported by direct references
to the text, but a bit closer analysis would also have revealed the "comfy hideaways favored by sailors"
and opened, perhaps, a more detailed discussion of audience. The contrasts between the two islands
and the manner in which this was expressed in the advertisement could have been explored further as
well. Nevertheless, this student offers many valuable observations and these observations are generally
well supported, with an understanding of how features of the text type (background, white space, type
size, colour and links) shaped that meaning.

Criterion B: Understanding of the use and effects of stylistic features

This criterion assesses the student's understanding of how stylistic features construct meaning.
This particular response shows an awareness of several stylistic features used in the web page: In the
third paragraph the advertisement includes a phrase (rugged mountain peaks ideal for island overviews)
and above the text a photo has been placed with a link for overviews. The shaping of the text is noted:
The background of the text is blue. The blue being the color of the sea and therefore indirectly
connected to the sea, contributing to the overall image. The background contains no larger picture and
there is an effective use of white space to keep the reader focused on the important information. The
utility of the website is noted: Because of it being a website the structure is also different in that it has
pictures that function as links both at the bottom and top of the page. The fact that the text at times
directly refers to the picture and further information can be gained by accessing one of the links is
convenient for the reader. There is also exploration of imagery, diction, alliteration and other language
devices. The student is careful to link the various techniques to their impact on the reader. Overall,
there is a very good awareness of the use of stylistic features and a good understanding of their effects.

Criterion C: Organization and development

This criterion assesses the organization and coherence of the response as well as how well the
argument has been developed. This response demonstrates a well-balanced and developed argument.
The student offers a clear overview of the text and keeps a close focus on its intent and influence on the
reader. There is an introduction stating the student's ideas on audience and purpose, a body containing
support and analysis of the text, and a conclusion stating the student's observations on the text and its
success. The ideas move, mostly, coherently from one point to the next, and there is adequate
development of the argument. At times the ideas could have been shaped a bit more succinctly or given
greater depth of development.

Criterion D: Language
This criterion assesses the student's use of language in the response, as well as choice of register,
style and terminology. In this sample the language is clear and carefully chosen, with a good degree of
accuracy in grammar, vocabulary and sentence construction, despite a few lapses. Register and style
are consistently appropriate to the task. Use of selected vocabulary to describe particular items in the
text, for example, links", "images", "warm and relaxing colors" and "closed the deal", adds to the
clarity and effectiveness of the response.

NOTE: Please note the paper used to generate this sample was presented to the
student in colour, and the student has commented on this in response. However, at
present, the paper 1 exam will not make use of colour; students will be presented with
black and white papers only. This situation is under regular review and may change in
the future.