PAPER 2 BOOKLET

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NAME

HOW TO WRITE A PAPER 2 ESSAY

PAPER 2 STRUCTURE
There are two ways to write a paper two essay:
Method # 1:
Introduction
1- Introduce the novels and contextual key points (be sure to mention the genres)
2- Briefly discuss the novels in a comparative way.
3- Create a thesis statement that directly refers to the question
4- Write subtopics that are suitable for both books and the question.
Body 1:
Subtopic 1- Book # 1
Subtopic 2- Book # 2
Body 2:
Subtopic 1- Book # 1
Subtopic 2- Book # 2
Body 3:
Subtopic 1- Book # 1
Subtopic 2- Book # 2
Conclusion:

Restate the thesis statement in a creative way.

Dedicated one sentence per subtopic.

Final concluding statement about the essay and novels with reference to the question.

HOW TO WRITE A PAPER 2 ESSAY

PAPER 2 STRUCTURE
Method # 2
Introduction:
1- Introduce the novels and contextual key points (be sure to mention the genres)
2- Briefly discuss the novels in a comparative way.
3- Create a thesis statement that directly refers to the question
4- Write subtopics that are suitable for both books and the question.
Body # 1:
A long paragraph comparing and contrasting both novels, with direct reference to the question
and subtopic # 1.
Body # 2:
A long paragraph comparing and contrasting both novels, with direct reference to the question
and subtopic # 2.
Body # 3:
A long paragraph comparing and contrasting both novels, with direct reference to the question
and subtopic # 3.
Conclusion:

Restate the thesis statement in a creative way.

Dedicated one sentence per subtopic.

Final concluding statement about the essay and novels with reference to the question.

Paper 2 structure Sample Planning Approach

Step 1:
- What is the key idea the question asks me to consider?
- HOW is it conveyed? What does the WRITER do to show SOMETHING about this idea?
(what lit elements and stylistic techniques create this impression ex:
characterization, conflict, symbolism, dialogue, theme, character foils, setting, structure,
narrator, POV...)
EXAMPLE 1 for 1 text: ALIENATION
1) Writers often use a character who is alienated from his or her culture or society in order to
explore cultural or social values. Examine this idea with reference to two (or 3 at HL) works
studied.
SAMPLE BRAINSTORM -- horrible effects of alienation are shown in ADH
1) BODY 1: protagonist - Nora's characterization
- dialogue -- it's a play, so relies on speech - her conversations with Torvald = she is helpless, even
referred to in diminutive terms
- restrictions on money due to social norms of Victorian times = alienated from world of work
- symbolism of her as a ''doll'' - she says she was a doll for her father, now Torvald - alienated from
feeling like a real person. Also related to social norms, as women were the angel of the house
2) BODY 2: Minor Characters
- conversations with Rank show that she's alienated from a true partnership
- foil of Christine to show she's kept out of possibility of work and independence
- Krogstad and his alienation due to forging signature show her likely outcome
3) BODY 3 Setting & Staging
- kept out of parts of the house - study
- entrapment theme through symbolism of house
- looks proper, but hides reality of marriage -- theme of appearance vs. reality and mirrors Nora's
internal conflict and feelings of isolation in her marriage
- literal leaving and symbolic stage direction of slamming the door = alienation literally from Vic.
society at end
+ brainstorm for Things Fall Apart and/or Chronicle of a Death Foretold w/ comp. & contrast
EXAMPLE 2: SETTING
- elements of setting -- brainstorm for specific texts
- how is setting important -- in creating characterization? symbolic? developing/aiding plot and
conflict? helping understand themes?
- how are these ideas created and conveyed through literary and stylistic features? Organize
paragraphs based on these features.
* use of concrete or abstract ideas as body paragraph foci will be determined by command terms in
question. UNPACK.
* for the questions about evoking emotions from audience or more general response questions -similar strategy: WHAT emotions are evoked, and what techniques do writers use to evoke them?
(characterization, conflict, symbolism, dialogue, theme, character foils, setting, structure, narrator,
POV...)

Helpful transitional words for The Paper 2 Essay

Use these words to help you connect your thoughts, your sentences, and your paragraphs:
Addition
again, also, and, and then, besides, equally important, finally, first, further, furthermore, in addition, in the
first place, last, moreover, next, second, still, too
Comparison
also, in the same way, likewise, similarly
Concession
granted, naturally, of course
Contrast
although, and yet, at the same time, but at the same time, despite that, even so, even though, for all that,
however, in contrast, in spite of, instead, nevertheless, notwithstanding, on the contrary, on the other hand,
otherwise, regardless, still, though, yet
Emphasis
certainly, indeed, in fact, of course
Example or illustration
after all, as an illustration, even, for example, for instance, in conclusion, indeed, in fact, in other words,
in short, it is true, of course, namely, specifically, that is, to illustrate, thus, truly
Summary
all in all, altogether, as has been said, finally, in brief, in conclusion, in other words, in particular, in short,
in simpler terms, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore, to put it differently, to summarize
Time sequence
after a while, afterward, again, also, and then, as long as, at last, at length, at that time, before, besides,
earlier, eventually, finally, formerly, further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, in the past, last,
lately, meanwhile, moreover, next, now, presently, second, shortly, simultaneously, since, so far, soon,
still, subsequently, then, thereafter, too, until, until now, when