IB - PAPER 2 MOCK EXAM FEEDBACK

Some General Observations

• Remember that there are at least a hundred plays on the prescribed list to choose from and many more possible couplings of plays to choose to write on. Therefore examiners may not know the plays you've chosen very well. However Translations and Streetcar are two very popular plays.

• Read the questions carefully - sometimes examples of concepts are given but you do not need to be restricted to these alone. They are only examples. In your exam - generosity and selfishness were offered as examples of opposing motivations. However you were not limited to these two concepts.

• Make sure you spend some time considering all three plays and how you can apply these key concepts in the broadest and most inclusive way possible.

• Remember to identify some important comparative observations as you plan.

  

• Define the key concepts in your introduction and relate these concepts to the two plays you are going to write about - this will be a summary /overview of your argument.

• Make sure that you refer explicitly to dramatic conventions and or literary techniques in your answer, such as - monologue, dramatic irony, expressionistic techniques, symbolism and climax.

• Make sure you refer in specific detail to specific scenes in the play. And where possible actually quote, words or phrases from the plays you are writing about.

• And remember that if you quote then refer to specific dramatic conventions or literary techniques and their impact on us as an audience.

• Where relevant and appropriate make clear comparative observations between the two texts.

• Remember there are five criterion used to mark your essay. Each criterion is worth 5 marks. They are marks to indicate:

• the depth of knowledge and understanding you have of the two plays in relation to the question

• how well you have responded to the specific demands of the question - this relies on careful reading of the question, planning and practicing questions

• appropriate and relevant use of dramatic conventions / literary techniques - relies on the detail of your analytical response

• how well you have structured and organised your essay - this relies on planning

• how clear, varied and accurate is your language - this relies on you using an appropriate formal, academic register, good vocabulary, varied syntax and appropriate terminology