iv. Paper 2 Assessment

Paper 2: Comparative essay

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Weighting: 25%

Paper 2 contains four questions of a general nature, which require students to write a comparative essay referring to two works studied during the course. Students are required to answer one question only.

The format of paper 2 and the four questions are the same for both SL and HL students, and for both the language A: literature and language A: language and literature courses. The assessment criteria will also be shared by both levels and both courses.

The essay is written under examination conditions, without access to the studied works. Students will be expected to compare and contrast two of the works studied in relation to the question chosen. Attention should be paid to the relevance of the argument to the question chosen and to the appropriateness of the works selected by the student to address the question. Students are expected to make detailed reference to the works in their answer, but they are not expected to include quotations from them.

Given the open and flexible nature of the course, potentially any work studied can be used by students for paper 2. It is highly recommended, however, that students should preselect three of the works studied in preparation for this paper, either individually or in conjunction and in consultation with the teacher. This will make it more manageable for students, at the moment of the exam, to select the essay question and the two works to answer it with.

Under no circumstances can students use for paper 2 a work that has been already used for another assessment component, be it the internal assessment for both SL and HL, or the HL essay for HL.

Criterion A: Knowledge, understanding and interpretation 

  • How much knowledge and understanding of the works does the candidate show?  
  • To what extent does the candidate make use of knowledge and understanding of the works to draw conclusions about their similarities and differences in relation to the question? 
Marks Level descriptor 
0 The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below. 
1–2 There is little knowledge and understanding of the works in relation to the question answered.  There is little meaningful comparison and contrast of the works used in relation to the question. 
3–4 There is some knowledge and understanding of the works in relation to the question answered.  There is a superficial attempt to compare and contrast the works used in relation to the question. 
5–6 There is satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the works and an interpretation of their implications in relation to the question answered.  The essay offers a satisfactory interpretation of the similarities and differences between the works used in relation to the question. 
7–8 There is good knowledge and understanding of the works and a sustained interpretation of their implications in relation to the question answered.  The essay offers a convincing interpretation of the similarities and differences between the works used in relation to the question. 
9–10 There is perceptive knowledge and understanding of the works and a persuasive interpretation of their implications in relation to the question answered.  The essay offers an insightful interpretation of the similarities and differences between the works used in relation to the question. 

Criterion B: Analysis and evaluation  

  • To what extent does the candidate analyse and evaluate how the choices of language, technique and style, and/or broader authorial choices, shape meaning? 
  • How effectively does the candidate use analysis and evaluation skills to compare and contrast both works? 
Marks Level descriptor 
0 The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below. 
1–2 The essay is descriptive and/or demonstrates little relevant analysis of textual features and/or the broader authorial choices.  
3–4 The essay demonstrates some appropriate analysis of textual features and/or broader authorial choices, but is reliant on description.  There is a superficial comparison and contrast of the authors’ choices in the works selected. 
5–6 The essay demonstrates a generally appropriate analysis of textual features and/or broader authorial choices.  There is an adequate comparison and contrast of the authors’ choices in the works selected. 
7–8 The essay demonstrates an appropriate and at times insightful analysis of textual features and/or broader authorial choices. There is a good evaluation of how such features and/or choices shape meaning. There is a good comparison and contrast of the authors’ choices in the works selected. 
9–10 The essay demonstrates a consistently insightful and convincing analysis of textual features and/or broader authorial choices. There is a very good evaluation of how such features and/or choices contribute to meaning. There is a very good comparison and contrast of the author’ choices in the works selected. 

Criterion C: Focus and organization 

  • How well structured, balanced and focused is the presentation of ideas? 
Marks Level descriptor 
0 The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below. 
1 The essay rarely focuses on the task. There are few connections between ideas. 
2 The essay only sometimes focuses on the task, and treatment of the works may be unbalanced. There are some connections between ideas, but these are not always coherent. 
3 The essay maintains a focus on the task, despite some lapses; treatment of the works is mostly balanced. The development of ideas is mostly logical; ideas are generally connected in a cohesive manner. 
4 The essay maintains a mostly clear and sustained focus on the task; treatment of the works is balanced. The development of ideas is logical; ideas are cohesively connected. 
5 The essay maintains a clear and sustained focus on the task; treatment of the works is well balanced. The development of ideas is logical and convincing; ideas are connected in a cogent manner. 

Criterion D: Language 

  • How clear, varied and accurate is the language? 
  • How appropriate is the choice of register and style? (“Register” refers, in this context, to the candidate’s use of elements such as vocabulary, tone, sentence structure and terminology appropriate to the essay.)
Marks Level descriptor 
0 The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below. 
1 Language is rarely clear and appropriate; there are many errors in grammar, vocabulary and sentence construction and little sense of register and style. 
2 Language is sometimes clear and carefully chosen; grammar, vocabulary and sentence construction are fairly accurate, although errors and inconsistencies are apparent; the register and style are to some extent appropriate to the task. 
3 Language is clear and carefully chosen with an adequate degree of accuracy in grammar, vocabulary and sentence construction despite some lapses; register and style are mostly appropriate to the task. 
4 Language is clear and carefully chosen, with a good degree of accuracy in grammar, vocabulary and sentence construction; register and style are consistently appropriate to the task. 
5 Language is very clear, effective, carefully chosen and precise, with a high degree of accuracy in grammar, vocabulary and sentence construction; register and style are effective and appropriate to the task. 

The paper is assessed according to the assessment criteria published in this guide. The maximum mark for paper 2 is 30.