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English B
IB DP Category 1
Stockholm, Sweden, 20 - 22 September 2024
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Virtual Think-Ins
The Extended Essay in DP Language B
Virtual Think-In, 22 May 2024
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Subscriber comments
- Agreed! Thanks for the quick response!
- Standard practice is for the one not chosen to be taken away, Jonathan. Once the student has made the choice they should not be distracted by the possibility of changing their mind half way through the preparation period - agreed?
- So it seems, Estefanie - but as it says, it's most likely that the page has simply been removed: the link itself works, but there's nothing at the end of it. Sorry!
- Hi David,Which of the following would you recommend regarding the selection of 2 extracts?A) the student selects one of the two extracts and the one not chosen is taken away.B) both extracts are left with the student throughout the 20 minute...
- hello, im sorry but i think this link is broken https://markmanson.net/artificial-intelligence
- I think I understand your point about the EE being mainly about linguistic analysis, Viktoria. I don't know the precise arguments the student wants to develop, so you will just have to make your own judgement. If you say that the main focus...
- 1. I still need some clarification regarding the alignment of my student’s EE with Cat.3 requirements. While her essay primarily focuses on linguistic analysis with some discussion of literary trends and culture, with...
- An interesting idea, Viktoria, and the student seems to have a sound and methodical approach. However, in my view, this would have to be in Cat.3, since it is based on literary works (the two poems concerned). Certainly, the analysis would...
- Hello David,I’d appreciate your thoughts on my student’s topic for her EE – Cat 1. Language (Language B)She’d like to analyze the way Victorian nonsense poetry works and how we are able to interpret it. The poem she picked is Uffia...
- Thanks a lot David. I'll persuade her to change it, see what happens... Again, thank you very much.
- No, you can't mix categories, Noemi, it has to be one or the other. It's the fundamental approach that matters. For Cat.2B, the songs would be considered documentary evidence (even if you use some lit.crit. techniques to analyse them); whereas...
- I was talking to another teacher here, and she mentioned that it is possible to mix some categories in English B, is that so? Let's say that the student chooses to analyze the songs focusing on literary elements used to express a message. That...
- Thank you David, I'll talk to her again and reconsider the songs... I really don´t see how she can develop something connected to it that brings up something meaningful. I hope we get to a good decision. Thanks a lot again.
- This is a very shaky area to deal with as an EE, Noemi - as you have commented, on the various vague ideas the student suggests. One fundamental problem is that she can only quote the lyrics - but clearly, the music is equally, or more, important,...
- Hi David, I have a student who wants who write her EE based on songs. At the beginning she wanted to proof if there were some changes in the way some songs presented "love" in earlier years and nowadays. She wanted to take songs from the early...
- Thank you very much David.
- No, Kristin - full comparisons between languages are not a good idea. I do not know of anything that explicitly bans such an approach, but clearly half of such an essay would have to be about Japanese, and this is not acceptable in an English...
- Hi David. I have a student who has proposed the following question for his EE: What are the linguistic and cultural differences exposed in the language of the English and Japanese versions of 'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare? I have...
- Thanks for the example Joseph - sounds like an interesting topic! I'm always surprised by the broad spectrum of acceptable topics for a Language B course!
- Thank you David! I agree, the fan fiction idea is extremely vague, I think it's just something she is interested in and has not yet developed it further since she did not know whether it's an acceptable source / topic. I think every year...
- Hi Jenna, A few years ago, I had a student use the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act as a cultural artefact. She used it to illuminate American attitudes towards social welfare but also criticised the act's ineffectiveness.
- First of all, Jenna, the fanfiction issue... I'm not familiar with fanfiction either, but I take it to refer to stories which draw from, or are developed from, existing literary fiction - correct? If so, the category would depend on the approach...
- I assume that the student has a copy of Malala's speech, Sofia? If so, that is a cultural artifact. Also, if she is going to analyse the "impact", she will need evidence of this impact - presumably in the form of statistics, opinion surveys...or...
- Hi David! I was wondering whether fanfiction published online would count as a cultural artifact for 2B. Or would this depend on how they treat the material - if it's literary analysis, could it also go under category 3? I am not that familiar...
- Hello David and this lovely community, after reading the previous comments I realized that my student's RQ does not fall into Cat. 2B since she's not using any artifact. In the beginning, she was going to analyze the impact of Malala Yousafzai's...
- There were no subheadings no byline as indicated to follow in the text type . It was very casually written and I would have scored this as a grade 5. Do we know what the overall grade was ?
- I think it is more like Cat.2B, Jana - the emphasis of the RQ is more on 'representations' and 'narratives' in a particular social context, rather than language itself. It depends how the student handles the topic, but safer in Cat.2B, I feel.
- Thank you, David! Would this be Cat.2a?
- This is much more practicable, Jana - the RQ is closely focused on a specific case, and it seems well supported with a range of factual evidence. I would go ahead with this - and the next step should be to encourage the student to study resources,...
- Actually, there has been some progress since I last posted this message and the student is trying to narrow down his topic:How do media representations of Raheem Sterling in British football journalism compare with his personal experiences...
- Thanks David!
- Thank you, David. I very much look forward to working with the student as he has read both works carefully and seems to have more ideas and material on Ishiguro. On the other hand, one of my weaker students (the one interested in sports)...
- An essay based on a work of literature has to be in Category 3 Literature, Sean. Cat.1 is essentially intended to be about linguistics and grammatical theory. For Cat.3, the RQ suggested would be sensible enough, I feel.
- Yes, Mary, graphic novels would be recognised as works of literature - but obviously, they would have to be novels of some quality and interest, about which it is possible to write sophisticated analysis. Remember that the basis of Cat.3 is...
- Hi David!I have an EE student whose question on George Orwell´s Animal Farm is "how does the manipulation of language by the pigs contribute to the views of the animals on their reality and hopes?"I was wondering which category do you...
- Good afternoon,I have been given a student with quite limited English as an extended essay student for English B. He is looking at category 3. Is it possible to use graphic novels as works of literature for a category 3 EE? Thanks in advance....
- I assume that this will be a Cat.3 Literature essay, Leila - correct? If so, it must focus on the analysis of literary technique and meaning, and it doesn't have to concentrate on Anglophone culture as in Cat.2. If the novel was originally...
- Just want to comment that I am extremely heartened to see this response from you, David, and I would certainly be in favor of penalizing prejudiced remarks. We must take a stand.
- Hello David I hope all is wellI have a student who would like to focus on the portrayal of female hardship in the novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns. It is written in English, but the setting is Afghanistan and it focuses purely on Afghani...
- Thank you, David. I very much look forward to working with the student as he has read both works carefully and seems to have more ideas and material on Ishiguro. On the other hand, one of my weaker students (the one interested in sports)...
- To add to this, Bennet, I encourage my students to use the space below the 3 prompts to write their outline. As David says, this paper is not submitted to the IB, only the lined answer booklet. If they do write their plan in the booklet, they...
- Right, Jana...1. The 'sporting terms' student - this has to be Cat.2, either A or B. The difference would be that if the main subject is changes to vocabulary and phrasing, it might be Cat.2A (principally focused on linguistic changes rather...
- Dear Davidthank you again for your advice regarding my student's formulation of a question for cat.1. In fact, I am trying to steer him away from this category and aim at category 2. I might ask again for your help once we have a few topics.In...
- I'm glad you like the materials, Darlene - and yes, they are very useful for students.Getting more samples is on our 'To Do' list, but it's not a priority right now ... it depends on sources.
- Plans are not considered by examiners in the marking process, Bennett - only the final draft is read. Certainly, students should be strongly encouraged to plan, but where they make their notes and drafts is not important - and so far as I know,...
- There is no specific requirement from the examiners for a name, Sinan, so no marks can be lost or gained on this score.However, a Proposal is usually by someone, isn't it? This can be indicated by phrasing like "I have been asked to suggest..."...
- Hi David: These have been very helpful. I'm relatively new to English B. Are you planning on producing more of these in the near future? Student writing and marked examiner comments are samples my students crave. --Thank you for this wonderful...
- Hello, I have a question about where students should put their plans. Should they fill up part of a separate answer booklet with the plan, and the use a different answer booklet for the final writing task? Or can they put their plan at the...
- I have a question about PROPOSAL as a text type:Are students require to sign a name (at the beginning or in the end) of the proposal?
- Thank you a lot, David!
- Greetings, Guldana. In principle, I can see this as a valid project. I don't know the show, but I can imagine that the approach is fine. However, stress to the student that she has to establish the "societal expectations" objectively with clear...
- Hi David! One of my EE students` research question is "How does the tv show “Fleabag” created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge depict and subvert gender roles and female identity?" (Category: 2b). According to her outline, she wants...
- You have put your finger on the problem, Jana, in saying that the No.3 project results in a descriptive rather than discursive essay. I can imagine long lists of phrases and terms, but can't really see an issue to be discussed. The student...
- Thank you so much for your invaluable insights, David. In response to your no.3: I think he wants to look at sports journalism and provide an analysis of how sports idioms are used, and how sports journalism contributes to the spread of such...
- Thank you so much for your invaluable insights, David. In response to your no.3: I think he wants to look at sports journalism and provide an analysis of how sports idioms are used, and how sports journalism contributes to the spread of such...
- Some comments, Jana -1. I'm not sure this could be handled appropriately. For one thing, if the evidence provided were to be a few interviews, this would be scattered and anecdotal, and it would be hard to draw any general conclusions. For...
- Dear Davidthis is my first year supervising EE in English B and I wondered if you could have a look at the topics below that have been suggested by one of my students whose primary interests are in sports (basketball in particular) and business....
- Thanks a lot. I don't know them well since I do not teach them. I need to talk to their teachers.
- I can only say that I agree, Andrew. The pauses are excessive - and anyway, in listening comprehension, the answer is really only evident at the moment that the target words are spoken: thinking about alternative answers afterwards is likely...
- Hello David,There is an abundance of time in the listening that is silent - especially considering the complexity of the questions - which although rigorous at times, are usually short and straightforward: 5 minutes of reading time then 4 minutes...
- Some comments, Zhadyra...1. I don't know the albums, but I presume there is relevant material in the lyrics? In principle, this would fit into Cat.2B - but the student would have to research objective data about social inequality in order to...
- Hello David, My students would like to work on the following RQs1 How does Kendrick Lamar reveal the issue of social inequality in the USA of the 21st century in his music albums “good kid, m.A.A.d city”, “To pimp a butterfly”...
- Thank you David, as always! Yes, you are right, the extra minutes at the end wouldn't affect the marking. I will aim to improve my time keeping for next year going forward!
- No, Katie - excessive length of an interview has no effect at all on the marking. Yes, examiners are instructed to simply stop listening at the 15 minute mark, but the student's general level of performance will be perfectly clear at that point,...
- Hi David,I have noticed when grading my orals that in one case the timing is off (my fault) with one being as long as 19mins. How strict are the IB with it and could this affect the student's grades? I read that officially the moderators will...
- Yes, I think she could definitely take that approach, and it certainly makes sense to me. Thank you for your reply - it has helped me make sense of it in my head so that I can guide her. Have a good long weekend, if you are having one!
- Yes, Joyce, I believe that this would be acceptable - allow 'head' as equivalent to 'heads' which is more grammatically correct. The principle informing such decisions is that grammar should not influence the mark unless an error blurs the...
- The RQ seems sensibly limited and focused, Ceridwen, and it should fit well into Cat.2B. My concern would be not so much that it would be 'historical' but rather that it might be too simply factual - which is perhaps another way of saying the...
- Hi David,This might have been addressed before regarding not penalizing grammatical errors, so is it safe to say that students leaving out the "s" for plurals would be acceptable (e.g. "shaving their head" instead of "heads"? or would...
- Hi David. Thank you so much for your advice!
- Dear David, I would really appreciate your opinion on the following research question: To what extent does the movie "Killers of the Flower Moon" accurately portray the systematic murder of the Osage Natives in Oklahoma in the 1920's?" ...
- Good, Leonid - it seems that things have worked out well.
- Both of these RQs seem quite sound, Jyotika.1. Marriage in Pride and Prejudice ... this is a good, focused subject, suitable for Cat.3, and should carry out the prime aim of a Cat.3 essay, which is to 'illuminate' the work. You should, of course,...
- Thank you, David! The students voted on 'The Time Machine. You were correct regarding the date. I checked the Year Planner and saw that the IA (IO) was in late January of Year 2. This gives me a lot more time to work with.
- Hi David,Thank you for all your invaluable comments and support provided here. It has been of tremendous help. I would greatly appreciate your feedback on the topics and research questions that my students want to investigate further in their...
- Thanks, I appreciate the clarification.
- To clarify, James - my response to Nic does not suggest that the three motivations should govern school placement policy - they are simply three suggestions for why students may choose, or try to choose, a course with a lower level of challenge...
- Hi David, I work with Nic and we have been talking about this a bit. Also, I was in a workshop in Barcelona with you around 2016 (so hello again). In the language placement document from the IB (updated 2021), it says that students should be...
- No, Dhiya, there is now no specified penalty for writing too few words, and there is nothing in the marking criteria which refers to underwriting, as such, so marks cannot be deducted on that basis alone. However, if the student writes too...
- The podcast text type is not included in the list of text types that may be set in the exam, Claire. Have a look at the page 'Exam list of text types' (under 'Subject Guide reviewed' > 'Text types'). You will see that this is a shorter list...
- Joe is on holiday, so this is David replying, Kaya. There is no official list of command terms for English B, required for use by paper-setters. However, there is a limited range of the kind of functions that will be used for tasks. This is...
- Dear David, my student had written under 450 words for HL (Paper 1)...around 350 words. The lack of words is reflected in the lackluster execution of at least two tasks. How does this impact her marks? As far as Message is concerned ,...
- Hello David, I'm looking for information about teaching the podcast text type, as it's the only one on the IB 'Mass Media Texts' list that my class hasn't yet covered. Can you please direct me to the correct page on this site, as I don't seem...
- Hi Joseph, Thank you so much for such an informative and helpful resource! Regarding the content point, '(to) discuss the problems,' many of my students 'described' the problems by giving a lot of details of the problems, which did not fit...
- Thanks, David!
- The IB has a general policy about placing students in all Diploma courses, Nic - and this is that courses should be chosen as 'suitably challenging'. However, there is no clear definition about what 'challenging' really means (after all there...
- Hi, David. Can you tell me at what point a (non-native English-speaking) DP student's English is too advanced for English B HL? When should such a student be encouraged to take Language A? What is the IB's policy and, in your experience,...
- The basic meaning of 'conceptual', in Language B terms, Catherine, can be expressed as 'ability to choose the most appropriate text type for the given task, and then handle the rules & conventions of that text type correctly'. You could...
- Well, some general points, Leonid, as guidance for your decision.1. Length, as such, is less important than complexity (of both language and ideas). I would suggest that 'The Time Machine' is the simplest, and that 'Frankenstein' is the most...
- Thank you so very much! This helps a lot!
- Hi David, Thank you again for your feedback last time. I have a few more questions to narrow down the book that we will read with our students. So far, we have "Jurassic Park" by Michael Crichton, Mary Shelley’s "Frankenstein," and "The...
- Could you explain "Demonstration of Conceptual understanding"? What do you mean by conceptual? Thank you.
- I am sorry that you find your self in this situation, Nisar - it's difficult and distasteful.I have searched in MyIB, but have not been able to find anything specific about "candidates' work not being marked". I too recall some statement long...
- Hi David - I have students in my class who have openly expressed homophobic/transphobic views in their written texts and also sexist/racially inappropriate /offensive comments in class discussions - (it is a challenge to make them understand...
- Hello again,I just want to say THANKS again David!!! The qbank is a godsend - not in the least now in the Revision period for DP2. Such a marvelous tool for us teachers, really giving us the time to work on planning lessons and assessing student...
- In theory, Laura, if the essay is to be based on the book series, it could fit into Cat.3 Literature. The problem is: what is the student going to analyse and discuss? The point seems to be to study similarities and differences with ancient...
- Thanks a lot David! I tried clicking on the "+Create quiz" button yesterday, and then it didn't work (or I read it too quickly?) - anyway, today it works./Annika
- Thank you DavidNúria
- Hi David, One of my students would like to work on Percy Jackson and the Olympians (the first book series) and how the mythological characters in the book correspond or differ to those in Greek mythology. I'm not sure if this would work...
- I don't see the references you provide, Andrew - can you refer me to the the right page?
- Just wanted to let you know a technical issue I'm having on this page. When hover over the choices within the "writing" menu (e.g. "teaching writing"), the drop down menu kicks to the far right, off the screen, making the sub selections unreadable....
- I'm sorry you're having these problems, Annika. A couple of suggestions:1. If "your name" doesn't appear, then perhaps you haven't logged in? Check this - your name + student access should then appear.2. The qBank appears at the bottom of the...
- In the T/F + justification questions both the T/F element and the justification have to be correct to the mark, Nuria. There are no half marks.And by the way, note that T/F + justification is not used in the listening comprehension exam.
- Hello David,There's still a problem here. When I click on "Home", "your name" doesn't appear. When I tried this the first time, a week ago or so, I somehow managed to get access to the qbank by clicking on "Student access" - and presto! - there...
- Hello Davidhow are T-F listening or reading exercises where students have to write a justification assessed? is the full mark given if the answer (T/F) is correct but the justification isn't?Thank youNúria
- Ian, Cindy, and Alice, thank you! It's great to hear you and your students have found this helpful. Let's just hope all of our students remember to take time to plan before they write on the day of the exam!
- Indeed, Wietske, an email should have the full normal headings - so they can make up anything they like. Examiners want to see the format; they're not interested in the 'true' details. And remind your students that there should be a 'Subject'...
- Hi,If students have to write an email on their exam, do they have to make up the addresses themselves?
- It's very difficult to predict anything about examiners' choices, Belen - I am sure that they try to include all the text types, on a balanced basis. The only thing I might suggest is that the informal text types (e.g. blog, diary) are slightly...
- But the question relates to xato, which is the sauce put on calcots - and a sauce is made, not grown. The key phrase is " oh, lots more things "
- Hello,I am preparing a document with an overview of all the text types for my students to use. In your opinion, which texts are most and least likely to be included in paper 1? I know nothing is set in stone, but just wanted some feedback from...
- Are you sure about these answers? My students have argued persuasively that 8 (theory) relates to the eating not the growing.
- Thank you so much for this. It's a great way to show a class how to work on planning a text, which is something that it's hard to get students to appreciate the importance of.
- Strange, Daniel - the links work for me. They take you to specific sections of a page called 'Links: Reading in depth'...check that out?
- Hi Joseph,This is a very helpful resource indeed! My students will respond to the same prompt. They are very good at addressing the content points of the question prompt but often overlook the audience and context, which impacts their choice...
- Hi DavidI'm trying to access links for "Summary - following the overall sequence" and "Interpretation - understanding the detailed steps", but the links seem to be broken.
- Yes, this is a bit tricky, William. The key issue is that the question specifically asks for "sources" (plural), which underpins the correct answer 'blogs + social media' - i.e. two things should be mentioned. This will be the examiners' logic...
- Hi David! I just did a paper 2 specimen reading comprehension from the IBO website with my students, and I was hoping you could help me clarify what would be considered as a correct answer, since you have a great deal of experience with English...
- Thank you very much, David. This is very helpful!
- I would have thought that it is perfectly acceptable to treat the Obama text as a documentary source, and not as a literary work, Zofia - and therefore suitable for Cat.2B. The essay's focus should clearly be on the women's issues chosen, and...
- Hi Joseph, thank you. This is a great resource and I am definitely sharing it with my class.
- Dear David, my student wants to write her EE about women's issues in the US basing on Michelle Obama's authobiography. I have a question regarding the category. On the one hand, it could be a 2b, cultural issue approach, but then the artifacts...
- This is indeed an interesting idea, Anna. The central point would be to analyse the way in which modern imaginative creations influence the way in which anglophone culture conceptualises historical realities. The essay would involve analysing...
- Dear David,I looked at some entries of yours regarding Games in EE. I realise that the issue is debatable but a student of mine approached me with an idea that I find quite intriguing: Here is their research question: "To what extent is...
- The link is now fixed, Bennett - thanks for pointing this out.
- The "Obama at Tucson" link is dead.
- Thank you, David!
- Hi Steve,Thanks for the feedback. I’m glad you find it useful and hope your students do, too!
- I don't believe that there is, Zuraihan - at least, I have never heard of any such limit.
- I have not provided definitive 'correct' answers, Wailing, because the purpose of these exercises is for students to think for themselves, and then argue their case. It is most useful for you to listen to students' answers, and then prove them...
- The essential difference is that an opinion column will normally be slightly more formal, and a social media posting less formal. In terms of message, an opinion column will usually be more carefully organised and argued (like a kind of essay);...
- Hello Joseph,This is a great resource. Thank you for posting. You breakdown the writing prompt and how each part relates to net, sieve, spine very clearly. I will show this video to my students. RegardsSteve
- Hi, Is there a maximum number of students that can be registered for student access?
- Hello, is there answers to the Eat, Pray, Love balanced worksheet?
- Hi David,What do you think is the difference between an opinion column and a social media posting/online forum, in terms of format, style/voice and language? Thanks in advance!
- Thanks, this helps.
- There are no marks, James, because I wrote this proposal, as a clear model of how to handle a proposal well. Also, since this task comes from an 'old system' exam paper, there are no alternatives of text types, so Criterion C cannot be marked.You...
- Interesting, Samuel - I had not noticed that. The timings I give at the top of the page are those from the original IB specifications. If they have drifted away from that, it may be for practical reasons - I know from devising my practice exams...
- Yes, will do. Thanks for the advice!
- Hey David, Thanks for your guide. I noticed the last 3 audio files (English B HL) released ('23/22) examination sessions have average times of 5-6 minutes for all 3 audio texts.
- Hi David,Could you give a breakdown of how the student scored in the proposal handout example?James
- So, I suppose, you can consult, see what the students offer, and then either take a vote, or imply make your own choice. You could choose one of the works on the basis of the student suggestions - and impose the other as being suitably challenging?
- I think it's a very good approach to consult with the students about what they want to read, Sally - but that has to be balanced against needs for teaching purposes, as you suggest. The most important is that the work should challenge the students,...
- I didn't mean that to sound negative- clearly more recent books, reflecting more modern history or social issues of today are going to appeal to students more immediately.
- Thank you. I am trying to get my class to research and put a case forward for a variety of books, and so I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised by a Morpurgo! The main issue might be getting an extract that has enough "meat" for the presentation....
- Thanks David. :P
- Well, it's a meaty subject, Biba - but I don't see that the RQ is very well focused on Anglophone culture. I know that the series is set within English, but does it tell us anything specific about anglophone values and society? The "corruptive...
- Hi David! My student is considering the following RQ: How does HBO’s serial Succession portray the corruptive influence of power on individuals, interpersonal relationships and the wider society? Do you think this might be more suitable...
- I haven't read the book, Sally, but from what I can see on Wikipedia, it seems to be a serious work about important issues - so why not? The important thing in choosing literary works is that they should be appropriately challenging for HL...
- One of my students has suggested a Michael Morpurgo book- Private Peaceful. Does anyone have experience of this or similar? Would a book aimed specifically at younger children be appropriate?
- Thanks!
- Thank you so much, highly appreciated !
- Oh dear, Peter - I see your students' argument, and I'm afraid that I agree. Congratulate your students on noticing the error, and I will change the question paper to "...names were removed...". Oops! One of those errors that creep in despite...
- Dear David, thank you for providing us with great practice materials. A question:My DP students did the Listenings in Exam 3 with me today and in Text B 11-14 they do not understand, why C is true. They say names were not CHANGED, they were...
- Hi David,Thank you for getting back to me so quickly and for your feedback. I agree that ?In what ways' would be more precise . I am not sure how he intends to measure 'the extent involved'. I will be meeting him lunchtime tomorrow and can...
- Basically, this is a sound enough RQ for Cat.3, Mary - it is clearly focused on the central feature of the two stories. However, I wonder if it is focused precisely enough. The simple answer to the question "to what extent..." must be 'quite...
- Good morning. I have a question re EE in English B category 3. Could the following work?'To what extent do Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' and Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' explore the complexities of human nature through the...
- Thank you David
- No, Grzegorz, that rule no longer applies. All the text types approved for examination can be set at either level, SL or HL. See the page 'Exam list of text types' under 'Subject Guide overview'.
- Hello David! If I may ask one thing concerning exam levels. Does ESSAY appear only in Paper 1 SL?
- I'm afraid I can't do anything about this, James, but we'll see what might be arranged.
- Good afternoon David, My school bought the May 2023 English B past papers. Frustratingly, Text C of HL Paper 1 Reading gas been removed for copyright. How can I get this text?
- Good point, Daniel - thank you for reminding me. I'll get onto it.
- Hi David - any plans to review the May 2023 subject report? Curious to know your thoughts.
- In selecting extracts, Curtis, you need to think of 'key points' in the narrative. This means points in the text where we learn something significant - e.g about the protagonist...about a twist in the plot...about a development of one of the...
- I will be giving the IO to my 30 English B students in March. Any suggestions about what text extracts would be good to choose? The students have read both "the curious Incident of the dog in the nightime" and "The Joy Luck Club". This is my...
- So far as I know, Konomi, graphic novels would be considered as works of literature (if unconventional), and so this would be Cat.3. Remember that the expectation is that it will be an essay of Literary Criticism - is this RQ suitable for that?...
- Hi David!I have a student that wants to make the following research for her EE: "To what extent symbolysm in Maus by Art Spilgeman portrays the lifestyle during World War 2?" Is this category 2 or 3 for English B considering that is a graphic...
- David, THANK YOU!!!! honestly thank you for your feedback!!! We will re-tweek a few areas to lean more towards the anglophone culture. I can't thank you enough for your reassurance. This is purely my mistake and I take full responsibility....
- Don't worry, Coralie, I don't think panic is necessary! The way that the RQ is phrased places the emphasis on English and its influence, and the use of Russian appears to be more as evidence / illustration. Accordingly, I believe that this...
- Thank you David, which now leads me into a total state of panic with my current 12th Grade student who has just finished his English B EE with me. I totally misunderstood the English B EE requirements, as I was under the impression, with the...
- I'm afraid, Coralie, that this will definitely not do for English B. From what you say, this would principally involve how anglicisms are affecting French. This would perhaps be appropriate for a French B EE, but is not appropriate for English...
- Hi David,Having a conversation with my EE student in English B. He would like to look at the anglicisms used by the French from France which is changing the French language amongst its youth. We are just brainstorming for now, so this is just...
- Thank you very much.
- Well, James, I do note some of the problems you mention in the penultimate of the review - but I honestly think that the overall quality of ideas, materials and approach make the book valuable.
- Unfortunately, the book is riddled with printing and editing problems! Whoever proofread it did a horrible job as they have missed error after error. For this reason, I would not recommend it to anyone!
- There are two reasons why - (i) in the relevant sentence, there is no mention at all of the practicality i.e. 'whether it will work / can be done'; but rather (ii) the emphasis is on the consequences of online regulation, i.e. not the means...
- My students were asking about Q.3 and why the quote was "he is not certain that greater online regulation is part of the answer", rather than "Concerned about the implications for free speech". The focus of the statement seems to be his rejection...
- I know of no IB ruling about the use or not of ellipsis, Nelson. The important thing is that the extract should be clear to the students, and that they should be able to comment sensibly about what is contained in the selection you make. If...
- I don't know the book, Alexandra, so I can't really judge. The IB specifies nothing about the degree of 'complexity' of a literary work, so I suggest that you use your own judgement. 'Simple language' does not necessarily mean 'simple ideas'...
- Hello, David. Hope you are fine. Q. Can I ellipse an extract to have about 30 words and then ellipse to about 70 words down to continue with the extracts so it looks like this: jdflakjd flajdf lajdf alkjdf alkd jfa.....lkadflajdf lakjdfladjal....
- Hi David,Would you accept Looking for Alibrandi for a Literature study? Perhpas, the language is a bit too simple. Thank you for your help,Alexandra
- This all sounds methodical and well organised, Katie - the approach sounds practical and promising.I wonder about introducing the 'edges of the Barbie world' element - how is this to be integrated with the main project of analysing the past...
- This seems like a promising approach, Katie. It is certainly true that the choice of how a story is told, and by whom, is a vital element in effective narration. The contrast between first person narration (unreliable?) and third person narration...
- Hello again David,As we break for the CNY holiday, this student is now considering focusing on Barbie and women's identity in relation to education and employment. She is planning to choose approximately 6 Barbie doll (jobs) and focus on the...
- Hi again David,My student is now thinking to focus on a comparison of the narrative style in the two Agatha Christie novels and how the narrative drives the plot and builds suspense. (One is written in first person and one in third person)....
- You were absolutely correct, Dorina, to direct the student towards focusing on English culture - that has to be the main point of a Cat.2B EE in English B.I haven't actually seen the film, so can't comment on the kind of arguments that the...
- Hi David,I am writing to ask for your feedback on the research question that a student of mine worked on for her EE, for category 2B. The question is the following:To what extent does the film Harry Potter and The Order of Phoenix reflect...
- Excellent, thanks!
- No, Bennett, there isn't any reason why you can't have a visible timer - and it seems like a good idea for both you, and for the students (provided that they don't get intimidated or paranoid about the timing?)
- Hi again! Is there any reason why there can't be a timer visible to both me and the student during the exam? Apologies in advance if this has been asked and answered elsewhere.
- Understood, thank you both.