IBDP English A – Paper 2 Comparative Essay

Overview

Introduction to Paper 2

The IBDP English A Paper 2 is a comparative essay that tests your ability to analyze and compare works of literature. This paper is crucial as it accounts for 25% of your final grade. You will be required to compare at least two of the works you have studied in your course, addressing a specific question from the exam.

Structure of Paper 2

A well-structured Paper 2 essay includes the following sections:

1. Introduction:
   • Contextualization: Briefly introduce the texts and their authors.
   • Thesis Statement: Clearly state your argument or main point of comparison.
   • Outline: Provide a roadmap of your essay, mentioning the key points you will discuss.
2. Body Paragraphs:
   • Point-by-Point or Block Method: Use either a point-by-point structure (discussing one aspect of both works in each paragraph) or a block structure (discussing all relevant aspects of one work before moving to the other).
   • Topic Sentences: Begin each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea.
   • Evidence and Analysis: Use quotes and examples from the texts to support your points. Analyze how these examples support your thesis.
   • Linking: Connect your analysis back to the thesis and to the other work being compared.
3. Conclusion:
   • Summary: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis in a new way.
   • Significance: Explain the significance of your comparison and the insights gained from it.

Key Features of Paper 2

1. Comparative Focus:
   • Highlight similarities and differences between the texts in relation to the question.
   • Consider themes, characters, settings, stylistic features, and narrative techniques.
2. Critical Analysis:
   • Go beyond surface-level comparisons and delve into deeper literary analysis.
   • Discuss the authors’ intentions and the effects of their choices on the reader.
3. Use of Literary Terminology:
   • Employ appropriate literary terms and concepts to enhance your analysis.
4. Balance:
   • Ensure that you give equal attention to both works being compared.
   • Avoid favoring one text over the other unless the question specifically asks for it.

Preparation Tips

1. Understand the Texts:
   • Have a thorough understanding of the works you plan to compare.
   • Make notes on key themes, characters, and stylistic features.
2. Practice Comparative Analysis:
   • Regularly practice writing comparative essays using past paper questions.
   • Compare different aspects of the texts to become comfortable with various angles of analysis.
3. Plan Your Essays:
   • Spend time planning your essay before you start writing.
   • Create detailed outlines to organize your thoughts and ensure a coherent structure.
4. Review Feedback:
   • Review feedback from your teachers and peers to identify areas for improvement.
   • Focus on enhancing the clarity and depth of your analysis.

By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you can develop the skills needed to excel in your IBDP English A Paper 2 comparative essay.

Now! Let’s have a look at a Sample!

Line of Inquiry: The Plight of the Poor in two literary works you have studied.

Sample Response

The theme of the plight of the poor is a significant concern in literature, serving as a vehicle for social critique and a call for reform. In this essay, we will examine how this theme is portrayed in Charles Dickens’ novel Hard Times and William Blake’s poem “London”. Both works, though different in form and historical context, powerfully depict the suffering and dehumanization of the impoverished. Through their use of setting, characterization, and stylistic devices, Dickens and Blake highlight the systemic injustices faced by the poor and evoke a sense of urgency for change.

Setting and Context

Both Hard Times and “London” are deeply rooted in their settings, which play a crucial role in conveying the plight of the poor. In Hard Times, Dickens sets his novel in the fictional industrial town of Coketown, a stand-in for the many real-life industrial cities of Victorian England. The town is described in grim detail, with its “interminable serpents of smoke” and “a dense formless fog” symbolizing the suffocating conditions faced by its inhabitants. This industrial setting underscores the dehumanizing effects of industrialization, where the relentless pursuit of profit comes at the expense of human welfare.

In contrast, Blake’s “London” is set in the heart of the city during the late 18th century. The poem paints a bleak picture of urban life, where “chartered streets” and “chartered Thames” signify the oppressive control and commodification of public spaces. The setting of London, with its “marks of weakness, marks of woe,” reflects the widespread despair and suffering of its residents. Through his depiction of the city, Blake criticizes the socio-economic structures that perpetuate poverty and inequality.

Characterization in both works serves to humanize the abstract concept of poverty, making the suffering of the poor more tangible and relatable. In Hard Times, Dickens uses characters like Stephen Blackpool and Sissy Jupe to illustrate the harsh realities of working-class life. Stephen, a factory worker, is depicted as a dignified and morally upright individual despite his impoverished circumstances. His struggles with unjust labor practices and personal hardships highlight the systemic exploitation of the working class. Sissy Jupe, on the other hand, represents the innocence and humanity that persist despite the dehumanizing environment of Coketown. Her compassion and empathy stand in stark contrast to the cold, utilitarian philosophy of characters like Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby.

Blake’s “London” employs a different approach to characterization, using a series of symbolic figures to represent the city’s suffering inhabitants. The “chimney-sweeper’s cry,” the “hapless soldier’s sigh,” and the “youthful harlot’s curse” each embody different aspects of urban poverty and social injustice. These figures are not fully developed characters but rather poignant images that collectively convey the widespread and multifaceted nature of poverty in London. Through these images, Blake emphasizes the inescapable cycle of misery and oppression that engulfs the city’s poor.

Both Dickens and Blake employ various stylistic devices to enhance their portrayal of poverty and its effects. Dickens’ Hard Times is characterized by its vivid descriptions and satirical tone. His use of irony and exaggeration exposes the hypocrisy and moral bankruptcy of the industrial capitalist society. For instance, Mr. Bounderby’s exaggerated self-promotion as a self-made man is undercut by the revelation of his true origins, highlighting the false narratives used to justify social inequality. Dickens also uses symbolism extensively, with Coketown itself serving as a powerful symbol of industrial dehumanization.

Blake’s “London” is rich in imagery and symbolism, with each stanza offering a snapshot of urban despair. The poem’s regular rhyme scheme and rhythmic meter contribute to its haunting and oppressive atmosphere. Blake’s use of repetition, particularly the phrase “in every,” underscores the ubiquity of suffering and the pervasive nature of social control. The poem’s stark, simple language and vivid imagery make its critique of societal structures both accessible and powerful.

The themes of both works converge on a critique of the socio-economic systems that perpetuate poverty and dehumanization. In Hard Times, Dickens criticizes the utilitarian philosophy that reduces individuals to mere cogs in the industrial machine. Through characters like Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby, he exposes the moral and emotional bankruptcy of a society that prioritizes economic efficiency over human welfare. The novel ultimately advocates for a more compassionate and humane approach to social and economic issues.

Blake’s “London” offers a more radical critique of the socio-political structures that sustain poverty and oppression. The poem condemns the various institutions—government, church, and industry—that contribute to the suffering of the poor. Blake’s depiction of “mind-forged manacles” suggests that the true chains of oppression are not just physical but also psychological, imposed by a society that normalizes inequality and injustice. His vision is one of systemic change, calling for a fundamental rethinking of the values and structures that govern society.

In conclusion, both Charles Dickens’ Hard Times and William Blake’s “London” offer powerful critiques of the plight of the poor, using their respective settings, characters, and stylistic devices to highlight the dehumanizing effects of poverty. While Dickens advocates for compassion and reform within the existing system, Blake calls for a more radical transformation of societal values and structures. Together, these works underscore the enduring relevance of literature as a tool for social critique and a call to action against injustice. By bringing the suffering of the poor to the forefront, Dickens and Blake challenge their readers to confront the harsh realities of their time and to strive for a more just and humane society.

How Did I Prepare: Detailed Notes

1. Understanding the Task: To start, I familiarized myself with the requirements of the IBDP English A Paper 2 comparative essay. I reviewed the format and expectations, which involve comparing two literary works in response to a given prompt, focusing on themes, characters, settings, and stylistic features. The chosen question for this essay was “How is the plight of the poor used in a poem and a novel you studied?” This prompted me to identify the key terms: “plight of the poor,” “poem,” and “novel.”
2. Selecting the Texts: I chose appropriate works to analyze: Charles Dickens’ novel Hard Times and William Blake’s poem “London.” Both works provide rich depictions of poverty and social critique. I selected Hard Times for its exploration of industrial poverty and utilitarianism in Victorian England. For the poem, “London” by William Blake was a perfect fit due to its vivid imagery and strong social commentary on urban poverty and systemic oppression.
3. Deep Dive into the Texts: I conducted in-depth reading and note-taking for both texts. For Hard Times, I focused on passages that depict the working-class struggle, such as descriptions of Coketown and the characters of Stephen Blackpool and Sissy Jupe. I noted Dickens’ use of setting, symbolism, and characterization to highlight the dehumanizing effects of industrialization. For “London,” I analyzed the poem line by line, paying close attention to Blake’s use of imagery, symbolism, and repetition. I identified key figures like the “chimney-sweeper,” the “soldier,” and the “harlot” to understand how Blake represents different aspects of poverty. These figures symbolized the multifaceted nature of urban poverty and social injustice.
4. Comparative Analysis: Next, I identified points of comparison between the two works. I compared their settings, with Hard Times featuring the industrial town of Coketown, symbolizing dehumanization, and “London” portraying the city as a site of pervasive despair and systemic control. I analyzed the characterization in both works, focusing on how Dickens and Blake use their characters to humanize the abstract concept of poverty. In terms of stylistic devices, I examined Dickens’ use of satire, irony, and vivid descriptions, and Blake’s use of imagery, repetition, and rhyme scheme. Both authors employ these devices to enhance their portrayal of poverty and its effects. I also compared the themes and social critique in both works, noting that while Dickens advocates for compassion and reform within the existing system, Blake calls for a more radical transformation of societal values and structures.
5. Structuring the Essay: I planned the essay carefully, starting with a strong introduction that briefly introduces the two works and their authors, states the thesis, and outlines the main points of comparison. I structured the body paragraphs to compare the settings, characterization, stylistic devices, and themes/social critique of both works. In the first body paragraph, I discussed how Coketown and London serve as backdrops that highlight the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and urbanization. In the second paragraph, I analyzed how Dickens and Blake use their characters to humanize the abstract concept of poverty. The third paragraph examined the use of imagery, symbolism, and other literary devices, while the fourth discussed how both authors use their works to criticize socio-economic systems and advocate for change. The conclusion summarized the main points, restated the thesis, and highlighted the significance of the comparative analysis.
6. Writing and Refining: I wrote the essay following the structured plan, ensuring each paragraph had a clear topic sentence, evidence from the texts, and analysis linking back to the thesis. I integrated quotes and examples from both works to support my points. After drafting the essay, I reviewed it for clarity, coherence, and conciseness. I checked for grammatical errors and ensured proper citation of quotes. I refined the analysis to deepen the connections between the two works.
7. Final Touches: Finally, I sought feedback from teachers and peers to identify areas for improvement. Based on their feedback, I made necessary revisions to enhance the essay’s overall quality. By following these detailed steps, I prepared a comprehensive and well-structured comparative essay that thoroughly examines the theme of the plight of the poor in Charles Dickens’ Hard Times and William Blake’s “London”. This methodical approach ensured that I covered all key features and adhered to the IBDP English A Paper 2 format and organization.

 

Writing a comparative essay for IBDP English A Paper 2 involves several steps and considerations to ensure that you effectively compare and contrast the chosen texts while addressing the assessment criteria. Here’s a guide on how to approach this task:

Steps to Write a Comparative Essay:

1. Understand the Prompt: Carefully read and analyze the essay prompt or question. Identify the key themes, issues, or literary features you need to compare across the texts.
2. Choose Your Focus: Decide on the themes, literary devices, characters, or settings that are most relevant to the prompt. Ensure that these aspects are present in both texts and offer enough material for comparison.
3. Write the Introduction: Introduce both texts with a brief overview, including the authors and publication dates. State your thesis, outlining the main points of comparison and the overall argument you will make.
4. Write the Body Paragraphs: Organize your essay either thematically (by themes, symbols, etc.) or by text (discussing one text and then the other). In each paragraph, compare and contrast specific elements of the texts. Use evidence (quotes, references) to support your analysis. Analyze how these elements contribute to the overall meaning or themes of the texts.
5. Write the Conclusion: Summarize your main points of comparison. Restate your thesis in light of the analysis you have provided. Offer any final insights or implications of your comparison.
6. Develop Your Argument: Go beyond surface-level comparison. Discuss the significance of the similarities and differences. How do they relate to the broader themes or contexts of the texts? Consider the author’s purpose, audience, and the historical or cultural context of each text.
7. Use Comparative Language: Use linking words and phrases to compare (similarly, likewise) and contrast (however, on the other hand) the texts effectively. Ensure that your comparison flows logically and that each paragraph clearly links to your thesis.
8. Revise and Edit: After writing your first draft, review it for clarity, coherence, and focus. Check that you have balanced your discussion of both texts and that you haven’t favored one text over the other. Ensure that your language is formal, precise, and appropriate for literary analysis.

What to Include:

• Textual Evidence: Use relevant quotes and examples from both texts to support your points.
• Thematic Analysis: Focus on the themes and how they are explored in each text.
• Literary Devices: Discuss how literary techniques (imagery, symbolism, narrative style) are used in both texts and their impact.
• Contextual Information: Consider the historical, cultural, or biographical context if it enhances your analysis.
• Balanced Comparison: Ensure both texts are given equal attention in your essay.

What to Avoid:

• Plot Summary: Avoid summarizing the plot of the texts. Focus on analysis and comparison instead.
• Overly General Statements: Be specific in your comparisons and provide detailed evidence.
• Imbalance: Don’t spend too much time on one text at the expense of the other. Both texts should be analyzed with equal depth.
• Repetition: Avoid repeating the same points without adding new insights.
• Ignoring the Prompt: Stay focused on the essay question and ensure all your comparisons are relevant to it.

That’s the end of Comparative Essay.