Paper 1: Comparative textual analysis
Duration: 2 hours
Weighting: 25%
Paper 1 contains two pairs of previously unseen texts for comparative analysis. The pairing could include two non-literary texts or one literary and one non-literary text. There will never be two literary texts in a pair. Each pair will be linked in such a way that invites investigation of similarities and differences. Students are instructed to compare and analyse one of the pairs of texts, including comments on the similarities and differences between the texts, the significance of any possible contexts, audience and purpose, and the use of linguistic and literary devices.
A pair may include complete pieces of writing or extracts from longer pieces, or a combination of these. The provenance of all texts will be clearly indicated. One of the two pairs may include one visual text. This could be an image with or without written text. The texts for analysis are not necessarily related to specific parts of the syllabus. The links between texts will be varied and could include theme, genre features or narrative stance. Different text types are included, for example:
Students are required to analyse, compare and comment on the texts in the light of their understanding of audience and purpose. In order to achieve this, students need to analyse structure, language and style in addition to aspects such as text type, context, bias and/or ideological position.
The comparative analysis should be continuous and structured, include relevant examples from the texts and be balanced in its comments on the similarities and differences between the texts. Rather than simply listing formal aspects, students should focus on how such aspects are used to create particular effects.
The paper is assessed according to the assessment criteria published in the Rubrics tab under HL Paper One.
Duration: 2 hours
Weighting: 25%
Paper 1 contains two pairs of previously unseen texts for comparative analysis. The pairing could include two non-literary texts or one literary and one non-literary text. There will never be two literary texts in a pair. Each pair will be linked in such a way that invites investigation of similarities and differences. Students are instructed to compare and analyse one of the pairs of texts, including comments on the similarities and differences between the texts, the significance of any possible contexts, audience and purpose, and the use of linguistic and literary devices.
A pair may include complete pieces of writing or extracts from longer pieces, or a combination of these. The provenance of all texts will be clearly indicated. One of the two pairs may include one visual text. This could be an image with or without written text. The texts for analysis are not necessarily related to specific parts of the syllabus. The links between texts will be varied and could include theme, genre features or narrative stance. Different text types are included, for example:
- advertisement
- opinion column
- extract from an essay
- electronic text (such as social networking sites, blogs)
- brochure (such as a public information leaflet)
- extract from a memoir, diary or other autobiographical text
- poem
- extract from a screenplay
- extract from a novel or short story
- press photograph
- satirical cartoon
Students are required to analyse, compare and comment on the texts in the light of their understanding of audience and purpose. In order to achieve this, students need to analyse structure, language and style in addition to aspects such as text type, context, bias and/or ideological position.
The comparative analysis should be continuous and structured, include relevant examples from the texts and be balanced in its comments on the similarities and differences between the texts. Rather than simply listing formal aspects, students should focus on how such aspects are used to create particular effects.
The paper is assessed according to the assessment criteria published in the Rubrics tab under HL Paper One.