English A L&L · Lesson 3 of 6 · Paper 2

Building the comparative argument: authorial choices (B1) and comparison (B2)

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In Paper 2, Criterion B carries 10 of the 25 marks—40% of the entire paper—and is split equally between analysing authorial choices (B1, 5 marks) and comparative analysis (B2, 5 marks). To reach a 7, you must weave your analysis of how both writers build meaning directly into a sustained comparison that makes each work clearer because it stands beside the other.

By the end you’ll be able to

Construct a comparative thesis that answers the question for both works and names the main similarity or difference.
Organize the essay so that comparison runs through every paragraph, using an integrated point-by-point structure or clearly linked sections.
Analyse and evaluate both small-scale features and broader authorial choices in both works (criterion B1), judging quality rather than counting techniques.

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Core ideas (continued)
Worked examples
Exam technique
Common mistakes
Quick recap
Check your understanding (3 questions)

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What the exam asks

Paper 2 gives you 1 hour 45 minutes to answer one of four general, conceptual questions using two literary works you have studied, without the texts in front of you. The IB task instructs you to “compare and/or contrast” the two works in response to your chosen question.

Three of the five Paper 2 scores judge how you build your argument (the other two are A for knowledge and interpretation, and D for language):

Criterion B1: Analysis and evaluation of textual features and/or authorial choices (5 marks). How convincingly you explain how the writers’ choices shape meaning, and judge how well they work (which the IB calls evaluation).
Criterion B2: Comparative analysis (5 marks). How far your analysis of similarities and/or differences deepens your reading of both works.
Criterion C: Focus and organization (5 marks). How logically your argument develops, how well you stay focused on the question, and how evenly you balance the two works.

Core ideas

1. The comparative thesis

A top-band essay starts with a thesis statement that answers the exact question for both works and names the main similarity or difference between them, including why they agree or differ.

Use this three-part formula:

Shared ground: What both works do in response to the question.
Divergence (or deeper convergence): How their methods, forms or perspectives differ (or align in distinct ways).
Significance: What this reveals about the writers’ overarching purposes.

2. Structuring for Criterion B2 and Criterion C

Examiners reward essays where comparison happens continuously, not just in the introduction and conclusion. Never write half an essay on Work A and then half on Work B.

Structure type	How it works	Why it scores well on B2 and C
Integrated point-by-point	Each body paragraph focuses on one conceptual idea, analysing both Work A and Work B inside the same paragraph.	Forces immediate comparison and guarantees balanced treatment.
Alternating linked pairs	Paragraph 1A analyses an idea in Work A; Paragraph 1B analyses the corresponding idea in Work B while constantly looking back at 1A.	Gives space to unpack complex choices while keeping comparison active.