Why Essay Precision Matters in IB English A
In IB English A: Language & Literature, strong essay writing demonstrates your ability to interpret, analyze, and evaluate how language creates meaning. Whether it’s Paper 1 (unseen commentary), Paper 2 (comparative essay), or the Higher Level Essay (HLE), your writing is assessed against the same core principles: clarity, structure, and insight.
Unfortunately, many students lose marks not because they lack understanding, but because of avoidable writing mistakes. Recognizing and correcting these errors can elevate an average essay to a Level 7.
1. Writing a Summary Instead of an Analysis
The Mistake:
Students retell what happens in the text instead of analyzing how it creates meaning.
Example of Summary:
“The author describes a storm happening outside the house.”
Example of Analysis:
“The storm symbolizes internal emotional conflict, with chaotic imagery mirroring the narrator’s psychological state.”
IB Tip:
Examiners reward interpretation — focus on why the author made specific choices, not what they wrote.
2. Ignoring the Essay Question or Prompt
The Mistake:
Writing a brilliant essay that doesn’t directly answer the prompt.
Example:
If the Paper 2 question asks about social expectations, don’t just discuss character development — link every idea to how societal norms influence identity or freedom.
IB Tip:
Underline keywords in the question and refer back to them in every paragraph. Your thesis and topic sentences should echo the question’s language.
3. Weak or Vague Thesis Statements
The Mistake:
Starting without a clear central argument. A weak thesis leads to scattered analysis.
Example of Weak Thesis:
“The author uses imagery and tone to show emotions.”
Example of Strong Thesis:
“Through contrasting imagery and shifting tone, the author reveals how emotional repression leads to self-destruction.”
IB Tip:
Your thesis should express what the author does, how, and why — this drives every paragraph in your essay.
4. Overusing Quotations Without Analysis
The Mistake:
Stuffing essays with long quotations instead of interpreting short, meaningful evidence.
IB Tip:
Use micro-analysis. Choose two to five words that carry connotation, tone, or imagery — then unpack them deeply.
Example:
“The word ‘decay’ connotes moral collapse, suggesting the corruption of human values.”
Examiners value quality over quantity when it comes to evidence.
5. Poor Paragraph Structure (No PEEL)
The Mistake:
Jumping between ideas or mixing multiple points in one paragraph.
Solution:
Use the PEEL method:
- Point: Main argument
- Evidence: Short quotation or example
- Explanation: How it creates meaning
- Link: Connect to thesis or next idea
IB Tip:
Each paragraph should analyze one technique or theme thoroughly. Clarity and control matter more than volume.
6. Ignoring Context and Audience
The Mistake:
Analyzing language in isolation, without acknowledging the world around the text.
Example:
Instead of just saying “the poem uses religious imagery,” link it to context:
“This religious imagery reflects post-war disillusionment, revealing the poet’s search for moral stability.”
IB Tip:
Even in Paper 1, where context is unseen, infer cultural or historical background from tone and diction.
7. Using Informal or Repetitive Language
The Mistake:
Phrases like “the author wants to show,” “this makes the reader feel,” or “in conclusion” weaken sophistication.
Better Alternatives:
- “The repetition reinforces…”
- “This connotes…”
- “This structural choice invites the reader to reconsider…”
IB Tip:
Maintain formal, academic tone throughout — precise and objective, not conversational.
8. Failing to Link Analysis to the Global Issue (for IOs and HLEs)
The Mistake:
Describing a global issue without showing how language constructs it.
IB Tip:
Always connect technique → meaning → issue.
Example:
“Through fragmented syntax and silenced female voices, the author exposes gendered oppression — a reflection of the text’s global issue of identity and control.”
9. Weak Conclusions
The Mistake:
Repeating the introduction or ending abruptly.
Better Approach:
- Reaffirm your thesis.
- Summarize your key insights.
- End with a reflection on the text’s broader significance.
Example:
“Ultimately, both writers expose how language both liberates and limits, demonstrating its power to define human identity across cultures.”
10. Not Managing Time Effectively
The Mistake:
Spending too long on one paragraph and rushing the rest.
IB Tip:
- Plan for 10–15 minutes before writing.
- Allocate time evenly: introduction (10%), body (80%), conclusion (10%).
- Leave 5 minutes to proofread.
Why Avoiding These Mistakes Boosts IB Scores
Each of these errors affects a key IB criterion:
- Criterion A (Understanding): Ignoring the question or context.
- Criterion B (Analysis): Summarizing instead of evaluating.
- Criterion C (Structure): Weak organization or thesis.
- Criterion D (Language): Informal or unclear phrasing.
Fixing these areas ensures clarity, depth, and examiner confidence — traits of top-tier IB essays.
Through RevisionDojo’s IB English Language & Literature course, students can access annotated essay samples, thesis-building guides, and examiner-marked commentaries that model how to avoid these pitfalls and write with precision.
FAQs
What are the most common IB English essay mistakes?
Summarizing instead of analyzing, ignoring context, and using weak thesis statements.
How can I improve essay structure?
Use the PEEL method and ensure each paragraph supports your central argument.
Why is analysis more important than description?
Because IB assesses how language constructs meaning — interpretation, not storytelling.
