Why Quotation Mastery Matters in IB English A
In IB English A: Language & Literature, your ability to integrate evidence effectively separates a good essay from a great one. Whether in Paper 1, Paper 2, the Higher Level Essay (HLE), or Individual Oral (IO), you must support your arguments with well-chosen examples — either as direct quotations or paraphrased analysis.
IB examiners consistently note that students who use quotations precisely and interpretively achieve higher marks under Criterion B (Analysis and Evaluation) and Criterion D (Language).
Understanding the Difference Between Quoting and Paraphrasing
Direct Quotation
A direct quote uses the author’s exact words to illustrate a point or highlight a stylistic technique.
- Use quotation marks to indicate the author’s wording.
- Keep quotes short — ideally fewer than 8–10 words.
- Integrate them smoothly into your sentence.
Example:
The repetition of “I remember” conveys nostalgia and regret, as the speaker reconstructs the past through fragmented memory.
IB Tip: Avoid block quotations — they disrupt flow and waste time. Instead, embed quotes naturally into your analysis.
Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing means rephrasing the author’s ideas in your own words while retaining the original meaning.
