Writing a high-achieving Paper 1 commentary is one of the most important skills for IB English A Literature students. Paper 1 tests your ability to read an unfamiliar text, identify literary features, and analyze how the writer shapes meaning. The strongest commentaries are confident, well-structured, and rooted in close reading rather than summary. With the right approach, you can transform your observations into a clear argument that demonstrates understanding, technique awareness, and insight.

Why Paper 1 Matters

Paper 1 is designed to assess your ability to think critically under pressure. You are given an unseen text and must produce a well-organized commentary that explains how the writer uses language, structure, and style to create meaning. Because you cannot rely on memorized content, Paper 1 rewards genuine analytical skill. Mastering it strengthens your reading ability, your essay structure, and your overall command of literary interpretation.

Quick Start Checklist

• Read the text slowly and mark key techniques.
• Identify the writer’s purpose and tone early.
• Form an argument that connects techniques to meaning.
• Organize your commentary clearly with focused paragraphs.
• Support each claim with precise textual evidence.

Step 1: The First Read — Understanding the Text

Begin by reading the passage closely. Your goal is not to understand every detail immediately, but to get a sense of the mood, tone, and central ideas. As you read, pinpoint moments of emotional intensity, unusual imagery, or shifts in perspective. These early impressions help you shape your main argument later. Resist the urge to underline everything; instead, focus on what feels deliberate, surprising, or meaningful.

Step 2: Identify the Author’s Main Techniques

Paper 1 is fundamentally about analyzing authorial choices. Look for techniques across different layers:

• Language choices such as diction, imagery, symbolism
• Structural features like shifts in time, paragraphing, or contrasts
• Stylistic elements such as tone, rhythm, or narrative voice

Your commentary should show examiners that you see how these techniques work together. Aim for a balance: do not overwhelm the essay with every device you notice, but select the ones that best support your argument.

Step 3: Create a Clear Thesis

A top-scoring commentary needs a strong central claim. Your thesis should answer: What is the writer doing, and how do they achieve it? For example, instead of writing that the text “creates emotion,” explain which emotions are created and how the writer uses specific methods to shape them. Your thesis should guide the structure of your essay, giving your commentary direction and focus.

Step 4: Build Analytical Paragraphs

Each paragraph should center on one main idea supported by evidence. Start with a topic sentence, then introduce a quotation or detail, and follow with analysis that explains the effect of the technique. Commentary should always go deeper than identifying features—it must explain why those features matter. Avoid retelling the story; focus instead on how the writer crafts meaning through stylistic choices.

Step 5: Maintain Coherence and Flow

Paper 1 commentaries must read smoothly. Use transitions to connect ideas and ensure your paragraphs develop logically. Avoid jumping from technique to technique without explaining their connections. A commentary with coherent flow demonstrates control and helps examiners follow your argument clearly.

Step 6: Conclude with Purpose

A good conclusion does not repeat your introduction. Instead, briefly reinforce how the writer’s choices shape the overall impact of the text. Revisit the themes, emotions, or tensions you explored in your commentary and summarize how your analysis supports the thesis. A concise, thoughtful conclusion leaves a strong final impression.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a thesis for Paper 1?

Yes. A thesis provides direction and shows examiners that you understand the text’s central purpose. Without one, commentary easily becomes fragmented.

Should I include context in Paper 1?

Only if the text explicitly signals it. Paper 1 is primarily a close reading exercise, so focus on the passage itself.

How do I avoid summarizing?

Focus on explaining how the writer achieves meaning. Replace plot statements with observations about technique, tone, and intention.

Conclusion

Writing a top-scoring IB English A Literature Paper 1 commentary requires close reading, structured thinking, and clear explanation of authorial choices. When you build your argument around precise evidence and insightful analysis, you produce a commentary that demonstrates both skill and confidence. With regular practice and a strong method, Paper 1 becomes an opportunity to showcase your analytical strengths.