Building notesIB says: 10 bullet points max. My brain says: let’s make a mural.Why it mattersBuilding notes is not just about jotting random points. Notes are your safety net in the IO: they keep you on track, help you structure your ideas, and prevent you from panicking or going blank. Since you can’t bring in pre-written speeches or scripts, the 10 bullet points (SL) or preparation notes (HL) are your only support. Good notes strike a balance: enough detail to guide you, but not so much that you end up reading instead of speaking naturally.Step-by-step approach 1. Make a theme mapWrite the prescribed theme (e.g., Identities).Branch out to related subtopics (e.g., multiculturalism, personal values).Link the extract/stimulus to one of these subtopics.ExampleTheme = Social organization → Subtopic: education → Stimulus of a classroom → Link: “How schooling reflects inequality.”2. Build a quote/feature bank (HL only)Choose 2–3 short quotes or stylistic features that stand out.Next to each, jot a quick note on what it shows (characterization, theme, cultural message).ExampleQuote: “She felt the walls closing in.” → metaphor for social pressure.Feature: Shift from past to present tense → urgency of situation.3. Connect to cultural/global issuesThink: How does this link beyond the text?Examples: stereotypes in media, gender inequality, technology in everyday life.Write one bullet linking to a real-world issue.ExampleStimulus shows overcrowded transport → connect to theme of urbanisation and sustainability.4. Prioritize clarity over detailLimit yourself to 8–10 bullets.Use short phrases, arrows, or symbols (→ cause, ⇄ contrast). Avoid full sentences so you stay spontaneous when speaking.ExampleInstead of writing: “The text shows how advertising manipulates young people into buying unnecessary products.”Write: Ads manipulate youth → consumerism, pressure.TipIf you’re tempted to write a sentence, shorten it until it’s just 4–5 words max.Final 10-bullet note examplesExampleSL (visual stimulus: poster about recycling)Theme: Sharing the planet → environmental responsibilityImage: slogan “Recycle today, save tomorrow”Color green → symbol of nature, renewalMy opinion: not enough awareness in my cityCompare: strict recycling in Germany vs weak rules in Hong KongGlobal issue: waste management & climate changeCultural values: individual vs community responsibilityPersonal connection: school recycling project failed → why?Future outlook: education campaigns could helpKey message: every action countsExampleHL (literary extract: from Persepolis)Extract: Marjane describes wearing the veil at schoolTheme: Identities → conflict between tradition & modernityQuote: “This is how I learned to be ashamed of my body” → repressionStylistic feature: child narrator voice ⇄ adult themes → ironyCultural link: Iranian Revolution shaped daily lifeGlobal issue: control over women’s bodies in many societiesContrast: freedom in Europe vs restrictions in IranMy opinion: resilience shown through humor in textBroader theme: political decisions shaping identitiesConclusion: literature helps us understand lived experiences of oppressionExam techniqueLess is more: aim for prompts, not paragraphs.Think structure: intro → main points → conclusion should be visible in your notes.Practice under exam rules: write only 10 bullets in 15 or 20 minutes so you don’t get used to over-preparing.Make it personal: include at least one bullet linking to your own opinion or experience.Anticipate examiner questions: add one bullet that can spark discussion later.