Notes for Paper 1 (writing) format and timing - IB | RevisionDojo
Paper 1 (writing) format and timing Notes
IB English B Paper 1: How to Survive (and Win)
What Paper 1 Actually Is
Paper 1 is your chance to show off your writing superpowers.
You’ll get three prompts (each linked to a different theme), and you pick one to write about. But it’s not just “write whatever you want.” You need to:
Stick to the required text type (article, blog, report, speech, diary, email, review, etc.)
Aim for the correct word count
Match the context, purpose, and audience
The Five Prescribed Themes
All tasks come from one of these:
Identities
Cultural identity, health, personal values
Experiences
Travel, hobbies, milestones
Human Ingenuity
Technology, art, creativity
Social Organization
School, community, politics
Sharing the Planet
Environment, human rights, conflict
Translation: no random topics. Everything links back to these big IB-approved ideas.
Format and Timing
SL (Standard Level)
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Length: 250–400 words
Task: 1 question from 3 options
Weighting: 25% of final grade
Marks: 30 total
HL (Higher Level)
Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Length: 450–600 words
Task: 1 question from 3 options
Weighting: 25% of final grade
Marks: 30 total
Note
Difference: HL = more words, more complex language, and higher-order thinking (analysis, evaluation, synthesis).
How to Time Your Paper 1
Step 1: Read & Choose (5–10 minutes)
Read all three prompts carefully.
Pick the one that connects most with your ideas AND the text type you’re confident with.
Brainstorm a quick plan: purpose, audience, structure.
Step 2: Plan (10 minutes)
Jot down key points and examples.
Note text type conventions (e.g. blog = title + subheadings + personal tone).
Step 3: Write (40–50 minutes SL | 60 minutes HL)
Follow your plan.
Use paragraphs with clear structure.
Show variety in language (connectives, idioms, grammar structures).
Step 4: Edit & Polish (5–10 minutes)
Check conventions: Did you actually write a report, or did it turn into an essay?
Fix grammar, spelling, punctuation.
Trim if you’re over the word limit.
Add detail if you’re under.
Note
Rule of thumb: Better to be slightly over than way under.
What Examiners Look For
Can you communicate clearly in different contexts?
Do you use language that fits the task, audience, and purpose?
Do you develop your ideas with examples and detail?
Are you using the right text type conventions?
Common Mistake
Your factual knowledge of the themes isn’t tested.
You won’t lose marks if you don’t know everything about “sharing the planet.”
What matters is how you use language to express ideas.
End of article
Flashcards
Remember key concepts with flashcards
16 flashcards
What is the time limit for SL Paper 1?
Lesson
Recap your knowledge with an interactive lesson
5 minute activity
Unlock the rest of this chapter with aFreeaccount
Nice try, unfortunately this paywall isn't as easy to bypass as you think. Want to help devleop the site? Join the team at https://revisiondojo.com/join-us. exercitation voluptate cillum ullamco excepteur sint officia do tempor Lorem irure minim Lorem elit id voluptate reprehenderit voluptate laboris in nostrud qui non Lorem nostrud laborum culpa sit occaecat reprehenderit
Definition
Paywall
(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.
anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Note
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.
Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident
Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit.
Tip
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.
Note
Introduction to IB English B Paper 1
Paper 1 is a writing assessment where you choose one prompt from three options, each linked to a different theme.
You must follow the required text type, word count, and context, purpose, and audience.
The task is designed to test your ability to communicate effectively in different contexts.
AnalogyThink of Paper 1 as a cooking competition where you must follow a specific recipe (text type) but can choose your own ingredients (content) from a given theme.
DefinitionText TypeThe specific format or style of writing required for the task, such as an article, blog, report, speech, diary, email, or review.
ExampleFor example, if the prompt asks for a blog post about technology, you should use a conversational tone, include a catchy title, and write in paragraphs.
