IB English B Paper 1: How to Survive (and Win)

What Paper 1 Actually Is

1. Paper 1 is your chance to show off your writing superpowers.
2. 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:
   1. Stick to the required text type (article, blog, report, speech, diary, email, review, etc.)
   2. Aim for the correct word count
   3. Match the context, purpose, and audience

The Five Prescribed Themes

1. All tasks come from one of these:
   1. Identities
      1. Cultural identity, health, personal values
   2. Experiences
      1. Travel, hobbies, milestones
   3. Human Ingenuity
      1. Technology, art, creativity
   4. Social Organization
      1. School, community, politics
   5. Sharing the Planet
      1. Environment, human rights, conflict

2. Translation: no random topics. Everything links back to these big IB-approved ideas.

Format and Timing

SL (Standard Level)

1. Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
2. Length: 250–400 words
3. Task: 1 question from 3 options
4. Weighting: 25% of final grade
5. Marks: 30 total

HL (Higher Level)

1. Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
2. Length: 450–600 words
3. Task: 1 question from 3 options
4. Weighting: 25% of final grade
5. Marks: 30 total

How to Time Your Paper 1

Step 1: Read & Choose (5–10 minutes)

1. Read all three prompts carefully.
2. Pick the one that connects most with your ideas AND the text type you’re confident with.
3. Brainstorm a quick plan: purpose, audience, structure.

Step 2: Plan (10 minutes)

1. Jot down key points and examples.
2. Note text type conventions (e.g. blog = title + subheadings + personal tone).

Step 3: Write (40–50 minutes SL | 60 minutes HL)

1. Follow your plan.
2. Use paragraphs with clear structure.
3. Show variety in language (connectives, idioms, grammar structures).

Step 4: Edit & Polish (5–10 minutes)

1. Check conventions: Did you actually write a report, or did it turn into an essay?
2. Fix grammar, spelling, punctuation.
3. Trim if you’re over the word limit.
4. Add detail if you’re under.

What Examiners Look For

1. Can you communicate clearly in different contexts?
2. Do you use language that fits the task, audience, and purpose?
3. Do you develop your ideas with examples and detail?
4. Are you using the right text type conventions?