Structuring Your Points Notes

Structuring Your Points Plan: IB English Paper 2

1. Look, Paper 2 isn’t just about showing off what you know. It’s about answering the question clearly, efficiently, and in a way that makes sense to the examiner. That’s why having a structured plan before you start writing is non-negotiable.
2. Here's the logic:
   1. It keeps your essay from becoming a word soup.
      1. You don’t want to be halfway through paragraph three and realise you're just repeating yourself. A plan keeps your ideas clean and avoids waffle.
   2. It forces you to compare properly.
      1. Examiners hate it when you forget about one text or treat it like a footnote. Planning your points side by side makes sure you're giving both texts proper attention.
   3. It stops you from drifting off-topic.
      1. You’ve seen people do this: great analysis, zero connection to the actual question. A strong plan keeps your argument laser-focused.
   4. It makes your writing sound smarter.
      1. Let’s be real, a well-structured essay just feels more impressive.
      2. Transitions are smoother, the argument builds logically, and you come across like you know exactly what you’re doing.
   5. It saves time and stress.
      1. Ten minutes of planning now means fewer panic-edits later.
      2. Trust me, trying to fix a messy essay under time pressure is a nightmare.

3. A good structure is the cheat code to sounding polished, staying on track, and scoring high, even if you’re under pressure. It’s not about writing more, it’s about writing smarter.

Advanced Structure: Integrated Comparative Analysis

1. This approach weaves comparison throughout the essay.
2. Within each point (paragraph):
   1. Point:
      1. Start with a focused topic sentence that states the main idea or thematic concern you’re comparing (e.g. emotional collapse, power dynamics, gender roles).
      2. This should link directly to your thesis and guiding question.