Paper 2 is a comparative essay where IB candidates illustrate and elaborate on similarities and differences between two plays (for schools that have picked drama as their “focus” in IB English). This is generally a very difficult exam because of the candidate has to choose one prompt from a huge list of prompts, and write [...Read more...]
English SL/HL
A commentary is an essay in which you discuss the effects an author has created in a poem or prose passage. The keys to writing good commentaries are clear organization, understanding of literary techniques, and the ability to explain how the author uses these techniques to affect the reader. There is no such thing as [...Read more...]
TPCASTT is an acronym for stages of a poetry analysis. Title – Ponder the title before reading the poem. Paraphrase – Translate the poem into your own words. Connotation – Explore how the poem creates meaning that goes beyond the literal. Attitude – Observe both the speaker’s and the poet’s attitudes. Shifts – Note shifts [...Read more...]
My Letters! is a classic sonnet written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. This timeless sonnet was studied in IB English, and my group created a presentation detailing our thoughts and analysis about it to help our fellow students revise for their IB English exams. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the analysis and interpretation; this will [...Read more...]
Jul 292010
![Oedipus: The Tragic Hero Readers' Theatre Script [English notes/humour]](http://intensecogitation.info/wp-content/uploads/thumb-cache/c057d7e4bfa84c75462427a73557b329-336fce75afbdb4653a4562bec208b14a-200x141-6-nocrop.png)
This script is horrible at literary analysis, so it’s mostly for comedic relief. This is what happens when you do English literary analysis in your first year of IB. Before you read any further, here is the background information on the qualities of an Aristotelian tragic hero. Characters Brandele = Jocasta (Jock-a-sta), aka Jock Breeann [...Read more...]
![Qualities of an Aristotelian Tragic Hero [English notes]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/Oedipus_slaying_the_sphinx.jpg/466px-Oedipus_slaying_the_sphinx.jpg)
Qualities of an Aristotelian Tragic Hero The tragic hero is a character of noble stature and has greatness. Must ALSO embody nobility and virtue as part of his/her innate character. Though the tragic hero is pre-eminently great, he/she is not perfect. Otherwise, the rest of us–mere mortals–would be unable to identify with the tragic hero. [...Read more...]
Intense Cogitation relies on your donations! Donate today, whether it be $1 or $5... you choose!
The Study of English Literature, Part Three: Progression
Billy is currently authoring a series on “The Study of English Literature”. Part 1 of the series, called “Finding a meaning”, can be found here. Part 2 of the series, titled “Positives and Negatives”, can be accessed on this page. If you were marking passage commentaries, which of the following would you think was the [...Read more...]