The Paper 2 Monster

Preparing for the IB English Paper 2 exam can seem a bit like a complicated mess, because... it is!

I mean, where do we begin? We have to know about our texts, understand specific aspects about our texts (but which aspects?), know how to compare and contrast texts... The list goes on.

That's why this course exists: An antidote to all the madness that is IB English Paper 2.

A practical guide

This course simplifies the process and gives you practical advice to improve your Paper 2 skills right away.

We simplify Paper 2 preparation into three logical steps:

  1. Understanding EXACTLY what you need to know about your texts to achieve a 7
  2. Understanding EXACTLY how to plan, brainstorm and structure your Paper 2 essay to achieve a 7
  3. Understanding EXACTLY how to write the essay: introduction, comparative analysis, and conclusion

Is this course for me?

We created this course for someone who...

  • Studies IB English Literature or Language/Literature

  • Wants to learn the proven approach to preparing for and writing Paper 2 essays

  • Is stressed or confused about IB English Paper 2

  • Hasn't received useful, concrete steps from your teacher

  • Is short on time and can't afford to waste it on long, drawn-out textbooks

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome to the Course!

    2. Join the private study group to get feedback

    1. There are Levels to It

    2. Rules & Guidelines

    3. Level 1 Missions

    4. Level 2 Missions

    5. Level 3 Missions

    6. Level 4 Missions

    7. Reaching the Summit

    8. Quick Summary

    1. Essay Structure

    2. Planning & Brainstorm Strategy

    3. What is a Strong Thesis?

    1. Write a Great Introduction

    2. How to Write Comparative Analysis: Part 1

    3. How to Write Comparative Analysis: Part 2

    4. How to Write Comparative Analysis: Part 3

    5. Write a Great Conclusion

    1. Tips 1

    2. Tips 2

    3. 7-level Paper 2 Exemplar

      FREE PREVIEW

About this course

  • 21 lessons

What do I get in this course?

The course has 3 sections

Each section contains written guides.

Part 1: Understanding the text

We talk about four levels of understanding for IB English texts, and then we give you some questions to answer to help you reach each level.

Part 2: How to plan and brainstorm for Paper 2

Planning and brainstorming are the most important parts of Paper 2. Without good ideas from the beginning, no amount of analytical skill will be able to save your essay.

We talk about:

  • a basic and an advanced essay structure
  • how to brainstorm strong ideas
  • how to go from unrelated evidence to a cohesive, sophisticated argument
  • how to craft a strong thesis for Paper 2

Part 3: How to write comparative analysis

You will learn:

  • how to write an effective introduction for Paper 2
  • what is a good vs. bad introduction
  • how to write comparative analysis -- the core part of Paper 2
  • how to write conclusions

The Survival Guide for IB English Paper 2 is a concise course that teaches you the tips and tricks on how to do well in the exam.

How it all started...

It begins in 2016.

Hi, I'm Jackson Huang! I'm an IB 45 graduate from Australia, Class of 2014. I started tutoring IB English immediately after graduation--not by choice, but rather by demand. For some reason, a lot of people needed English tutoring!

After a year of tutoring IB English, and helping 3 of my 10 advanced students achieve an IB 45 in the November 2015 exams, I began to see the common patterns and mistakes that were holding students back. I realised that while tutoring can help, what's much more important is something to systematically fill in students' gaps in knowledge around analytical essay writing--the bread and butter of IB English.

I knew that if the students around me were having problems, there were so many more students struggling around the world in India, Canada, the US, and Asia. And so I set out to create the definitive study roadmap that takes a struggling IB English student to a 7 in minimal time.

Fun fact 1: After the IB, I was accepted to the top US liberal arts colleges: Harvard, Amherst and Williams Colleges for the Class of 2019. I also received Vice-Chancellor scholarships to the University of Melbourne and University of Queensland in Australia.

Fun Fact 2: I scored a 20/20 in IB English Paper 1. I created LitLearn in 2016, and it has since been ranked as the #1 IB English Resource by ibresources.org. LitLearn's IB English Method has helped 400,000+ students, and counting!