IB1 Language and Literature SL/HL 2022 KN

WA 2

Write an essay (800-1000 words) where you answer the following question:

Compare and contrast the ways Hemingway has presented characters that feel lost in the two
short stories “Soldier’s Home” and “Cat in the Rain”.

Your essay should have 5 paragraphs including introduction and conclusion. Your analytical
paragraphs should use the PIE-structure, i.e. you should have text examples with references to
support your points, and you should include at least three literary terms.

Here are some “linkers” (: transitional words and phrases) that may help you to compare and
contrast

Comparison
similarly, likewise, whereas, but, on the other
hand, except, by comparison, when compared to,
equally, in the same way, along the same lines
Contrast
but, however, yet, still, even though, nevertheless, on the
other hand, otherwise, after all, for all of that, on the
contrary, notwithstanding, in contrast, unlike, whereas,
instead of, alternatively, although

Cause and effect Addition Example Elaboration Summary Conclusion

because, so, and, also, even, for example, Actually, by in brief, on the In conclusion,
accordingly, thus, again, moreover, such as, for extension, in whole, in sum, in short,
consequently, further, instance, in this other words, that to sum up, therefore,
hence, therefore, furthermore, case, in another is, ultimately thus, to consequently,
as similarly, in case, on this summarise hence, as a
addition, as well occasion, in this result, thus
as situation, in this
manner, to
illustrate

Guideline for introduction and conclusion:

Introduction:
Address the question clearly and indicate the direction your analysis and interpretation will take.
You can do this by briefly introducing the main idea of your analysis and interpretation in a way
that catches the reader’s attention.

Conclusion:
Your conclusion must come back to the question.
Look back at the main idea of your points and the examples argued in the essay and give a
conclusion based on what you have said: this should be a direct answer to the question.
A good conclusion summarises the main points of the essay and leaves the reader with a sense of
closure.
IB1 Language and Literature SL/HL 2022 KN
WA 2

Examples of paper 2 introductions and conclusions:

Introductions:

In both The Reader by Bernhard Schlink, published in 1995, and The God of Small Things by
Arundhati Roy, published in 1997, weakness and strength are represented through the power
dynamics between the characters in both works. The significance of the relationship between
weakness and strength is explored through themes such as silence, love, and betrayal. Schlink and
Roy use different ways of portraying power dynamics. In The Reader this is revealed through the
struggle between those Germans who were involved in WWII and 2nd generation Germans, the
children of those who participated in the Nazi regime. By contrast, it is the rigidity of the Indian
caste system explored in The God of Small Things that enriches the understanding of the power
dynamics within Indian society. Roy’s use of motifs and symbols allows readers to see the shift of
power within characters.

Both novels, Never Let Me Go and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close are characterised by their
protagonists and the way in which they include the reader on a quest driven by curiosity. Oskar,
the protagonist in Jonathan Safran Foer’s Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close comes to terms
with the death of his father, who he lost in the 9/11-attacks, through searching for a lock to match
the key he found going through his father’s closet. This quest, which finds its roots in Oskar’s deep
desire to hold on to whatever is left of his father’s presence, takes the reader through all five
boroughs of New York, where the novel is largely set. Kathy, the protagonist in Kazuo Ishiguro’s
Never Let Me Go, slowly unravels the meaning of her fate, which is to give up her vital organs and
die at a relatively young age, as part of a state-authorised donorship program. Whilst Oskar’s
personality is one of questioning everything, Kathy, although observant, is willfully ignorant.
Although the two protagonists differ in their approach to the unknown, not knowing is a crucial
concept in each work and often depicts pivotal turns in the plot. The authors of both novels use
ambiguity in their themes, style, and tone to the effect of leaving the protagonist, as well as the
reader, in the dark.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, both authors demonstrate the weakness and strength amongst characters within
both The Reader and The God of Small Things due to the shifting power dynamics. The themes of
silence, love and betrayal show the changing of power dynamics best as they seem to cause
characters to make harsh discoveries or make decisions that have such tough consequences.

In conclusion, Safran Foer uses style, structure, and tone to develop the theme of communication
and develop ambiguity in readers. Ishiguro uses the frame of reference he created for his
dystopian novel, to create a pervasively ambiguous tone throughout his novel. Although in both
works, ambiguity can be explained in the context, the question of whether the characters are
better off ‘knowing’ or ‘not knowing’ is largely left to the reader to decide.
IB1 Language and Literature SL/HL 2022 KN
WA 2

5-paragraph structure/essay grid:

Introduction:

- Address the question clearly and indicate

the direction your analysis and
interpretation will take. You can do this by
briefly introducing the main idea of your
analysis and interpretation in a way that
catches the reader’s attention.

See examples for inspiration

Analytical paragraph 1

- Topic sentence that tells your reader what

the main idea of the paragraph is.
- PIE-structure (point, illustration,
explanation)  you can have more than
one PIE in each paragraph.
- A concluding sentence that ties the ideas
of the paragraph together.

Remember linkers

Analytical paragraph 2

- Topic sentence that tells your reader what

the main idea of the paragraph is.
- PIE-structure (point, illustration,
explanation)  you can have more than
one PIE in each paragraph.
- A concluding sentence that ties the ideas
of the paragraph together.

Remember linkers

Analytical paragraph 3

- Topic sentence that tells your reader what

the main idea of the paragraph is.
- PIE-structure (point, illustration,
explanation)  you can have more than
IB1 Language and Literature SL/HL 2022 KN
WA 2

one PIE in each paragraph.

- A concluding sentence that ties the ideas
of the paragraph together.

Remember linkers

Conclusion:

- Your conclusion must come back to the

question. Look back at the main idea of
your points and the examples argued in
the essay and give a conclusion based on
what you have said: this should be a direct
answer to the question.
- A good conclusion summarises the main
points of the essay and leaves the reader
with a sense of closure.

See examples for inspiration