Key Idea: Your HL essay starts from your own line of inquiry: a focused, arguable question about how the writer makes choices. It must be narrow enough to answer in depth in 1,200–1,500 words.
| Question type | What happens |
|---|---|
| A topic ('the theme of love') | Invites a list, not an argument |
| A yes/no question | Nothing to argue |
| 'How does the writer...?' | Focuses on choices and gives you a claim to prove |
Check your question
- Is it about the writer's CHOICES, not just content?
- Is there a real claim to argue?
- Is it about one aspect you can treat in depth?
Ask 'how', keep it arguable and keep it narrow.
What word should your question usually start with? 'How', for example 'How does the author...?'
Why avoid a yes/no question? It leaves no argument to develop.
Why is 'the theme of love' weak? It leads to a list of observations.
How much should one question cover? One aspect, deep enough for about 1,500 words.