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NotesEnglish A: Lang & LitTopic 4.2Planning the comparative essay
Back to English A: Lang & Lit Topics
4.2.23 min read

Planning the comparative essay

IB English A: Language and Literature · Unit 4

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Contents

  1. 1What it is
  2. 2Try it yourself
The gist: Plan Paper 2 by shared point, not by work: list 3–4 comparative points that prove your thesis, and for each jot how BOTH works treat it. That grid is your essay.

The plan is where you guarantee a comparison instead of two reviews.

Make a quick two-column grid: down the side, your 3–4 comparative points; across, Work A and Work B. Fill each cell with how that work handles the point. Each ROW becomes one woven paragraph. If a row has a cell empty, that point isn't truly comparative — cut it or rethink it.

The comparative plan

1

Start from the thesis

Your comparative thesis decides which points you need.

2

Points down, works across

3–4 shared points as rows; Work A and Work B as columns.

3

Fill every cell

For each point, note how BOTH works treat it — no empty cells.

4

One row = one paragraph

Each row is a paragraph comparing both works on that point.

The key move: Plan a grid of shared points × both works; each row (a point covering both works) becomes one comparative paragraph. Empty cell = not comparative.

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Why it matters in the exam: A by-point plan is what forces genuine comparison (Criteria A and B) and C (organisation). Planning by WORK instead produces the classic two-mini-essay failure; planning by POINT guarantees every paragraph compares.
IB-style questionCompare[6 marks]

Plan a comparative essay for the thesis: ‘Both works present the city as isolating, but whereas one blames the city, the other blames the self.’

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Watch out: If you catch yourself planning ‘Paragraph 1: Work A. Paragraph 2: Work B’, STOP — that's two essays. Plan rows of shared points, each covering both works.

IB Exam Questions on Planning the comparative essay

Practice with IB-style questions filtered to Topic 4.2.2. Get instant AI feedback on every answer.

Practice Topic 4.2.2 QuestionsBrowse All English A: Lang & Lit Topics

How Planning the comparative essay Appears in IB Exams

Examiners use specific command terms when asking about this topic. Here's what to expect:

  • Define

    Give the precise meaning of key terms related to Planning the comparative essay.

    AO1
  • Describe

    Give a detailed account of processes or features in Planning the comparative essay.

    AO2
  • Explain

    Give reasons WHY — cause and effect within Planning the comparative essay.

    AO3
  • Evaluate

    Weigh strengths AND limitations of approaches in Planning the comparative essay.

    AO3
  • Discuss

    Present arguments FOR and AGAINST with a balanced conclusion.

    AO3

See the full IB Command Terms guide

Related English A: Lang & Lit Topics

Continue learning with these related topics from the same unit:

4.1.1Understanding Paper 24.1.2Comparative thinking4.2.1The comparative thesis4.3.1Comparative paragraph structure
View all English A: Lang & Lit topics
Improve your exam techniqueCommand terms, paper structure, and mark-scheme tips for English A: Lang & Lit
Previous4.2.1The comparative thesisNextComparative paragraph structure4.3.1

4 questions to test your understanding

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