IB English A: Individual Oral UPDATE 2024 - GLOBAL ISSUE STATEMENTS

Summary

This video features two IB English teachers discussing the importance of crafting a strong global issue statement for the IB Individual Oral (IO). They emphasize that the global issue is central to the IO, advising students to create statements with depth, embedded arguments, and cause-effect relationships. They caution against overly complex phrasing and recommend using repeatable phrases for coherence. The teachers review several student examples, offering critiques and tips for refining global issue statements to help students achieve higher scores.

Takeaways

• 😀 The global issue statement is a crucial part of the Individual Oral (IO) for IB English, serving as its backbone.
• 🔍 The global issue must be deep, significant, and something the student cares about, showing thought and insight.
• 📝 The global issue statement should include an embedded argument, focusing not just on a topic but making a clear statement or argument about it.
• 🌍 A cause and effect relationship within the global issue is important, linking causes to their effects in a meaningful way.
• 🤔 The global issue should be complex enough to provoke thought, but not convoluted, ensuring clarity and avoiding confusion.
• 📜 It's important to draft and rewrite the global issue statement to ensure it is clear and concise without unnecessary complexity.
• 🔁 A repeatable phrase should be included, something that ties the IO together and can be referenced throughout the presentation for coherence.
• 📊 Students should avoid simply repeating points, but make sure the IO remains cohesive from start to finish.
• 📚 The authors' perspectives and choices in the respective texts should be a key focus when discussing the global issue.
• 💡 Real student examples were shared to demonstrate well-crafted global issue statements, showing clarity, embedded arguments, and repeatable phrases.

Q & A

Why is the global issue statement considered the backbone of the Individual Oral (IO)?

The global issue statement is the backbone of the IO because it is the key element that examiners focus on, and it sets the framework for the discussion of the texts and their connections to global issues.

What should a strong global issue statement include?

A strong global issue statement should have depth, an embedded argument, and a cause-and-effect relationship. It should also be complex but not convoluted, and include a repeatable phrase to maintain coherence throughout the IO.

What is meant by an 'embedded argument' in the global issue statement?

An embedded argument refers to making a clear statement or argument about the global issue, rather than simply stating the topic. It involves presenting a specific viewpoint or insight related to the issue being discussed.

Why is it important to avoid convoluted global issue statements?

Convoluted global issue statements can confuse the listener or examiner, leading to a lack of clarity. A concise, focused statement helps maintain clarity and ensures the argument is communicated effectively.

What is the role of a 'repeatable phrase' in the IO?

A repeatable phrase is important for maintaining coherence and focus throughout the IO. It acts as a central reference point that ties the analysis and argument together without unnecessary repetition.

How can a cause-and-effect relationship enhance the global issue statement?

A cause-and-effect relationship adds depth to the global issue by exploring the underlying reasons for the issue and its consequences. This helps in forming a more comprehensive argument.

What is an example of a global issue statement related to class divide?

An example is: 'Generational poverty and the severe class divide force the poor to repeatedly face uncontrollable hardship.' This statement reflects the cyclical nature of poverty and its connection to social class.

Why is it important to have a global issue that is insightful and interesting to the student?

Having an insightful and interesting global issue motivates the student to engage more deeply with the topic, leading to a more compelling and thoughtful IO. It also allows the student to present a unique perspective.

What advice do the speakers give for crafting a strong global issue statement?

The speakers advise focusing on depth, ensuring the issue is meaningful, crafting a clear embedded argument, considering cause-and-effect relationships, avoiding overly complicated statements, and using repeatable phrases.

Can you provide an example of a global issue statement related to gender inequality?

An example is: 'As a result of gender inequality, women are perceived through a binary lens where they are seen as either good or bad regardless of context and culture.' This statement explores how societal views on gender can oversimplify and misrepresent women.