Higher Level Essay - 10 Common Mistakes

Summary

In this educational video, Andrew and Dave from 'The IB English Guys' offer valuable guidance on writing a higher-level essay for IB English students. They discuss 10 common mistakes to avoid, emphasizing the importance of a clear research question, a well-crafted thesis statement, and an engaging introduction. They also advise on avoiding limited scopes, long and rambling paragraphs, poor use of references, word count issues, and careless mistakes. Additionally, they suggest including an appendix for supplementary material to enhance the essay. The presenters aim to help students improve their writing skills and succeed in their IB English assessments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Have a clear research question or title to avoid a poor first impression.
• 📝 Ensure a well-worded and precise thesis statement to guide your essay.
• 🤝 Craft an engaging and informative introduction to make a strong first impression on the examiner.
• 📚 Maintain a broad scope in your essay, covering a range of texts or works rather than focusing on a single piece.
• 📑 Organize your essay with clear and concise body paragraphs, avoiding long and rambling sections.
• 📘 Use references effectively by interspersing quotes throughout the text, avoiding lengthy quotations that waste word count.
• ✍️ Pay attention to word count, aiming for close to 1500 words to demonstrate thoroughness in your work.
• 🧐 Include strong topic sentences in your paragraphs that reflect your line of inquiry and literary or linguistic focus.
• 🚫 Avoid careless mistakes and poor formatting; proofread your work and ensure correct citations and references.
• 📎 Consider adding an appendix for additional material that enhances your essay, such as poems or transcripts of video ads.

Q & A

What is the first common mistake to avoid when writing a higher level IB English essay?

The first common mistake to avoid is having an unclear research question or title. It's important to be very clear and focused in your title and research question to avoid giving a poor first impression.

Why is it important to have a well-worded thesis statement in a higher level essay?

A well-worded thesis statement is crucial because it sets the tone for the entire essay. It should be precise, focused, and analytical, reflecting the line of inquiry and the essential components of the broader literary or linguistic perspective.

What role does the introduction play in a higher level essay?

The introduction serves as the 'handshake' with the examiner. It should be engaging and informative, providing a clear overview of the text and a strong thesis statement to make a good first impression.

Why should students avoid a limited or narrow scope in their higher level essays?

A limited or narrow scope can be problematic because it doesn't allow students to show command of an entire body of work, which is expected in a 1500-word essay. Students should consider multiple texts to connect and support their argument.

What is the issue with long and rambling body paragraphs in an essay?

Long and rambling paragraphs can make an essay difficult to follow and understand. It's important to have clear topic sentences and well-organized paragraphs to ensure the essay is coherent and easy to read.

How should students use references in their higher level essays?

Students should use references effectively by interspersing quotes throughout the text. Long quotations that take up multiple lines are not recommended as they waste word count and space, and should be avoided.

What are the implications of not adhering to the word count in a higher level essay?

Not adhering to the word count can negatively impact the essay. Going over the word count is not allowed, and having a very low word count can suggest that the student could have more to say, which might indicate insufficient effort or depth of analysis.

Why is it important to have clear topic sentences in the paragraphs of a higher level essay?

Clear topic sentences are important because they remind the reader of the essay's line of inquiry and the broad literary or linguistic focus. They help to structure the argument and keep the essay focused and coherent.

What are some common issues to avoid in terms of formatting and proofreading an essay?

Students should avoid careless mistakes and poor formatting. This includes ensuring proper proofreading to catch errors, using a clear font and spacing, and adhering to correct citation and reference formats as guided by the teacher.

Why might an appendix be beneficial in a higher level essay?

An appendix can be beneficial as it provides a place for additional material that enhances the text. For example, including poems or transcripts of video ads with screenshots can make the essay more accessible and meaningful for the reader.

What is the overarching advice given by the IB English guys for writing a higher level essay?

The overarching advice is to make the essay easier on the reader by considering who will be reading the work and ensuring it is accessible, well-organized, and meaningful. This approach not only applies to literature but is also a valuable life skill.