IB Paper 2
Introduction Paragraph
"Discuss the significance of setting in two of the works you have studied."
If you chose this question, what would be the first thing you would do with it before writing?
You might (or should!) do the following:
Underline or highlight the key words. What are you being asked to do? Begin to think about what the question is asking you.
Unpack the question
Aim to discuss both texts in a balanced way. Directly answer the question and consider how you will show your understanding of the texts.
Plan your response
This paragraph introduces and signposts your discussion or argument. Keep it simple and direct.
Write your introduction
Introduction = Handshake
1. Hook where you explore the TOPIC of the question2. Brief summary of both works with an eye on the topic3. Definitions or interpretations of any key terms4. Clear thesis statement
Your reader reads hundreds of Paper 2 responses. They may not be an expert on these two works you are discussing. You need to orient the reader and show that you are focused on the question.
Turn and Talk If you could explain your Paper 2 texts to someone who has not read either in 2 sentences each, what are some of the most important pieces of information you would say?
Map out the two texts you wrote about on your practice exam!
Venn Diagram
Text 1
Text 2
Common Themes and/or Traits
The middle section is the most important part. That's where your thesis lives!
Example Introductions
Setting has always been important in literature since the beginning of time. Every book has a setting and it affects the characters. In my IB English class we read two really interesting books.
The first one is The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and it takes place in a dystopian future which is very scary and controlling. It is a really powerful and moving novel that has been made into a TV show. The second book is Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie, which is a modern retelling of Antigone and takes place in London and Pakistan.
In this essay I will discuss how setting is significant in both of these works.
1. Hook where you explore the TOPIC of the question2. Brief summary of both works with an eye on the topic3. Definitions or interpretations of any key terms4. Clear thesis statement
In literature, setting reflects the invisible power structures that affect daily life. When authors place their characters in controlled or political environments, the setting directly changes the story’s meaning.
Kamila Shamsie’s Home Fire moves between modern day London and Karachi to trace how borders and citizenship laws control a British-Pakistani family. It explores relationships and loyalty. Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale restricts its narrator within the Theocratic republic of Gilead, a regime where every rule and physical space reinforces control over women’s bodies.
In both works, setting extends beyond location to include the political structures that govern daily life.
While both Shamsie and Atwood use setting to reveal how political power affects people’s lives, Shamsie emphasizes the violence of borders and citizenship while Atwood focuses on a restricted, more personal world where control is built into everyday life.
In literature, setting reflects the invisible power structures that affect daily life. When authors place their characters in controlled or political environments, the setting directly changes the story’s meaning.
Kamila Shamsie’s Home Fire moves between modern day London and Karachi to trace how borders and citizenship laws control a British-Pakistani family. It explores relationships and loyalty. Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale restricts its narrator within the Theocratic republic of Gilead, a regime where every rule and physical space reinforces control over women’s bodies.
1. Hook where you explore the TOPIC of the question2. Brief summary of both works with an eye on the topic3. Definitions or interpretations of any key terms4. Clear thesis statement
In both works, setting extends beyond location to include the political structures that govern daily life.
While both Shamsie and Atwood use setting to reveal how political power affects people’s lives, Shamsie emphasizes the violence of borders and citizenship while Atwood focuses on a restricted, more personal world where control is built into everyday life.
Introduction Rewrite
Identify your focus for revision. Then, rewrite your introduction!
Hook where you explore the TOPIC of the question
Brief summary of both works with an eye on the topic.
Definitions or interpretations of any key terms
Clear thesis statement
IB Paper 2
Katelin Chao Tharp
Created on April 24, 2026
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Transcript
IB Paper 2
Introduction Paragraph
"Discuss the significance of setting in two of the works you have studied."
If you chose this question, what would be the first thing you would do with it before writing?
You might (or should!) do the following:
Underline or highlight the key words. What are you being asked to do? Begin to think about what the question is asking you.
Unpack the question
Aim to discuss both texts in a balanced way. Directly answer the question and consider how you will show your understanding of the texts.
Plan your response
This paragraph introduces and signposts your discussion or argument. Keep it simple and direct.
Write your introduction
Introduction = Handshake
1. Hook where you explore the TOPIC of the question2. Brief summary of both works with an eye on the topic3. Definitions or interpretations of any key terms4. Clear thesis statement
Your reader reads hundreds of Paper 2 responses. They may not be an expert on these two works you are discussing. You need to orient the reader and show that you are focused on the question.
Turn and Talk If you could explain your Paper 2 texts to someone who has not read either in 2 sentences each, what are some of the most important pieces of information you would say?
Map out the two texts you wrote about on your practice exam!
Venn Diagram
Text 1
Text 2
Common Themes and/or Traits
The middle section is the most important part. That's where your thesis lives!
Example Introductions
Setting has always been important in literature since the beginning of time. Every book has a setting and it affects the characters. In my IB English class we read two really interesting books.
The first one is The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and it takes place in a dystopian future which is very scary and controlling. It is a really powerful and moving novel that has been made into a TV show. The second book is Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie, which is a modern retelling of Antigone and takes place in London and Pakistan.
In this essay I will discuss how setting is significant in both of these works.
1. Hook where you explore the TOPIC of the question2. Brief summary of both works with an eye on the topic3. Definitions or interpretations of any key terms4. Clear thesis statement
In literature, setting reflects the invisible power structures that affect daily life. When authors place their characters in controlled or political environments, the setting directly changes the story’s meaning.
Kamila Shamsie’s Home Fire moves between modern day London and Karachi to trace how borders and citizenship laws control a British-Pakistani family. It explores relationships and loyalty. Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale restricts its narrator within the Theocratic republic of Gilead, a regime where every rule and physical space reinforces control over women’s bodies.
In both works, setting extends beyond location to include the political structures that govern daily life.
While both Shamsie and Atwood use setting to reveal how political power affects people’s lives, Shamsie emphasizes the violence of borders and citizenship while Atwood focuses on a restricted, more personal world where control is built into everyday life.
In literature, setting reflects the invisible power structures that affect daily life. When authors place their characters in controlled or political environments, the setting directly changes the story’s meaning.
Kamila Shamsie’s Home Fire moves between modern day London and Karachi to trace how borders and citizenship laws control a British-Pakistani family. It explores relationships and loyalty. Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale restricts its narrator within the Theocratic republic of Gilead, a regime where every rule and physical space reinforces control over women’s bodies.
1. Hook where you explore the TOPIC of the question2. Brief summary of both works with an eye on the topic3. Definitions or interpretations of any key terms4. Clear thesis statement
In both works, setting extends beyond location to include the political structures that govern daily life.
While both Shamsie and Atwood use setting to reveal how political power affects people’s lives, Shamsie emphasizes the violence of borders and citizenship while Atwood focuses on a restricted, more personal world where control is built into everyday life.
Introduction Rewrite
Identify your focus for revision. Then, rewrite your introduction!
Hook where you explore the TOPIC of the question
Brief summary of both works with an eye on the topic.
Definitions or interpretations of any key terms
Clear thesis statement