IB SL English A Language and Literature Paper 1

Guiding question (Paper 1 Essentials)

A directed prompt provided with each non-literary text in Paper 1 SL that focuses analysis on a specific feature: structure the entire essay around it. EFFECT: Anchors thesis: ensures every body paragraph has clear analytical focus tied to authorial purpose.

Thesis statement (Paper 1 Essentials)

A clear / arguable claim stating how the writer uses textual/structural/stylistic features to achieve a specific purpose for a target audience. EFFECT: Sets up evaluative argument: signals 'insightful interpretation' (Criterion A) for a 5/5.

Topic sentence (Paper 1 Essentials)

Sentence opening each body paragraph that states a sub-argument linking technique → effect → purpose. EFFECT: Demonstrates focus and organisation (Criterion C).

PEEL / TEAL (Paper 1 Essentials)

Point–Evidence–Explanation–Link structure for body paragraphs. EFFECT: Ensures balanced analysis with textual support (Criterion B).

Context of production (Paper 1 Essentials)

Circumstances in which a text was produced (writer / time / place / ideology). EFFECT: Helps explain authorial intent and meaning.

Context of reception (Paper 1 Essentials)

Circumstances in which a text is read/heard / shaping interpretation. EFFECT: Allows discussion of how audience shapes meaning.

Audience (Paper 1 Essentials)

Intended reader/listener of a text: inferred from register / lexis / references. EFFECT: Underpins evaluation of authorial choices.

Purpose (Paper 1 Essentials)

What the text aims to do: inform / persuade / entertain / instruct / satirise / critique / etc. EFFECT: Every technique should be linked back to purpose.

Tone (Paper 1 Essentials)

Attitude implied by style toward subject/audience (e.g. ironic / sombre / didactic). EFFECT: Reveals author's stance: enables nuanced interpretation.

Mood / Atmosphere (Paper 1 Essentials)

The feeling evoked in the reader by setting / diction / imagery. EFFECT: Connects formal features to reader experience.

Register (Paper 1 Essentials)

Level of formality (formal / informal / colloquial / technical) appropriate to context. EFFECT: Indicates audience-text relationship.

Stylistic features (Paper 1 Essentials)

Linguistic and structural choices a writer makes (diction / syntax / imagery / layout). EFFECT: The 'how' of textual analysis.

Textual features (Paper 1 Essentials)

Conventions specific to a text type (headline / byline / caption / stanza). EFFECT: Demonstrates awareness of form (Criterion B).

Advertisement (Text Type)

Persuasive text promoting a product / service or idea using slogan / logo / image / copy / call-to-action. EFFECT: Conventions: AIDA (Attention-Interest-Desire-Action) / pathos / ethos / logos / branding.

Print/Magazine ad (Text Type)

Static visual ad combining headline / body copy / image / slogan / branding/logo. EFFECT: Use semiotic analysis: framing / gaze / colour / typography / layout.

Anti-advertising / Subvertising (Text Type)

Ad that exposes/parodies advertising conventions to critique consumerism. EFFECT: Often ironic: relies on intertextuality with mainstream ads.

Public Service Announcement (PSA) (Text Type)

Non-profit ad promoting social cause using shock / pathos or fear appeals. EFFECT: Often appeal to fear / guilt or empathy.

Newspaper article (Text Type)

Inverted-pyramid news report: headline / byline / lead / body / quotations / neutral register. EFFECT: Check for bias / loaded diction / source selection.

Opinion editorial / Op-ed (Text Type)

Argumentative article expressing author's viewpoint on current issue. EFFECT: Uses rhetoric / anecdote / ethos: first-person stance.

Editorial (Text Type)

Unsigned article expressing the newspaper's institutional view. EFFECT: Authoritative tone: collective 'we'.

Feature article (Text Type)

Long-form journalism with narrative elements / human interest angle. EFFECT: Uses anecdote / descriptive imagery / structured around theme.

Headline (Text Type)

Large-type title summarising and attracting attention. EFFECT: Uses puns / alliteration / ellipsis / loaded diction.

Sub-headline / Strap-line (Text Type)

Secondary heading expanding on the headline. EFFECT: Provides context and angle.

Byline (Text Type)

Line stating author's name and sometimes credentials. EFFECT: Adds ethos/authority.

Lead / Lede (Text Type)

Opening paragraph answering who/what/when/where/why/how. EFFECT: Establishes salience and angle.

Caption (Text Type)

Text accompanying an image / anchoring its meaning. EFFECT: Directs interpretation of visual.

Pull quote (Text Type)

Highlighted excerpt from article reproduced in larger type. EFFECT: Signals key idea: visually breaks up text.

Speech / Oration (Text Type)

Spoken text aimed at live audience using rhetoric. EFFECT: Look for tricolon / anaphora / ethos/pathos/logos / direct address.

Political speech (Text Type)

Speech to persuade about policy/values. EFFECT: Uses inclusive pronouns / antithesis / appeals to ethos and patriotism.

Manifesto (Text Type)

Public declaration of intentions/views by group/individual. EFFECT: Uses imperatives / declaratives / anaphora.

Letter (open / personal) (Text Type)

Direct address to recipient: open letters published for wider audience. EFFECT: Salutation / sign-off / second-person address.

Diary / Journal entry (Text Type)

First-person dated reflection: private register. EFFECT: Stream-of-consciousness / fragmented syntax / intimate tone.

Memoir / Autobiography extract (Text Type)

First-person retrospective non-fiction narrative. EFFECT: Reflective tone / hindsight / characterisation of past self.

Biography extract (Text Type)

Third-person account of someone's life. EFFECT: Narrative voice / reported speech / contextual framing.

Travel writing (Text Type)

Reflective non-fiction about places / blending narrative and description. EFFECT: Sensory imagery / cultural commentary / first-person voice.

Essay (literary / personal) (Text Type)

Discursive non-fiction exploring an idea. EFFECT: Logos / anecdote / extended metaphor / structured argument.

Review (Text Type)

Evaluative text on a work/product (film / book / restaurant). EFFECT: Mix of summary + critique: second-person address: verdict.

Blog post (Text Type)

Informal online article in personal voice: hyperlinked. EFFECT: Colloquialism / direct address / multimodality.

Interview / transcript (Text Type)

Q&A format with interviewer and interviewee turns. EFFECT: Look at turn-taking / reported vs direct speech / framing of questions.

Cartoon / Comic strip (Text Type)

Sequential panels combining image and text. EFFECT: Panels / gutter / speech bubbles / captions / framing / exaggeration.

Political cartoon (Text Type)

Single-panel satirical drawing on current affairs. EFFECT: Caricature / symbolism / juxtaposition / labels / irony.

Infographic (Text Type)

Visual representation of data/info using charts / icons / text. EFFECT: Hierarchy / colour / iconography / data selection / framing.

Brochure / Pamphlet / Leaflet (Text Type)

Folded informational/persuasive document. EFFECT: Headings / bullet points / imagery / call-to-action.

Webpage / Homepage (Text Type)

Digital landing page with navigation / hyperlinks / multimedia. EFFECT: Layout / hierarchy / hyperlinks / branding.

Social media post (Text Type)

Short multimodal digital text (tweet / IG caption). EFFECT: Hashtags / handles / emoji / brevity / ellipsis.

Photograph / Image (Text Type)

Visual text framed by photographer's choices. EFFECT: Composition / framing / gaze / lighting / colour / salience.

Film still / Screenshot (Text Type)

Single frame from moving image. EFFECT: Mise-en-scène / shot type / lighting.

Poster (Text Type)

Visual public-facing text combining slogan and image. EFFECT: Bold typography / colour / central image / minimal copy.

Propaganda (Text Type)

Biased communication promoting ideology/political cause. EFFECT: Glittering generalities / name-calling / bandwagon / plain folks.

Satire / Parody (Text Type)

Text mocking subject through irony / exaggeration / imitation. EFFECT: Irony / hyperbole / intertextuality / juxtaposition.

Salience (Visual / Multimodal)

Element drawing the eye first via size / colour / position / contrast. EFFECT: Establishes visual hierarchy and focal point.

Framing (Visual / Multimodal)

How an image is bordered/cropped / including what is included or excluded. EFFECT: Directs attention: controls viewer perspective.

Composition (Visual / Multimodal)

Arrangement of elements in a visual. EFFECT: Conveys hierarchy / balance / focal point.

Rule of thirds (Visual / Multimodal)

Compositional grid placing key elements on intersecting third-lines. EFFECT: Creates dynamic / balanced composition.

Vectors (Visual / Multimodal)

Implied lines created by gaze / gesture or objects directing the eye. EFFECT: Guides reader through image / links elements.

Gaze (demand vs offer) (Visual / Multimodal)

Demand: subject looks at viewer (engages): offer: subject looks away (object of contemplation). EFFECT: Establishes viewer-subject relationship.

Shot distance (Visual / Multimodal)

Close-up = intimacy: mid-shot = social: long shot = impersonal. EFFECT: Controls emotional proximity.

Camera angle (Visual / Multimodal)

Low angle = power: high angle = vulnerability: eye-level = equality. EFFECT: Conveys power dynamics.

Colour symbolism (Visual / Multimodal)

Cultural/emotional connotations of hues (red=danger/love: blue=calm/sadness). EFFECT: Evokes mood / ideology.

Lighting (Visual / Multimodal)

Use of light/shadow (chiaroscuro / backlight) to create mood. EFFECT: Conveys atmosphere / focus / symbolism.

Typography (Visual / Multimodal)

Font choice / size / weight / style. EFFECT: Conveys tone / brand / register.

Layout (Visual / Multimodal)

Spatial arrangement of text and image on a page/screen. EFFECT: Guides reading path: signals importance.

Iconography (Visual / Multimodal)

Symbolic images carrying cultural meaning. EFFECT: Quick communication via shared associations.

Logo / Branding (Visual / Multimodal)

Visual mark identifying organisation. EFFECT: Builds brand recognition and ethos.

Slogan / Tagline (Visual / Multimodal)

Memorable phrase associated with brand/campaign. EFFECT: Encapsulates brand promise: aids recall.

Anchorage (Visual / Multimodal)

Caption/text fixing meaning of an ambiguous image. EFFECT: Directs interpretation.

Relay (Visual / Multimodal)

Text and image complement each other carrying separate but related meaning. EFFECT: Creates layered meaning.

Negative space (Visual / Multimodal)

Empty space around subject. EFFECT: Creates emphasis / minimalism / focus.

Juxtaposition (visual) (Visual / Multimodal)

Placing contrasting images side by side. EFFECT: Highlights contrast or surprising link.

Caricature (Visual / Multimodal)

Exaggerated drawing of person emphasising features. EFFECT: Mocks or critiques subject (esp. cartoons).

Ethos (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Appeal to credibility/character of speaker. EFFECT: Builds trust / authority.

Pathos (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Appeal to emotion of audience. EFFECT: Engages empathy / fear / hope.

Logos (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Appeal to logic / reason / evidence / statistics. EFFECT: Builds rational credibility.

Kairos (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Appeal to timing/context — right moment to make argument. EFFECT: Increases relevance / urgency.

Appeal to authority (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Citing expert/authority to legitimise claim. EFFECT: Lends credibility (but can be fallacy).

Appeal to fear (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Persuasion by frightening audience about consequences. EFFECT: Heightens urgency: common in PSAs/propaganda.

Bandwagon (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Argues something is right because everyone does it. EFFECT: Exploits conformity.

Plain folks (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Speaker presents themselves as ordinary/relatable. EFFECT: Builds rapport with mass audience.

Glittering generalities (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Vague positive words (freedom / hope) to win approval. EFFECT: Bypasses critical scrutiny.

Name-calling (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Attaches negative labels to opponents. EFFECT: Discredits without engagement.

Card stacking (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Selective evidence supporting one side. EFFECT: Creates biased argument.

Equivocation (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Using a word in two different senses to mislead. EFFECT: Disguises faulty argument.

False analogy (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Comparing two unalike things to mislead. EFFECT: Manipulates by misleading comparison.

Bias (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Language privileging one perspective. EFFECT: Reveals ideological position.

Inclusive pronouns ('we' / 'us') (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Builds shared identity between speaker and audience. EFFECT: Solidarity / shared responsibility.

Direct address ('you') (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Speaker addresses audience directly. EFFECT: Personal engagement: calls to action.

Rhetorical question (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Question not requiring answer. EFFECT: Prompts reflection: assumes agreement.

Tricolon / Rule of three (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Three parallel words/phrases. EFFECT: Memorable / rhythmic / persuasive.

Anaphora (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Repetition at start of successive clauses ('I have a dream…'). EFFECT: Builds rhythm / emphasis / emotional climax.

Epistrophe (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Repetition at end of successive clauses. EFFECT: Cumulative emphasis.

Antithesis (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Contrast of ideas in parallel structure ('Ask not what…'). EFFECT: Highlights opposition: memorable balance.

Parallelism (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Same grammatical structure across phrases/clauses. EFFECT: Rhythm / balance / emphasis.

Hypophora (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Speaker poses question then answers it. EFFECT: Anticipates audience: controls argument.

Anecdote (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Brief personal story to illustrate point. EFFECT: Adds pathos / ethos / relatability.

Statistics / Data (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Numerical evidence. EFFECT: Logos appeal / authority.

Hyperbole (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Deliberate exaggeration. EFFECT: Emphasis / humour / urgency.

Understatement / Litotes (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Deliberate down-playing for ironic emphasis. EFFECT: Subtle emphasis / irony.

Diatribe (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Bitter / abusive critical denunciation. EFFECT: Shows speaker's anger/conviction.

Polemic (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Strong written/spoken attack on opposing view. EFFECT: Combative argument.

Loaded language (Rhetoric / Persuasion)

Words chosen for strong connotations. EFFECT: Manipulates emotional response.