Writing (IB EXAM PAPER 1) - what you need to know
PLUS: TEXT TYPES, IB rubrics, how-to's & MORE
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
* Given in May and graded by IB ("External Assessment"), 1 hour and 15 minutes
* 250-400 words (NOTE: Strive to write 400 words!)
* 30 points (25% of IB overall score).
* Assessed on 3 criteria (a.k.a., rubrics): Language (A), Message (B), Conceptual Understanding (C) --see rubrics below
* The exam presents 3 writing prompts with a variety of audiences, contexts, and purposes—and the student chooses one. Prompts are based on any of the five IB themes: Identidades, Cómo compartimos el planeta, Experiencias, Organización social, Ingenio humano.
* Once you chose a prompt, you must then choose from among 3 "text types" suggested for responding to it: one text type will be the best one for the task, another will be "so-so," and the third will be inappropriate. (NOTE: For maximum points, you must choose the best one.)
* Among the three prompts, only 5 text types in total will be be proposed on the exam. This means that the same text types will be suggested for more than one prompt.
* Once you select the text type, you must write with the register (i.e., tone, language) and style appropriate to the text type; demonstrate you understand the context, purpose, and audience; and include the conventions of the text type (i.e., a formal letter starts with "Estimado/a," while an informal letter with "Quierdo/a).
* You must organize your ideas in a logical manner and write with fluency and accuracy. (Your factual knowledge of the topics within the themes will not evaluated, however, you can use your factual knowledge to support the ideas you wish to communicate.)
* Given in May and graded by IB ("External Assessment"), 1 hour and 15 minutes
* 250-400 words (NOTE: Strive to write 400 words!)
* 30 points (25% of IB overall score).
* Assessed on 3 criteria (a.k.a., rubrics): Language (A), Message (B), Conceptual Understanding (C) --see rubrics below
* The exam presents 3 writing prompts with a variety of audiences, contexts, and purposes—and the student chooses one. Prompts are based on any of the five IB themes: Identidades, Cómo compartimos el planeta, Experiencias, Organización social, Ingenio humano.
* Once you chose a prompt, you must then choose from among 3 "text types" suggested for responding to it: one text type will be the best one for the task, another will be "so-so," and the third will be inappropriate. (NOTE: For maximum points, you must choose the best one.)
* Among the three prompts, only 5 text types in total will be be proposed on the exam. This means that the same text types will be suggested for more than one prompt.
* Once you select the text type, you must write with the register (i.e., tone, language) and style appropriate to the text type; demonstrate you understand the context, purpose, and audience; and include the conventions of the text type (i.e., a formal letter starts with "Estimado/a," while an informal letter with "Quierdo/a).
* You must organize your ideas in a logical manner and write with fluency and accuracy. (Your factual knowledge of the topics within the themes will not evaluated, however, you can use your factual knowledge to support the ideas you wish to communicate.)
MUST-KNOW "text types"
IB's Language B Guide states, " In theory, a text is anything from which information can be extracted, including the wide range of oral, written and visual materials present in society." For Exam Paper 1 (writing) students must be able to write in the style, tone, and format (i.e, using the proper conventions) of the text types listed below in IB's charts (English and Spanish)—while also showing they understand the text's purpose and audience.
While the list looks daunting, if the IB exams of recent years are a guide, the most likely texts students will have to write are:
* advertisement (anuncio),
* editorial (comentario público: editorial),
* article for newspaper or magazine (artículo diario/revista),
* letter to editor (comentario público: carta al director),
* personal letter (carta personal),
* formal letter (carta formal),
* email (correo electrónico),
* blog,
* personal diary (diario personal) ,
* essay (ensayo),
* pamphlet (folleto),
* report (informe),
* review (reseña),
* interview (entrevista)
* speech (discurso).
The following are the list of text types as they appear in IB's guide (first in English, then in Spanish):
While the list looks daunting, if the IB exams of recent years are a guide, the most likely texts students will have to write are:
* advertisement (anuncio),
* editorial (comentario público: editorial),
* article for newspaper or magazine (artículo diario/revista),
* letter to editor (comentario público: carta al director),
* personal letter (carta personal),
* formal letter (carta formal),
* email (correo electrónico),
* blog,
* personal diary (diario personal) ,
* essay (ensayo),
* pamphlet (folleto),
* report (informe),
* review (reseña),
* interview (entrevista)
* speech (discurso).
The following are the list of text types as they appear in IB's guide (first in English, then in Spanish):
rubics (a.k.a. "criteria") for assessing writing Exam
The maximum score (or "marks" in IB-speak) is 30 for Exam Paper 1 (writing). Exams are evaluated by IB examiners using the following three rubrics: (or "criteria") with a maximum of 12 points for Criterion A, 12 points for Criterion B, and 6 for Criterion A.
test-taking strategies
Once you select the prompt you're going to write about—and before you start to plan what you're going to write--be sure to do the following:
1) Highlight the "contexto" (i.e., the "set-up," "the situation")
2) Circle the "receptor" (i.e, the reader, the "audience" for whom you're writing)
3) Underline the "propósito" (i.e, what you're supposed to DO in your writing) IMPORTANT: For SL there are always 2 things you need to do!
4) Then pick the text type by process of elimination. (One of the choices will obviously not work, so eliminate it. Among the other two, one will be the best. The other one might work, but to pull it off you'll have work hard to finesse it to "fit the bill.")
1) Highlight the "contexto" (i.e., the "set-up," "the situation")
2) Circle the "receptor" (i.e, the reader, the "audience" for whom you're writing)
3) Underline the "propósito" (i.e, what you're supposed to DO in your writing) IMPORTANT: For SL there are always 2 things you need to do!
4) Then pick the text type by process of elimination. (One of the choices will obviously not work, so eliminate it. Among the other two, one will be the best. The other one might work, but to pull it off you'll have work hard to finesse it to "fit the bill.")
advice for scoring well
LANGUAGE: Criterion A
KEEP IN MIND: If you score well on Criterion A (Language—i.e., grammar and vocabulary) but you ignore the text's purpose and audience and don't choose the most suitable text type for the task, you won't score well on Criteria B (Message) and C (Conceptual Understanding).
- Strive to write with fluency and accuracy, keeping grammatical errors to a minimum so minor errors don't interfere with communication (i.e, do you have agreement with subject and verb? agreement between noun and adjective?)
- Avoid repeating vocabulary—but instead use a variety—and use "high-level" vocabulary. For example, instead of "dar, " depending on the circumstances, use "brindar, " "ofrecer," "facilitar," "proporcionar." Instead of "hecho de" use "fabricado de" or "elaborado de."
- Be sure to use a variety of tenses, including the conditional and subjunctive (Es imprescindible + subjunctive; Si pudiera yo, haría....)
- Incorporate idiomatic expressions whenever possible (i.e., en primer lugar, valer la pena, darse cuenta de, etc.)
- Use connecting phrases (por lo tanto, por un lado...por otro lado..., no obstante, cabe destacar, etc.)
- Simple sentences are not going to get you points ("Fui al mercado. Me compré una manzana."). Go for compound sentences and complex sentences (that include, for example, a clause that cannot stand alone. ( "Como era una mañana espléndida y tenía ganas de dar un paseo, fui caminando al mercado para comprarme una manzana, pero nada más llegar me di cuenta que se me había olvidado mi cartera." For more on how to write complex sentences, click here.
- MESSAGE: Criterion B
- Rather than selecting the topic you like best, pick the topic that you can BEST write about (i.e., you know the most about). So while you might have loved the unit on Customs and Traditions, if you know more vocabulary from the Environment unit, pick the prompt that relates to How We Share the Planet. (TIP: If you don't know anything about the prompt's topic, for Pete's sake, DON'T select that prompt!)
- Before you start to write, come up with a PLAN—jot down words, phrases, and ideas; plan paragraphs, etc. Then identify, organize, and clearly present you ideas on the topic.
- Remember the "Rule of 3." Use a three-part structure to organize your writing. 1) In the beginning, set things up. (Use a good hook to start! Engage your readers! ) 2) Then build and include details. 3) Finish with a conclusion. (TIP: for each paragraph or point you make, try to include 3 items—such as examples, anecdotes, quotes you make up.)
- Write the maximum number of words (400): Don't be afraid that the more you write the most chance that you'll make mistakes: It's okay to make mistakes because IB "gives" points—they don't take points away. So if you try to use the subjunctive, for example, but you don't get it right, you'll get points for trying. But you don't even try it, you won't get any points.
-
- CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING: Criterion C
- Be sure to select the MOST appropriate text type for responding to the task.
- Once the text type is selected, be sure the register is appropriate to the context, purpose and audience (is it tú or usted?, formal or informal?) and tone (are you proving a point in an editorial with persuasive language or marketing a product for teens in a brochure with many idiomatic expressions?).
- Conventions of the chosen text type must be included (i.e., a diary entry must have the date, time, and place; begin with something like "Querido diario," and end with something like "Bueno, tengo sueño así que te dejo hasta mañana."
KEEP IN MIND: If you score well on Criterion A (Language—i.e., grammar and vocabulary) but you ignore the text's purpose and audience and don't choose the most suitable text type for the task, you won't score well on Criteria B (Message) and C (Conceptual Understanding).
how to write each text typE
Before you start writing, think about the following:
* What's the purpose for this writing?
* Who is the audience?
*What register should I use? (tú or usted? formal or informal)
* What's the tone? (are you proving a point in an editorial? marketing a product in a brochure? confiding in your diary?)
* What are the conventions (i.e., an informal letter has an informal greeting; an editorial has a title, byline, and date.)
Click on the following for advice on how to write each text type.
* BLOG
* EDITORIAL
* ARTICLE
* How to write a formal or informal letter
*More on how to write a formal or informal letter
* Como escribir un correo electrónico formal
* Cómo escribir un editorial
* Carta al editor
* Escribir una reseña
* What's the purpose for this writing?
* Who is the audience?
*What register should I use? (tú or usted? formal or informal)
* What's the tone? (are you proving a point in an editorial? marketing a product in a brochure? confiding in your diary?)
* What are the conventions (i.e., an informal letter has an informal greeting; an editorial has a title, byline, and date.)
Click on the following for advice on how to write each text type.
* BLOG
* EDITORIAL
* ARTICLE
* How to write a formal or informal letter
*More on how to write a formal or informal letter
* Como escribir un correo electrónico formal
* Cómo escribir un editorial
* Carta al editor
* Escribir una reseña
Transition words, idiomatic expressions and MORe
* Looking for linking and transition to lend coherency to your writing? (i.e., On the one hand...on the other hand; furthermore; therefore; in any case, etc.) Click here
* More linking words. Click here.
* Want to rack up the points by including idiomatic expressions (in your writing or speaking), Click here.
* More linking words. Click here.
* Want to rack up the points by including idiomatic expressions (in your writing or speaking), Click here.