Paper 2: Grid by Literary Elements

We all learn differently. Use the Paper 2 grid that is best for you to learn. Remember, it’s not about working hard, but smart. This scene is by
literary element one would use for each Paper 2 text, the other Paper 2 grid is by scene.
Step 1: Think of scenes from your text:
● Favorite scenes-ones you want to write about
● Scenes that made you laugh, look twice, gave you an existential crisis, stuck with you long after reading the text, something seemed off,
patterns emerged, something didn’t make sense, the story suddenly shifted from what you originally thought, scenes that made you think
holy sh**.
● Have 10 scenes from each text with the author’s tools TAGGED
Step 2: TAG ALL of the author's tools that are happening in that scene, a word or two. Categorize them into the boxes below on the literary
element of that scene you want to focus on, but tag all of the autho’s tools in that scene . Below are examples of how you would write them in your
Paper 2.
TAG your scene (copy the text verbatim, so you remember it in detail when you describe it in your Paper 2-you do not need to memorize quotes.
YOu can copy/paste from a PDF) with all of the literary elements or devices:(“During the climax of the novella...” “The symbol of the apple...” “The
transformation of Grete through Kafka’s indirect characterization...”). “Noah’s use of flashback and humor.” This is very important.
Step 3: Clearly those scenes created meaning for you, consider why. Go to the Global Issues box on the left on the last page (use “command f” to
find it quickly) and see where you can link subtleties of the author’s tools and how they create deeper meaning.
Do not get overwhelmed by all of the questions in the right columns. Not all apply. Glean what is relevant to your analysis. You may simply fill the
2nd column via TAGGING author’s tools through bullets. Writing paragraphs will waste your time. Glean AUTHENTIC scenes that spoke/stood out to
you (I highly suggest this) to support your assertions. Or focus on the literary elements that are very present in your novel/play/poetry.
I recommend filling this out in a kiki with your trusted classmates to discuss key scenes that stood out to you for 3 texts to prepare for Paper 2. Fill it
out in a way that makes sense to you, it does not need to be “perfect.” Bullets and color-coding are great so you remember. Drop this in your drive
and make this grid work for you and how you learn best. <3
 The grid that empowered 80% of my last class to earn a 6 or 7 on Paper 2 (with many Paper 2 practices, contextual investigations, their professor’s lectures, and a plethora of
formative drafts with conferencing feedback).

Literary Elements Analysis: reveal your perceptive knowledge of the work and any Support: Select a specific scene/s that stands out to that you can
implications/subtleties in the text. describe in detail that supports your analysis in the right column.
Ideal if you can use quotes verbatim (so you remember the
details of that scene. YOU DO NOT NEED TO USE QUOTES IN
YOUR PAPER 2. This does not affect your grade. You need to
describe the scene in detail in your TAPES paragraph
structure-see Paper 2 structure doc. )
Context: How Your persuasive interpretation of the implications and subtleties in the text (if TAG the author's tools in the scene/or quotes and evaluate how they shape
does the context you’re stuck, how do the texts/author’s tools imply something about our world via meaning to you (if you’re stuck, think of how they imply something about our world
help shape the the Global Issues in the last box): via the Global Issues in the last box below).
reception of the
text? How does
the historical or
authorial context
help shape your
reading? How
does your own
personal and
cultural context
help shape your
reception of a
text? Consider the
changing
historical, cultural
and social contexts
in which particular
texts are written
and received
(production vs.
reception).

Literary Theory: Your persuasive interpretation of the implications and subtleties in the text (if TAG the author's tools in the scene/or quotes and evaluate how they shape
If you don’t know you’re stuck, how do the texts/author’s tools imply something about our world via meaning to you (if you’re stuck, think of how they imply something about our world
what this is, do not the Global Issues in the last box): via the Global Issues in the last box below).
bother with it. It is
not required.
Make sure that
you see literary
theory as yet
another “lens”
through which a
text can be
viewed, and not as
the “correct”
reading in any way.
Consider the way
in which a critical
viewpoint is
influenced by the
historical and
cultural context
and that your own
consideration of
the work is, yet
another “criticism”
of the text.

Plot/Conflict Your persuasive interpretation of the implications and subtleties in the text (if TAG the author's tools in the scene/or quotes and evaluate how they shape
Central and you’re stuck, how do the texts/author’s tools imply something about our world via meaning to you (if you’re stuck, think of how they imply something about our world
secondary conflicts the Global Issues in the last box): via the Global Issues in the last box below).
(internal, between
characters,
between
characters and
fate/environment);
how are these
conflicts resolved?

Theme: Is there a Your persuasive interpretation of the implications and subtleties in the text (if TAG the author's tools in the scene/or quotes and evaluate how they shape
theme or central you’re stuck, how do the texts/author’s tools imply something about our world via meaning to you (if you’re stuck, think of how they imply something about our world
purpose that the Global Issues in the last box): via the Global Issues in the last box below).
makes itself
known?What is
the author’s
objective in
writing this piece?
What has the
author tried to do
in the novel? What
are the works’
moral attitudes, its
view of life, its
wisdom or critique
about the human
condition and/or
society?

Symbols and Your persuasive interpretation of the implications and subtleties in the text (if TAG the author's tools in the scene/or quotes and evaluate how they shape
Motifs you’re stuck, how do the texts/author’s tools imply something about our world via meaning to you (if you’re stuck, think of how they imply something about our world
the Global Issues in the last box): via the Global Issues in the last box below).
What symbols or
motifs are present
in the text and
how do they
create meaning for
you?

Setting: What is Your persuasive interpretation of the implications and subtleties in the text (if TAG the author's tools in the scene/or quotes and evaluate how they shape
the setting? When you’re stuck, how do the texts/author’s tools imply something about our world via meaning to you (if you’re stuck, think of how they imply something about our world
and where does it the Global Issues in the last box): via the Global Issues in the last box below).
take place and
why might this be
significant? Why is
the setting
deliberate or
made generic to
be anywhere or
everywhere? How
is the passage of
time treated in the
text? How does
the setting affect
your reading of
the text?
Characterization: Your persuasive interpretation of the implications and subtleties in the text (if TAG the author's tools in the scene/or quotes and evaluate how they shape
Who are the main you’re stuck, how do the texts/author’s tools imply something about our world via meaning to you (if you’re stuck, think of how they imply something about our world
characters in the the Global Issues in the last box): via the Global Issues in the last box below).
text? How does
the writer
characterize
them?Direct?
Indirect? Through
dialogue, detail,
action? What is
the effect of the
characterization?
Are the characters
static, dynamic,
round, etc...?
Why?
Narrative point of Your persuasive interpretation of the implications and subtleties in the text (if TAG the author's tools in the scene/or quotes and evaluate how they shape
view: What is the you’re stuck, how do the texts/author’s tools imply something about our world via meaning to you (if you’re stuck, think of how they imply something about our world
point of view? the Global Issues in the last box): via the Global Issues in the last box below).
Who speaks? Are
they reliable?
Does this change
throughout the
work? What
makes us question
the reliability of
the narrator?
What is the effect
of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd
person narration?
Is it limited,
omniscient, or
peripheral?
Structure: What Your persuasive interpretation of the implications and subtleties in the text (if TAG the author's tools in the scene/or quotes and evaluate how they shape
seems to be the you’re stuck, how do the texts/author’s tools imply something about our world via meaning to you (if you’re stuck, think of how they imply something about our world
apparent and the Global Issues in the last box): via the Global Issues in the last box below).
obvious structure?
Are there
flashbacks?
Footnotes? If it is
a poem, are
stanzas of a
consistent length?
If prose, are
paragraphs and/or
sentences long?
Are they short?
 Are there lengthy
descriptions? Are
there long internal
monologues?
Are there major
structural divisions;
the significance of
the title and
chapter headings,
if any; handling of
time (in medias
res, chronological,
fragmented,
flashbacks,
contrast,
foreshadowing,
etc.); parallel
scenes; climax;
subplots; what
happens in the
opening and
concluding
chapters?
What are the
effects of these
elements?

FIGURATIVE Your persuasive interpretation of the implications and subtleties in the text (if TAG the author's tools in the scene/or quotes and evaluate how they shape
LANGUAGE and you’re stuck, how do the texts/author’s tools imply something about our world via meaning to you (if you’re stuck, think of how they imply something about our world
IMAGERY the Global Issues in the last box): via the Global Issues in the last box below).

Description
(elaborate, full of
realistic detail,
simply and quickly
sketched?);
imagery; allusion;
figures of speech,
symbols, motifs,
poetic devices.
STYLE: DICTION, Your persuasive interpretation of the implications and subtleties in the text (if TAG the author's tools in the scene/or quotes and evaluate how they shape
SYNTAX, and TONE you’re stuck, how do the texts/author’s tools imply something about our world via meaning to you (if you’re stuck, think of how they imply something about our world
the Global Issues in the last box): via the Global Issues in the last box below).
Use of language
(colloquial, formal,
informal, direct,
figurative); tone
(reflective, formal,
informal, intimate,
solemn, humorous,
playful, ironic,
objective, etc.);
sentence length
and patterns;
quality and kinds
of dialogue; comic
or satiric elements
(understatement,
hyperbole,
parody); irony
(situational,
verbal, dramatic,
cosmic); how
would you
characterize the
author's language
and sentence
structure?

Subtleties of the Your persuasive interpretation of the implications and subtleties in the text (if TAG the author's tools in the scene/or quotes and evaluate how they shape
Text and How to you’re stuck, how do the texts/author’s tools imply something about our world via meaning to you (if you’re stuck, think of how they imply something about our world
Create Meaning of the Global Issues in the last box): via the Global Issues in the last box below).
the Author’s
Tools” via Global
Issues:

Subtleties: what
are some
underlying
meanings found
in the text and
how they might
imply something
about our world

Culture, Identity
and Community:
Does this text
explore
dynamics of
family, class,
race, ethnicity,
consumerism,
nationality,
gender, sexuality,
religion,
colonialism,
migration, or
nationalism? If
yes, what is its
impact on
individuals and
societies?

Beliefs, Values,
Education:
Does this text
explore
dynamics of
beliefs and
values in
societies and the
ways they shape
individuals,
communities,
and educational
systems. If yes,
what is its
impact on
individuals and
societies?

Politics, Power,
and Justice:
Does this text
explore
dynamics of
hierarchies of
power, the
distribution of
wealth and
resources, limits
of justice and
the law, equality
and inequality,
human rights,
peace and
conflict? If yes,
what is its
impact on
individuals and
societies?

Art, Creativity,
and the
Imagination:
Does this text
explore
dynamics of
aesthetic
inspiration,
creation, craft,
and beauty.
Does this text
shape or
challenge
perceptions
through art, and
the function,
value, and
effects of art in
society, for
example,
critique? If yes,
what is its
impact on
individuals and
societies?
Science, Tech,
and the
Environment:
Does this text
explore
dynamics of the
relationship
between
humans, the
environment,
implications of
technology and
media on
society? If yes,
what is its
impact on
individuals and
societies?

Works Cited:

“Language A; Language and Literature Guide: First Assessment 2021.” International Baccalaureate , Feb. 2019.