17/25 The Wind Knows My Name and Frederick Douglass

Read the following Paper 2 exam and the student's response to it, which was written in 1 hour and 45 minutes. Apply the assessment criteria and discuss the marks that you would award the essay before reading the examiner's marks and comments. How different were your marks and comments from the examiner's marks and comments? What improvements could be made to achieve better results?

Essay question: Discuss the significance of particular times, places or events from real life, either mentioned or implied, in at least two of the works you have studied.

Student Response
Paper 2 SL/HL assessment criteria
Examiner's comments and marks

Assessment

A common pitfall for Paper 2 responses is a too narrow focus on the 'how' and 'what' of the works, without exploring the 'why'. It's understandable. Most Paper 2 questions only ask questions that start with 'how' or 'in what ways'. But to earn full marks on evaluation (Criterion B) and understanding (Criterion A), it's crucial to state why you think the writers wrote their works and the extent to which they are effective works in delivering their message. The word 'significance' in this essay question has not been unpacked. The essay missed an opportunity to mention how Douglass and Allende want to challenge Americans on their understanding of slavery and migration, respectively, and call on readers to call out injustices where they see them. Always ask yourself: 'What is the authors' argument?' And: 'How can I make that my argument in my essay?'

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