How do you write a comparative analysis of two literary works while answering an essay question coherently, in structured paragraphs? For Paper 1, you may have learned the PEEL structure (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link). This page introduces you to PEACE ACT. It is not a formula for guaranteed success on your Paper 2., but rather a method to help you organise your ideas effectively. Watch the video below and dowload the worksheet to work on coherent paragraphing for Paper 2. 

 

Function Description Example
Point  How do the two literary works approach the essay questions similarly or differently? Make a comparative point about a key theme, concept, idea or authorial intent that relates to the essay question   Through the use of setting, Ishiguro and Adiga challenge readers even further and suggest that part of what makes people ‘human’ is being inhumane.
Evidence from the  1st work Give evidence of this authorial choice from Work 1.  In the fictional, near-future world that Isiguro has created, robots replace human workers, parents buy their children Artificial Friends (AFs) and pollution drives people out of the cities.
Analysis of evidence from the 1st work What are the effects of this authorial choice on readers? In effect, Ishiguro depicts a hyper-capitalistic society where humans have made their world worse for themselves through their mastery of technology. As in The White Tiger, this is shocking for readers who recognise that humans are capable of creating such horrible societies.
Connect How is this authorial choice in Work 1 similar to or different from an authorial choice in Work 2? In a similar but different way, Adiga depicts both rural and urban settings to show the ugly sides of human nature.
Evidence from the 2nd work Give evidence of this authorial choice from Work 2. In the city of Delhi, the hyper-wealthy people shop at fancy malls all day, while their drivers sleep among cockroaches in the basements of car parks. In the countryside, large families rule their villages, stifling individuality. In both worlds, Balram struggles to be his own man, marry the woman of his choice and make his own fortune.
Analysis of the 2nd work What are the effects of this authorial choice on readers? Like Ishiguro, Adiga shows readers the cruelty of hyper-capitalism.
Compare How are these effects on readers similar or different? In both works, individuals seem to be trapped in societies that do not value equality or individuality. Instead they value the services and products of robots or indentured servants who are easy to control.
Tie back to question and thesis statement  Link back to the thesis statement. How effective are these works and these authorial choices in revealing an answer to the question? In effect both works warn people about this human tendency to build inhumane social structures.
Big Macs!

It may help to think of PEACE ACT paragraph as a Big Mac. Each bun (there are three!) is a comparative claim. Each beef patty is an illustration of the claim (one from each work). Each layer of lettuce and cheese is an analysis of how the illustration is an authorial choice, elicits a reader response, and answers the essay question. 

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Activity

Write a Paper 2 comparative essay on two works, using the PEACE ACT method. Use the worksheet below. You may have noticed that the model essay does not adhere to the method strictly, and multiple examples and analyses are give for each work. Write this mock Paper 2 essay without time constraints, using text-editing software. Mark your own essay, using the assessment criteria for Paper 2, and ask your teacher for feedback on your essay. Ask your teacher to share the best example essays (anonymously) with everyone in your class.

Worksheet: PEACE ACT

ATLs

One of the IB's Approaches to Learning focuses on communication skills, and the IB Learner Profile encourages you to be a communicator. What does PEACE ACT have to do with communicating effectively? It's not just a formula for Paper 2, it's a formula for comparing anything. Think about reviewing two products. How would you recommend a film? Perhaps in light of another film! In other words, PEACE ACT is all around us, and learning such structures helps us communicate more effectively.

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Last modified: Friday, 27 February 2026, 5:58 AM