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Survival Guide for IB English Paper 2

Tired of boring textbooks? Get the essentials in less than 30 pages of practical, cram-able goodness.

The Paper 2 monster

Preparing for the IB English Paper 2 exam can seem a bit like a complicated mess, because... it is!

I mean, where do we begin? We have to know about our texts, understand specific aspects about our texts (but which aspects?), know how to compare and contrast texts... The list goes on.

That's why this course exists: An antidote to all the madness that is IB English Paper 2.

A practical guide

This course simplifies the process and gives you practical advice to improve your Paper 2 skills right away.

We simplify Paper 2 preparation into three logical steps:

  1. Understanding EXACTLY what you need to know about your texts to achieve a 7
  2. Understanding EXACTLY how to plan, brainstorm and structure your Paper 2 essay to achieve a 7
  3. Understanding EXACTLY how to write the essay: introduction, comparative analysis, and conclusion


Your Instructor


Jackson Huang
Jackson Huang

Hey there! I graduated in 2014 with a perfect IB 45. I live in Melbourne, Australia. I'm a Quora Top 10 writer for IB English and the creator of LitLearn. After the IB, I was accepted to Harvard, Amherst, and Williams Colleges in the United States, and the University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, and University of Queensland in Australia on full academic scholarships. I'm currently studying at The University of Melbourne.


What do I get in this course?

The course has three sections. Each section contains written guides.

Part 1: Understanding the text

We talk about four levels of understanding for IB English texts, and then we give you some questions to answer to help you reach each level.

Part 2: How to plan and brainstorm for Paper 2

Planning and brainstorming are the most important parts of Paper 2. Without good ideas from the beginning, no amount of analytical skill will be able to save your essay.

We talk about:

  • a basic and an advanced essay structure
  • how to brainstorm strong ideas
  • how to go from unrelated evidence to a cohesive, sophisticated argument
  • how to craft a strong thesis for Paper 2

Part 2: How to write comparative analysis

We talk about:

  • how to write an effective introduction for Paper 2
  • what is a good vs. bad introduction
  • how to write comparative analysis -- the core part of Paper 2
  • how to write conclusions

The Survival Guide for IB English Paper 2 is a concise course that teaches you the tips and tricks on how to do well in the exam.

What is not included in this course?

This course does not provide exemplar essays. It does however provide illustrative examples of exemplar introductions and analysis. Exemplar Paper 2 essays will be a separate LitLearn product.

Is this course for me?

LitLearn created this course for someone who:

  • Studies IB English Literature or Language/Literature
  • Wants to learn the proven approach to preparing for and writing Paper 2 essays
  • Is stressed or confused about IB English Paper 2
  • Hasn't received useful, concrete steps from your teacher
  • Is short on time and can't afford to waste it on long, drawn-out textbooks

How much time will this course take?

You're probably (no, definitely!) busy preparing for 5 other subjects, 2 other Internal Assessments, and 10 other exams.

That's why we've made this course as concise as possible with the essential information. Nothing less, nothing more. The course will take at most 2 hours to read through, with some exercises that requires ongoing effort (e.g. gathering quotes, understanding the themes in your texts better; you know, that stuff).

If all the course content was pasted into a Google Doc, it'd be no more than 30 pages (including some images and memes)!

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

Get started now!