Trying out Nerdvark's two outline structures for Paper 2 - Essay on the IB English A1 Exam Paper 2

Let's have a look at two of the questions from May 2011 Paper 2, and try outlining them using Nerdvark's two types of outline.

First, Question 2 from the "Drama" section:

This question lends itself to the:     Block Structure – use this if your main points from one of the Part 3 works are different than your main points from the other Part 3 work you’re going to discuss in your essay.

i.      Intro Spatial confinement is important to 6 Characters – the set is a stage - and Death of a Salesman – the set has to show reality and Willy’s fantasy or visions. THESIS: Pirandello and Miller really use particular, limited spaces to their advantage in developing atmosphere, characters, plot

ii.      Block 1: all about Part 3 work (a) 6 Characters

1.       Main point 1 illustrated by Part 3 work (a) the stage has to show that it is a rehearsal stage plus show the set of the “characters’” story

2.       Main point 2 illustrated by Part 3 work (a) the sense of spatial confinement helps develop the “characters” as fictional characters and the actors, director, and stage hands as such by constantly reminding the audience that they are seeing the events on a stage; opposite of what most plays do

3.       Etc

iii.      Block 2: all about Part 3 work (b) DoaS

1.       Main point 3 illustrated by Part 3 work (b) the set has realistic areas set as the house to show which parts of the action take place in reality

2.       Main point 4 illustrated by Part 3 work (b) the apron is used to introduce characters and events that take place in Willy’s crazed imagination; use of lighting, sound, and other effects help to differentiate between the real spaces and imaginary spaces

3.       Etc

iv.      Conclusion Pirandello confines his “characters” and characters to the stage to establish their parameters of existence. Miller makes use of alternative space (the apron) to introduce less “real” aspects of the action.

Ok, now let's look at Question 9, which is from the "General Questions on Literature" section:

This question lends itself more to the:  Point-by-point Structure – use this if your main points can all be illustrated by both of the Part 3 works you’re going to discuss in your essay.

i.      Intro Playwrights can shock the audience through visual, aural, and other tangible means, or through the story, characters, and plot itself.

ii.      Main point 1 using stage effects to shock audience

1.       Main point 1 illustrated by Part 3 work (a) DoaS – uses costume, music, etc to introduce Willy’s visions – audience’s first clue that Willy is nuts. Shocking.

2.       Main point 1 illustrated by Part 3 work (b) 6 Characters – uses costume, like mother with mask and dress of mourning, to show that the “characters” are fictional characters, unlike the actors, who are meant to be “real.” Shocking.

3.       Any comments you want to mention about a Part 2 work of the same genre Shakespeare also used special effects to create a storm in The Tempest – a shocking introduction to the play

iii.      Main point 2 shocking the audience through character flaws

1.       Main point 2 illustrated by Part 3 work (a) DoaS – Willy turns out to be not only crazy, but suicidal. Shocking. Biff is not the great guy his dad tried to raise him to be.

2.       Main point 2 illustrated by Part 3 work (b) The leading lady is whiny and weak, not what you expect from a famous celebrity. The father frequents a whore house. The daughter is a whore.

3.       Any comments you want to mention about a Part 2 work of the same genre

iv.      Main point 3 Shock by way of plot situations.

1.       Main point 3 illustrated by Part 3 work (a) Happy is a womanizer. Willy cheated on his wife. Willy’s cheating is the reason Biff is not a good son in adulthood. Ironic, and shocking, too.

2.       Main point 3 illustrated by Part 3 work (b) The father nearly had sex with the daughter. The youngest daughter drowned while nobody was watching her (so wrapped up in their own problems.) The youngest son killed himself. All shocking. Makes us think about our own gift of life and how we are living it.

3.       Any comments you want to mention about a Part 2 work of the same genre

v.      Conclusion The playwrights we have studied have used stage effects, character flaws, and plot situations to shock the audience. Shocking the audience helps to get certain points across – make the audience take notice; think .