A common question asked in Part 2 - Language and mass communication is: ‘To what extent does a medium, determine a particular message?’ Here we look at how the mass media use language to inform, persuade or entertain. A range of different texts can be studied, from speeches to blogs. Here are a few basic requirements that one should consider when working on Part 2.

Texts

For Part 2 you will explore a great range of text types, from brochures to tweets. As Part 1 is used to prepare for the Paper 1 exam, you will want to practice close-reading skills with these texts. Furthermore you will want to examine the structural conventions of many text types, asking yourself questions such as: 'What makes a speech a speech?' 'What is the difference between an opinion column and an essay?' 'What are the effects of various media on their audience?'  

The Language A: Language and Literature guide suggests we explore several types of non-literary texts, such as the following (follow links to pages that deconstruct various text types):

Topics

On page 19 and 20 of the Language A: Language and Literature guide, you find a list of 'suggest topics' that you can explore for Part 2.On IB documentation, such as written task rationale forms, you will have to communicate which 'topics' you have studied. Your lessons may be organized around a particular theme or subject, but it is important that several of these 'topics' relate to the texts that you explore. How many do we suggest by 'several'? There is no exact requirement, but you may consider covering three to seven different topics. HL students may cover more 'topics' that SL students. Here is a list of the 'suggested topics' as they appear in the guide (see pages in the left column for lessons on these topics).

• Textual bias (news reporting, sports coverage)

• Stereotypes (gender, ethnicity)

• Popular culture (comics, soap operas)

• Language and presentation of speeches and campaigns (elections, lobbying)

• Language and the state (public information, legislation)

• Media institutions (television channels, internet search engines)

• The role of editing (news bulletins, websites)

• Use of persuasive language (advertising, appeals)

• Arts and entertainment (radio and television drama, documentaries)

Time

How much time should we spend on Part 2 - Language and mass communication? These are the required amount of hours at Standard and Higher Level for a two year IB course. Remember that these hours include training for the forms of assessment that correspond to these parts of the course.

 40 hours

 60 hours

Assessment

There are three forms of assessment that correspond to the learning outcomes and topics in Part 2.

Further oral activities - You will have to conduct at least one further oral activity that relates to Part 2.

Written tasks - Students write several written tasks for their written task portfolio. At both SL and HL students must include at least one written task that corresponds to Part 1.

Paper 1 - The kinds of skills required for the Paper 1 exam should be dealt with in Parts 1 and 2 of the course These include: commentary writing, comparatie analytical skills, close reading and the identification of various stylistic features.