Identities flashcards

Topic 1: Identities

What does the Identities theme explore?

The nature of the self and what it means to be human. A guiding question: how do language and culture contribute to forming an identity?

Name the recommended topics for Identities

Lifestyles; health and well-being; beliefs and values; subcultures; language and identity.

What are the five prescribed themes of Language B?

Identities, experiences, human ingenuity, social organization and sharing the planet. They frame the texts studied and the stimuli used in the assessments.

What does Paper 1 (productive skills) involve?

One writing task chosen from three. Each task sets a context, audience and purpose and lists text types to choose from. 25% of the final grade, 30 marks. SL: 1 hour 15 minutes, 250–400 words. HL: 1 hour 30 minutes, 450–600 words, with more complex language and higher-order thinking.

What is register, and how is formal register signalled?

Register is how formal or informal the language is. Formal signals: the polite "you" form of the language (such as vous, usted or Sie), titles and surnames, set opening and closing formulas, precise impersonal vocabulary, complete linked sentences.

Tone versus register

Register is the level of formality. Tone is the writer's attitude (urgent, reassuring, critical, ironic), shown through intensifiers, modal verbs, punctuation and the balance of facts and feelings. A formal text can still be enthusiastic.

What conventions should a personal text type show?

Personal texts (diary, personal email or letter, personal blog post) for yourself or people you know: a date or greeting, first person, feelings and reflection, and an informal to neutral register.