Essay Outline
Introduction
[background information]
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Mention that certain aspects of the passage* can be criticized
*Language and Literature SL May 2017 Paper 1 Text 2
THESIS: This passage introduces the ICC through an emphasis on justice and an emphasis on diversity, but it can be criticized for misleading illustrations.
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X: purpose of the passage → to introduce the ICC
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A: body paragraph #1 → emphasis on justice
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B: body paragraph #2 → emphasis on diversity
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C: body paragraph #3 → criticism of misleading illustrations
Body
A: Emphasis on justice
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A1: Historical background of the ICC
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A2: Personification of justice
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A3: “Justice Explained” tab
B: Emphasis on diversity
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B1: “the court has all kinds of rules to ensure regional, gender, and law-system representation”
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B2: Skin color and gender
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B3: Age
C: Criticism of misleading illustrations
Although the passage aims to depict the way the ICC values justice and diversity, some of its illustrations can be considered misleading and ineffective.
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C1: Image of cobwebs and oxygen tank
1.
The illustration of cobwebs and an oxygen tank around the older judges is intended to be humorous.
2.
However, such a hyperbolic illustration can make the older judges seem weak and incapable of performing their duties.
3.
Despite the innocuous intentions of the writers at this website, the passage may inadvertently deliver a negative depiction of the ICC.
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C2: Image of blood transfusion
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C3: Ambiguity of “bringing in new judges can help”
Conclusion
[broader ideas about this passage]
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Consider ways to improve upon the shortcomings of the passage → How can the use of humor be changed to avoid misrepresentation while maintaining a light tone?
Sample Writing
Introduction
This passage, “How Are ICC Judges Elected – Part 1,”¹ is a November 2014 infographic² from the Justice Hub website³, introducing the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its upcoming election of judges⁴. As an infographic in the form of a cartoon, this passage targets a younger audience explaining that the election will take place in December 2014, when six new judges will replace those who finish their nine-year terms. The ICC was founded in 1998 with the signing of the Rome Statute. As an international body, the ICC not only works to administer justice, but also values “regional, gender, and law-system representation” in its panel of eighteen judges⁵. While it emphasizes the concepts of justice and diversity, the infographic has major flaws in its portrayal of the ICC and in its lack of detail. Hence, although this passage introduces the ICC through an emphasis on justice and on diversity, it can be criticized for misleading illustrations⁶.
Body Paragraph C
While the passage aims to illustrate the way the ICC commitment to justice and diversity, certain depictions therein may be considered misleading and ineffective⁷. For instance, the portrayal of cobwebs and an oxygen tank around the senior judges, intended to be humorous, risks portraying them as weak and incapable of adeptly performing their duties. Despite the innocuous intentions of the writers at this website, such exaggerated representations may inadvertently communicate a negative depiction of the ICC. Similarly⁸, the infographic incorporates an image of a blood transfusion to the arm of Lady Justice as a literal interpretation of “[new judges] add fresh blood to the ICC”. Again, while attempting humor, this illustration could insinuate a sense of weakness or ailment that is associated with the senior group in the ICC. In turn, the passage could cause readers to become skeptical of the ICC’s functionality. Furthermore, to support the upcoming election⁹, the passage argues that “bringing in new judges can help” the ICC handle complex cases. However, the ambiguity of this assertion does not provide any specific detail about these cases or about the level of success the ICC has had. Even if the target audience were intended to be younger readers, the passage seems to leave readers with a dissatisfying lack of information.
¹ Title
² Text type
³ Writer and context
⁴ Topic of the passage
⁵ Three sentences summarizing the passage
⁶ Thesis statement
⁷ Topic sentence for Body Paragraph C
⁸ Transition from C1 to C2
⁹ Transition from C2 to C3