1. INTERNAL ASSESSMENT Constitutes 20% of your IB history score
Topic choice must be historical (duh!).
It CANNOT be related to your extended essay. It CAN be a modification of other historical research you have done (9th grade research paper, 11th grade oral history, etc.)
It cannot deal with an event in the last TEN YEARS
I STRONGLY suggest that it be related to a History of the Americas topic on which you likely will be tested in May – see course outline
I want a topic idea submitted to me by ********

2. REALLY IMPORTANT !!!
The history IA is not a history research paper per se. It is supposed to be an exercise in historiography, that is, interpreting, explaining, assessing and/or evaluating (not just describing) an event. Therefore, it is important to find a history topic that remains disputed by scholars, so that you can look at multiple points of views and controversy about the evidence.
One of the best things you can do in writing this is to look at examples of both well-written and poorly-written IAs, as well as pay complete attention to the mark scheme for each section of the IA.

3. Examples of bad IA topics and questions vs. good ones
How have women’s roles changed under Castro?
Problem: too descriptive, doesn’t lend itself to discussing interpretation, what is the time frame?
FIX: To what extent were Castro’s efforts to achieve gender equality between 1959 and 1990 driven by ideological interests, versus political and economic ones?
New warfare technologies used in WWI
Problem: too broad, how is “use” to be understood?; this is not a research question
FIX: Did the military commands involved in WWI comprehend how new war technologies (planes, tanks, etc.) were going to effect how battles were fought, and did they adjust their strategies accordingly?
The US Civil War
Problem: way too broad, no focus, would lead to pure description
FIX: What conditions and factors explain the victory of the Union forces over those of the Confederacy in the American Civil War?

4. TOPIC: Hitler’s rise to power
Suggest some good internal assessment research questions based on this topic.

5. INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
There are three keys to creating an Internal Assessment that will earn you the highest score. They are:
Follow the exact format and include all required sections
Do NOT procrastinate; get your research done well before the draft is due, and make sure your research is well done (proper citation, good sources, etc.)
Turn in as complete a rough draft as possible, allowing me to comment on it. Rough drafts will be due DECEMBER *** in IB office.

6. What will happen if I don’t do an Internal Assessment
These guys will show up at your house—and it won’t be pretty

7. Or possibly this will happen …

8. Actually …
You must do a draft.
Late drafts will suffer the normal IB paper consequences that negatively impact 9 weeks’ grades.

9. INTERNAL ASSESSMENT format
The components of the Internal Assessment and marks for each section are as follows:
PLAN OF INVESTIGATION (3 marks) – states research question, method and procedure of investigation (what is being examined (and perhaps what is not), how research was done, sources evaluated. Must have a suitable time frame.
SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE (6 marks) – factual material only—no interpretation/analysis. Can be bulleted, or written, and must be properly cited. Is organized and relevant to the question.
SOURCE EVALUATION (5 marks) – POVL applied to TWO sources of your choosing.

10. MARK SCHEME FOR EVIDENCE SECTION
0 … There is no relevant factual material.
1–2 … There is some relevant factual material but it has not been referenced.
3–4 … There is relevant factual material that shows evidence of research, organization and referencing.
5–6 … The factual material is all relevant to the investigation and it has been well researched, organized and correctly referenced.

11. MARK SCHEME FOR POVL SECTION
0 … There is no description or evaluation of the sources.
1 … The sources are described but there is no reference to their origin, purpose, value and limitation.
2–3 … There is some evaluation of the sources but reference to their origin, purpose, value and limitation may be limited.
4–5 … There is evaluation of the sources and explicit reference to their origin, purpose, value and limitation.

12. Continued …
4. ANALYSIS (6 marks) – assesses evidence, importance of the investigation, various interpretations; shows awareness of source biases
5. CONCLUSION (2 marks) – must be consistent with evidence and interpretation presented
6. LIST OF SOURCES (and within word limit) (3 marks) – suggest you have a minimum of 6-8, no encyclopedias, include journal/book entries, be selective with websites (try .edu). Follow format (either MLA or APA)

13. MARK SCHEME FOR ANALYSIS SECTION
0 … There is no analysis.
1–2 … There is some attempt at analyzing the evidence presented in section B.
3–4 … There is analysis of the evidence presented in section B and references are included.  There may be some awareness of the significance to the investigation of the sources evaluated in section C. Where appropriate, different interpretations are considered.
5–6 … There is critical analysis of the evidence presented in section B, accurate referencing, and an awareness of the significance to the investigation of the sources evaluated in section C. Where appropriate, different interpretations are analyzed

14. MARK SCHEME FOR CONCLUSION SECTION
0 … There is no conclusion 
1 … The conclusion is not entirely consistent with the evidence presented. 
2 … The conclusion is clearly stated and consistent with the evidence presented.

15. MARK SCHEME FOR LIST OF WORKS CITED SECTION
0 … A list of sources is not included or the investigation is not within the word limit. 1 … A list of sources is included but these are limited or one standard method is not used consistently or the word count is not clearly and accurately stated on the title page. 2 … A list of sources using one standard method is included and the investigation is within the word limit. 3 … An appropriate list of sources, using one standard method, is included. The investigation is within the word limit.

16. other considerations
WORD COUNT – , does not include Works Cited, appendices or similar documentation
PAST WEAKNESSES OF EASTSIDE STUDENTS 
Insufficient numbers of resources; use of inappropriate resources (esp. websites)
Inadequate citation in the document
Inadequate/incomplete reference style
Excessive narrative as opposed to analysis
EXAMPLE OF AN INTERNAL ASSESSMENT 

17. Planning your historical investigation
1. Start by identifying a general area of interest.
2. Narrow it down to a specific question or area of investigation.
3. Choose a working title that may be changed or refined at a later stage.
4. Make sure sufficient resources can be obtained for the planned investigation.
5. Complete section A, the plan, and evaluate the suitability of the research area.
6. Read widely around the area of study and note down resources used.

18. 7. Review the research question and refine it if necessary.
8. Take notes from resources, gathering evidence and diverse opinions.
9. Ensure accurate use of referencing.
10. Sort evidence thematically or chronologically.
11. Choose two suitable sources to evaluate in section C.
12. Review your analysis. Check for differing viewpoints where appropriate.
13. Write the investigation, according to IB guidelines.