1. Internal Assessment
IB History

2. Section A: Plan of Investigation
words
State the question in bold
Offer a rationale for your choice of topic
Define the scope of investigation – What facets of the topic will your essay investigate and which will it not?
What time period will you focus on?
What aspects/factors will you look at?
“This investigation aims to discover/assess/examine, find out, show, explain, etc.”
DO NOT use words like “describe” or “state”
Explain your method – What types of sources will you use and why?
Explain why the sources you are using are appropriate and relevant

3. Structuring Section A
Begin with a statement that contextualizes the research and shows why the research is worth investigating
State the research question but do so in the context of a sentence, not the question or title verbatim
Explain the scope of the investigation: How far will your investigation go and why?
Explain the methods you used to carry out the investigation with reference to the types of sources you relied upon.
Explain why this particular methodology is appropriate to the question and is the best approach
No need to reference your Section C sources, although this is acceptable.

4. Section B: Summary of Evidence
words
Use ALL of your sources in this section
Every single fact or statement that is not common knowledge should be cited
Organized thematically or chronologically
DO NOT include any interpretation or analysis of the evidence – just give the facts
What is a useful fact?
Helps you with your research
Directly related to your question
Fits the time frame you established for your investigation
Is NOT selected in order to “prove your point”

5. Pointers for Section B
All sources should be directly related to your topic
Make 2 or more references to EVERY source you have used
Show that you’re aware of the breadth of the material
Show that you understand that facts sometimes contradict one another

6. Section C: Evaluation of Sources
words
Select two of your sources which differ from or disagree with one another in a clear way
Usually select the two most controversial sources
Select a source that is important to your investigation
Devote one paragraph to each of these two sources
Make explicit reference to the origin, purpose, value and limitations of each source

7. Pointers for Section C
It is highly recommended that you research and include background about the author (provenance)
Use this information to elaborate on the purpose
Do NOT confuse value and usefulness
The source’s value should have to do with the unique nature or perspective of it’s content, not how much information it contained
Do NOT claim that a source is biased
Virtually every historical source lacks complete objectivity in some way – so explain exactly how it is biased

8. More Pointers for Section C
When addressing value and limitations…..
Do NOT discuss the author’s background
Do NOT claim that a source is limited because it is a translation
When identifying the value of a source consider what the source is “useful for” – what perspective does it give you that other’s don’t?
Make sure to give a full bibliographic citation in a footnote

9. Section D: Analysis 500-650 words Analysis does the following…..
Considers evidence, reflects upon it, understands its meaning and importance, and come to reasoned conclusions
Puts the issue in its historical context
Critically examines the factual evidence from Section B
Critically evaluates the sources, especially those from Section C
Considers different interpretations of the evidence

10. Pointers for Section D
Almost every single sentence should have a citation in a footnote
Do not introduce new factual evidence that was not already presented in Section B
Divide the analysis into appropriate paragraphs or sub-sections based upon the nature of your investigation
Where two sources directly contradict draw conclusions about which interpretation is more valid

11. Section E: Conclusion 150-200 words Clearly state your conclusion!!!
Conclusion must be consistent with the evidence that has been presented
Your conclusion should be nuanced – the answer to a complex historical question is rarely a straight up yes or no. Don’t be afraid to draw a complex conclusion.
Do not include any new information in this section.
It is very unlikely that you will need to cite anything in this section.

12. Section E Pointers
Treat the Conclusion as if it were the last paragraph of the Analysis section (which it pretty much is)
Restate your question in bold somewhere near the beginning of the Conclusion
Identify unanswered questions related to your topic that future investigations may pursue
Recognize the limitations of your conclusion
Recognize the significance of your conclusion within the historical context of the question

13. Section F: Sources & Word Limit
Bibliography must use one citation style consistently and accurately
Any illustrations, documents, or other supporting evidence must be placed in an appendix that comes after the bibliography
None of this counts toward the word count
If the word count exceeds 2000 any additional words past 2000 will not be counted and the IA will receive no points for Section F

14. Section F Pointers
Sources should be appropriate, relevant and high quality
There should be a good balance of primary and secondary sources
Everything in the investigation that needs to be cited has been cited and properly

15. Format
Top line: Make a title out of your research question – something short and catchy
Second line: state your research question verbatim
Third line: state your name
Fourth line: state your candidate number
Fifth line: state the word count (including only Sections A through E)
Make it look classy and professional
Include a table of contents on the second page
Throughout the paper use a header that includes your name, your candidate number, and the page number