Guide to Writing and Structuring an IB Economics Internal Assessment
For the New Syllabus Examinations 2022
The economics IA portfolio is internally moderated. Students must produce three commentaries based on news articles, each focusing on a different unit of the syllabus and one of the nine Key Concepts.
How Long Should An Economics IA Article Be?
What's NOT included in word count:
- Acknowledgments and table of contents
- Diagrams and labels (under 5 words)
- Diagram titles (up to 10 words)
- Statistical tables, equations, formulas, calculations
- Footnotes and endnotes (but must be fully referenced)
⚠️ Citations and definitions ARE included in word count!
5 Strategies for Selecting an Effective Article
Choose reputable news sources – Avoid opinion pieces and published economic papers. General news articles with accessible language make applying and analyzing economic theories easier.
Opt for shorter, focused articles – Long articles often cover multiple topics, making it challenging to concentrate on key concepts within the 800-word limit.
Look for quantitative data – Articles with data enhance your application and add depth to your diagrams.
Use news aggregators – Search for relevant topics. If one article is too broad, others might cover the same event more suitably.
Explore international news – Don't limit yourself to your own country, especially for macro topics. More time searching = easier writing!
Meeting the Criteria: IB Economics IA Rubric
| Criterion | Commentary Section | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A | Diagrams | 3 |
| B | Terminology | 2 |
| C | Application and Analysis | 3 |
| D | Key Concept | 3 |
| E | Evaluation | 3 |
| F | Total for each commentary | 14 Marks |
| Total for the portfolio (3 IAs) | 45 Marks | |
How to Interpret the Assessment Criteria
Criterion A: Diagrams
Requirements:
- Minimum of 2 self-constructed, titled diagrams
- Include quantitative information tailored to your IA's focus
- Fully label all components and explain in commentary body
- Reference intercepts and use diagrams in your analysis
- Include as much quantitative data as possible
Criterion B: Terminology
Use economic terminology throughout the IA, including key terms from the syllabus.
Criterion C: Application and Analysis
Key Points:
- Use correct and appropriate economic theory
- Explain what's happening in economic terms
- Explain outcomes for the market and stakeholders
- Avoid generic commentaries that could apply to any article
❌ Over-analysis – considering every detail unnecessarily
❌ Lack of Conciseness – writing longer doesn't mean better!
✅ Focus on critical aspects that lead to your evaluation
Criterion D: Key Concept
- Identify one of the 9 key concepts in your opening paragraph
- Use it as an underlying theme throughout your discussion
- Ensure your statements support the key concept
- Reiterate its connection to the article
- Include a statement about it in your evaluation
Criterion E: Evaluation
Consider these aspects:
- How accurately does economic theory apply?
- Advantages and disadvantages of economic situations
- Merits and demerits to stakeholders (cost-benefit analysis)
- Conditional extent of government solutions
- Balanced presentation of both sides
- Alternative solutions and future forecasts
- Assumptions, short-term and long-term consequences
- Prioritized solutions or ethical considerations
Criterion F: Rubric Requirements
- Each article based on a different unit of the syllabus
- Taken from a different and appropriate source
- Published no earlier than one year before writing the commentary
Guide to Writing and Structuring an IB Economics Internal Assessment
For the New Syllabus Examinations 2022
The economics IA portfolio is internally moderated. Students must produce three commentaries based on news articles, each focusing on a different unit of the syllabus and one of the nine Key Concepts: scarcity, choice, efficiency, equity, economic well-being, sustainability, change, interdependence, and intervention.
How Long Should An Economics IA Article Be?
Students need to create a portfolio consisting of three commentaries, each not exceeding an 800-word limit. Moderators will only consider content within the 800-word limit for each commentary.
The word count excludes elements such as acknowledgments, table of contents, visual representations like diagrams, labels with no more than five words, diagram titles with up to ten words, statistical data tables, equations, formulas, calculations, in-text citations (which must be positioned within the commentary), and references (which, if utilized, should be in the form of footnotes or endnotes and fully referenced). It's important to note that citations and definitions need to be incorporated within the commentary and will contribute to the word count.
What are Rubric Requirements in Economics IA?
- Each article must be based on a different unit of the syllabus.
- Students must use a different source for each commentary.
- Students need to look for articles relating to current events and these must be published no earlier than one year before writing the commentary.
What are 5 Strategies for Selecting an Effective Article for Your Economics IA?
So that you are able to analyze the issue from an economic perspective and demonstrate your understanding of economic theory, it is important to choose articles that address straightforward economic topics. First, choose articles from reputable news sources, and not from an opinion or editorial section, nor published or academic economic papers. Use more general news articles written in accessible language since applying and analyzing economic theories on general economic reporting is much easier, and saves time.
Second, try to select shorter, focused articles. Extended articles usually cover multiple topics, making it challenging to concentrate on the key concepts within a limited word count. You will find it easier to work with an article that provides information about a focused event, even if it lacks a lot of depth.
Third, look for articles that contain quantitative data. Articles that include quantitative elements enhance your application and make the tailoring of your diagrams with the article's perspective much easier.
Fourth, make use of news aggregators; search for relevant topics. If one article is too broad, others might cover the same event more suitably.
Fifth, feel free to explore international news. Do not limit yourself to your own country. This is particularly relevant for macro topics.
Spending more time on article hunting will pay off later in easier writing.
Meeting the Criteria: Navigating the IB Economics IA Rubric Requirements
See the syllabus for a breakdown of the descriptors for each criterion
| Criterion | Commentary Section | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A | Diagrams | 3 |
| B | Terminology | 2 |
| C | Application and analysis | 3 |
| D | Key Concept | 3 |
| E | Evaluation | 3 |
| F | Total for each commentary | 14 Marks |
| Total for the portfolio (3 IAs) | 45 | |
How to interpret the assessment criteria and get a full mark?
Criterion A: Diagrams (3 marks)
Each Economic IA requires a minimum of 2 self-constructed, titled diagrams with quantitative information tailored to match the IA's specific focus. Include fully labeled diagrams and explain them in the commentary body, labeling and referencing intercepts and using the diagrams with your analysis. These diagrams should include as much quantitative data as possible. Be sure to acknowledge changes in revenue, expenditure, welfare loss, and social surplus (HL only) wherever possible.
Criterion B: Terminology (2 marks)
Use economic terminology throughout the IA, including key terms from the syllabus. Avoid vague terms for relative change or comparisons and be specific.
Criterion C: Application and Analysis (3 marks)
Be sure to use the correct and appropriate economic theory to refer to facts and ideas in the chosen article. Explain what is happening in economic terms and explain the outcomes for the market and associated stakeholders. Avoid writing generic commentaries that could apply to any article. Plan and identify the economic concepts to address before writing the IA, as part of the article selection process.
Students typically become familiar with the Analysis criterion through practice sessions in class; however, it can prove challenging in IA writing due to two main issues.
Over-analysis:
Students often overanalyze an article by considering every detail, which can become unnecessary, such as when selecting too long of an essay with too much information or losing track while reading and analyzing an event or document. Ensure your analysis focuses on critical aspects, ultimately leading to your evaluation.
Lack of Conciseness:
Many students believe that writing longer is better. This is not true – use only what words you need to effectively deliver your message, avoid literary or casual writing styles, and remove unnecessary words by asking, "Will It Make A Difference If I Remove This Word?" If the answer is no, then remove said words altogether.
Analysis refers to your discussion on the effects of changes or problems identified in your introduction paragraph: providing an economic explanation for potential advantages and disadvantages related to your topic. Analysis should support rather than replace evaluation.
Criterion D: Key Concept (3 marks)
Identify one of the 9 key concepts in your opening paragraph as an underlying theme for your discussion. Ensure your statements support the key concept and reiterate its connection to the article. Include a statement in your evaluation in the context of the key concept.
Criterion E: Evaluation (3 marks)
Consider these for evaluating your article:
- How accurately does economic theory apply?
- Advantages and disadvantages of economic situation, decisions, and options
- Merits and demerits to stakeholders, cost-benefit analysis
- Conditional extent of government solution
- Balanced presentation of both sides, alternative solutions, future forecasts
- Assumptions, short-term and long-term consequences
- Prioritized solutions or ethical considerations
Evaluate with reasoning and evidence in your analysis, not just a concluding summary or opinion.
Important: Evaluation does not mean a summary of the previous analysis. The evaluation should not be based solely on your opinion, but rather the effects and possible solutions to the problem. Your evaluation should be fair and based on evidence and reasoning.
Criterion F: Rubric Requirements
Ensure that each article is based on a different unit of the syllabus, is taken from a different and appropriate source and was published no earlier than one year before writing the commentary.
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