1. Internal Assessment YOU are the HISTORIAN And History is…
I.B. HISTORY
Internal Assessment
YOU are the HISTORIAN
And History is…

2. HISTORY IS FUN!

3. What does a historian do?
Develops a research question.
Examines a wide variety of sources for evidence.
Assesses the values and limitations of these sources.
Analyzes the evidence.
Draws a conclusion.

4. Internal Assessment
In Standard Level History the I.A. is worth 25% of your overall grade.
In Higher Level History the I.A. is worth 20% of your overall grade.
A solid I.A. sets you up for success in IB History

5. Internal Assessment
The History I.A. is a historical investigation of 2200 words - scored out of 25 points
It is divided into three sections
Identification and evaluation of sources
500 words, 6 points
Investigation
1300 words, 15 points
Reflection
400 words, 4 points

6. The Topic The topic should be an historical issue.
Describing the assassination of Franz Ferdinand is not an historical issue.
Examining - “Did the assassination of Franz Ferdinand cause WW I?” - is an historical issue.

7. The Research Question
Research Question should be specific, focussed and enable analysis
Reference IB command terms - avoid why and what
It must involve analysis, not be descriptive or narrative
IF YOU HAVE A GOOD QUESTION, YOU SHOULD HAVE A GOOD PAPER!!!

8. A. Identification and Evaluation of Sources
A brief but very important section.
Clearly states the research question
Identifies scope of research
Identifies and evaluates 2 sources
Sources should be central and relevant to the topic

9. C. Evaluation of Sources
Evaluation - OPVL - origin, purpose, value and limitation
Do not use the words ‘primary’ or ‘secondary’ source.
Rather describe the source; i.e. history book, speech, government directive etc.

10. C. Evaluation of Sources
When evaluating a secondary source keep these points in mind.
What areas have received emphasis
Are there areas the author has chosen to ignore or underplay.
Remember; no historian can include everything. Choices must be made.
These choices affect the nature of the thesis and analysis.

11. Investigation The “meat” of your IA
Clear, coherent and effective organisation
Critical analysis
Range of evidence - must be cited
Different perspectives
Includes conclusion

12. Works Cited and Bibliography
Not scored, but required
Expectation that ALL students clearly acknowledge their sources
Cannot list works that were not listed or used in the IA
Failure to properly cite sources or failure to include a bibliography will be viewed as an academic honesty issue.

13. A Note on Sources Textbooks are not considered as acceptable sources
Internet sources are too be approached and used with care - general websites are not seen as academically reliable
The Internet is an excellent source for documents and other primary sources.

14. Plagiarism
You must cite (reference) all ideas and quotes that are taken from your sources.
You do not have to cite general knowledge.

15. Plagiarism
A paper without citations is plagiarized and thus should receive a failing mark.

16. Reflection Individual and personal Your experience as an historian
Process and challenges
Methods

17. Plagiarism
This is non-negotiable.

18. Appendix
Use the appendix for anything that does not fit into the body of the investigation.
This might include maps, charts, illustrations, etc.

19. Appendix
You CANNOT place something in the appendix unless it is referenced in your paper.
Most papers will not have an appendix.

20. Explanatory Footnotes
Explanatory footnotes are used sparingly.
They are used to translate non-English words or define terms. i.e. Weltpolitik, NSC 68 etc.
To include ‘explanatory’ information that does not fit into the context of the paper.

21. Embedded Quotes In History papers you DO NOT use embedded quotes.
In English papers you do use embedded quotes.
In History papers you DO NOT use embedded quotes.
You do not use someone else’s words to finish your own sentence.

22. List of Sources
There are no options.

23. List of Sources
You can earn two points for a proper list of sources and staying within the word count.
It would be silly not to get these two points.
The 10% over and under for word count is an I.B. myth.

24. Penultimate Draft Complete with Proper cover page
Proper list of sources
Proper form
Word count 1500 to 2000 words

25. Initial Draft
Due Date Friday, June 1st

26. Penultimate Draft This will be marked and receive a AISG grade.
It will be marked by I.B. criteria.

27. Final I.A.
Due in September

28. Keys to a good I.A. Follow Directions!
Write with two books or documents by your side.
Directions to I.A.
Thesaurus [I don’t trust online Thesauruses]

29. The three most important keys to a good I.A.
Revise!