INTERNAL ASSESSMENTINTERNAL ASSESSMENT

Constitutes 20% of your IB history score Constitutes 20% of your IB history score Topic choice must be historical (duh!).Topic choice must be historical (duh!). It CANNOT be related to your extended It CANNOT be related to your extended

essay. It CAN be a modification of other essay. It CAN be a modification of other historical research you have done (9historical research you have done (9thth grade grade research paper, 11research paper, 11thth grade oral history, etc.) grade oral history, etc.)

It cannot deal with an event in the last TEN It cannot deal with an event in the last TEN YEARSYEARS

I STRONGLY suggest that it be related to a I STRONGLY suggest that it be related to a History of the Americas topic on which you History of the Americas topic on which you likely will be tested in May – see course likely will be tested in May – see course outlineoutline

I want a topic idea submitted to me by I want a topic idea submitted to me by ****************

REALLY IMPORTANT !!!REALLY IMPORTANT !!!

The history IA is not a history research paper per se. The history IA is not a history research paper per se. It is supposed to be an exercise in historiography, It is supposed to be an exercise in historiography, that is, interpreting, explaining, assessing and/or that is, interpreting, explaining, assessing and/or evaluating (not just describing) an event. evaluating (not just describing) an event. Therefore, it is important to find a history topic Therefore, it is important to find a history topic that remains disputed by scholars, so that you can that remains disputed by scholars, so that you can look at multiple points of views and controversy look at multiple points of views and controversy about the evidence.about the evidence.

One of the best things you can do in writing this is to One of the best things you can do in writing this is to look at examples of both well-written and poorly-look at examples of both well-written and poorly-written IAs, as well as pay complete attention to written IAs, as well as pay complete attention to the mark scheme for each section of the IA.the mark scheme for each section of the IA.

Examples of bad IA topics and questions vs. good onesExamples of bad IA topics and questions vs. good ones

How have women’s roles changed under Castro? How have women’s roles changed under Castro? Problem: too descriptive, doesn’t lend itself to discussing Problem: too descriptive, doesn’t lend itself to discussing

interpretation, what is the time frame?interpretation, what is the time frame?FIX: To what extent were Castro’s efforts to achieve gender FIX: To what extent were Castro’s efforts to achieve gender

equality between 1959 and 1990 driven by ideological equality between 1959 and 1990 driven by ideological interests, versus political and economic ones?interests, versus political and economic ones?

New warfare technologies used in WWINew warfare technologies used in WWIProblem: too broad, how is “use” to be understood?; this is not a Problem: too broad, how is “use” to be understood?; this is not a

research questionresearch questionFIX: Did the military commands involved in WWI comprehend FIX: Did the military commands involved in WWI comprehend

how new war technologies (planes, tanks, etc.) were going how new war technologies (planes, tanks, etc.) were going to effect how battles were fought, and did they adjust their to effect how battles were fought, and did they adjust their strategies accordingly?strategies accordingly?

The US Civil WarThe US Civil WarProblem: way too broad, no focus, would lead to pure Problem: way too broad, no focus, would lead to pure

descriptiondescriptionFIX: What conditions and factors explain the victory of the FIX: What conditions and factors explain the victory of the

Union forces over those of the Confederacy in the Union forces over those of the Confederacy in the American Civil War?American Civil War?

TOPIC: Hitler’s rise to powerTOPIC: Hitler’s rise to power

Suggest some good internal Suggest some good internal assessment research questions assessment research questions based on this topic.based on this topic.

INTERNAL ASSESSMENTINTERNAL ASSESSMENT

There are three keys to creating an Internal There are three keys to creating an Internal Assessment that will earn you the highest score. Assessment that will earn you the highest score. They are:They are:

1.1. Follow the exact format and include all required Follow the exact format and include all required sectionssections

2.2. Do NOT procrastinate; get your research done Do NOT procrastinate; get your research done well before the draft is due, and make sure your well before the draft is due, and make sure your research is well done (proper citation, good research is well done (proper citation, good sources, etc.)sources, etc.)

3.3. Turn in as complete a rough draft as possible, Turn in as complete a rough draft as possible, allowing me to comment on it. Rough drafts will allowing me to comment on it. Rough drafts will be due be due DECEMBER DECEMBER ****** in IB office. in IB office.

What will happen if I don’t do an Internal AssessmentWhat will happen if I don’t do an Internal Assessment

These guys will show up at your house—and it won’t be pretty

Or possibly this will Or possibly this will happen …happen …

Actually …Actually …

You must do a draft.You must do a draft.

Late drafts will suffer the Late drafts will suffer the normal IB paper normal IB paper consequences that negatively consequences that negatively impact 9 weeks’ grades.impact 9 weeks’ grades.

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT formatINTERNAL ASSESSMENT formatThe components of the Internal Assessment and The components of the Internal Assessment and

marks for each section are as follows:marks for each section are as follows:

1.1. PLAN OF INVESTIGATIONPLAN OF INVESTIGATION (3 marks) (3 marks) – states research – states research question, method and procedure of investigation (what question, method and procedure of investigation (what is being examined (and perhaps what is not), how is being examined (and perhaps what is not), how research was done, sources evaluated. Must have a research was done, sources evaluated. Must have a suitable time frame.suitable time frame.

2.2. SUMMARY OF EVIDENCESUMMARY OF EVIDENCE (6 marks) (6 marks) – factual material – factual material only—no interpretation/analysis. Can be bulleted, or only—no interpretation/analysis. Can be bulleted, or written, and must be properly cited. Is organized and written, and must be properly cited. Is organized and relevant to the question. relevant to the question.

3.3. SOURCE EVALUATIONSOURCE EVALUATION (5 marks) (5 marks) – POVL applied to TWO – POVL applied to TWO sources of your choosing. sources of your choosing.

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.

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.

 

Continued …Continued …

4. ANALYSIS4. ANALYSIS (6 marks) (6 marks) – assesses evidence, – assesses evidence, importance of the investigation, various importance of the investigation, various interpretations; shows awareness of source interpretations; shows awareness of source biasesbiases

5. CONCLUSION5. CONCLUSION (2 marks) (2 marks) – must be – must be consistent with evidence and interpretation consistent with evidence and interpretation presentedpresented

6. LIST OF SOURCES6. LIST OF SOURCES (and within word limit) (and within word limit) (3 (3 marks) marks) – suggest you have a minimum of 6-– suggest you have a minimum of 6-8, no encyclopedias, include journal/book 8, no encyclopedias, include journal/book entries, be selective with websites entries, be selective with websites (try .edu). Follow format (either MLA or (try .edu). Follow format (either MLA or APA)APA)

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

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.

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.

other considerationsother considerations

WORD COUNT – WORD COUNT – 1500-2000, does not include 1500-2000, does not include Works Cited, appendices or similar Works Cited, appendices or similar documentationdocumentation

PAST WEAKNESSES OF EASTSIDE STUDENTS PAST WEAKNESSES OF EASTSIDE STUDENTS Insufficient numbers of resources; use of Insufficient numbers of resources; use of

inappropriate resources (esp. websites)inappropriate resources (esp. websites) Inadequate citation in the documentInadequate citation in the document Inadequate/incomplete reference styleInadequate/incomplete reference style Excessive narrative as opposed to analysisExcessive narrative as opposed to analysis

EXAMPLE OF AN INTERNAL ASSESSMENT EXAMPLE OF AN INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

Planning your historical investigationPlanning your historical investigation

1. Start by identifying a general area of interest.1. Start by identifying a general area of interest. 2. Narrow it down to a specific question or area of 2. Narrow it down to a specific question or area of

investigation.investigation. 3. Choose a working title that may be changed or 3. Choose a working title that may be changed or

refined at a later stage.refined at a later stage. 4. Make sure sufficient resources can be obtained 4. Make sure sufficient resources can be obtained

for the planned investigation.for the planned investigation. 5. Complete section A, the plan, and evaluate the 5. Complete section A, the plan, and evaluate the

suitability of the research area.suitability of the research area. 6. Read widely around the area of study and note 6. Read widely around the area of study and note

down resources used.down resources used.

7. Review the research question and refine it if 7. Review the research question and refine it if necessary.necessary.

8. Take notes from resources, gathering evidence 8. Take notes from resources, gathering evidence and diverse opinions.and diverse opinions.

9. Ensure accurate use of referencing.9. Ensure accurate use of referencing. 10. Sort evidence thematically or chronologically.10. Sort evidence thematically or chronologically. 11. Choose two suitable sources to evaluate in 11. Choose two suitable sources to evaluate in

section C.section C. 12. Review your analysis. Check for differing 12. Review your analysis. Check for differing

viewpoints where appropriate.viewpoints where appropriate. 13. Write the investigation, according to IB 13. Write the investigation, according to IB

guidelines.guidelines.