Mastering Your History Internal Assessment: The Complete Guide

1. The IB History IA Format (A Quick Overview)

Your IA is divided into three sections:

• Section 1: Identification and Evaluation of Sources (6 marks)
• Section 2: The Investigation (15 marks)
• Section 3: Reflection (4 marks)

Word limit: 2,200 words (excluding bibliography)

Each section has specific requirements and scoring criteria, so let’s break them down and show you exactly how to ace each part.

2. Section 1: Identification and Evaluation of Sources (6 marks)

This section is all about proving you’ve picked strong, reliable sources and that you understand their strengths and weaknesses.

How to Get a 6/6:

• ✅ Clearly state your research question (e.g., To what extent did propaganda influence support for the Vietnam War?)
• ✅ Pick two sources that are highly relevant (they should be essential to answering your question!)
• ✅ Evaluate each source using OPCVL (Origin, Purpose, Content, Value, Limitations) with depth and insight
• ✅ Explicitly connect the sources’ strengths and weaknesses to your specific investigation

🚨 Bad Example (2/6): “The book was written in 1985 and is about the Vietnam War. It is useful because it talks about the war.”

✅ Good Example (6/6): “This book, written by an American veteran in 1985, offers valuable firsthand insight into the experiences of soldiers during the Vietnam War. However, its limitations lie in its strong anti-war bias, potentially influencing the portrayal of events.”

Expert Tip:

Avoid generic statements like “This source is reliable because it is written by a historian.” Instead, show critical thinking: “While the historian is an expert, their work may reflect nationalistic perspectives that influence their interpretation.”

3. Section 2: The Investigation (15 marks)

This is where the real analysis happens. It’s your chance to dive deep into your historical question, support your argument with evidence, and showcase different perspectives.

How to Get a 15/15:

Think of this section like a mini-essay—it should have a clear structure, logical flow, and strong analysis. You should have 4-5 distinct arguments that break down different aspects of your question.

Suggested Structure:

Introduction

• ✅ Provide brief context for your topic (historical background, why it matters)
• ✅ Define key terms (e.g., what does “success” mean in the context of a revolution?)
• ✅ Deconstruct the question by showing its different aspects
• ✅ Narrow down the topic—what exactly will your IA focus on?
• ✅ End with a clear thesis statement that outlines your main argument

🚨 Bad Example (4/15): “The Vietnam War lasted many years and had different causes. Many people supported it, but others did not.”

✅ Good Example (15/15): “This investigation explores how the U.S. government and the media framed the Vietnam War differently, ultimately shaping public perception. While government propaganda initially controlled the narrative, investigative journalism and televised war coverage eroded public trust, contributing to increasing opposition by the late 1960s.”

Body Paragraphs (4-5 sections, each focused on a distinct argument)

Each paragraph should follow this structure:

• ✅ Topic Sentence – A direct response to the research question
• ✅ Evidence – A historical example, statistic, or direct quote from a source
• ✅ Explanation – How does this evidence support your argument?
• ✅ Counter-evidence/Alternative Interpretation – What could challenge your point? How can you address that?
• ✅ Mini-Conclusion – A sentence linking back to the main question

Conclusion

• ✅ Summarize the key arguments without repeating yourself
• ✅ Answer the research question explicitly
• ✅ Make a final evaluative statement—why does your investigation matter?

🚨 Bad Example: “In conclusion, the Vietnam War was controversial, and people had different opinions about it.”

✅ Good Example: “This investigation demonstrates that U.S. government propaganda initially controlled the public’s perception of the Vietnam War. However, independent media coverage exposed the war’s brutality, leading to a significant shift in public opinion. This case highlights the critical role of journalism in shaping historical narratives.”

Expert Tip:

• Show historical perspectives by comparing how different historians interpret events
• Don’t be overly narrative—focus on why events happened, not just what happened
• Use precise, analytical language—avoid vague statements like “This source was helpful”

4. Section 3: Reflection (4 marks)

This is where you discuss what you learned about history and the challenges of being a historian.

• ✅ Identify specific difficulties you faced while researching
• ✅ Explain how historians deal with bias, missing sources, and conflicting evidence
• ✅ Explicitly connect your reflections to your investigation

🚨 Bad Example: “I learned that history is complicated and that sources can be biased.”

✅ Good Example: “My investigation showed how government sources often omit critical information to maintain a particular narrative. This highlighted a key challenge for historians—reconstructing past events without access to all the evidence.”

5. Expert Examiner Tips (Next-Level IA Techniques!)

Want to stand out? Here are some pro examiner strategies:

• 🔥 Use Historiography: Reference different historians and schools of thought. For example, “Marxist historians argue that economic factors were the key driver of revolution, whereas revisionist historians emphasize political ideology.”
• 🔥 Apply Source Cross-Referencing: Instead of treating sources separately, compare them! “While Source A argues X, Source B contradicts this by emphasizing Y, showing the complexity of the issue.”
• 🔥 Use Thematic Analysis Instead of Chronological Analysis: Don’t just go event by event—organize your IA thematically! Instead of “First X happened, then Y,” group arguments based on causes, consequences, or perspectives.
• 🔥 Include Minor Counterarguments: Even if you strongly support one perspective, briefly acknowledge an alternative interpretation and explain why it’s weaker.
• 🔥 Don’t Just State Facts—Analyze Them! Always answer the “So what?” question—what does this fact mean in the broader historical context?

6. The Ultimate Step-by-Step Checklist

Here’s a detailed timeline to keep you on track while working on your IA:

Step 1: Choosing a Topic (Week 1)

• ✅ Pick a topic that excites you (you’ll be working on this for weeks!)
• ✅ Ensure there are enough sources available
• ✅ Get your research question approved by your teacher

Step 2: Researching (Weeks 2–3)

• ✅ Find at least 5 strong sources (2 of which will be evaluated in Section 1)
• ✅ Take detailed notes on key arguments, perspectives, and evidence
• ✅ Identify contradictions or debates in sources

Step 3: Writing Section 1 (Week 4)

• ✅ Clearly state your research question
• ✅ Pick 2 key sources and evaluate them using OPCVL
• ✅ Explicitly link their strengths/weaknesses to your investigation

Step 4: Writing the Investigation (Weeks 5–6)

• ✅ Develop a clear thesis that answers your research question
• ✅ Support your argument with a variety of sources
• ✅ Analyze different perspectives and historical interpretations
• ✅ Organize everything logically

Step 5: Writing the Reflection (Week 7)

• ✅ Reflect on historical methods and challenges historians face
• ✅ Make explicit connections to your own investigation
• ✅ Avoid vague statements—be specific and thoughtful

Step 6: Final Edits & Submission (Week 8)

• ✅ Check word count (Max: 2,200)
• ✅ Proofread for clarity and conciseness
• ✅ Ensure citations & bibliography are correct
• ✅ Ask a teacher or peer to review your work before submission