Internal Assessment Advice

Or…how to get a 7 on your Internal Assessment

Cover Page

• You must include your name • Your candidate number (if you don’t know this, let me know) • Research Question or Title of paper • Word Count-for the entire paper (which does not include the bibliography)

Other Formatting Advice

• Your second page must be an index with page numbers of the 5 sections.

• Page numbers-you must have them on each page starting AFTER the index. Put your last name, candidate number and page number in the upper right hand corner. Not a candidate? Just your last name and page number will be fine.

Research Question

• Even if it’s on your cover page, it must go on page 1 (the first official page of writing) • The question should be at the very top of your page and centered. The question should NOT be part of section A, but above it.

Rohweller, Page 1

How significant was Fidel Castro’s Role in the Missile Crisis of 1962?

A. Plan of Investigation The investigation assesses the significance of Fidel Castro in the Missile Crisis of 1962. In order to evaluate….

A: Plan of Investigation

• 3 Marks • This investigation will assess…..

– No in my essay, I will, etc.

• Introduction/explanation of topic • Methodology of research – Specific sources used • Limitations of research (what will not be covered)

What Not to Do….

• No giant paragraphs…if one paragraph is an entire page, that is WAY too long!! Break up your information!

• One paragraph for the scope and one paragraph for the method.

• Asses vs Assess; which one would you like to have in your paper that goes out to the entire world?

B: Summary of Evidence

• 6 Marks • These are just the FACTS. The story, the background of the topic.

• Be sure the background is specific to your question!!!!

• You must reference and cite multiple sources here.

• No analysis, just the facts.

• These facts should relate to your question, not everything ever written about your topic in general.

C: Evaluation of Sources

• 5 Marks • Two sources, no more-no less • O,P,V,L for each source, but in paragraph format • Also consider historical value-as a historian studying your topic (which you actually are).

• Be sure to state the overall usefulness of the sources to your investigation-either to the positive or negative in the 3rd paragraph.

D: Analysis

• 6 Marks • This is the interpretation section of the paper.

• You should be analyzing the facts from section B.

• You did the research, what does it mean? How does it relate to the question you asked?

• Are there other points of view being offered? Different interpretations?

• So what? What is the importance of your investigation in a historical context?

• All the information here should mirror what was written in Part B.

E: Conclusion

• 2 Marks • This is a shorter section • You should bring the conclusion back to your original question-what did you find? Be sure to address the question one last time in this section. Be sure to use the actual language of your question. The extent to which ….

• Did you actually answer your question?

• This must be clearly stated and consistent with the evidence presented.

F: List of Sources

• 3 Marks • Be sure that your word count is between 1500-2000 words. Under or over and you lose marks!

• Your list should include books and Internet sources-no wikipedia!!!

• Sources should be in alphabetical order!!!

• Use Chicago style formatting for both the sources and footnotes.

The Final Paper

• The final draft of your internal assessment is due Monday, March 5th.

• You must turn in two copies-typed • Remember that this paper will be worth 200 points and 25 marks!!!

• The rubric given at the beginning of the assignment will be the one used to grade the final paper.

• These scores are then submitted to IB, which will then ask for sample papers.

Questions???