Sources

Paper 3 essay 1 Oct 2021

Choose either question A or B:

A. "German foreign policy did not lead to the outbreak of the First World War." Discuss.
B. Discuss the factors that led to the defeat of Germany and the other Central powers in the First World War.

Return to ManageBac.

Mark Bands for Paper 3

 

 

Approach to the Question

Knowledge

Analysis

 

Demands of Q

Structure

Knowledge

Concepts

Critical Analysis

Perspectives

0

Not understood

No obvious structure

No obvious knowledge

No relevant examples

No analysis

None

1-3

Little Understanding

Poorly structured, or not focussed on task

Little knowledge present, factual inaccuracies or vague assertions

 

No critical analysis. Unsubstantiated assertions and generalisations

N/A

4-6

Some understanding

Some attempt at structure but lacking clarity and coherence

Some knowledge demonstrated but inaccuracies/ irrelevancies.

Superficial context

Some limited analysis, but mainly narrative

N/A

7-9

Understanding but only partially addressed

Attempts at structured answer

Knowledge is relevant and mostly accurate. Appropriate examples

Events in context

Mainly narrative but some critical comment, often unsustained

N/A

10-12

Question understood and addressed

Generally well structured. Some lack of clarity

Knowledge is relevant and accurate. Examples are appropriate and support analysis

Events in context and clear understanding of historical concepts

Mainly clear and coherent arguments and critical analysis. Points mainly substantiated and clear conclusion

Some awareness and evaluation of different perspectives

13-15

Clear focus with high level of understanding and implications

Well structured throughout

Knowledge is relevant and accurate. Appropriate and relevant examples used to effectively support analysis.

Clear context and understanding of concepts

Clear and coherent arguments and critical analysis.

Points are substantiated and clear conclusion

Evaluation of different perspectives integrated into answer.

The structure of IB History essay

(A) Begin with an introduction to the research question!
* But at first: Read the (research) question very carefully! > Underline main points (f.ex. the command term)
* "The aim of the essay is to investigate..."

* "To what extent is it fair to say that...?"
* "It is important to study this (these) question(s) because..."
* Give an ARGUMENT on the question!
(B) Make analysis!
* Introduce evidence on the argument and discuss about the evidence
* Give different points of views; make interpretations
* "On the other hand,...", "However,...", "Moreover,..."
* Use linkages if the command term demands to compare and/or contrast:
- when comparisons/ similarities f.ex.: "Both Lenin and Trotsky...", "In the USSR...; similarly in Mao's China..."
-
when contrasts/ differences f.ex.: "After the 1905 Revolution...Whereas/However/But as a consequence of the February 1917 Revolution...)
* Use KEY CONCEPTS of History!
(C) Introduce the conclusion(s) of your analysis!
* "As a conclusion..."
* Answer the question(s)
* Put things in the wider context; introduce the effects in the long run (vs short run)

* There are no exact rules for the certain minimum amount of the words. BUT: Could the essay be analytical enough without at least 500 words?