To achieve a high score on your Economics IA, it is important to not only have strong content but also to structure it effectively. This will allow you to make the best use of the 800 word count limit. A well-structured IA typically includes five sections: introduction, problem analysis, policy explanation, evaluation and conclusion.

Introduction (75-150 words)

The introduction should provide a concise summary of the article you are analyzing. Unlike essays, defining keywords or terms is not usually required for your economics IA and can use up valuable word count unnecessarily. Make sure to use economic terms instead of common terms used in everyday conversation. For example, instead of using “price” use “general price level.” This will help to convince the reader that you are familiar with the subject and make your commentary appear more authoritative.

Problem analysis (100 words)

In the problem analysis section, you should give a clear explanation of the problem which has been identified in your research question. You may also choose to include a relevant diagram from the IB economics syllabus to aid in your explanation. If a diagram is used, make sure to include a clear explanation of the diagram which could be understood by a reader who is not already familiar with the relevant underlying economic theory.

If you want to learn “How to Draw Professional Looking Economics Diagrams” click here.

Policy explanation (200-250 words)

In the policy explanation section of the commentary, it is expected that the student will explain the proposed solution to the problem being analyzed. This could involve discussing a policy recommendation put forward in the article, or if none is provided, offering your own suggestion. The explanation should include details on how the policy is intended to address the issue at hand. Again, you may opt to include a relevant diagram from the IB economics syllabus to aid your explanation and demonstrate understanding.

Note that you should only include ONE policy suggestion per commentary.

Evaluation (250-300 words)

The evaluation section of your commentary is crucial as it offers the opportunity to earn the majority of the marks available. This is because it demands advanced skills, such as critical thinking, which involve challenging and critiquing the underlying principles of the economic theories contained in your commentary. As such, it is advisable to allocate a significant amount of time and effort to this section.

One widely-used technique for evaluating economic theories is the CLASPP acronym, created by IB Economics educator Tim Woods. The CLASPP acronym stands for conclusions, long-term and short-term effects, assumptions, stakeholders, priorities and pros and cons. Mr. Woods suggests that students use three or more of these types of evaluation as part of their commentary.

If you want to learn more about the CLASPP method of evaluation click here.

Conclusion (75 words)

In this section section you should write a very concise conclusion which reiterates the key points of your analysis and evaluation. This may include providing a brief overview of the rationale behind the policy, the projected outcomes of the policy, and/or a summary of your evaluation. You may also choose to include a final statement on the topic as long as it is supported by the rest of your analysis.

Note that you should not introduce any new concepts or ideas in this section.

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Luke Watson

Luke Watson has a BSc (Hons) in international business and economics. He is currently working as an IBDP economics teacher at Shanghai United International School in China.