How to Write an IB Economics IA and Get a Good Score, in 8 Steps

Welcome to the IB internal assessment commentary. During your 2-year IB program, you will be writing three commentaries, one for each section of the syllabus. So that’s Micro, Macro and The Global Economy.

If you want to skip right to the IB economics IA sample pdf page, go here: https://economicstutor.site/sample-ib-economics-ia-commentaries/

If you want to receive a top score by working with me directly, check out my services on the home page: https://economicstutor.site/

As an IB Economics Teacher with years of experience, I often get the following questions:

  • How do I structure my IB Economics IA?
  • How do I write IB Economics Micro IA?
  • How do I write IB Economics Macro IA?
  • How do I write IB Economics Global Economy IA?
  • How many diagrams should an economics IA have?

This video will give you step-by-step instructions on how to write the commentary, from start to finish, and provide some helpful strategies along the way. So, let’s get started …

  •      Step 1 – Pick an Article

    o   Rather than Googling an economic term, just open up the online newspaper and go to either the business or economics section

    o   If you are writing the micro commentary, look for an article about something happening in a certain market such as a new tax, subsidy or regulation

    o   If you are writing the macro commentary, look for changes in macro policies such as income tax policy, central bank policy or a policy to reduce unemployment

    o   If you are writing the global economy commentary, look for new trade policies or article about changes in currency values or balance of trade

    ·       Step 2 – Pick a Key Concept

    o   Now it’s time to pick a key concept that seems appropriate for what’s happening in the article. Maybe the article is talking about making a market more efficient. Or, maybe the government is trying to improve the economic well-being of its citizens by providing more public goods

    ·       Step 3 – Think of at Least Two Diagrams that Fit this Article

    o   By now, you probably have some idea of the kind of economic analysis you are going to provide in your commentary. Thinking of the first diagram is pretty easy, but while you are in the early stages, try to nail down what your second diagram will be. If you figure that out, you’re ready to move forward

    ·       Step 4 – Highlighting the Article

    o   This step is important so your teacher/examiner knows which parts of the article for which you’ll be providing commentary. Also, it’ll get the ball rolling on your explanation and even evaluation points

    o   Things to look for are:

    §  A description of the new policy

    §  Goals of the policy

    §  Quotes from policy makers or experts

    §  Numbers such as the per-unit tax amount, unemployment rate, or tariff rate

    ·       Step 5 – Write the Introduction

    o   The introduction should include 3 things:

    §  What is the news article is about?

    §  Which economic concepts are relevant?

    §  Which foundational key concept is relevant and how can it be connected to the news event?

    ·       Step 6 – Write the Analysis

    o   Here you will want to lay out the actual economics of the article. You’ll want to use the correct terminology and theory. Don’t be afraid to use your textbook as a guide, but don’t copy too much. The explanation should be brief and concise. Remember that there is an 800-word limit, and about half of that should be spent providing high-level evaluation points that show critical thinking.

    o   Your diagrams should be used in the analysis. And don’t just drop in the diagrams and that’s it! You need to explain your diagrams completely, and how the diagrams are an illustration of the economic theory that applies in this case.

    o   Make sure to use as many facts, figures and statements from the article as you can. Your teacher/examiner will be looking for “application”, which means how well did you connect your article to the economic theories that you’ve explained.

    ·       Step 7 – Write the Conclusion/Evaluation

    o   You’re almost done! But you haven’t done the most important part yet.

    o   Now you need to organize all the best, most relevant, arguments in support of the policy along with the most relevant arguments against the policy

    o   Some of the arguments for the policy will be included in the news article. Make sure you grab some useful quotes or numbers like “local politician who supports the policy said this…” or “this policy should reduce inflation down to 3%” or “the tariff is expected to create 24,000 jobs in the steel industry”.

    ·       Step 8 – Make a judgement!

    o   Now that you’ve done everything else, it’s time to make a definitive judgement about the effectiveness and desirability of the policy. If you were the economist in charge, would you support or reject the policy.

So now you know how to Write an IB Economics IA and Get a Good Score!

If you need help, check out my services:

**Basic Service – Give me an article, cover sheet and that are specific to the article: https://economicstutor.site/product/article-outline/

**Premium Service – Write my IA please! Give me the article, cover sheet and a fully written commentary: https://economicstutor.site/product/write-my-ia/

To find sample IB Economics IA commentaries for each section of the syllabus, go here: https://economicstutor.site/sample-ib-economics-ia-commentaries/

For more information, check out this link for the IB Economics IA Guide from the IB: https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/individuals-and-societies/economics/