IBDP ECONOMICS
Internal Assessment
Internal Assessment
IA is an integral part of Economics Course.
Enables to demonstrate the application of
the knowledge of Economic theory to real
world situations without the time constraints
of written examinations.
Purpose of Internal Assessment
To fill the gap as the final exams are written at the
end of two years.
Motivates the learning process.
To follow up aspects of economics in which
students are interested.
To focus on international issues or issues related
to own country.
It serves as a natural part of syllabus activities.
Assessments Internal HL / SL
Portfolio 4 Commentaries
HL worth 20% of final mark
SL worth 25% of final mark.
Good portfolio improves the overall grade
level.
Portfolio 4 Commentaries
Three commentaries with main focus on
different sections of the syllabus
Fourth Commentary can focus either on a
single section or on two or more sections of
the syllabus
If less than four commentaries are written
students will lose all marks under criterion
B & will be disadvantaged in other criteria.
Extracts for commentary
A suitable current article concerned with real
economic matters will be the best.
Extracts must be drawn from four different
sources.
Can be from newspaper, magazines, journals,
world wide web [internet] .
Cannot be from television or radio broadcasts
From internet , news media websites are the only
appropriate sources.
Extracts for commentary
Materials published up to six months before
the start of the course can be taken along
with current events.
If different sources are not used for each
commentary then three marks will be lost
under criterion B.
Extracts
Extracts may be of any length but if they are
excessively long then specific areas of the
extract which is selected for the discussion
must be highlighted or underlined.
It is better to select such an extract which is
neither too short nor too long and which
gives you scope to demonstrate your
understanding of economic theory.
Focus
Apply relevant theory i.e. link the extract
with the economic theory studied .
Do not summarize the article .
Make good use of diagrams and try to reach
a balanced conclusion.
A good commentary
Explains the linkages between the extract
and an economic theory taken from the
section of the syllabus on which the
commentary is based.
Demonstrates economic insights into the
implications of the extract i.e. provides
evidence to evaluate current events from
economist point of view.
Guide lines
Commentaries must be typed and the style
of presentation must be common to all.
Common font , common style of heading ,
common size of print .
Portfolio must be written by keeping the
internal assessment criteria in mind.
Guide lines
Each commentary must be within 650-750 words.
If any commentary is outside the word limit then
marks are lost in criterion A.
Everything accept the coversheet is included in the
word count.Footnotes ,references, captions to
diagrams , symbols and quotations everything
counts .
20 hrs of class time devoted for portfolio in HL/
SL
Guidance
Definitions used should show thorough
understanding of the terms
Diagrams must be drawn neatly and labeled
properly with proper explanation.
Keep margins and enough space for diagrams
Each diagrams must be numbered and given a title
and a reference must be made in the commentary.
Guidance
Indent first lines and separate paragraphs with
double spacing.
Commentary must be given a title.
Foot numbers must be written at the end of the
sentence.
Every criterion should be demonstrated in every
commentary
Conclusions are important.
Number of words must be indicated at the end of
the commentary.
Steps
Select an article from any source .
Make a list of economic concepts covered in the
article .
Make a list of diagrams that can be covered to
explain the economic concepts in the article.
List all the facts and statistics mentioned in the
article
Explain the article in your own words by making use
of economic terms .
Remember to write your evaluation.
Commentary writing must be such that it enables a
layman to understand about the article.
Information to be recorded in
each commentary
Title of Extract
Source of Extract
Date of extract
Word count of the commentary
Date the commentary was written
Sections of the syllabus to which the
commentary relates.
Terms
Analysis implies application of the theory
Evaluation implies a judgment of a theory
and an application of the theory to a given
situation, with an awareness that the theory
may not provide an accurate description.
How to reference sources
References for articles used in the commentary
References for information from the internet
References to materials ( books articles websites)
used in the body text of the commentary.
Author title (Edition,Publisher,Place,Year),page.
E.g. John Sloman,Economics ( 4th edition , Prentice
Hall, London 2000) p.323.
Checklist before submitting the
commentary
1. On each commentary have you noted the
following on the coversheet
title of the extract
source of the extract
date of the extract
word count of the commentary
date the commentary was written
section of the syllabus to which the commentary
relates
Checklist before submitting the
commentary
2 Have you included the extract.
3 Is the commentary within the word limit .
(650- 750) words.
4 Have you labeled your diagrams accurately.
5 Have you highlighted the relevant parts of
the extract if it is lengthy.
6 Have you cited correctly the sources or
references used other than the extract.
Checklist before submitting the
commentary
7 Have you checked that each extract is from
a different source
8 Have you kept a second copy of your
extracts and commentaries for your file.
9 Have you checked the overall style of
presentation.
10 Have you put your portfolio in a suitable
folder .
IA Portfolio coversheet
Date
1
2
3
4
Title of Article
Source of
Article
Date of
Article
Section of syllabus
linked to
commentary
Word count
Internal Assessment Criterion
CRITERIA
Rubric Requirements
Organization and presentation
Use of economic terminology
Application and analysis of
economic concepts
Evaluation
MARKS
02
04
05
05
04
Commentary Coversheet
Economics Commentary number
Title and extract
Source of extract
Date of extract
Word count
Date the commentary was written
Sections of syllabus to which the commentary
relates
Candidate name
Candidate number