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Starting your Internal Assessment (IA) can feel daunting, and many students often find themselves unsure of how to begin the process. In this post, however, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know to get started, so you can approach your IA with confidence and a clear plan in mind.
How to start writing your IA?
1) Choose your topic
The first and most crucial step in writing your IA is choosing a topic that not only interests you but also aligns with the IB requirements. While it's helpful to explore areas of the syllabus you're passionate about, don't be afraid to look beyond the syllabus for inspiration. Investigating topics outside of what's covered in class can make your IA more unique and engaging.
2) Formulate your Research Question
Once you’ve chosen your topic, the next step is to formulate a clear and focused research question. It is essential to create a research question that isn't too broad or too narrow. This is important because your investigation needs to be thorough, addressing your research question in depth while staying within the word count. A topic that is too broad will make it difficult to provide an exhaustive discussion, while one that is too narrow may not give you enough material for a meaningful analysis. Additionally, finding a sufficient amount of relevant sources to support your investigation is imperative.
Keep in mind that crafting a research question that isn't too vague or too narrow but also has ample supporting sources can be a time consuming process. You might need to refine and adjust your question several times to get it just right. Patience is key in this process, as a well-formulated research question is crucial to your success. It lays the foundation for a focused and thorough investigation, making it one of the most important aspects of the entire IA process. To help yourself with this process, make sure to check out our wide array of IA samples, available for all subjects. These can serve as a great source of inspiration for formulating your research question.
3) Collect data
After choosing your topic and formulating a research question, it is time to collect data and source material for your Internal Assessement. Make sure to gather a wide variety of sources to ensure a nuanced investigation. If you are working on an Internal Assessment within the Sciences group, this is the stage where you'll plan and carry out your experiment.
4) Create a draft
Once you’ve gathered your research and data, the next step is to create a rough draft that includes all sections of your essay. This draft will serve as a foundation, allowing you to organize your ideas and structure your investigation effectively. As you work through this draft, you will gradually expand on each section, adding more detail and refining your content. The process of drafting also gives you the opportunity to continuously improve your analysis, making adjustments as needed to enhance clarity and coherence.
We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify.
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