Section 2: Investigation

This is the essay portion of the investigation.  It will basically look like our Paper 2/3 Essays we have done in class.

You will be assessed on:

• Structure

• Analysis

• Research skills and your ability to find a range of sources

• Use of historiography

• Argumentative skill

Rubric

1-3 marks

• The investigation lacks clarity and coherence, and is poorly organized. Where there is a recognizable structure there is minimal focus on the task.

• The response contains little or no critical analysis. It may consist mostly of generalizations and poorly substantiated assertions. 

• Reference is made to evidence from sources, but there is no analysis of that evidence.

4-6 marks 

• There is an attempt to organize the investigation but this is only partially successful, and the investigation lacks clarity and coherence.

• The investigation contains some limited critical analysis but the response is primarily narrative/descriptive in nature, rather than analytical. 

• Evidence from sources is included, but is not integrated into the analysis/argument.

7-9 marks  

• The investigation is generally clear and well organized, but there is some repetition or lack of clarity in places.

• The response moves beyond description to include some analysis or critical commentary, but this is not sustained. 

• There is an attempt to integrate evidence from sources with the analysis/argument.

• There may be awareness of different perspectives, but these perspectives are not evaluated.

10-12 marks 

• The investigation is generally clear and well organized, although there may be some repetition or lack of clarity in places.

• The investigation contains critical analysis, although this analysis may lack development or clarity. 

• Evidence from a range of sources is used to support the argument.

• There is awareness and some evaluation of different perspectives. 

• The investigation argues to a reasoned conclusion.

13-15 marks 

• The investigation is clear, coherent and effectively organized.

• The investigation contains well-developed critical analysis that is focused clearly on the stated question. 

• Evidence from a range of sources is used effectively to support the argument.

• There is evaluation of different perspectives. 

• The investigation argues to a reasoned conclusion that is consistent with the evidence and arguments provided.

• This will be bad!!! - This will not be good and that is normal at this stage.  The purpose for this is to just turn the outline into paragraphs.  

• Writing your paragraphs - Use the tips we have been working on in class for our Essay Writing Skills page

• Thesis - Your goal for the first draft should be to ensure that the thesis statement applies to each paragraph within the essay, meaning that it agrees with the conclusion of each

• Narrative or Analysis - Do not just place a bunch of evidence within your paragraphs and then conclude in your own words. Try to synthesize the evidence so the argument develops

• Structure - At this stage, make sure you have an introduction (BOLT), main bodies (APAL) and a conclusion

• Referencing - make sure you are properly referencing with footnotes at this stage.  It does not need to be full citation since this is a working document, however this should be present so you aware if you are relying on one source too often per paragraph

• How many words are Section 2? - There is no specific number, but aim for around 1300 words

• How many points is Section 2 worth? - 15 Points, so make sure this is the focus and where you spend your time

• How many primary sources should I use? - For every main body paragraph, there should be a minimum of 3 pieces of evidence from primary sources. In general, the majority of your evidence should be primary sources

• How many Main Body paragraphs do I need? - You should aim for 4 paragraphs. 3 are ok, but this will be decided on a case-by-case basis

• How many sources should I have for each paragraph? - Since there should be a total of 5 sources per main body paragraph, 3 different sources should be the minimum

• How much feedback can your teacher give you? - The IB stipulates that your teacher can give you written feedback only once

• Do quotes count as part of the word count? - YES!

• How many sources should you have in the Bibliography? - There is no specific number, but aim for 10-15 different sources total

• If you are way over the word count, what can you do? - The first suggestion would be to look at the quotes that you have used and shorten these to only the absolute necessary information; Second, consider removing sentence starters, such as "For example" or "This means that"