Why Individuals & Societies Essays Feel Harder Than They Look
Many students enjoy MYP Individuals & Societies (History, Geography, Economics, Integrated Humanities). They understand the topics. They know the case studies. They have opinions.
And yet, essays often come back with lower-than-expected marks.
In the IB Middle Years Programme, this usually isn’t a content issue. It’s a structure and criteria issue. High-scoring essays are built deliberately — not written intuitively.
What MYP Individuals & Societies Essays Are Really Testing
MYP I&S essays are not testing how much information students can include.
They assess whether students can:
- Build a clear, logical argument
- Use evidence selectively and effectively
- Explain cause, consequence, and significance
- Stay focused on the question and criterion
Structure is the vehicle that allows these skills to show clearly.
Start With the Question, Not the Topic
One of the biggest mistakes students make is revising the topic instead of answering the question.
High-scoring students always:
- Break the question into key terms
- Identify what is being asked (explain, analyse, evaluate)
- Decide their line of argument before writing
If the argument isn’t clear in the student’s head, it won’t be clear on the page.
The Core Structure That Works Consistently
While tasks vary, most high-scoring MYP I&S essays follow a clear structure:
Introduction
A strong introduction:
- Directly answers the question
- Establishes the argument or focus
- Avoids unnecessary background detail
It should tell the examiner exactly what the essay will argue.
Body Paragraphs (One Clear Idea Each)
Each paragraph should:
- Begin with a clear point linked to the question
- Use one or two relevant pieces of evidence
- Explain how the evidence supports the argument
- Link cause and effect clearly
A simple paragraph flow works well:
Point → Evidence → Explanation → Link back to question
Long paragraphs with multiple ideas are one of the fastest ways to lose clarity.
Use Evidence Strategically, Not Excessively
More case studies do not equal higher marks.
High-level responses:
- Choose relevant evidence
- Explain its significance
- Avoid dumping facts without analysis
Evidence only scores marks when it is used to support reasoning.
Conclusion: Answer the Question Again — More Precisely
A strong conclusion:
- Directly answers the question
- Summarises the argument (not the content)
- Shows clear judgement or insight
Weak conclusions repeat points.
Strong conclusions sharpen them.
How Criteria Shape Essay Structure
Most MYP I&S essays focus heavily on:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Analysis and interpretation
- Organisation
Students score higher when structure is designed to show these criteria clearly:
- Logical progression → organisation
- Explanation of cause and consequence → analysis
- Relevant evidence → knowledge used effectively
Trying to “sound academic” without structure often backfires.
Why Many Essays Plateau at a 5 or 6
Students often get stuck because they:
- Write descriptively instead of analytically
- Include too much background
- Lose focus on the question
- Use evidence without explanation
These are structural issues — not intelligence limits.
Once structure improves, marks usually follow quickly.
Where Practice Makes the Biggest Difference
Essay structure improves fastest when students:
- Practise planning answers before writing
- Write shorter, focused responses
- Rewrite single paragraphs using feedback
- Compare answers directly to criteria
This is where structured, question-based practice helps. Platforms like RevisionDojo support MYP Individuals & Societies by helping students practise essay-style questions, clarify arguments, and apply criteria-focused feedback — so structure improves without writing endless full essays.
The result is clearer thinking and more consistent marks.
Questions Students and Parents Often Ask
Do students need to memorise lots of case studies?
They need to understand a few well and use them effectively. Quality beats quantity.
Is essay length important?
Only insofar as ideas are developed. Clear, focused essays often outperform longer ones.
How can students improve structure quickly?
By planning answers explicitly and practising paragraph-level writing.
Are MYP I&S essays similar to DP essays?
Yes — strong MYP structure builds excellent foundations for later IB assessment.
The One Structural Shift That Changes Everything
Students score higher in MYP Individuals & Societies when they stop asking:
How much should I write?
and start asking:
How clearly does each paragraph answer the question?
Once structure serves the argument — instead of hiding it — essays become far more effective.
