IB History SL Extended Essay Example

The student communicates a specific and historically grounded topic with clear relevance to the post-bubble Japanese financial crisis.

The student's research question is focused and framed as an extent judgment, which gives the investigation a clear direction.

The student uses a relevant mix of academic sources and shows awareness that the topic benefits from both primary and secondary evidence.

The student's purpose and line of argument remain mostly clear throughout the essay.

The source base is narrower in practice than the introduction suggests, with heavy reliance on secondary material.

The methodology would be stronger if the student explained more clearly how sources were selected and weighed.

The discussion sometimes broadens into background explanation rather than staying tightly on the exact research question.

The student should connect the causal chain more explicitly so the link between cross-shareholding and delayed reform is shown step by step.

The student demonstrates clear understanding of the post-bubble Japanese financial system and the institutions involved.

The student's source material is mostly relevant to the research question and is applied in a generally appropriate way.

The student uses subject-specific terminology accurately and usually introduces it in a way that supports the analysis.

The student shows awareness of how the same financial mechanisms could contribute to both growth and later crisis.

The source base is somewhat narrow for such a broad causal claim, and several sources are reused across multiple points.

Some complex relationships are asserted more than demonstrated, especially where several institutions and policy effects are combined.

The student sometimes blends distinct concepts such as cross-shareholding, the main-bank system, and the convoy system without fully separating their roles.

The use of terminology is generally accurate, but greater precision would improve conceptual control.