IB History SL Internal Assessment Example

Your research question is focused, historically appropriate, and clearly framed around a genuine judgement.

You selected two relevant sources with contrasting perspectives that both connect well to the issue of Mao’s authority.

You show real awareness of source value and limitation, especially by considering origin, purpose, and retrospective bias.

You could define key terms such as “authority” more precisely so the inquiry is even sharper.

Some source justifications stay a little general and could explain more specifically what each source contributes to the question.

Your evaluation of the second source is not quite as explicit or detailed as the strongest source analysis requires.

Your investigation has a clear structure and stays organized around a direct line of argument.

You use evidence from multiple historians and sources to support a sustained claim about how Mao regained authority.

You include counterarguments and reach a reasoned conclusion that directly answers the question.

Some claims are stronger than the evidence shown, especially where you imply a direct transfer of authority or rely on later events to support earlier claims.

At times the analysis becomes a little repetitive or imprecise, which weakens the clarity of the argument.

Your comparison of different historical interpretations could be more explicit and more consistently developed.