Internal Assessment Guide

To consider before you turn your IA in!

% of Grade Total Marks Hypothetical Scores

20% IA 25 Marks 20/25 x .8 = 16 20% Paper 1 25 Marks 20/25 x .8 = 16 25% Paper 2 40 Marks 20/40 x .625 = 12.5 35% Paper 3 60 Marks 24/60 x .583 = 13.9 Total 58.4 =6 33 to 34 = 4!!!!!!!

Why it Matters!

The building blocks of a research paper. On a focused, specific question. If there is a

book on your topic then it is too broad for an IA.

Slap the examiner in the face! Goal is for students to become an expert on

one aspect of history. No topic from the last 10 years. The IA is a lab report of your research. Out of 25 Marks.

General Remarks

Cannot be over 2000 words. If over 2000 then you will lose 3 Marks automatically.

Ideally shoot for 1975. Required to put a word count on the title

page. If not you lose 2 Marks. Have to have a title page. ↑ Citations, headings and explanatory notes

do not count toward word count.

Word Count

100-150 words Slap the examiner in the face with what you are

trying to accomplish! Think of it as a crime scene, you are the first there,

what do you need to know? A clear and focused question. Scope: Issues to be addressed. Mention two sources to be assessed. Methods used in this investigation. DO NOT state: This IA will assess the origin,

purpose, value or limitations.

Plan of Investigation: (3 Marks)

500-600 words Just the facts! Bulleted (full sentences) no paragraphs. No analysis! No historian’s analysis. Thematically or chronologically organized. Must be referenced. No analysis!

Summary of Evidence: (6 Marks)

May include subtitles. Limited or poor resources indicates a lack of

thorough research and effects the marks in this section.

Nothing anonymous. No .coms Professional journals and articles are

preferred along with historical books. No analysis!

Summary of Evidence: (6 Marks)

250-400 words Evaluate the TWO most important sources! Clearly refer to OPVL. The origin is…, the

purpose is …, The value is… Emphasis on thorough and critical evaluation. No websites. Assess usefulness for historians. Consider inaccuracies or specific bias. Not a comparison. Do not use: this source has bias, this source is

biased.

Evaluation of Sources (5 Marks)

500-650 words Give the importance of the investigation in

its historical context. An analysis of the evidence. Show an awareness of the significance of

sources evaluated (Has to show significance or reference to sources in Section C) If not only 3-4 marks.

Provide differing interpretations, when appropriate.

Analysis (6 Marks)

No narration of events. Do not restate evidence from Part B. Should be a critical evaluation of material

presented in Part B. Needs to address the question.

Analysis (6 Marks)

150-200 words Needs to be consistent with the material. Need a clear, focused answer to your

question. No new info.

Conclusion (2 Marks)

Use a standard method of citation in text and bib.

Minimum of 10 sources, with 6 well used. Alphabetize author’s last name on

bibliography or lose 1 Mark.

Bibliography (3 Marks)

Why did the US enter WWI? Who was the better general Lee or Grant? How did the US Civil War impact the

Canadian Conference? Who really shot John Kennedy?

BAD IA Questions