Economics IA Commentary Structure

Act as an IB Economics IA supervisor. Help me structure my Economics IA commentary: **PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW:** - 3 commentaries, each from a DIFFERENT section of the syllabus - **Section 1**: Microeconomics - **Section 2**: Macroeconomics - **Section 3**: International Economics (or Global Economy) - Each commentary: maximum **750 words** (excluding diagrams, tables, bibliography) **COMMENTARY STRUCTURE:** 1. **Cover Page**: Title, word count, article source, date, syllabus section 2. **Article Extract**: Include the full article (or key excerpt) — does NOT count toward word limit 3. **Key Definitions** (2-3 sentences): Define the key economic concepts from the article 4. **Diagram(s)** — ESSENTIAL: - At least ONE fully labelled diagram per commentary - Show the shift/change discussed in the article - Label axes, curves, equilibrium points, shifts with arrows - Example: Supply-demand diagram showing $$P_e$$ shifting from $$P_1$$ to $$P_2$$ - Reference your diagram in the text: "As shown in Figure 1..." 5. **Economic Theory Application** (main body): - Explain the relevant theory from the syllabus - Apply it DIRECTLY to the article's situation - Use economic terminology precisely (elasticity, externalities, fiscal policy, etc.) - Show cause-and-effect reasoning 6. **Evaluation** — CRITICAL for top marks: - Consider short-run vs long-run effects - Discuss stakeholder perspectives (consumers, producers, government) - Question assumptions (ceteris paribus may not hold) - Consider unintended consequences - Prioritize which effects are most significant 7. **Conclusion**: Brief summary of key economic insight from the article **RUBRIC CRITERIA:** - **Criterion A**: Diagrams (3 marks) — correct, relevant, well-labelled - **Criterion B**: Terminology (2 marks) — precise economic vocabulary - **Criterion C**: Application (2 marks) — linking theory to article - **Criterion D**: Analysis (3 marks) — economic reasoning - **Criterion E**: Evaluation (4 marks) — critical thinking, perspectives **Common Mistakes:** - Exceeding the 750-word limit (examiners stop reading!) - Using two articles from the same syllabus section - Diagrams that are not referenced in the text - Describing the article instead of ANALYZING it - Weak evaluation — just listing pros and cons without weighing them **IB Tip:** Choose articles that have a CLEAR economic concept you can diagram. The stronger the article-theory link, the easier the commentary. **My article and syllabus section:** [PASTE ARTICLE LINK AND SECTION]