Mastering Your IB History IA: Word Count Requirements and Source Analysis
Introduction
The IB History Internal Assessment (IA) is your opportunity to conduct an independent historical investigation focusing on a specific research question. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the word count requirements, structure your investigation effectively, and master the crucial skill of source analysis that lies at the heart of historical inquiry.
Your History IA should be a thorough historical investigation spanning up to 2,200 words. The key to success lies in demonstrating historical thinking skills through critical analysis of sources and evidence-based argumentation.
Understanding the IA Structure
The History IA follows a structured format that demonstrates your ability to think like a historian through systematic investigation and critical analysis.
Identification and Evaluation of Sources (Approximately 500 words)
This section requires detailed analysis of two key sources central to your investigation:
Source identification: title, author, date, type, and relevance
Origin analysis: who created the source, when, where, and why
Purpose examination: intended audience and objectives
Value assessment: what makes each source useful for your investigation
Limitation analysis: potential biases, gaps, or constraints
Investigation (Approximately 1,300 words)
The main body of your investigation should demonstrate historical analysis:
Clear thesis statement addressing your research question
Organized argument with supporting evidence
Analysis of multiple historical perspectives
Critical evaluation of sources beyond the two detailed sources
Consideration of historical context and significance
Demonstration of historical thinking skills
Reflection (Approximately 400 words)
Reflect on your investigation process and historical methodology:
What the investigation revealed about historical methods
Challenges encountered in historical research
Limitations of available evidence
Different approaches historians might take to your question
Personal learning about the historical process
Use CiteCount to carefully manage the 2,200-word limit while focusing on quality historical analysis!
Source Analysis Techniques
Primary Sources
Documents, artifacts, or testimonies created during the time period you're studying. Consider:
Who created the source and for what purpose?
What perspective does it represent?
What can it tell us about the time period?
What are its limitations or biases?
Secondary Sources
Interpretations and analyses created by historians after the fact. Evaluate:
The historian's credentials and perspective
When it was written and historical context
What evidence the historian uses
How it compares to other historical interpretations
Choosing Your Topic
Select a focused research question that:
Can be answered within the word limit
Has sufficient accessible sources
Allows for multiple perspectives
Demonstrates historical significance
Genuinely interests you as a researcher
Avoid topics that are too broad, too recent (less than 10 years ago), or lacking in credible sources.
Historical Thinking Skills
Demonstrate these key skills throughout your investigation:
Chronological thinking: Understanding sequence and change over time
CiteCount is essential for managing your 2,200-word limit effectively. Our tool excludes citations, footnotes, and bibliography from your count, helping you focus on historical analysis and argumentation while ensuring you don't exceed the strict word limit.
Regular monitoring helps maintain appropriate balance between source analysis, investigation, and reflection sections.
Important Reminder!
Remember to exclude the following from your word count:
Title page and contents
Acknowledgments
Maps, photographs, and illustrations
Captions under images
Footnotes and endnotes
Bibliography and references
Appendices
Source extracts included as evidence
Tables and charts
In-text citations
Utilize CiteCount for precise word counting that automatically excludes citations and footnotes, ensuring your focus remains on quality historical analysis and source evaluation.