If you’re an IB Economics student, your Internal Assessment (IA) is your chance to show that you can apply classroom economics to real-world issues. But between finding the right article, drawing diagrams, and staying under 800 words, it can feel overwhelming.

At All Round Education Academy, we’ve helped hundreds of students achieve Level 7s in their IAs — and the truth is, success comes down to following a clear, structured process. This blog walks you through every step of writing a top-scoring IB Economics IA, from choosing your article to crafting a balanced evaluation.

Step 1: Choose the Perfect Article (Half the Battle Won)

Before you start writing, the most important decision you’ll make is your choice of article.

✅ Choose a real news article, not an opinion or analysis piece. Stick to reliable sources such as BBC, Reuters, The Guardian, or Bloomberg.
✅ The article must be recent — published within the last 12 months.
✅ It should describe a specific economic event (e.g. a new tax, subsidy, interest rate cut, or policy change).
✅ Keep it short — ideally 1–2 pages. If it’s longer, highlight the relevant parts.
✅ Each of your three IAs should be from a different syllabus unit (Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Global Economics) and linked to a different key concept (e.g. efficiency, equity, sustainability, intervention).

Pro tip: Choose an article with real-world data (like “food prices rose by 15%”) — it makes it easier to apply theory and support your analysis.

Step 2: Set Up Your IA Document

Before you start writing, create a cover page with the following details:

• Title of the article 
• Source and publication date 
• IA submission date 
• Word count 
• The syllabus unit (Micro, Macro, or Global) 
• The key concept (e.g. equity, efficiency, intervention) 

Then paste your article below the cover page or highlight the relevant portion if it’s long.

This might seem basic, but presentation matters — IB examiners expect it, and it’s an easy way to make a professional impression.

Step 3: Follow This Winning Structure (5 Clear Parts)

A well-organized IA makes your analysis easy to follow and score. Stick to this structure and word balance:

1️⃣ Introduction (≈100 words)

Summarize the main issue in the article, identify the syllabus area it relates to, and clearly state your key concept.

Example:
“This article discusses the government’s decision to increase cigarette taxes in France. It relates to the microeconomic concept of intervention, as the government aims to reduce the negative externalities associated with smoking.”

 

2️⃣ Theory and Diagrams (≈200 words)

Explain the relevant economic theory and include one or two computer-drawn diagrams (no hand-drawn images).

Label everything clearly — axes, curves, equilibrium points — and apply it to your specific market.

Example:
“As shown in Figure 1, the imposition of a tax shifts the supply curve from S to S+tax, increasing the market price from P1 to P2 and reducing quantity from Q1 to Q2.”

A single, well-explained diagram can earn full marks if it’s accurate and applied correctly.

3️⃣ Application and Analysis (≈250 words)

Apply your theory directly to the situation described in the article. Use real data, examples, and terminology accurately.

Explain cause and effect:

• Who is affected? 
• How do prices, quantities, or incomes change? 
• What are the short-term vs long-term effects? 

Example:
“Because the demand for cigarettes is inelastic, the tax is likely to raise government revenue significantly while having a relatively small effect on smoking levels.”

This is where you demonstrate your ability to think like an economist.

4️⃣ Evaluation (≈200 words)

This section separates good IAs from great ones. Go beyond describing outcomes — evaluate them.

Discuss:

• The advantages and disadvantages of the policy 
• The effects on different stakeholders (consumers, producers, government, environment) 
• Short-run vs long-run impacts 
• Trade-offs and possible unintended consequences 

Example:
“While the tax may improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs in the long run, it may disproportionately impact low-income households, raising concerns about equity.”

A balanced evaluation shows depth of understanding and earns top marks.

5️⃣ Synthesis and Key Concept (≈80 words)

Conclude by linking back to your key concept (such as equity, efficiency, or sustainability).

Example:
“Ultimately, the government’s intervention seeks to improve economic well-being by addressing market failure, though it may compromise equity in the short term.”

This final reflection demonstrates conceptual understanding and ties your analysis together neatly.

Step 4: Presentation and Precision

A clear, professional presentation reflects your attention to detail.

✔ Use digital diagrams (Google Drawings, Lucidchart, Canva, or PowerPoint).
✔ Label axes clearly — e.g. “Price of wheat (USD per ton)” instead of just “Price.”
✔ Use proper economic terminology throughout.
✔ Keep sentences concise and avoid unnecessary definitions.

 

Step 5: Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Copying large chunks from the article. Use it as evidence, not a script.
❌ Referring to multiple articles — IB only allows one article per commentary.
❌ Hand-drawn or screenshot diagrams. Always use computer-generated visuals.
❌ Exceeding 800 words — examiners stop reading after the limit.
❌ Repeating the same key concept or syllabus unit across commentaries.

Remember: the IA is about quality of analysis, not quantity of content.

Step 6: Final Checklist Before Submission

✅ Article approved and attached
✅ Correct MLA citation included
✅ Word count under 800
✅ Clear, accurate diagram(s) included and referenced
✅ Different syllabus unit and key concept for each IA
✅ Balanced evaluation and conceptual reflection

Step 7: Quality Over Quantity

High-scoring IAs don’t try to cover every angle. Instead, they focus on a few key ideas and explain them clearly and deeply.

Think of your IA as telling a story: you introduce an issue, apply theory, analyze the outcomes, and reflect on broader implications.

It’s not about writing complicated sentences — it’s about writing with clarity, accuracy, and insight.

Final Thoughts

The IB Economics IA is your opportunity to prove you can think critically about real-world events using economic principles.

If you plan carefully, use clear diagrams, and evaluate thoughtfully, your IA will stand out — and so will your IB score.

Learning the All Round Way

Master the art of the IB Economics IA with our step-by-step guide, transforming your commentary into a top-scoring asset that maximizes your points and secures your final grade. If you find yourself needing more guidance, we invite you to connect with us at All Round Education Academy. Our dedicated team is here to support you in achieving your academic goals. For more information, please contact us at tuition@allround-edu.com or +852 6348 8744.