Command terms - What does the IB wants from you?
mayo#1786
How to answer 'Analyse' questions
For questions that have this type of command term, you should identify key elements
and their relative importance according to what you've been asked. Also, you should structure
these key elements in a certain order and explain why and how various factors were involved.
e.g. Analyse the application and effects of the "Good neighbor policy" For this question
you should first think about all the possible examples of the "good neighbor policy".
After that, the best way of organizing an essay structure is to order them in terms of
importance. Finally, you'll need to list the key applications of the "good neighbor policy" in
order of importance as well.
→ You will be judged on how you structure your essay and the degree to which you offer
supporting historical evidence, as well as the analysis you provide. You are not expected to
analyze each and every application of what you've been asked about. But try to always come
up with at least 3 examples.
How to answer 'To what extent' questions
For this type of question, you are asked to evaluate one argument/idea over another.
This is your best shot to discuss how different historians have viewed an event. OF
COURSE, THIS DOES NOT MEAN DROPPING IN AS MANY HISTORIANS NAMES
AS POSSIBLE (I highly recommend reading Poros tutorial on how to incorporate
perspectives).
Furthermore, It would be not very convincing to suggest than an issue was 100% this
or 100% that. because always there's gonna be a school of thought that will disagree with
your argument.
e.g. To what extent did economic factors contribute to the emergence of two authoritarian
states, each from a different region? First of all, you should pick two leaders, in this case -
Mao and Hitler. To fully answer this question, you should think of as many reasons as you
can for and against the economic contribution of both leader's emergence to power. This will
help you hone your arguments
First, you should write up a list of possible reasons and historian's major arguments.
Hitler: Great depression (1924 - 1929), German economic model crashes, huge economic
crisis.
Perspective: Ian Kershaw (not necessary to mention him): Economic factors and
miscalculations of the Weimar republic were the major problems Germany had, which
allowed Hitler to thrive
Mao: Economic factors were not the most important factors for his emergence to power.
whereas the social factors did: Long March 1934
Perspective: Li Lisan (not necessary to mention him: Suggested that Mao should have
focused on gaining proletarian support rather than peasant support
→ Your essay should be based on supporting evidence, not generalizing statements whether
you agree or disagree with something.
How to answer 'Evaluate' questions
Questions that ask you to evaluate want you to make judgments you can support with
evidence, reasons, and explanations.
e.g. Evaluate the effectiveness of the various wartime conferences in maintaining allied
unity. To answer this question you need to focus on several items. Discuss all the most
relevant conferences, explaining the extent to which they were successful or not. Also, you
will need to explain in depth the different goals the US, UK, and USSR had and how they
changed during WW2
→ One approach to this command term would be to write an essay thematically rather than
chronologically. Where you have the opportunity to concentrate on areas of agreement and
disagreement.
How to answer 'Examine' questions
Examine questions ask you to take a look at a particular topic while considering both
positive and negative results.
e.g. Examine the social and economic impact of the Second World War on minorities in
the USA. For this question, you must choose appropriate minority groups, such as Japanese
Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans. Your focus here
should be on social and economic impacts, talking about different impacts will give you no
more than 9/15 points. It is also worth knowing that the question states 'minorities and not
minority', so always try to use the groups in which you have the most supporting evidence.
→ Avoid writing a narrative essay, just answer the question.
How to answer 'Compare and contrast' questions
Compare and contrast questions ask you to identify both similarities and differences
in the given situation. Always referred to them throughout your whole essay.
e.g. Compare and contrast the responses of Latin American populist leaders in two
countries to the challenges they faced. First, for this question, you should choose 2 different
populist leaders in this case - Vargas/Brazil and Peron/Argentina.
Here you should address the economic problems in their countries by comparing and
contrasting protectionist policies and to what extent nationalization of resources and foreign
companies and land redistribution solved the challenges they faced. Also, you could discuss
the social challenges and how they faced them. such as illiteracy, social inequality, and
gender traditional roles.
→When answering 'compare and contrast' questions you should create a list/chart that
illustrates the similarities and differences between these two.
How to answer 'Discuss' questions
Discuss questions ask you to give balanced arguments that coherently sustain your
opinion.These arguments must be presented with appropriate historical evidence.
e.g. "Ideology was the main factor that led to the emergence of superpower rivalry between
1943 and 1949." Discuss. For this question, you should offer a review of why Ideology was
the main factor that led to the emergence of superpower rivalry between the US and the
USSR. You could also discuss that other factors played an important role such as the
economic factor after ww2 and how it was important for both superpowers to reconstruct
post-war European countries.
→ In simple words, you need to agree or disagree with the given statement and suggest
reasons why or why not
