EconSurvivor Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Unfortunately I am not VIP, but i do desperately need some help with Econ essay writing. I'm an Econ higher yr 2, and up until the start of this year i was going the 7 way. This year all of a sudden a I'm 5-6. My teacher says i don't know how to answer IB questions, but he's not giving me any useful advice. So my question is, can any anyone describe the form? What do you stress? What do you define? How actively do you use graphs and how much breadth does an essay answer (IB 10 and 15 mark) need? Advice and links are appreciated, thanks. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
__inthemaking Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Always define anything that's relevant to the topic you're focusing on. For example, if your topic is about developmental economics, then it's not necessary to define supply and demand, but if your topic is microeconomics, then you should. I try to use at least 2 graphs with each answer. I ended up getting a 7 in economics HL even though I really wasn't comfortable with the exam. I'm trying to remember now what I did and honestly, it's all just logical. Define, explain with graphs, and evaluate. Do you happen to have the economics course companion? I remember there was a section at the back explaining how in depth to go with 10 mark and 15 mark questions and I just followed that. I would scan it for you but I don't have it with me as I'm at uni at the moment. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EconSurvivor Posted November 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 (edited) I don't have that companion packet yet. Do you know where I could get it online? As a separate inquiry, when you were writing your IB exam did you focus more on theory, or graphical proof's/evidence? At the moment I only have portfolios to go by as models for my answers, but 7s there discuss graphs every second sentence. As I take it, graphs (in essays) are only so useful as they happen to coincide with what you're talking about, but shouldn't be included if they are a stretch. Is that right? [my second post ] Edited November 21, 2008 by EconSurvivor Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
__inthemaking Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 The Course Companion is more of a book..you have to order it from a bookstore (or at least I had to, it cost $40 CAD for me). The Course Companion is basically like an IB Economics textbook with everything you need to know from the syllabus in it. I focused on both actually. Usually I explained the general theory first and then I included a graph that was specific to the given problem and applied the theory to the situation. And yes, if the graph is pretty much unrelated to the problem, don't include it. But you shouldn't find yourself not having a graph..nearly every economic theory has an accompanying graph that you can relate it to. 1 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindpet Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 I used graphs whenever possible. Sometimes 3 or 4 for a 10 or 15 mark question. I also got 7 in econ hl with a horrible teacher so don't sweat it. Also I was predicted a 6 so maybe your teacher is just pushing you . There are other threads addressing this topic and I think most agree that DEEDE is the way to go. Define, Explain, Example, Diagram, Evaluation (use additional diagrams here) Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deissi Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/IB-Diploma-Programme-Economics-Companion/dp/0199151245/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227439508&sr=8-1"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/IB-Diploma-Program...9508&sr=8-1[/url] This is the course companion, Amazon is probably the easiest place to get it from. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl.Shen Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 I find that knowing some key terms or the goal of your essay helps. Such as: Analyse=argue/examine the topic, mention relationships, variables, assumptions etc. Assess=judge the quality/economic implications Compare=describe 2 situations and present similarities and differences Describe=detailed description Discuss= consider and review Explain=describe and give reasons for concept To what extent=evaluate success of one argument over the other Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheebs Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 i had the same problem, but i lost most of my points in the evaluation make sure you consider the long term/short term consequences which economic agents are affected negatively/positively, explain why and depending on the topic, look at whether the macroeconomic objectives have been satisfied, so; stable prices unemployment external equilibrium etc.. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.