An effective and balanced Evaluation is the secret sauce that transforms a good IB Economics essay into an exceptional one.
Yet it’s one of the trickiest skills to master.
In this Ultimate Guide, we’ll break down the art of evaluation, step-by-step, so you can confidently ace those IB Economics essays, and your Paper 1 exam.
Ready? Let’s dive in!
Why Is Evaluation So Important in IB Economics?
Evaluation is at the heart of Assessment Objective 3 (AO3), which assesses your ability to critically examine economic concepts, policies, and real-world applications.
It’s what sets apart top-band essays because it demonstrates depth, critical thinking, and real-world relevance.
What Makes A Good Evaluation?
- Goes Beyond the Basics: Simply listing pros and cons isn’t enough.
- Explores Multiple Perspectives: It considers different angles, like stakeholders, timeframes, and trade-offs.
- Uses Real-World Examples: Strong evaluation is grounded in reality, linking theories to actual economic events.
Command Terms
For Paper 1, evaluation questions are part (b) questions. They usually begin with 3 key command terms: Discuss, Evaluate, and Examine.
We’ve explained them in detail in EconPrep’s Paper 1 Ultimate Guide, but have added a quick overview below.
Discuss
This requires you to share a considered and balanced review which includes a range of arguments and factors. These must be supported by appropriate evidence.
Hence, your essay must include multiple factors and key points from different perspectives. These viewpoints must also be balanced and neutral. This also suggests that apart from weighing the pros and cons, you can also make your stand by considering stakeholder outcomes, or long vs. short-term consequences, to state a few.
Evaluate
This requires you to make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations. While this has a clearer and more direct scope than the ‘Discuss’ command term, the markband rubric also instructs you to ensure your evaluation and synthesis are balanced and effective.
Examine
This requires you to uncover assumptions and interrelationships of a concept or argument. Here the focus lies on interrelationships and assumptions.
Interrelationships means how two or more factors are connected with and affect one another.
Assumptions suggest you must distinguish between the theoretical concept from the textbook, and the actual policy or circumstances in real-world examples.
This explanation suggests that each command term’s expectations are different, even though they may appear under the same question (e.g. Part b).
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to answering Paper 1 questions.
But while the approaches and expectations differ, we recommend a simple framework to structure your evaluation.
The CLASPP Framework: Your Toolkit for Evaluation
The CLASPP Framework is a fantastic toolkit to structure your thoughts.
Think of it as a flexible guide rather than a rigid checklist.
Let’s break it down:
1. Conclusion
Wrap up your key points by summarizing and synthesizing your arguments. Answer the question directly and state your overall judgment.
2. Long-Term vs. Short-Term Impacts
Discuss how a policy’s effects differ over time. For example:
- Short-term: Immediate benefits like employment creation.
- Long-term: Potential drawbacks like inflation or environmental degradation.
3. Assumptions
Identify any assumptions underlying the policy or concept. Challenge these assumptions using real-world evidence or counterarguments.
- Example: A subsidy assumes producers will lower prices, but what if they pocket the extra revenue instead?
4. Stakeholders
Examine how various groups are impacted:
- Consumers: Are they better or worse off?
- Producers: How does their profitability change?
- Government: What trade-offs are involved?
5. Priorities
Analyze why certain groups or outcomes were prioritized:
- Why did the government prioritize economic growth over reducing income inequality?
- Which stakeholder benefited the most, and why?
6. Pros and Cons
Discuss advantages and disadvantages, but don’t stop there. Link them to other CLASPP angles, like long-term effects or stakeholder impacts, for deeper analysis.
How to Apply the CLASPP Framework in Paper 1 Essays
Step 1: Understand the Question and Command Term’s Requirements
Before diving into evaluation, break down the command term and keywords.
For example:
- “Evaluate the effectiveness of subsidies in reducing income inequality”:
- Command term: Evaluate (weigh strengths and weaknesses).
- Focus: Subsidies and income inequality.
Step 2: Use the CLASPP Framework to Build Your Answer
Here’s how you might approach this question:
- Conclusion:
- Subsidies can reduce income inequality in the short term but may have long-term drawbacks like dependency and inefficiency.
- Long-Term vs. Short-Term:
- Short-term: Subsidies lower prices, making goods more affordable for low-income households.
- Long-term: Risk of fiscal strain and reduced incentive for producers to improve efficiency.
- Assumptions:
- Assume subsidies reach the intended beneficiaries. What if poor targeting leads to inefficiencies?
- Stakeholders:
- Consumers: Benefit from lower prices.
- Producers: Gain revenue but may over-rely on subsidies.
- Government: Faces opportunity cost — money spent on subsidies could be invested elsewhere.
- Priorities:
- Why did the government choose subsidies over direct cash transfers? Perhaps to stimulate production while supporting consumers.
- Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Reduced inequality, increased affordability.
- Con: Potential inefficiencies and fiscal strain.
Step 3: Substantiate with Real-World Examples
- Example 1: Subsidies on essential goods in India, which helped reduce poverty but created budget deficits.
- Example 2: Agricultural subsidies in the EU, which supported farmers but distorted global markets.
This 3-step process helps you structure and elaborate on your Evaluation to maximise your Paper 1 essay score.
How does this evaluation technique fit into the Paper 1 part (b) essay?
Find out in EconPrep’s Paper 1 Part (b) Ultimate Guide!
Tips for Scoring High Evaluation Marks in Paper 1
1. Tailor the Framework to the Question
CLASPP is flexible! Don’t force every point into your essay. Focus on the angles most relevant to the question.
2. Use Real-World Examples
Link theoretical points to actual policies or events to show your ability to apply theory to real-world scenarios.
For instance:
- Discuss how carbon taxes in Sweden successfully reduced emissions.
- Analyze the trade-offs of minimum wage increases in the US.
3. Develop Depth, Not Breadth
Fewer, well-developed evaluation points will impress examiners more than a laundry list of shallow ones.
4. Practice Past Papers
The more you practice, the more intuitive evaluation becomes. Use past questions to refine your skills.
Key Takeaways: Summarising Best Practices for Evaluation
- Evaluation is critical for scoring top marks in IB Economics Paper 1 essays.
- The CLASPP Framework helps structure your evaluation points effectively.
- Use CLASPP as a tool, not a checklist.
- Focus on depth, real-world examples, and tailoring your approach to the command term.
- Adjust your approach based on the essay question and its command term.
Conclusion
Writing a brilliant Evaluation for IB Economics Paper 1 essays can be tough, but it’s doable.
Following the tips in this post is a great first step for you to learn how to write essays that score top marks.
