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

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
• Historical comprehension: Analyzing historical narratives
• Historical analysis: Comparing multiple sources and interpretations
• Historical interpretation: Drawing conclusions from evidence
• Historical synthesis: Developing coherent explanations

Using CiteCount for Your History IA

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.