The requirements for IB essays can be too much for students to handle. Having worked with IB students, I’ve known what works and what doesn’t for years. Writing well is not enough to get good grades on an IB essay; you also need to plan, understand, and be precise.
In my opinion, seven things can be done to improve an average IB essay into a great one.
Secret 1. Understand the IB Essay Rubric
From what I’ve seen, students always do better when they understand the rubric. The IB rubric is like the building criteria for a house: if you don’t follow the plan, your building could fall.
The comprehensive IB rubric grades your essay on many levels: organization, analysis, involvement, and more. These factors are critical, and missing even one could hurt your score. For example, many students focus on getting proof so much that they forget to look at it. Others are great at analysis but get bad grades because they aren’t organized or interested in the topic.
To help you understand how to break down the rubric correctly, here is a list:
- Structure. Is there a clear beginning, middle, and end to your essay?
- Analysis. Do your claims have strong data and good critical thinking to back them up?
- Engagement. Does your essay show how you understand and relate to the material?
- Clarity. Does your writing make sense and not use much jargon?
- Consistency. Does your essay always come back to the thesis?
Using this guide at every stage of writing will ensure that your essay meets the requirements set by IB examiners.
Secret 2. Choose a Topic That Excites You
Writing from the heart is not only more fun to do, but it’s also much more interesting to read. When you’re interested in a subject, it shows in your points of view and research.
Write down ideas for topics that interest you, then compare them to these criteria:
- Does the subject fit with what the IB teaches?
- Is there enough academic evidence to back up your analysis?
- Can you look at the subject from a different angle?
Picking a subject that meets all three requirements is the best way to balance love and practicality. Students who carefully choose their topics enjoy writing more and produce more powerful essays.
Secret 3. Create a Solid Thesis Statement
The thesis statement is the most essential part of your IB essay. Without it, your essay might just be a bunch of ideas that don’t go together instead of a case. Many students have trouble writing a strong thesis that makes sense.
A good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact or an opinion; it’s a claim that needs proof to back it up and encourages critical thought. You could say, “Symbolism is important in this novel,” but you should go further. It would be better to say, “The recurring symbols in this novel show how the main character struggles between duty and desire, showing how societal expectations and personal freedom are at odds with each other.”
Writing a thesis involves two significant steps: being detailed and original. If you want to be original, you need to bring a new point of view to the table. As far as I know, IB examiners like essays that show you can think for yourself, so don’t be afraid to give your opinion.
How to make a good thesis:
- Start with a question. What is the main idea or problem you want to look into? For example, “How does the author show internal conflict through symbols?”
- Come up with a position. Make a case out of your research question. For example, “The author uses recurring symbols to show how the main character’s inner conflict reflects societal pressures as a whole.”
- Improve your language. Make sure your theory is clear and concise. Saying things like “has a big effect” or “plays a big role” is unclear.
If you have a clear argument, the rest of the essay pretty much writes itself. A good thesis helps you order your thoughts and keeps you on track as you write.
Secret 4. Master the Art of Structuring Your Essay
A well-structured essay is like a clear conversation: it’s simple to understand, makes sense, and sticks with you. I’ve seen that many students lose points because their essays aren’t structured correctly. If you don’t order your essay well, it can be challenging for the reader to understand your main point, even if your points are great.
According to general IB criteria, your essay should move logically, with an opening, body parts, and a short conclusion:
- You can hook the reader, state your theory, and list the key points you’ll talk about in the introduction. Keep it short and powerful.
- In the body paragraphs, you should have one central idea that supports your thesis in each section. Don’t try to fit too many ideas into one paragraph; it’s better to go into detail about one point than to rush through a bunch of them.
- Finally, repeat your thesis and summarize your main points based on the evidence you’ve given. This part is not the place to add new information; your goal is to make a robust and closing impact on the reader.
I’ve found that transition words are the hidden stars of essay organization. They help the reader move from one idea to the next and make sure your points make sense.
Secret 5. Incorporate Evidence and Analysis
According to my observations, one of the most frequent errors students make in their IB essays is including excessive material without critically analyzing it. Even the most well-researched essay may suffer from this imbalance. Even though you need data to support your claims, your analysis shows you can think critically and get points.
The critical thing to remember is that the strength of the evidence depends on the following explanation. Always consider how this bolsters your point. For example, don’t just include a quotation from a primary source in your essay, but go on. Instead, spend some time elucidating its importance in connection to your argument. What does it show? In what way does it support your thesis?
Steer clear of long quotes whenever you can. When applicable, summarize or paraphrase, emphasizing how the material relates to your position. By doing this, you may keep your essay brief while yet emphasizing your analysis.
Secret 6. Refine Through Multiple Drafts
Not even the best writers always get it right the first time. I think the key to writing an excellent IB essay is to draft it first. With every draft, you improve clarity accuracy, and polishing the whole thing. Many students don’t think going over their work again is essential, but in my experience, it’s often the step that differentiates between an average essay and a great one.
Before you start editing, look at the big picture: Is your essay an excellent answer to the question? How well does it match the rubric? Are your ideas set up in a way that makes sense? After you’ve improved the topic, work on the more minor things, like language, transitions, and the variety of sentences.
I’ve seen students have trouble when they care too much about their first draft. It can be hard to see what needs to be fixed. Remember that your first draft is just a draft, no matter how hard you work. You should be willing to rewrite parts that don’t help your theory.
Advice on how to draft:
- Write down your thoughts first. Don’t worry about perfection at this stage.
- Look over your framework and theme again. Make sure that each piece adds to your main point.
- Improve the language, make the changes smoother, and make sure everything is consistent.
Also, it can be beneficial to take breaks between changes. When you look at your work again with fresh eyes, you might notice problems you would have missed.
Secret 7. Seek Feedback from Teachers and Peers
Sharing your essay with others can help you see problems you haven’t seen before. A teacher, a friend, or even a family member can give you advice from a different point of view.
Tell people exactly what you want when you ask for feedback. You should not just say, “What do you think?” Instead, you should ask, “Does my analysis support my thesis?” or “Are my transitions smooth and logical?” This focused method makes sure you get help that you can use.
Feedback isn’t just a chance to fix mistakes but also to improve your essay. A teacher might say that your conclusion seems rushed, or a friend might point out that your case doesn’t make sense. From what I’ve seen, students whose essays get helpful feedback and use it almost always make significant improvements.
Be polite when you get feedback. You might feel defensive about your work, but remember that feedback will help you improve. It’s not just about writing, remember that. Dealing with feedback is a skill that will help you all your life.
Don’t let the stress of the IB curriculum hold you back.
Are you having trouble coming up with topic suggestions for your IB Extended Essay? Or do you need help with Internal Assessment?
Our experienced writers can help you choose the perfect topic and assist you with any assignment.
You can order an Extended Essay tailored to your specific subject and requirements.
Our experienced IB writers are always ready to help.
Simply click:
Conclusion
It’s not hard to write an IB essay that gets good grades. You can get great results if you understand the rubric, pick a topic that interests you, and improve your work through drafts and comments. Keep in mind that the process is just as important as the outcome.
I’ve worked with many IB students, so I know your hard work will pay off when you see those good grades. Now, it’s your turn to use these valuable tips.
But if you ever feel like you don’t have time or are too busy with other things, you can always get skilled help. Our IB Writing Service is here to support you with expertly composed essays written entirely from scratch.
