Extended Essay: Distilling an Outline from a Past Paper

Read an exemplar in your subject area.

My subject area is history (SAMPLE A)

Analyze the introduction – what is included?

There is a lot of information about what will be including throughout the essay and the methodology
which will be used. The author has also including some relevant sources which he will use and frequently
mentions the research question while giving us some general context about it and mentions several
different arguments.

Identify the major arguments and list below, along with once piece of supporting evidence or research
for each argument.

I. Argument #1:

Molotov and Stalin shared similar beliefs (specifically communist).

a. Supporting Evidence:
 Molotov oversaw collectivization.
 He supported the arrest of wealthy peasant to be sent to labor camps as punishment.
 Molotov believe that forcing the peasants to join collectives was necessary in building a
communist state
 Eradicate capitalism.
II. Argument #2:

Molotov was a direct influence on Stalin’s policies

a. Supporting evidence:
 Molotov’s major role in overseeing collectivization forced millions to give up their individual
farms – Stalin wrote to Molotov ‘If we can beat this grain thing, then we’ll prevail in everything.’
(direct influence).
 Grain had to be requisitioned (party decision)
 Communism must be achieved whether through humane or inhumane methods.
 Molotov was vocal alongside Stalin (worked together)
 Molotov seconding Stalin’s collectivization plans.
III. Argument #3:

Molotov’s role became more influential and his authority gradually increased.

a. Supporting evidence:
 Molotov became responsible for collectivization
 Historians are reluctant to admit that he had a powerful influence and wanted to destroy kulaks
(so as to create a communist state).
 “I personally designated districts where kulaks were to be removed”
  Eventually, Molotov even became responsible for overseeing grain requisitioning the Ukraine
 Stalin delegated to Molotov directly. Stalin trusted him.
 After failing the collectivization experiment, both Molotov and Stalin together decided to
eliminate the ‘enemies of the state’


Is there any information in the essay that detracts or does not contribute to the main argument?
Explain.

As this is a history essay, all explanation which is given about anything gives a specific context which can
benefit to our understanding of the research question. This essay specifically is very specified towards
the effect which Molotov had towards the different policies which Stalin eventually applied, and all
different paragraphs which talk about the rise of Molotov to power and how his ideologies gradually
brought him closer to Stalin himself

Analyze the conclusion – what is included?

The conclusion is very well written in the sense that it includes and wraps up the entire topic of the
essay. The first sentence of the conclusion shows that Molotov himself was a puppet to his own
ideologies rather than Stalin himself, which I felt the author was trying to prove the whole time
throughout the essay by constantly mentioning cases where Stalin seemed to listen or be influence by
Molotov’s ideologies even if he may have agreed with them personally. The conclusion also goes over
the fact that there was a sudden change in the attitude of Molotov as soon as Stalin went against his
ideology which briefly yet efficiently sums up one of the important, included paragraphs in the essay. He
also generally goes over the relationship of stalin and Molotov bringing the entirety of the essay together
and roughly attempting to answer the research question.