How to Write an IB Geo Extended Response

Introduction
1. Define key terms. What are the terms presented to you in the prompt that qualify?
What are terms that you will use to answer the question that qualify?
2. Identify places/case studies to be used. It is important that you can show how this
problem plays out over a space in the real world. Tell us what part of the world you will
use to draw out specific examples.
3. Chart a path for the rest of the paper. You should set the reader at ease, leave her
thinking as she finishes the first paragraph that she knows where you are going with this.
It is best to organize your response to key aspects / themes indicated by the prompt.

Body Paragraphs (you’ll need 2 to 4 of these)

1. One way to organize the approach by SPEED categories of analysis (Social, Political,
Environmental, Economic, Demographic) to get at the processes of change. It is okay
(probably better) for you to focus on more depth of just two or three of these categories.
See “pre-writing” below.
2. You should discuss power here too - who are the stakeholders?
3. AO1 and AO2 scores: apply and explain your terminology in service of your argument
4. AO1 and AO2 scores: apply and explain your place examples in service of your
argument
5. AO3 scores: Demonstrate a balanced approach that shows a critical awareness of
different perspectives and interpretations of evidence. This does not mean that all
perspectives have equal importance. In other words, you can have your pro or con
position, but you should acknowledge the other side’s position.
6. AO4 scores
a. Writing: logical structure with smooth transitions between paragraphs.
b. Drawings don’t hurt if they are done well, but they do take time to properly draw,
label, and annotate. However, they might save you time too. For example, it
might be easier to pivot from a picture of a population pyramid to writing about
the conditions in a YDR country.

Conclusion
1. Is concise
2. Summarizes the main perspectives and interpretations of the evidence
3. Is consistent with the introduction and the main body
4. If you haven’t already considered alternative possibilities in a body paragraph, this is
the place to do it.
Things that are easy to forget, but you must not...
1. Prewrite! 5 minutes of that time should be spent pre-writing. If you organize your
approach, you are less likely to waste time and words by repeating yourself. Before you
start - list the places you will mention, stakeholders involved, key terms you will use,
components of SPEED that you will be able to use in the response. It might help to
brainstorm in a pro/con grid like the one below. After a few minutes, you’ll know the two
or three SPEED categories that best fit your argument because you will have the most to
say about them, especially if you have speed categories with a little bit of information in
both the pro and con side.

SPEED Category Pro Con

Social

Political

Economic

Environmental

Demographic

2. Proofread. Does the structure flow, and is it focused on the question throughout? Are
the 4 Ps covered? Did you examine the place(s) where the change happens,
processes by which the change happens, the power of actors to influence the change,
and the possibility for future change?
3. Timed. Response should take you 25 minutes (!)