Discuss in IB Economics

What your response needs

Argument → counterargument → conditions/evidence → balanced conclusion.

• Developed arguments on more than one side
• Conditions and stakeholder effects
• Relevant evidence and economic theory
• A balanced overall judgement

A worked economics example

Question: Discuss whether price ceilings are an effective way to make housing affordable.

An incomplete response: Price ceilings help tenants but cause shortages.

A more complete response:

A maximum rent below equilibrium is a binding price ceiling. It lowers rent for tenants who obtain housing, but quantity demanded rises and quantity supplied falls along the existing curves.

However, excess demand, non-price allocation and weaker maintenance incentives may reduce access and quality.

Effectiveness depends on enforcement, duration and complementary supply policies; a targeted benefit may assist affordability with fewer shortages.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Writing an unweighted pro/con list
• Adding a conclusion that merely repeats the introduction

Try it yourself

Read the question and its mark allocation before deciding how much detail to include. A response structure helps you organise your answer; it is not a script to memorise.

Practise discuss · choose a unit and paper

Compare command terms and assessment objectives · Using Econograms in class

More command term guides

About this guidance

These explanations and examples are original Econograms study guidance. They are not official IB questions or markschemes, and Econograms is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate. Follow the wording and requirements of the question set by your teacher or examination.