Sketch in IB Economics

What your response needs

Label axes → draw the essential relationship → add the labels needed to answer the question.

• Correct variables on both axes
• The required general curve shape or relationship
• Clear curve, point or equilibrium labels where relevant

A worked economics example

Question: Sketch a short-run Phillips curve.

An incomplete response: An unlabelled downward-sloping line.

A more complete response:

Label the vertical axis inflation rate and the horizontal axis unemployment rate.

Draw one downward-sloping curve and label it SRPC.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Drawing the right shape with missing or reversed axes
• Adding unnecessary curves that make the relationship ambiguous

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 sketch · 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.