The general rule is to avoid extremely overdone topics (e.g. Cold War, WW2) unless you are selecting a unique RQ and exploring a part of the field that is less known.
Alternatively you can select a topic students cover less (e.g. outside of the IB curriculum or pre 1800s) and select a conventional RQ for the topic.
It's smart to choose a topic on the exam to double up as revision.
_Selecting sources
You want to conduct research and select sources with their OPVL in mind.
Ideally the two sources would be of different types (one primary, one secondary), represent contrasting perspectives.
Avoid sources with similar OPVL characteristics so the analysis isn't redundant, and don't be afraid to use 'flawed' sources because they provide great opportunities for evaluation.
_Tips for a 7
The key is to include perspectives; include different viewpoints, introduce counter-arguments then evaluate each argument to reach a clear conclusion that answers the research question.
In total I brought forth 2 main perspectives/factors/viewpoints as causes to the partition - Prussian foreign policy (mentioned in my title) and the internal political weaknesses of the PLC.
Ideally each viewpoint should be linked to a historian or a school of thought that can be evaluated.
Evaluation requires weighing in the relative value of each perspective, taking into account historical evidence.
Say I am writing an IA on how a XXX factor contributed to the KMT's defeat in the Chinese Civil War - one could consider the lasting length of its impact (short vs long term) then conclude if it was most impactful accross the given time frame.
Consider which groups were affected most by each factor, and if their importance or role in said KMT defeat calls for more weight to be put on said factor.
Certain causes of historical events may be prerequisites to other causes and thus, more fundamental. Most importantly, use the evaluation of sources in section A to highlight weaknesses or strenghts in the reliability of arguments and if certain viewpoints can be taken at face value.
These are just a few examples of how to evaluate perspectives, a general structure to go by in writing section B is as follows:
Paragraph one - factor one
1. State the main argument for a factor or the viewpoint of a selected historian clearly
2. Cite evidence
3. Mini-conclusion
Paragraph two - factor two
1. State counter-argument
2. Evidence
3. Evaluate the arguments/historians and compare factor
Paragraph three - Mini-conclusion
1. Synthesise arguments
_Section C
This section is requires decent knowledge of historiography - recongnising the the methods and challenges of studying history and reflecting on your experience.
Essentially treat this as a mini-TOK essay and make use of TOK textbooks/resources.
Below are some articles I used extensively - try to identify which challenges of studying history you also encountered, give examples and what you did to overcome them/how historians should overcome them.
https://soeagra.com/ijert/ijertdec2012/6.pdfhttps://www.internationalschoolhistory.com/method-and-perspective-in-history.html