In IB MYP Individuals and Societies (I&S), Criterion D is titled Thinking Critically. It assesses your ability to analyse concepts, engage with multiple perspectives, evaluate the reliability of sources, and formulate well-reasoned arguments. Unlike subjects where Criterion D focuses on reflection, in I&S it is fundamentally about the rigour and depth of your intellectual analysis. Here is everything you need to know.
What Thinking Critically Really Means
At the 7–8 level, critical thinking in MYP I&S means: synthesising information from multiple sources to build a coherent argument, evaluating the strengths and limitations of different viewpoints, identifying assumptions, biases, and omissions in evidence, and connecting local case studies to global patterns and theoretical frameworks.
The PEEL Structure for Criterion D
A reliable paragraph structure for I&S Criterion D responses is PEEL: Point (your argument), Evidence (specific factual support), Explanation (how the evidence supports your point), and Link (connecting back to the question and broader context). Every analytical paragraph should follow this logic. The explanation and link are where most students fall short — and where the highest marks are won.
Evaluating Sources
• Always question the origin, purpose, and perspective of any source you use
• Recognise that primary sources (statistics, case studies, interviews) carry more weight than secondary opinions
• Acknowledge the limitations of your evidence: a single case study cannot prove a universal claim
• Use linking phrases: 'However, this evidence is limited because...', 'A counter-argument is...', 'This supports the view that...'
Connecting to Global Contexts
IB MYP assessments are designed around Global Contexts. For Criterion D in I&S, explicitly connecting your analysis to a Global Context (such as Globalisation and Sustainability, or Identities and Relationships) can elevate a Level 5–6 response to a Level 7–8. Name the Global Context and explain how your argument relates to it.
💡 Inacademic's Tip: Inacademic's MYP 5 Individuals and Societies Criterion D question bank includes structured source evaluation exercises and model analytical essays. Their guided practice tasks ask you to critique sample arguments, helping you internalise the standards of critical thinking that IB examiners reward.