Stage 2
Pick your article
This is the most important decision you'll make. Get this right and the rest flows.
A good article makes the commentary almost write itself. A bad one makes every sentence a struggle. So spend real time here: it's worth it.
What you're looking for
The absolute must-haves
- Recent: published within 12 months of when you write the commentary. Six months is even better.
- Unique source: different news outlet for each of your three commentaries.
- Real news media: newspapers, journals, reputable news sites. Not blogs, opinion pieces, social media, or government reports.
- Right unit: clearly micro, macro, or global economy.
Strategically smart
- Neutral reportage (BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, The Guardian) over expert analysis (The Economist, FT): if they've already done the economics for you, there's nothing left to show the examiner.
- Short and focused: one to two pages, one clear issue. Long articles that wander across five topics are a nightmare to stay within 800 words.
The economic "meat"
- A specific economic problem, policy change, or market failure.
- Real numbers: prices, percentages, quantities. These end up on your diagram axes.
- Room to evaluate: a policy solution mentioned, or a situation you can analyse well beyond simple supply and demand.
- A clear link to one of the nine key concepts.
Unit-specific tips
- Micro: indirect taxes, subsidies, price controls, externalities (carbon taxes, sugar taxes, etc.).
- Macro: monetary policy (interest rate changes), fiscal policy (stimulus, government spending), unemployment or inflation.
- Global: tariffs, quotas, exchange rate moves, trade agreements.
The final test. Before you commit: could you write two definitions, draw two diagrams, and answer one evaluation question based on this article? If yes, you're onto something good.
Use the checklist
Go through this for every article you're seriously considering. Tick as you go: your progress is saved in this browser. When you're done, hit "Save my checklist" to download a summary you can share with Sam.
The Administrative "Must-Haves"
Is it recent?
Published within 12 months of when you write the commentary: even better if 6 months.
Is it from a unique source?
You must use a different news outlet for each of your three commentaries (e.g., you cannot use the BBC twice).
Is it published news media?
Acceptable sources include print or online newspapers, journals, and reputable news sites.
Is it the right syllabus unit?
Each commentary must focus on a different unit: Microeconomics (Unit 2), Macroeconomics (Unit 3), or The Global Economy (Unit 4). Unit 1 is excluded.
Is it an actual news item?
Avoid opinion pieces, blog entries, social media posts, lifestyle blogs, advertisements, or government reports.
Strategic Source Selection
Is it "neutral reportage"?
Choose sources like the BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, or The Guardian that report facts and stakeholder reactions.
Does it avoid "expert analysis"?
Avoid publications like The Economist or the FT when possible: they often provide the economic analysis for you, leaving you little room to show your own insight. (This is the only one you want a "no" for!)
Is it manageable?
Ideal length is one to two pages. Shorter, focused articles are easier to analyse deeply within the 800-word limit.
Content and Depth (The "Economic Meat")
Does it connect to one of the concepts?
Be aware that you'll need to use a different concept for each commentary.
Does it describe a problem?
There should be a specific economic event, policy change, or market failure described.
Does it have quantitative data?
Look for specific names, numbers, or prices. This data is essential for non-generic labelling of your diagram axes and intercepts.
Is there room for evaluation?
Does the article mention a policy solution (like a tax or subsidy)? Or an issue you can analyse well beyond simple supply and demand?
Can you link it to a key concept?
You must be able to view the article through the lens of one of the nine key concepts (e.g., Intervention, Sustainability, or Equity).
Unit-Specific Checks
Microeconomics:
Look for articles on indirect taxes, subsidies, price controls, or externalities (e.g., carbon taxes or sugar taxes). Others may be OK: check with Sam.
Macroeconomics:
Look for monetary policy (interest rate changes), fiscal policy (stimulus packages, government spending), or unemployment/inflation trends.
Global Economy:
Look for tariffs, quotas, exchange rate fluctuations, or trade agreements.
Final Big-Picture Check
Can you turn it into a data response question?
A great way to test an article: could you write two definitions, one diagram, and one evaluation question based on its text?