IB Philosophy IA Stimulus Checker

Philosophy IA should analyze non-philosophical material. The source can be an image, article, film extract, advertisement, song, poem, or real-world object, but the student's work must turn it into philosophical analysis.

Check this sourceCheck sources for other subjects

Philosophy IA source check

Marksy reads the links or notes you give it, applies the rules for your IB assignment, and only stops to ask you something when the answer would change the verdict.

  1. Assignment
  2. 2Sources
  3. 3Clarify
  4. 4Verdict

Checking against

Philosophy IA

What usually works for Philosophy IA

Usually strong

  • Advertisements, news reports, images, films, songs, poems, art, legal cases, or everyday objects with philosophical tension.
  • Limited philosophical texts as support, not as the core stimulus.
  • A clearly identified extract or object with citation details.

Example

A public advertisement raising questions about autonomy, identity, or moral responsibility.

Needs a second look

  • A philosopher's essay used as the main stimulus.
  • A vague object that only loosely relates to a philosophical theme.
  • Secondary sources that overwhelm the student's own analysis.

Example

A news article that raises a philosophical issue but needs careful narrowing.

Avoid or replace

  • Textbook chapters as the core material.
  • AI-generated scenarios with no real-world source.
  • Stimuli with no citation, creator, or context.

Example

A textbook chapter explaining Kant.

Where to find better Philosophy IA sources

If a source gets a warning, don't just add more websites. Search for sources that match the assessment rule and can carry real analysis.

Searches to try

If a source is weak

  • Replace textbook chapters as the core material. with advertisements, news reports, images, films, songs, poems, art, legal cases, or everyday objects with philosophical tension..
  • Use a philosopher's essay used as the main stimulus. only as context unless your teacher confirms they can carry evidence.
  • Add one source that gives direct evidence for the IA, not just general background.

Good places to look

  • Advertisements, news reports, images, films, songs, poems, art, legal cases, or everyday objects with philosophical tension
  • Limited philosophical texts as support, not as the core stimulus
  • A clearly identified extract or object with citation details

Questions people ask