product of the seventh procedure of writing an extended essay

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How to Write an Extended Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide

Alisha Rayes

Writing an extended essay can be daunting, but it can be a fun and rewarding experience with the right approach. To write a successful extended essay, you will need to choose a topic you are passionate about, research it, and plan your essay carefully. With a little hard work and dedication, you can write an excellent extended essay that will impress your teachers and earn you an excellent grade. So, where do you begin? Let’s discover!

Table of Contents

What is the ib extended essay (ee).

The IB Extended Essay (EE) is a 4,000-word research paper required for all IB Diploma candidates. The EE is an opportunity for students to engage in independent research on a topic of their choice. The research process involves formulating a research question, conducting a literature review, designing and conducting experiments (if applicable), and writing a research paper.

The Extended Essay is a flexible component of the IB Diploma that can be written either as an individual or group project.

Students have up to six months (or longer for Science students) to complete their EE. To write an excellent extended essay, you need to spend at least 20 hours per week on it, which is quite a lot. Some students may require even more time or choose a different approach by seeking help from a professional  extended essay writing service  or hiring an extended essay writer online to help them meet the deadline and produce a high-quality essay.

The IB EE is similar in format and style to an undergraduate research paper but with some differences that reflect the nature of the IB program. For example, the IB EE must contain an introduction, a body comprising several paragraphs or sections, and a conclusion.

What Are the Requirements?

The IB Extended Essay assignment has some requirements that must be met to complete the assignment successfully. The requirements are:

• A minimum of 4000 words is required for this assignment.
• Your IB supervisor must approve a research question to ensure it is feasible and aligns with the IB curriculum.
• An in-depth exploration of your chosen topic could involve looking at the history of the topic, examining different interpretations, and considering how it has been addressed in different contexts.
• The incorporation of at least 12 sources is required for this assignment, including at least 6 academic sources. All sources must be properly cited in APA format.
• An extended essay should include a detailed bibliography with at least 3 peer-reviewed sources. The bibliography should be formatted according to the style guide of the essay’s discipline.
• The essay must include a research question that the student will answer throughout their essay. The question must be specific and clearly defined, and the student must provide evidence to support their answer.

Submitting your first draft to the supervisor you have chosen is recommended. This will help ensure that you are on the right track and that your supervisor can provide useful feedback.

How to Choose Your Advisor?

When choosing an advisor for your extended essay, it is essential to choose someone knowledgeable about the topic you are interested in and who can provide helpful feedback. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right advisor for your project:

Your advisor should be an expert in the topic you are writing about and who can help you achieve your academic goals. Make sure you talk to them about your plans and ask for their advice.

Look for someone approachable and helpful. They should be willing to provide feedback and suggestions and be willing to answer any questions you have.

Look for someone who has experience with extended essays. An advisor with experience with extended essays will help you navigate the process and understand the expectations of the essay format. In addition, they will provide feedback and guidance on the best way to approach your project.

Consider their availability and availability schedule. Make sure your advisor is available during the times that are best for you, and check their availability schedule to see if they are available for Skype or in-person meetings.

What Are Extended Essay Categories?

The Extended Essay (EE) is a research paper of up to 4,000 words on a topic of the student’s choice within one of the six prescribed EE thematic categories. The EE is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their research and writing skills and their ability to think critically about a topic.

The main categories are studies in mathematics, language and literature, sciences, language acquisition, individuals and societies, and the arts.

Suggested reading – 4 Advice on How to Study Sociology .

How to Write an Extended Essay?

Extended essays can be tricky to write, but with the right approach, they can be both informative and engaging. To write a successful extended essay, you must choose a topic you are passionate about, thoroughly conduct research, and develop a strong argument. 

Additionally, your extended essay should be well-written and well-organized to engage your reader and communicate your ideas effectively . Let’s look closer at the main steps of writing an extended essay.

Choose a Topic

The first step to writing any successful extended essay is finding the right topic. You’ll want to pick a subject that intrigues you because you will spend a lot of time researching and writing this paper. Once you’ve found your topic, make sure it can be covered in 4,000 words.

If you try to cover too much information in your extended essay, it will end up feeling very thin – like an introduction with no substance. This can make the reader feel like they’ve wasted their time reading your paper, which is something you want to avoid at all costs.

Research Information

Once you’ve chosen your topic, get researching! You’ll want to gather as much information as possible about the subject at hand. Make sure that the sources of information you’re using are reliable and unbiased; if not, this could skew the tone of your extended essay in a way that makes it appear biased or unfair towards certain groups or people.

Develop a Research Question

This step aims to help you narrow down the amount of information that will be included in your extended essay. If you’re writing an argumentative paper, for example, then your research question should be something like “Should students be required to wear school uniforms?” After you’ve come up with a research question, ensure that everything else you include in your extended essay supports this idea.

Develop Structure and an Outline of EE

The structure of your paper should include a brief introduction and conclusion as well as three main sections: body paragraphs (usually about 1-3 per topic), subheadings, and tables or figures. Your introduction should set up the reader for what they will be reading in the rest of your extended essay; don’t just repeat information from your introduction in the body paragraphs.

Write the First Draft

After you’ve created your outline, write the first draft of your extended essay. This should be a rough draft that doesn’t adhere to any particular structure or format; just get down all your ideas on paper at this point. After you have finished writing your first draft, go over it carefully and make edits as necessary. Then, submit your revised draft to your mentor for review and suggestions.

Write the Final Draft of Your EE

When you’ve received feedback from your mentor and made any necessary changes, it’s time to write the final draft of your extended essay. You want to ensure that this is a finished product that’s free from any spelling or grammatical errors. If it doesn’t look professional, it won’t get graded!

Proofread the Work

After you’ve finished writing your extended essay , proofread and check for any errors before submitting it to the professor. It’s also a good idea to have someone else read over your work in case they find mistakes you missed; this can help prevent any problems with grading down the line.

Now You Know How to Write a Good IB EE

In summary, if you’re like most students, you’ve probably been assigned an extended essay as part of your coursework. Whether you’re writing about a topic of your choice or responding to a question, writing an extended essay can be challenging.

The first step is to gather your research. Writing an extended essay is about providing your readers with insights they didn’t already have, so it’s essential to do your research thoroughly. Go beyond reading the assigned article or watching the video; take the time to read other related sources, gather data, and interview experts. This will not only give you a more comprehensive understanding of the topic, but it will also make you more credible as an essay writer.

Once you understand the topic well, it’s time to develop a thesis statement. This statement will be the backbone of your argument and help guide your writing. Make sure that your thesis is well-supported by your research and that it is logically consistent with the rest of your essay.

Next, it’s important to develop your argument. This section of your essay should provide readers with insights they didn’t already have and should be based on your research and thesis statement. Be sure to articulate your points clearly and use concrete examples to illustrate your points. 

Finally, it’s important to structure your essay logically. By following these tips, you can develop an effective extended essay that will amaze your professors and earn high marks.

Use the guide wisely and get the best possible grade for your IB extended essay. Good luck, my friend 😉

1. How to write ee?

Writing an extended essay involves selecting a topic, conducting research, creating a thesis statement, outlining the essay, writing the body paragraphs, and concluding with a reflection. It’s crucial to gather credible sources, organize your ideas logically, and adhere to the required formatting style. Additionally, revising and proofreading are essential to ensure clarity and coherence in your writing.

2. How to start an extended essay?

Starting an extended essay involves selecting a topic that interests you deeply, conducting thorough research to gather relevant information, and formulating a clear and focused research question. Once you have your topic and question, create an outline to organize your ideas and structure your essay effectively. Finally, make sure to consult with your supervisor or teacher throughout the process to receive guidance and feedback.

3. How to write a good extended essay?

Writing a strong extended essay involves selecting a topic of personal interest, conducting thorough research, and organizing ideas effectively. It’s crucial to develop a clear thesis statement and structure your essay with a logical flow. Make sure to support your arguments with evidence and critically analyze your sources. Lastly, revise and edit your essay carefully to ensure clarity, coherence, and proper formatting.

4. How to start an ee?

Beginning an extended essay involves selecting a topic that interests you deeply and aligns with your academic pursuits and passions. This topic should be sufficiently narrow to allow for in-depth exploration while also being broad enough to provide scope for research and analysis.

5. What is the first procedure used when writing an extended essay?

When starting an extended essay, the initial step involves selecting a topic that genuinely interests you and aligns with your academic pursuits and personal passions.

6. What is an extended essay in ib?

An extended essay in IB is a research project that students undertake to explore a specific topic within one of the subjects they’re studying. It’s an opportunity for them to delve deeply into a subject they’re passionate about, demonstrating their analytical and critical thinking skills while producing a substantial piece of academic writing.

7. What is the product of the seventh procedure of writing an extended essay?

The product of the seventh procedure of writing an extended essay involves drafting the body paragraphs with relevant evidence and analysis to support your thesis statement.

8. What are the skills needed in the fourth procedure of writing an extended essay?

In the fourth step of writing an extended essay, you’ll need to employ critical thinking skills, analyze your research findings, and demonstrate a clear understanding of your chosen topic. Additionally, effective communication skills are crucial for conveying your arguments and ideas concisely and persuasively.

9. How to structure an ee?

Structuring an extended essay involves organizing your ideas into clear sections, such as introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, ensuring coherence and logical progression throughout the essay. Each section serves a specific purpose, from introducing the topic to presenting arguments and evidence, culminating in a concise summary of your findings. This structured approach helps readers follow your reasoning and enhances the overall effectiveness of your essay.

10. How to write an extended essay conclusion?

Crafting an extended essay conclusion involves summarizing key points. Restate your thesis and main arguments. Reflect on the significance of your findings. Avoid introducing new ideas. Aim for clarity and closure.

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Extended Essay: Extended Essay- The Basics

• Extended Essay- The Basics
• Step 1. Choose a Subject
• Step 2. Educate yourself!
• Using Brainstorming and Mind Maps
• Identify Keywords
• Do Background Reading
• Define Your Topic
• Conduct Research in a Specific Discipline
• Step 5. Draft a Research Question
• Step 6. Create a Timeline
• Find Articles
• Find Primary Sources
• Get Help from Experts
• Search Engines, Repositories, & Directories
• Databases and Websites by Subject Area
• Create an Annotated Bibliography
• Advice (and Warnings) from the IB
• Chicago Citation Syle
• MLA Works Cited & In-Text Citations
• Step 9. Set Deadlines for Yourself
• Step 10. Plan a structure for your essay
• Evaluate & Select: the CRAAP Test
• Conducting Secondary Research
• Conducting Primary Research
• Formal vs. Informal Writing
• Presentation Requirements
• Evaluating Your Work

The Extended Essay - the Basics

This guide explains the process required to complete the IB Extended Essay - from the initial step of choosing a research topic, through effectively searching for information and organizing your sources to presenting your findings with accurate references and citations.

On this page you can find information on:

What is the Extended Essay? Extended Essay Timeline, Class of 2025 (Due Dates and Assignments) How to Get Started - the Twelve-step Plan for Researching the EE IB Extended Essay Guide, first exams 2018

Extended Essay Timeline, Class of 2025 (Due Dates and Assignments)

This timeline applies to students submitting Extended Essays or Senior Essays. Completion of an Extended Essay or Senior Essay is required for graduation from West Sound Academy.

EE grade for Semester 2, 2022-2023, is ¼ credit Pass/Fail grade.

February 2, 2024:

Juniors meet on Project Day for a half day on campus, to do beginning work on their Extended essays with EE Coordinator, 8:20 AM to 12:20 PM. Topics covered:

• Definition of what an EE is
• The available subjects
• How to find a good topic
• Steps to take to finish the EE
• EE deadlines – for the writing and the reflections
• Available resources: WSA Library Guides, NoodleTools, and Toddle
• Using Toddle to submit components of your EE

Students will:

• Note area(s) of interest
• Pick an area (or areas) for exploration or as a topic
• Find out what they need to know about their EE subject area specifically (Example: “My subject area asks me to consider & ethical/legal implications that are specific to my topic/subject”.)
• Create a NoodleTools project for their EE, and share with EE Coordinator
• Begin initial research on the topic of interest to identify potential sources
• Question to ask: is this viable as a subject and topic choice?
• Begin to create a bibliography using NoodleTools

March 15, 2024:

Juniors meet on Project Day for a half day on campus, to do continue work on their Extended essays with EE Coordinator, 8:20 AM to 12:20 PM. Topics covered:

• Assignment of supervisors
• Tips for developing a good research question
• How, and where, to do your research
• Using the Researcher’s Reflection Space
• Tips for writing reflections for the EE
• Annotating sources in NoodleTools
• Time to do research

April, 2024: Preliminary meeting(s) with your supervisor and initial research

May 27 - 31, 2024: Initial reflection session with supervisor

June - August 2024

Research and write the first complete draft.

Draft must conform to IB Formal Presentation Requirements. 

• Table of Contents
• Introduction
• Body of Paper
• In-text citations (MLA) or Footnotes (Chicago)
• Readable, 12-point font (for example, Arial or Calibri)
• Double-spaced text
• Numbered pages
• Indented paragraphs
• Appropriate margins (1" on all sides is acceptable)
• Research question
• IB Extended Essay subject

September 30 - October 18, 2024: Student has revision conference with supervisor -  Supervisor provides comments on the first complete draft.

October 28 - November 8, 2024: Interim Reflection Session with supervisor

February 3 - 14, 2025 : Final Reflection Session  (Viva Voce) with supervisor

EE grade for 2024-2025 is ¼ credit letter grade, and is posted to transcript in June, 2025.

Extended Essay Coordinator

What is the Extended Essay?

The extended essay is a required component of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP). 

It is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.

What is the significance of the extended essay?

The extended essay provides:

• practical preparation for undergraduate research
• an opportunity for students to investigate a topic of personal interest to them, which relates to one of the student's six DP subjects, or takes the interdisciplinary approach of a World Studies extended essay.

Through the research process for the extended essay, students develop skills in:

• formulating an appropriate research question
• engaging in a personal exploration of the topic
• communicating ideas
• developing an argument. 

Participation in this process develops the capacity to analyze, synthesize and evaluate knowledge.

An extended essay can also be undertaken in  world studies , where students carry out an in-depth interdisciplinary study of an issue of contemporary global significance, across two IB diploma disciplines.

How is study of the extended essay structured?

Students are supported throughout the process of researching and writing the extended essay, with advice and guidance from a supervisor who is usually a teacher at the school.

The IB recommends that students follow the completion of the written essay with a short, concluding interview with their supervisor. This is known as  viva voce.

The extended essay and interview can be a valuable stimulus for discussion in countries where interviews are required prior to acceptance for employment or for a place at university.

How is the extended essay assessed?

All extended essays are externally assessed by examiners appointed by the IB. They are marked on a scale from 0 to 34.

The score a student receives relates to a band. The bands are:

• A – work of an excellent standard.
• B – work of a good standard.
• C –work of a satisfactory standard.
• D – work of a mediocre standard.
• E – work of an elementary standard.

Students are evaluated on five criterion:

• Criterion A – focus and method.
• Criterion B – knowledge and understanding.
• Criterion C – critical thinking.
• Criterion D – presentation.
• Criterion E – engagement.

However, when your supervisor marks your essay in order to arrive at a predicted grade, the grading will be based on the  qualitative  grade descriptors for the EE, not a translation of a number score into a letter grade.

Find out how points awarded for the extended essay contribute to a student’s  overall diploma score .

Source:    International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme website

Twelve-step Plan for Researching the Extended Essay

1.  Choose an available Diploma Programme subject for the extended essay for the session in question.

2.  Educate yourself. Read the following materials:  the assessment criteria, relevant subject-specific chapter of the Extended Essay guide, the IB's ethical guidelines and other associated policies where relevant, such as those relating to animal experiments

3. Set up the Researcher's Reflective Space (RRS) and use this as the key planning and reflection tool for the extended essay process.

4.  Choose a topic and undertake some background reading in it.

5.  Formulate a preliminary research question.  Try to incorporate an IB command term in the research question if possible.

6.  Draw up an outline plan for the research and writing process.  This should include a timeline.

7.  Begin to identify how and where you will gather source material for your research.

8.  Identify which system of academic referencing they will use, ensuring that this meets the minimum requirements for the IB.

9.  Set deadlines for yourself that are realistic and take into consideration WSA's internal EE deadlines.

10.  Plan a structure for the essay.  This may change as the research develops but it is useful to have a sense of direction from the start.

11.  Undertake some preparatory reading in light of the proposed research question.  NOTE:  If you discover that it will not be possible to obtain the evidence needed in the time available, the research question should be changed.  This is  better done sooner rather than later; do not lose time waiting and hoping that something will turn up.  Go back to step 3, 2, or 1, and choose a new research question that can be answered.

12.  Carry out the research.  The material collected should be assembled in a logical order, linked to the structure of the essay and clearly focused on the research question posed.  Only then will you know that you have enough evidence for each stage of the argument so that you can proceed to the next.  You should be prepared for things to occasionally go wrong.  Sometimes you may discover something later in the research that undermines what you thought had been established earlier.  If that happens, your research plan needs to be revised.

IB Extended Essay Guide (first exams 2018)

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How To Write The Extended Essay (With Topics and Examples)

This comprehensive guide navigates through every aspect of the EE, from selecting a topic and developing a research question to conducting in-depth research and writing a compelling essay. It offers practical strategies, insights, and tips to help students craft a piece of work that not only meets the rigorous standards of the IB but also reflects their academic passion and curiosity. Join us as we explore the keys to success in the Extended Essay, preparing you for an intellectually rewarding experience.

Posted: 13th February 2024

Section jump links:

Section 1: Understanding the IB Extended Essay

Section 2: the importance of the extended essay, section 3: selecting a topic, section 4: developing your research question, section 5: research methodology and theoretical frameworks, section 6: evaluating sources and data, section 7: integrating evidence and analysis, section 8: writing and structuring the extended essay, section 9: reflection and the rppf, section 10: the significance of academic discipline in the ee, section 11: good practice in extended essay writing, section 12: managing the extended essay process, section 13: collaboration and feedback, section 14: avoiding plagiarism, section 15: emphasising original thought, section 16: final presentation and viva voce, section 17: beyond the extended essay, what is the ib extended essay.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Extended Essay (EE) is a cornerstone of the IB Diploma Programme . It’s an independent, self-directed piece of research, culminating in a 4,000-word paper. This project offers students an opportunity to investigate a topic of their own choice, bridging the gap between classwork and the kind of research required at the university level.

Key Objectives and the Role of the EE in the IB Curriculum

The Extended Essay has several key objectives:

• To provide students with the chance to engage in an in-depth study of a question of interest within a chosen subject.
• To develop research, thinking, self-management, and communication skills.
• To introduce students to the excitement and challenges of academic research.

The EE plays a critical role in the IB curriculum by:

• Encouraging intellectual discovery and creativity.
• Facilitating academic growth and personal development through research and writing.
• Preparing students for the rigours of higher education.

Extended Essay Word Count and Requirements

The EE has a maximum word count of 4,000 words. This does not include the abstract, contents page, bibliography, or footnotes (which must be used sparingly). Here are some essential requirements:

• Research Question: Your essay must be focused on a clear, concise research question. You should aim to provide a comprehensive answer to this question through your research and writing.
• Subject : The EE can be written in one of the student’s six chosen subjects for the IB diploma or in a subject recognized by the IB.
• Supervision : Each student is assigned a supervisor (usually a teacher in their school) who provides guidance and support throughout the research and writing process.
• Assessment: The essay is externally assessed by the IB, contributing up to three points towards the total score for the IB diploma, depending on the grade achieved and the performance in the Theory of Knowledge course.

The Extended Essay is not just an academic requirement but a unique opportunity to explore a topic of personal interest in depth. This can be an incredibly rewarding experience, providing valuable skills and insights that will serve you well in your future academic and professional endeavours.

The EE is more than just a requirement for the IB Diploma. It’s an essential part of the IB experience , offering profound benefits for students. Let’s explore why the EE holds such significance.

Academic and Personal Development Benefits

Skill enhancement:.

The EE fosters a range of academic skills crucial for success in higher education and beyond. It teaches students how to:

• Conduct comprehensive research
• Develop a coherent argument
• Write extensively on a subject
• Manage time effectively

Personal Growth:

Beyond academic prowess, the EE encourages personal development. Students learn to:

• Pursue their interests deeply
• Overcome challenges independently
• Reflect on their learning process
• Enhance their curiosity and creativity

Contribution to University Admissions

Standout applications:.

The EE can be a significant advantage in university applications . It demonstrates a student’s ability to undertake serious research projects and commit to an intensive academic task. Universities value this dedication, seeing it as indicative of a student’s readiness for undergraduate studies.

Showcase of Skills:

The EE allows students to showcase their research, writing, and analytical skills. It provides concrete evidence of their academic abilities and their capacity to engage deeply with a topic of interest.

Skill Development: Research, Writing, and Critical Thinking

Research Skills:

Students learn to navigate academic literature, evaluate sources, and gather relevant data. This process sharpens their research skills, laying a solid foundation for future academic endeavours.

Writing Skills:

Crafting a 4,000-word essay challenges students to express their ideas clearly and persuasively. It hones their writing skills, teaching them the art of structured and focused academic writing.

Critical Thinking:

The EE encourages students to analyse information critically, assess arguments, and develop their viewpoints. This critical engagement fosters a sophisticated level of thought, beneficial in both academic and real-world contexts.

In conclusion, the Extended Essay is a pivotal element of the IB Diploma Programme. It’s an invaluable opportunity for intellectual and personal growth, preparing students for the challenges of higher education and beyond. With its emphasis on independent research and writing, the EE equips students with the skills and confidence to navigate their future academic journeys successfully.

Choosing a topic for your Extended Essay is the first step in a journey towards developing a deep understanding of a specific area of interest. It’s crucial to select a topic that is not only academically viable but also personally engaging. Here’s how to navigate this critical phase.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your EE Topic

Interest and passion:.

Select a topic that fascinates you. Your interest will sustain motivation over the months of research and writing.

Availability of Resources:

Ensure there are enough resources available on your chosen topic. Access to libraries, databases, and experts in the field is essential for comprehensive research.

Scope and Focus:

The topic should be narrow enough to allow for in-depth study yet broad enough to find sufficient research material. Balancing specificity with resource availability is key.

IB Subject Areas:

Your topic must align with one of the subjects you are studying in the IB Diploma Programme or an approved subject area. Familiarity with the subject’s methodology and criteria is crucial for success.

How to Align Your Interests with the IB Subjects

Explore the syllabus:.

Review the syllabus of your IB subjects to identify topics that interest you. This can provide a framework for your EE.

Consult with Teachers:

Teachers can offer insights into feasible topics that align with the IB criteria and offer guidance on how to approach them.

Consider Interdisciplinary Topics:

Some of the most engaging EEs explore the intersection between different subjects. If this interests you, ensure your approach meets the criteria for an interdisciplinary essay under the IB’s World Studies EE option.

Extended Essay Topics: Examples Across Various Disciplines

• Sciences: How does the introduction of non-native plant species affect biodiversity in your local ecosystem?
• History : What was the impact of Winston Churchill’s leadership on Britain’s role in World War II?
• English: How does the use of unreliable narrators influence the reader’s perception in Ian McEwan’s novels?
• Mathematics: Investigating the application of the Fibonacci sequence in predicting stock market movements.
• Visual Arts: Exploring the influence of Japanese art on Claude Monet’s painting style.

Selecting the right topic is foundational to your EE journey. It shapes your research direction, influences your engagement with the essay, and ultimately contributes to the satisfaction and success of your EE experience. Take your time, consult widely, and choose a topic that you are eager to explore in depth.

Crafting a focused and clear research question is a pivotal element of your Extended Essay. This question not only guides your research but also frames your essay’s entire structure. It’s the question to which your essay will provide an answer, and as such, it requires thoughtful consideration and precision.

A well-developed research question should be specific, relevant, and challenging. It should invite analysis, discussion, and the exploration of significant academic literature. Here’s a deeper look into formulating a robust research question for your EE.

Characteristics of a Strong Research Question

The hallmark of a strong research question is its specificity. It shouldn’t be too broad, as this could lead to a superficial treatment of the topic. 

Conversely, a question that’s too narrow might not allow for comprehensive exploration or significant discussion. Finding a balance is key. The question should also be focused on a particular aspect of a subject area, enabling in-depth analysis within the word count limit.

Another important characteristic is the question’s alignment with available resources. Before finalising your question, ensure that you have access to sufficient data and scholarly research to support your investigation. This might involve preliminary searches in academic databases, libraries, or consultation with your supervisor.

Tips for Refining Your Research Question

Start by brainstorming broad topic areas that interest you. Once you’ve identified a general area of interest, begin narrowing down by asking yourself specific questions about the topic. What aspects of this topic are unexplored or underexplored? What specific angle can I take that will make my research unique?

It’s also beneficial to review past EEs or academic journals for inspiration. Seeing how others have structured their research questions can provide valuable insight into crafting your own. However, ensure your question remains original and tailored to your interests.

Examples of Effective Research Questions

To give you an idea of what a well-formulated research question looks like, here are a few examples:

• Biology: How does the concentration of a specific nutrient affect the growth rate of plant species X in a hydroponic setup compared to soil-based growth?
• History: To what extent did the public speeches of Martin Luther King Jr. influence the public’s perception of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States between 1963 and 1968?
• Economics: How significant is the impact of recent economic policies on small businesses in [specific location] during the COVID-19 pandemic?
• English Literature: How does the use of magical realism in Gabriel García Márquez’s ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ reflect the political and social issues of post-colonial Latin America?

Developing your research question is an iterative process. It may evolve as you delve deeper into your research. Be open to refining your question based on the information you discover and discussions with your supervisor. A well-crafted research question will not only guide your research effectively but also engage your interest throughout the writing process, leading to a more meaningful and insightful Extended Essay.

A critical component of your Extended Essay is selecting an appropriate research methodology and theoretical framework. These elements are foundational to conducting your research and crafting your argument, influencing how you collect, analyse, and interpret data.

Understanding Research Methodologies

Research methodology refers to the systematic approach you take to investigate your research question. It encompasses the methods and procedures you use to collect and analyse data. Your chosen methodology should align with the nature of your research question and the objectives of your essay.

In the sciences, for example, your methodology might involve experiments, observations, or simulations to gather empirical data. In the humanities, you may lean towards content analysis, comparative analysis, or historical investigation, relying on textual or archival sources.

Selecting the right methodology is crucial. It should provide a clear path to answering your research question, considering the resources available and the scope of your essay. It’s also important to justify your choice of methodology in your essay, explaining why it’s appropriate for your research question and how it will help you achieve your objectives.

Applying Theoretical Frameworks

Theoretical frameworks provide a lens through which your research is conducted and interpreted. They offer a structured way to understand and analyse your findings, grounding your study in existing knowledge and theories.

Choosing a theoretical framework involves identifying relevant theories, models, or concepts that apply to your topic. For instance, if you’re exploring media representation of gender, you might utilise feminist theory as a framework to analyse your findings. In economics, you might apply game theory to understand competitive behaviours in a market.

The framework should guide your analysis, providing a coherent basis for interpreting your data. It helps to structure your argument, offering a deeper insight into the significance of your findings within the broader academic discourse.

Integrating Methodology and Frameworks into Your Research

Successfully integrating your chosen methodology and theoretical framework involves a few key steps:

• Clarify the Scope: Ensure your research question, methodology, and theoretical framework align in scope and focus. They should work together seamlessly to guide your research.
• Justify Your Choices: Explain the rationale behind your chosen methodology and framework. Discuss why they are suitable for your research question and how they will support your investigation.
• Apply Consistently: Use your methodology and framework consistently throughout your research and analysis. This consistency strengthens the coherence and academic rigour of your essay.

Reflecting on these components during the planning stage can enhance the quality of your research and the clarity of your argument. Your methodology and theoretical framework are not just academic requirements; they’re tools that shape the direction and depth of your inquiry, enabling a more structured and insightful exploration of your topic.

In the journey of crafting an Extended Essay (EE), the ability to critically evaluate sources and data stands as a fundamental skill. This evaluation is crucial in establishing the credibility and reliability of the information that forms the backbone of your research. Understanding how to discern the quality and relevance of your sources ensures that your EE is built on a solid foundation of trustworthy information.

Criteria for Selecting Credible and Relevant Sources

Authority: Consider the source’s authorship. Look for works by experts in the field, academic institutions, or reputable organisations. The author’s qualifications and affiliations can significantly impact the reliability of the information.

Accuracy: The information should be supported by evidence, referenced appropriately, and free from factual errors. Reliable sources often undergo a peer-review process, ensuring that the content is scrutinised and validated by other experts in the field.

Currency: The relevance of information can diminish over time, especially in fields that evolve rapidly, such as science and technology. Ensure that the sources you use are up-to-date, reflecting the latest research and developments.

Purpose: Understand the purpose behind the information. Is it to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell? Recognising the intent can help you assess potential biases, which is particularly important when dealing with controversial topics.

Techniques for Evaluating the Reliability and Validity of Data

Cross-Verification: Cross-check information across multiple sources to verify its accuracy and reliability. Consistency among various sources can be a good indicator of the information’s validity.

Statistical Analysis: When dealing with numerical data, consider its statistical significance and the methodology used in its collection. Reliable data should be gathered using sound scientific methods and accurately represent the population or phenomena studied.

Source Evaluation Tools: Utilise tools and checklists designed to evaluate the credibility of sources. These can provide a structured approach to assessing the quality of your research materials.

Incorporating Primary vs. Secondary Sources Effectively

Primary Sources: These are firsthand accounts or direct evidence concerning the topic you’re researching. They include interviews, surveys, experiments, and historical documents. Primary sources offer original insights and data, allowing for a deeper and more personal engagement with your subject.

Secondary Sources: These sources analyse, interpret, or summarise information from primary sources. They include textbooks, articles, and reviews. Secondary sources can provide context, background, and a broader perspective on your topic.

Balancing primary and secondary sources enriches your research, providing both the raw data and the interpretations that help frame your analysis. By rigorously evaluating sources and data, you ensure that your Extended Essay rests on a foundation of credible and relevant information, enhancing the depth and rigour of your investigation.

The heart of a compelling Extended Essay (EE) lies in the seamless integration of evidence and analysis. This integration not only supports and substantiates your arguments but also demonstrates your ability to critically engage with your research topic. Here’s how to weave evidence and analysis together in a way that enhances the strength and persuasiveness of your EE.

Strategies for Integrating Evidence Seamlessly into Your Argument

Directly Link Evidence to Your Thesis: Every piece of evidence you include should directly support or relate to your thesis statement. This ensures that all the information contributes to building your argument coherently.

Use Evidence to Illustrate Points: Utilise examples, data, quotes, and case studies as concrete evidence to illustrate your points. This makes abstract concepts more tangible and convincing to the reader.

Analyse, Don’t Just Present: For every piece of evidence, provide analysis and interpretation. Explain how it supports your argument, what it demonstrates, and its implications for your research question.

Balancing Descriptive and Analytical Writing

Avoid Over-Description: While some description is necessary to set the context, avoid dedicating too much space to merely describing your evidence. The focus should be on analysis.

Develop a Critical Voice: Cultivate a critical approach to your evidence. This means evaluating its reliability, considering its limitations, and discussing its relevance to your argument.

Synthesise Information: Aim to synthesise evidence from multiple sources to support your points. This demonstrates comprehensive understanding and the ability to draw connections across your research.

How to Critically Analyse Sources and Data Within Your Essay

Question the Source: Consider the source’s origin, purpose, and potential bias. How might these factors influence the information presented?

Evaluate Methodology: If the evidence comes from a study or experiment, evaluate the methodology used. Is it sound and appropriate for the research question?

Consider the Broader Context: Place your evidence within the broader scholarly conversation on your topic. How does it fit with, challenge, or expand existing knowledge?

By thoughtfully integrating evidence and providing in-depth analysis, you can create a nuanced and compelling EE that goes beyond mere description to offer original insights into your topic. This approach not only strengthens your argument but also showcases your critical thinking and analytical skills, essential qualities for success in the IB Diploma Programme and beyond.

The Extended Essay presents an opportunity for IB students to engage deeply with a topic of their choice. However, to effectively communicate your research and insights, your essay must be well-structured and clearly written. 

This section provides guidance on how to write and structure your EE, ensuring your work is coherent, persuasive, and academically rigorous.

Outline of the Extended Essay Structure

A well-organised structure is crucial for the readability and coherence of your EE. Typically, an Extended Essay includes the following components:

• Title Page: Displays the essay title, research question, subject the essay is registered in, and word count.
• Abstract: A concise summary of the essay, including the research question, methodology, results, and conclusion (Note: For essays submitted in 2018 and forward, the IB no longer requires an abstract, so check the most current guidelines).
• Contents Page: Lists the sections and subsections of your essay with page numbers.
• Introduction: Introduces the research question and your essay’s purpose, outlining the scope of the investigation.
• Body : The main section of your essay, divided into clearly titled subsections, each addressing specific aspects of the research question. It’s where you present your argument, supported by evidence.
• Conclusion: Summarises the findings, discusses the implications, and reflects on the research’s limitations and potential areas for further study.
• References/Bibliography: Lists all sources used in the essay in a consistent format, following the chosen citation style.
• Appendices: (If necessary) Contains supplementary material that is relevant to the research but not essential to its explanation.

Detailed Breakdown of Each Section

Introduction:

The introduction sets the stage for your research. It should clearly state your research question and explain the significance of the topic. Briefly outline the theoretical framework and methodology, and provide an overview of the essay’s structure.

The body is the heart of your essay. It should be logically organised to build your argument step by step. Each paragraph should start with a clear topic sentence, followed by evidence and analysis. Use subheadings to divide the sections thematically or methodologically, ensuring each part contributes to answering the research question.

• Developing Arguments: Present and critique different perspectives, systematically leading the reader through your analytical process.
• Using Evidence: Incorporate relevant data, quotes, and examples to support your arguments. Ensure all sources are appropriately cited.
• Analysis and Discussion: Go beyond describing your findings; analyse and interpret them in the context of your research question and theoretical framework.
• Conclusion: The conclusion should not introduce new information. Instead, it should synthesise your findings, highlighting how they contribute to understanding the research question. Reflect on the research process, acknowledging any limitations and suggesting areas for further investigation.

Importance of Coherence and Logical Flow

Maintaining coherence and a logical flow throughout your EE is essential. Transition sentences between paragraphs and sections can help link ideas smoothly, guiding the reader through your argument. A coherent structure ensures that your essay is accessible and persuasive, making a strong impression on the reader.

A well-written and structured EE is a testament to your understanding of the research process and your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. By adhering to a clear structure and focusing on coherence and logical progression, you can craft an essay that is engaging, insightful, and academically rigorous.

A unique and integral component of the IB Extended Essay (EE) process is the Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF). The RPPF serves as a personal and academic exploration tool, guiding students through the planning, research, and writing phases of their EE. It encourages students to reflect on their learning journey, documenting insights gained, challenges encountered, and the evolution of their thinking.

The Role of Reflection in the EE Process

Reflection is at the heart of the EE, enabling students to engage critically with their own learning processes. It helps in:

• Self-Assessment: Encouraging students to consider their strengths and areas for improvement.
• Skill Development: Facilitating a deeper understanding of the research and writing skills developed during the EE process.
• Critical Thinking: Promoting an evaluative approach to the research process, allowing students to make informed decisions about their methodologies, sources, and arguments.

How to Effectively Complete the RPPF

Completing the RPPF involves three formal reflection sessions, which are crucial milestones in the EE journey:

• Initial Reflection: Focuses on the selection of the topic and formulation of the research question. Students should discuss their motivations, initial ideas, and anticipated challenges.
• Interim Reflection: Occurs midway through the process. Students reflect on the progress made, adjustments to their research plan, and any challenges they’ve faced. It’s an opportunity to reassess the direction of the EE and make necessary modifications.
• Final Reflection: After completing the EE, students reflect on their overall experience, the skills they’ve developed, and the knowledge they’ve gained. This reflection should also consider the impact of the research process on their personal and academic growth.

In each reflection, students should be honest and critical, providing insights into their learning journey. The reflections are not just about documenting successes but also about understanding the learning process, including setbacks and how they were overcome.

Examples of Reflective Questions and Insightful Responses

Initial reflection:.

Question: “What excites me about my chosen topic?”

Insightful Response: Discuss the personal or academic interest in the topic, any prior knowledge, and what you hope to discover through your research.

Interim Reflection:

Question: “What challenges have I encountered in my research, and how have I addressed them?”

Insightful Response: Describe specific obstacles, such as difficulty accessing resources or refining the research question, and the strategies employed to overcome them.

Final Reflection:

Question: “How has my understanding of the topic evolved through the research process?”

Insightful Response: Reflect on how the research challenged or confirmed initial assumptions and what was learned about the topic and the research process itself.

The RPPF is not just a formal requirement but a valuable component of the EE that enriches the student’s learning experience. By fostering reflection, the RPPF helps students to articulate their journey, offering insights into the complexities of research and the personal growth that accompanies the creation of an extended academic work.

The Extended Essay allows students to explore a topic of interest within the framework of an IB subject. The choice of academic discipline not only shapes the content and focus of the essay but also influences the methodologies and theoretical frameworks that students may employ. Understanding and adhering to the conventions and requirements of the chosen discipline is crucial for the success of the EE.

Adhering to Disciplinary Conventions and Guidelines

Each academic discipline has its own set of conventions regarding research methodologies, writing styles, and citation formats. For example, a science EE might require empirical research and quantitative analysis, whereas an essay in the humanities might focus on qualitative analysis and critical interpretation of texts.

Key considerations include:

• Methodology: The choice of methodology should align with disciplinary norms. Science EEs might involve experiments, whereas essays in history might rely on primary source analysis.
• Structure: While the basic structure of the EE remains consistent across subjects, the presentation of arguments and evidence might vary. Essays in the arts and humanities might follow a thematic structure, while those in the sciences might be organised around experimental findings.
• Citation Style: Different disciplines prefer specific citation styles. For instance, APA might be favoured in psychology, while MLA is commonly used in literature essays. Adhering to the appropriate style is crucial for academic integrity.

How Different Disciplines Influence the Approach to Research and Writing

The academic discipline not only dictates the formal aspects of the EE but also influences the approach to research and writing. For instance, an EE in Visual Arts would require a different analytical lens compared to an EE in Economics. The former might analyse the impact of cultural contexts on artistic expressions, while the latter could evaluate economic theories through case studies.

Disciplinary perspectives also affect:

• Argumentation : The way arguments are constructed and evidenced can differ. In the sciences, arguments are often built around data and logical reasoning, while in the humanities, they might be more interpretative, drawing on various theoretical perspectives.
• Critical Engagement: The extent and nature of critical engagement with sources can vary. In subjects like History or English, a critical analysis of diverse interpretations is fundamental, whereas in the Sciences, the focus might be on empirical evidence and hypothesis testing.

Examples of Disciplinary Perspectives in Extended Essay Examples

• Biology EE: An investigation into the effects of environmental changes on local biodiversity, employing scientific methods for data collection and analysis.
• Economics EE: An analysis of the impact of a specific economic policy on a local economy, using economic theories and models to interpret data.
• English Literature EE: A comparative study of the theme of alienation in two novels, using literary theories to explore the authors’ narrative techniques.

Understanding the significance of academic discipline in the EE ensures that students approach their research with the appropriate methodologies and analytical frameworks. It encourages respect for the depth and breadth of the subject area, contributing to a more nuanced and informed exploration of the chosen topic.

Writing an Extended Essay involves more than just conducting research and presenting findings; it requires careful planning, effective engagement with your supervisor, and a critical approach to your sources. Here are some best practices to help you navigate the EE writing process successfully.

Time Management and Planning

Time management is crucial in the EE process. The project spans several months, so it’s essential to break down the work into manageable stages. Create a timeline early in the process, including key milestones such as completing the research, drafting sections, and finalising the essay. Allocate time for unexpected challenges and ensure you have buffer periods for revision and feedback.

Planning Tips:

• Set Goals: Establish clear, achievable goals for each phase of your EE journey.
• Use Tools: Leverage planning tools or software to organise your tasks and deadlines.
• Regular Reviews: Periodically review your progress against your plan and adjust as necessary.

Engaging with Supervisors Effectively:Your supervisor is a valuable resource throughout the EE process. They can provide guidance on your research question, methodology, and essay structure, as well as feedback on your drafts.

Maximising Supervisor Engagement:

• Prepare for Meetings: Come to each meeting with specific questions or sections of your essay you want feedback on.
• Be Open to Feedback: Constructive criticism is essential for improvement. Listen to your supervisor’s suggestions and consider how to incorporate them into your work.
• Communicate Regularly: Keep your supervisor informed of your progress and any challenges you encounter.

Critical Engagement with Sources

A critical approach to the sources you use is fundamental to a high-quality EE. Evaluate the reliability, relevance, and bias of your sources to ensure your essay is grounded in credible evidence.

Strategies for Source Evaluation:

• Source Variety: Use a range of sources, including academic journals, books, and reputable online resources, to provide a balanced perspective on your topic.
• Critical Analysis : Don’t just summarise sources. Analyse their arguments, identify limitations, and consider how they contribute to your research question.
• Citation and Paraphrasing: Accurately cite all sources to avoid plagiarism. When paraphrasing, ensure you’re genuinely rephrasing ideas in your own words while still crediting the original author.

Good practice in EE writing is not just about adhering to academic standards; it’s about engaging deeply with your topic, embracing the research process, and developing skills that will serve you well in your academic and professional future. By managing your time effectively, leveraging the support of your supervisor, and critically engaging with sources, you can craft an EE that is not only academically rigorous but also personally rewarding.

Successfully navigating the Extended Essay process requires more than just academic skill; it demands effective project management. This encompasses planning, organising, and executing your EE from initial conception to final submission. Here are strategies to help you manage the EE process, ensuring a smooth journey and a rewarding outcome.

Planning and Time Management Strategies Specific to the EE

Develop a Detailed Plan: Start by breaking down the EE process into stages: topic selection, research, drafting, and revising. Assign deadlines to each stage based on the final submission date, allowing extra time for unforeseen delays.

Use a Calendar or Planner: Keep track of deadlines, meetings with your supervisor, and other important dates. Digital tools can be particularly useful, offering reminders and helping you stay organised.

Set Regular Milestones: Milestones offer checkpoints to assess your progress. These could be completing the research phase, finishing a first draft, or finalising your citations. Celebrate these achievements to stay motivated.

Milestones and Checklists to Keep You on Track

Create Checklists: For each phase of the EE process, develop a checklist of tasks. This could include conducting initial research, writing specific sections of the essay, or completing rounds of revision.

Regular Progress Reviews: Schedule weekly or bi-weekly reviews of your progress against your plan. Adjust your plan as needed based on these reviews.

Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adapt your plan. Research might take longer than expected, or you might decide to change your focus slightly after discussing with your supervisor.

Dealing with Challenges and Setbacks During the EE Journey

Anticipate Potential Issues: Think ahead about what might go wrong and how you would address it. Having contingency plans can reduce stress and keep you on track.

Seek Support When Needed: Don’t hesitate to reach out to your supervisor, peers, or other mentors if you encounter obstacles. They can offer advice, support, and perspective.

Maintain a Positive Attitude: Challenges are part of the learning process. View setbacks as opportunities to improve your problem-solving and resilience skills.

Managing the EE process effectively is about more than just completing a requirement for the IB Diploma; it’s an exercise in self-management and personal growth. By carefully planning your work, setting and celebrating milestones, and being prepared to tackle challenges, you can navigate the EE process with confidence and achieve a result that reflects your hard work and dedication.

Mastering the art of collaboration and effectively incorporating feedback are pivotal aspects of crafting a high-calibre Extended Essay (EE). These processes enrich your work, offering new perspectives and insights that can significantly enhance the depth and quality of your research and writing. Let’s delve into how to navigate these collaborative interactions and integrate feedback productively.

Effective Collaboration with Your Supervisor

Your supervisor is a key ally in your EE journey, providing guidance, support, and expert insight into your chosen topic. Building a productive relationship with your supervisor involves clear communication, active engagement, and receptiveness to their advice.

• Prepare for Meetings: Maximise the value of your meetings by preparing questions and topics for discussion. This shows initiative and helps you focus on areas where you need the most guidance.
• Be Open to Suggestions: Your supervisor brings a wealth of experience and knowledge. Being open to their suggestions can unlock new avenues of inquiry and refine your research focus.
• Follow Up: After meetings, review the guidance provided and take action. Following up on suggestions and demonstrating progress is key to a fruitful collaboration.

Incorporating Feedback Constructively

Feedback is a gift, offering you fresh eyes on your work and highlighting areas for improvement. Whether it comes from your supervisor, peers, or other mentors, constructive feedback is instrumental in elevating the quality of your EE.

• Critically Evaluate Feedback: Not all feedback will be equally applicable or helpful. Assess suggestions critically and decide which ones align with your research goals and vision for your EE.
• Implement Changes Thoughtfully: When integrating feedback, do so thoughtfully and systematically. Consider how each piece of advice enhances your argument or strengthens your analysis.
• Maintain Your Own Voice: While it’s important to consider feedback, your EE should ultimately reflect your ideas, analysis, and voice. Balance the input from others with your own scholarly insights.

Balancing Independent Research with Guidance

Navigating the balance between independent research and the guidance received is a delicate aspect of the EE process. While the EE is your project, drawing on the expertise and feedback of others can significantly enhance its depth and scope.

• Value Independence: Embrace the opportunity to conduct independent research, making your EE a true reflection of your interests and intellectual curiosity.
• Seek Guidance Wisely: Utilise your supervisor and other resources judiciously. They can provide clarity, offer new perspectives, and help you navigate complex aspects of your research.
• Synthesise Input: Integrate the guidance and feedback you receive in a way that complements your research, ensuring that your EE remains a coherent and cohesive piece of scholarly work.

The interplay between collaboration, feedback, and independent research is central to the EE process. By engaging effectively with your supervisor, thoughtfully incorporating feedback, and maintaining a balance between guidance and your own scholarly pursuits, you can craft an EE that is not only academically rigorous but also a true testament to your growth as a learner.

Plagiarism is a critical concern in academic writing, including the Extended Essay. It involves using someone else’s work without proper acknowledgment, which can compromise the integrity of your essay and result in severe penalties. Understanding what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it is essential for maintaining academic honesty and ensuring the credibility of your research.

Understanding What Constitutes Plagiarism

Plagiarism can take many forms, from directly copying text without quotation marks to paraphrasing someone else’s ideas without proper citation. It also includes using images, charts, or data without acknowledging the source. Even unintentional plagiarism, where sources are not deliberately misrepresented but are inadequately cited, can have serious consequences.

How to Properly Cite Sources and Paraphrase

Citing Sources : Every time you use someone else’s words, ideas, or data, you must cite the source. This not only includes quotes and paraphrases but also data, images, and charts. Familiarise yourself with the citation style recommended for your subject area, whether it be APA, MLA, Chicago, or another, and apply it consistently throughout your essay.

Paraphrasing: Paraphrasing involves rewording someone else’s ideas in your own words. It’s essential to do more than just change a few words around; you need to completely rewrite the concept, ensuring you still cite the original source. Good paraphrasing demonstrates your understanding of the material and integrates it seamlessly into your argument.

Using Plagiarism Detection Tools

Many schools and students use plagiarism detection tools to check the originality of their work before submission. These tools compare your essay against a vast database of published material and other student submissions to identify any matches. Utilising these tools can help you identify areas of your essay that need better paraphrasing or citation.

Avoiding plagiarism in the EE involves diligent research, careful writing, and thorough citation. It’s about respecting the intellectual property of others while demonstrating your own understanding and analysis of the topic. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your EE is both original and academically honest, reflecting the hard work and integrity that define the IB learner profile.

In the Extended Essay, showcasing original thought is not just encouraged; it’s a cornerstone of what makes an EE stand out. Originality in this context means more than just avoiding plagiarism; it involves presenting unique perspectives, developing novel arguments, or exploring new areas within a subject. Here’s how you can emphasise original thought in your EE.

The Value of Originality and Creativity

Originality and creativity in the EE demonstrate your ability to think independently and engage critically with your subject. It shows that you’re not just capable of summarising existing knowledge but also contributing to the conversation in your discipline. This level of engagement is what the IB looks for in assessing the EE, as it reflects a deeper understanding and application of the subject matter.

Balancing Academic Rigour with Personal Voice and Analysis

While it’s important to ground your EE in academic research and follow disciplinary conventions, finding a balance with your personal voice and analysis is key to originality. Here are ways to achieve this balance:

• Personal Insight : Inject your essay with your insights, interpretations, and conclusions based on the research. This personal engagement with the topic distinguishes your EE from a mere literature review.
• Critical Analysis: Go beyond describing what others have said. Critique the arguments, identify gaps in the research, and propose new ways of understanding the subject.
• Innovative Approach: Consider addressing less explored aspects of your topic or applying theories and methodologies from other disciplines to bring fresh perspectives.

Strategies for Developing and Showcasing Original Thought

Question Assumptions: Start by questioning the prevailing assumptions or widely held beliefs in your subject area. This critical stance can open up avenues for original analysis.

Interdisciplinary Connections: Drawing connections between different disciplines can reveal new insights and approaches that enrich your essay.

Reflect on Your Learning: Use the insights gained from your coursework and personal interests to inform your approach. Often, your unique educational and life experiences can inspire original perspectives.

Emphasising original thought in your EE is about striking a balance between demonstrating your mastery of the subject and pushing beyond the boundaries of existing knowledge. It involves a blend of thorough research, critical thinking, and creative engagement with the topic. By fostering a unique perspective and injecting your personal voice into your analysis, you can create an EE that is not only academically rigorous but also distinctly yours, leaving a lasting impression on your readers.

The culmination of the Extended Essay process includes the final presentation and the Viva Voce, a concluding interview between the student and their supervisor. These components serve not only as a summation of your EE journey but also as an opportunity to reflect on your learning and the skills you’ve developed. Understanding the significance and how to prepare for these elements is crucial for a successful EE completion.

Preparing for the Final Presentation

The final presentation is an opportunity to share the highlights of your EE journey, including your research question, methodology, key findings, and any challenges you overcame. It’s a moment to showcase the depth of your research and the personal growth you experienced throughout the process.

Key Elements to Include:

• Overview of Your Research: Briefly summarise your research question and why you chose it, highlighting your methodology and the scope of your investigation.
• Significant Findings: Share the key insights and discoveries you made during your research. This is a chance to underscore the original contributions of your EE.
• Challenges and Solutions : Discuss any significant obstacles you faced and how you addressed them. Reflecting on these challenges shows your problem-solving skills and resilience.
• Reflections on the Process: Share what you’ve learned about yourself as a learner, the skills you’ve developed, and how the EE has impacted your academic and personal growth.

Tips for a Successful Viva Voce

The Viva Voce is a short interview with your supervisor after you’ve submitted your EE. It’s an integral part of the reflection process, allowing you to discuss the successes and challenges of your research journey.

To Prepare for the Viva Voce:

• Review Your EE: Be familiar with your essay’s content, as you’ll discuss your work in detail. Be ready to explain your research decisions and reflect on your learning process.
• Anticipate Questions: Your supervisor might ask about how you selected your topic, the development of your research question, your approach to research and writing, and the skills you’ve developed.
• Reflect on Your Learning: Think about the entire EE process, including what you learned, how you’ve grown, and how the experience might influence your future academic or career goals.

How the Viva Voce Contributes to Your Overall EE Assessment

While the Viva Voce doesn’t directly affect your EE grade, it plays a crucial role in the holistic assessment of your IB Diploma. It demonstrates the authenticity of your work and your engagement with the EE process, providing insights into your approach, dedication, and intellectual growth.

The final presentation and Viva Voce are essential milestones that mark the completion of your EE journey. They offer a platform to reflect on the challenges you’ve navigated, the knowledge you’ve gained, and the skills you’ve honed. Preparing thoroughly for these elements ensures you can confidently articulate your research journey, showcasing the depth of your inquiry and your development as an IB learner.

The journey through the Extended Essay is more than an academic exercise; it’s a transformative experience that equips IB Diploma students with skills and insights that extend far beyond the programme.

Reflecting on how the EE prepares you for future academic and professional endeavours can highlight the lasting value of this rigorous project.

How the Skills Developed During the EE Can Benefit You in Future Academic and Professional Endeavours

Research and Analytical Skills: The EE demands a high level of research and analysis, teaching students how to gather, assess, and interpret data. These skills are invaluable in higher education and many professional fields, where evidence-based decision-making is crucial.

Critical Thinking: Crafting an EE requires students to evaluate sources critically, consider multiple perspectives, and develop well-reasoned arguments. This ability to think critically is highly sought after in both academia and the workplace.

Project Management: Completing an EE involves planning, organisation, time management, and problem-solving. Managing such a long-term project successfully can boost your confidence in handling complex tasks and projects in the future.

Communication: Writing the EE enhances your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively, a skill that is essential in any professional setting. Additionally, the final presentation and Viva Voce develop your verbal communication and presentation skills.

Examples of How the EE Has Helped Alumni in Their Post-IB Journeys

Many IB alumni attribute their success in university and their careers to the foundation laid by their EE experience. For instance, alumni often report that the EE made the transition to university-level research and writing much smoother. Others have found that the skills developed through the EE, such as critical thinking and project management, have set them apart in job interviews and workplace projects.

Encouragement to View the EE as a Stepping Stone to Lifelong Learning

The EE is not just a requirement for the IB Diploma; it’s an introduction to a lifelong journey of inquiry and discovery. It encourages a mindset of curiosity and a habit of continuous learning that can enrich both your personal and professional life. Viewing the EE through this lens can transform it from a daunting task into an exciting opportunity to explore your passions and develop essential skills for the future.

The Extended Essay is a hallmark of the IB Diploma Programme, embodying the essence of inquiry, critical thinking, and scholarly engagement. From selecting a topic and formulating a research question to conducting in-depth research and presenting findings, the EE challenges students to transcend the boundaries of traditional learning, fostering skills and insights that extend far beyond the confines of the classroom.

This comprehensive guide has navigated the critical aspects of the EE process, offering strategies for managing time, engaging with supervisors, and ensuring academic integrity. It has underscored the importance of original thought, the role of academic discipline, and the value of reflection, aiming to equip students with the tools they need to succeed in this rigorous academic endeavour.

The Extended Essay is a testament to your dedication, intellectual curiosity, and academic prowess. Embrace this opportunity to shine, to explore, and to make your mark on the world of knowledge.

How can we help?

Extended Essay (IB): Expressing your ideas

• The Inquiry Process
• EE Seminar 1
• EE Seminar 2
• IT Workshop 1
• EE Investigation Days
• EE Writing Days
• Choosing a subject and topic
• Developing a line of inquiry
• Finding and selecting sources
• Working with ideas
• Expressing your ideas
• Using ManageBac
• Supervisor resources
• Who can help?

Introduction

This is the stage you have been building towards - writing your essay. On this page you will find guidance on:

Am I ready to start writing my essay?

Referencing styles

Citing and referencing, academic writing.

• Key IB presentation requirements

As well as resource boxes at the side containing:

• Link to the Subject Specific Guides
• IT guides for PC users and Mac users
• Examples of sample EEs with mark schemes
• Constructing your understanding grids for Group 4 (and some Group 3 and 5) essays and Non-Group 4 essays .

Am I ready?

Before you start writing, think:

• Is my investigation largely complete? As you write you may find that you need a few additional resources or information to support your argument, but you should not start to write until you are largely sure where your argument is going.
• Have I filled in a Research Organiser (see sidebar)? This will help you to organise your thoughts and make sure you understand the argument you intend to make and have the evidence to support it.
• Do I understand the formal requirements of the EE (what sections I need, word limits, referencing and layout requirements)? It is significantly easier to set all this up correctly from the start than to try to correct it at the end.
• Do I understand how to write in an appropriate academic style ?
• Do I know how to import my sources from my Investigative Journal? Don't waste time putting all your citation data in again! Import all your sources as you set up your EE document. There are helpsheets in the Resources for PC / Mac users boxes to the right and more help in IT Workshop 2 .

You should use the Oakham APAv3 Academic Writing Template  -   click on the image below -  rather than a generic Word template to set up your essay. Further guidance will be given in EE Seminar 4.

The document below is a model of how to lay out an Extended Essay, with notes to explain how it meets the formal requirements.

Oakham School's 'house' referencing style is APA (version 6), which is an 'Author-date' style. Although the IB do not dictate which referencing style you should use, you are required to use a recognised style. We strongly recommend that you stick to APA as Library staff are unable to support you in citing and referencing accurately if you choose to use a different style. We do not support the use of footnote referencing styles.

The only deviation from this style is that the IB require you to add the "date accessed" for websites to show when you viewed the site (because information on websites can change). You can do this in Word by checking the "Show All Bibliography Fields" box when you add or edit a source and scrolling down to "Year/Month/Day Accessed"

For detailed information and guidance on how to use sources in your writing and how to cite and reference them accurately using the tools in Microsoft Word, consult the Citing and Referencing LibGuide . Note that this site includes IB specific guidance, such as how the IB require you to reference websites and interviews (which is slightly different to standard APA referencing) and what to do if you are using a source written in a language that is not the language of your essay.

Stages in an academic essay

Your thesis is the point you want to make. It emerges from your research and your task is to use the evidence you have found to establish it as the most reasonable response to that research.

In both approaches, you must state the research question in your introduction, and follow your Subject-specific guidelines carefully.

Sections required in your essay

Note: the rule changes for 2018 onwards state that an Abstract is no longer required. Given the strict word limit, examiners reports state that you SHOULD NOT INCLUDE AN ABSTRACT as it would now be included in the word limit and this reduces the number of words you have left to make your case.

Paragraph Structure

Paragraphs themselves have a structure - the most common you will have come across is likely to be PEEL. The letters often stand for slightly different things in different subjects, but the idea is largely the same - introduce your main idea for the paragraph ( Point ), justify it with Evidence and/or Examples , and Evaluate this evidence. Finally, Link back to the Research Question and/or Link forward to the next paragraph.

This is not the only way to write a paragraph and, with experience, you will soon find that your argument develops a flow of its own that does not require a formula - indeed, your essay would be very dull if every paragraph followed exactly the same structure. However, this structure can be a useful scaffold to get you started and make sure you don't miss anything important.

The structure of academic writing

Planning your essay

It is vital to plan your essay before you start writing. An essay plan provides an outline of your argument and how it develops.

Reread your EE Subject Guide . What MUST your essay include? Make a checklist to refer to throughout your essay.

• Do you have to have a map or chart? Data? Primary and/or secondary sources?
• Reread the assessment criteria, particularly Criterion D: Presentation . Are there any presentation requirements specific to your subject? Note that some subject guides say advise a section-subsection structure, some say it must be used and some say it is unusual in that subject area and a "continuous body of text" is normal. Make sure you know which is the case for your subject. Regardless of how whether or not you use subheadings for the main body of your essay (and in most subjects, you will), you should have a clear plan for the structure of your essay before you start writing, so...

What sections and subsections do you need?

Although this might change as you write your essay, you should not start writing until you have your overall structure. Then think about roughly how you are going to divide your word 4000 words between the different sections. 4000 words seems like a lot before you start writing, but it is much easier to write to the limit, section by section, than to try to cut your essay down once it is written.

What will the reader will expect to see and where?

Look back at your checklist and think about where in your essay you are planning to include the required information. Make sure the flow of your essay makes sense to a reader who may be a subject expert but knows little about your topic. Have you included background information? Details of experimental methods? Arguments and counter arguments?

Now get writing!

You've read all the guidance. You've made your plan. Now you have a blank screen in front of you and you just need to get started! Start with the section you think you will find easiest to write and work outwards from there, or follow the steps below to get started. Don't forget to write with the word limit in mind though.

What if you are writing lots of paragraphs but your essay just doesn't seem to be coming together?

1. Condense each paragraph into a short statement or bullet point. This is the skeleton structure of your essay.

2. Look at the order of the statements.

• Is the order logical?
• Does each point follow another in a sensible order?
• Do you need to change the order?
• Do you need to add paragraphs?
• Do you need to remove paragraphs?

3. Add, subtract and rearrange the paragraphs until your structure makes sense.

4. Redraft using your new paragraph order.  

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

Willard, D. (2003) My journey to and b eyond tenure in a secular university . Retrieved from: www.dwillard.org/articles/individual/my-journey-to-and-beyond-tenure-in-a-secular-university . Accessed: 9th May 2020

Oh no! It's too long!!

If you haven't managed to write to the word limit and are suddenly faced with cutting down an essay that is over the word limit, try these tips on concise writing from Purdue Online Writing Lab.

Use the menu on the left of this page from Purdue OWL to browse the four very practical pages on writing concisely and one on the Paramedic Method for reducing your word count.

Key presentation requirements for the EE

General requirements

Your essay MUST have:

• "font, font size and spacing conducive to on-screen marking. [We recommend Arial 12pt, which was the previous IB recommendation.]
• page numbering [In the Header or Footer]
• no candidate, supervisor, or school name on the title page, page headers, appendices or acknowledgment pages
• the file size must not be more than 10 MB. (Note that the RPPF is uploaded separately and is not part of the overall file size of the essay."

(IB EE Guide 2020, Presentation)

It is also suggested that:

• You include a header containing your research question on every page to help you to maintain focus

You essay must have at most 4000 words. While there is no set penalty for exceeding this, examiners will stop reading at 4000 words, so may not, for example, read your conclusions and your mar is likely to suffer siginficantly. The following table summarises what is and is not included in the word count:

Note: The Guide states explicitly in several places that text in tables should be brief and tables should not be used to get around word limits. If the examiner feels you have put too much text into tables, then they will include it in your word count.

Illustrations (anything that isn't just text)

• Must only be included if they relate directly to the text, are acknowledged where appropriate and help you to make your argument more effectively. It is not acceptable to include images just to make it look pretty!
• Whether they are photographs, other images, graphs, tables, maps or charts, they must be clearly labelled with the minimum information required for the examiner to understand them. This labelling will not be included in the word count as long as it does not include any commentary .
• We recommend that ll illustrations have brief captions with Figure/Table numbers to allow you to refer to them clearly in the text, and anything that is not entirely your own original work must be cited and referenced as you would for text.

Footnotes and endnotes

• May be used for referencing (but we recommend you use APA, which is an in-text citation system and does not require footnotes. The Library will not provide any technical referencing support for any other system).
• Otherwise the IB advises against using them to avoid confusion with word counts. The only exception to this is for quotations in languages other than the language of the essay. In this case you can provide a translation in the body of the essay with the quotation in the original language in the footnote. In this case it would not be included in the word count.

Since examiners will not read appendices, the IB suggests they should NOT be used, except in the following cases:

• "an exemplar of a questionnaire or interview questions
• an exemplar of permission letters
• group 1, category 1 essays: copies of poems or short stories (of less than three pages)
• group 1, category 3 essays: excerpts from newspapers, advertisements and transcripts of speeches
• language acquisition, category 1 and 2: excerpts from newspapers, advertisements, transcripts of speeches, etc
• language acquisition, category 3: excerpts or copies of poems or short stories (less than 3 pages)
• an external mentor letter, where one has been used
• raw data or statistical tables for experimental sciences (this should not include any analysis or conclusions)."

External sources and specimen materials

Examiners will not access any external resources (e.g. hyperlinks or DVDs), and you may not submit any specimen materials made during the EE (although you may include clearly labelled photographs of these in your EE).

Acknowledgements

The material in this section has been informed by:

• The Academic Writing in English at Lund University platform for their overview of writing an academic essay
• Daniel Kies, Department of English, College of DuPage, for his detailed descriptions of the analytical and argumentative approaches to writing an academic essay
• The Harvard College Writing Center, Harvard University, for their Strategies for Essay Writing resource, especially Elizabeth Abrams for her guidelines for mapping an academic essay

EE Checklist

Use this checklist as a starting point for a discussion with your EE Supervisor to determine whether you are ready to submit your final draft to Managebac.

You should use it in conjunction with:

The example EE layout : https://oakham-rutland.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=33268875

The essay outline document : https://oakham-rutland.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=33268851

You should be able to answer “Yes” to all of the questions.

Links to other tabs

Don't forget to review your subject specific guide before you start writing!

If you need some guidance about the difference between a Title, Topic and Research Question, look here .

Citing and Referencing Guides

Guides for PC users

• Citing and Referencing in Word 2016 for Windows
• Managing Sources in Word 2016 for Windows
• Creating a Table of Contents in Word 2016 for Windows

Guides for Mac users

• Managing Sources in Word 2016 for Mac
• Citing and Referencing in Word 2016 for Mac

Examples of EEs with mark schemes

• Sample EEs These are sample essays, with mark sheets, on the IB Extended Essay website. Do not spend too long reading the essays - the most important use of these is to look at the mark schemes for essays in your subject to see what examiners are looking for, and what mistakes to avoid.

Sample EEs in German Language and Literature A (not provided on site above)

NOTE: These were all written before the 2018 rule changes so contain structural features such as abstracts, which should no longer be used. The mark scheme has also changed substantially, so be careful how you use these.

• May 2015—Example A
• May 2015—Example B
• May 2015—Example C
• May 2013—Example A
• May 2013—Example B
• May 2013—Example C

Constructing your understanding from your information G4

Before you start to write your essay you need to understand the argument you are trying to make clearly, and that you know what information you are required to include. This resource has been carefully designed using Group 4 mark schemes to make sure that you address all the main points required. It may also be useful if you are writing in Groups 3 or 5. Complete it in note form once you are close to completing your investigation to help you to structure your final essay.

While this is not an official IB document, so is not compulsory, it is very strongly recommended and it will almost certainly make it much quicker and easier to write your essay if you complete this first.

Constructing your understanding from your information (not G4)

Before you start to write your essay you need to understand the argument you are trying to make clearly, and the evidence you are using to support it. This resource has been designed to help you to organise your ideas. Complete it in note form once you are close to completing your investigation to help you to structure your final essay.

• << Previous: Working with ideas
• Next: Reflecting >>
• Last Updated: Jun 24, 2024 10:46 AM
• URL: https://oakham-rutland.libguides.com/ib-extended-essay

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Extended Essay: Formatting your EE

Introduction.

• Subject Guidance & Proposal Forms
• 8 Simple Steps to writing an Academic Essay... and Outlines!
• Finding a Topic
• Academic Sources of Information
• Researcher's Spaces
• Reflections
• In-Text Citations (MLA9 & APA7)
• In-Text Citations (Chicago)
• Images and Screenshots
• Graphs and Tables
• Citations and Referencing - IB REQUIREMENTS
• Formatting your EE
• IB Resources for Students
• Ms Sally's Presentations

PLEASE NOTE

All final submissions must be made in pdf format to these 4 places:, google classroom, emailed to your supervisor, formal presentation basics.

All essays must follow this format:

• Standard Margins (1-inch or 2.5 cm margins)
• 12-point, readable font (Arial is recommended)
• Double-spaced
• Page Numbers start on the Table of Contents 
• No Candidate or School name  is to appear anywhere in the document
• Title of the Essay
• Research Question
• Subject for which the Essay is registered
• Category - If a Language A or B Essay
• Theme & 2 Subjects utilized - If a World Studies Essay
• Contents Page
• annotated illustrations and tables
• formulas and calculations
• parenthetical or numbered
• footnotes or endnotes
• Bibliography
• The RPPF Form
• The Research and Writing Process: Word Counts
• The Research and Writing Process: Footnotes and Endnotes

Table of Contents

• Labelled "Table of Contents" in 12-point, readable font (Arial is recommended)
• Headings and subheadings within the body of the essay may be included

References and Bibliography

• Topic, purpose and focus of the research clearly identified and explained
• Research Question bolded within the introduction and phrased as on the title page
• Methodology of research and insight into the line of argument

Body of the Essay

The body of the essay must:

• Examiners will not read appendices, endnotes or footnotes, so all essential elements to your argument must be included in the body of the essay
• Include headings and sub-headings as appropriate to the subject 

Your conclusion must be:

• A Summative conclusion based on the information presented in the body of the essay
• A Conclusion linked directly to the research question
• Notes of limitations and unresolved questions (as appropriate) can be included

Your References and Bibliography must follow this format:

• Cross-referenced: each reference in the essay is ticked off in the bibliography to ensure all references are included and no extraneous references exist
• All tables, charts, diagrams, illustrations etc. must be clearly labelled and referenced in the body of the essay
• References are presented alphabetically 
• Use hanging indents for all entries
• Include Date Accessed or Retrieved for websites (as outlined on the IB Requirements page)
• Remove all hyperlinks
• The Research and Writing Process: Tables
• The Research and Writing Process: Illustrations

Appendices should only be used if required by the subject discipline:

• Appendices titled
• Headings labeled
• Included in the Table of Contents
• Reliance on external resources such as DVDs, music, specimen materials etc. is not permitted
• The Research and Writing Process: Reliance on External Materials
• The Research and Writing Process: Specimen Materials
• << Previous: Citations and Referencing - IB REQUIREMENTS
• Next: IB Resources for Students >>
• Last Updated: Aug 9, 2024 10:49 AM
• URL: https://nist.libguides.com/ee/home

• Have your assignments done by seasoned writers. We work 24/7. Just email us at:
• [email protected]

How to Write an Extended Essay: from Outline to Conclusion

write an extended essay

As a student, especially those pursuing International Baccalaureate (IB), you will be faced with the challenge of coming up with an extended essay. But few students do not know how to write long essays like an extended essay. That is where we come in.

In this comprehensive guide, I will guide you on the 8 steps to follow when writing a good extended essay and provide you with examples of topics you can use.

As noted by one of our top essay writers for hire , extended essays are not like your ordinary essays. As the name suggests, they are extended versions of essays and it may take longer and a unique approach to writing them.

However, before delving into such details, it is important to first understand what extended essays are.

Need Help with your Homework or Essays?

What is an extended essay.

An extended essay (EE) is a form of writing that provides learners with a chance to carry out independent research concerning a topic of their interest.

It is part of the requirements for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and its content is based on a freely-selected topic provided that there is an instructor for the subject in school since candidates should have a supervisor for the subjects.

To be more precise, an extended essay can be regarded as a 4000-word structured piece of writing centered on an International Baccalaureate student’s topic and it may take various forms.

What is meant by “it may take various forms” is that the way it looks depends on the topic selected. The next section will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to write an extended essay. 

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How to Write an Extended Essay

When writing an extended essay, there 8 steps that should be taken to effectively complete it on time. Carefully read through the 8 steps to fully understand how to write an extended essay.

Step 1: Selecting a Topic and Researching on it

This is the first step that you should take before writing your extended essay.

As noted, extended essays will allow you to write on the topic of your interest.

However, various topics are provided by your instructor and it is upon you to select the topic that interests you.

You should keep in mind that the topic selected should have enough material and resources to support your topic and the position of your arguments concerning the topic.

Some topics may have limited resources.

At the same time, select a topic that is neither too broad nor too narrow. A narrow topic may lack enough material to have a 4000-word extended essay while a broad topic may require a lot of supporting material that may exceed the 4000-word limit.  

If you find the first step confusing or you find it difficult to tackle it on your own, it is advisable to seek a mentor/advisor. You should select an advisor or mentor with whom you will connect well and the one who understands the topic and what is required when writing extended essays.

Such a mentor will help you select the topic that fits your interest. While helping you select a topic that is not too narrow or broad, they should push you to deliver your best. Mentors/advisors can be your instructors or friends who have completed extended essays. 

Once this is done, research extensively concerning your topic and ensure that the sources of your information are peer-reviewed and credible. They should provide the most recent research or information concerning your topic.

Note the sources of your information so that you can cite and reference them in your extended essay. 

Step 2: Coming up With a Research Question

This is an important step because selecting a research question will provide you with a focused and clear summative statement to be used during your research.

It will act as a roadmap or a guideline that will help you during the writing process. It will also help you formulate a clear and concise thesis statement that will summarize your arguments and the position you will take in your extended essay. 

Step 3: Structuring Your Extended Essay

As aforementioned, extended essays should always take an academic format. This means that it should have an acceptable academic structure.

At the same time, since International Baccalaureate (IB) guidelines are constantly updated, you should follow the latest guidelines so that you can utilize the latest format. 

The acceptable format for your extended essay will include an introduction, methodology, main body, conclusion, bibliography, and appendices.

This will be the general structure for your extended essay.

It should be noted that this structure is not an outline.

What this means is that the structure should be considered when coming up with an outline.

Once you have decided the structure of your extended essay, come up with an outline based on your topic, thesis, and arguments.

An outline will act as a guide during the drafting process and it will save a lot of time.

This is because you will have already outlined your extended essay and what you will be doing is to add content to the points you have highlighted. Ensure that individual points translate to a single paragraph. 

You should also note that the extended essay will have a table of contents. Therefore, the outline will be very important when coming up with your table of contents that is located after the cover page of your extended essay. 

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Step 4: Writing the Introduction

Once you have completed the above steps and you have come up with an outline based on the extended essay’s structure, the next step is to introduce your topic and elaborate it to your target readers.

There are various things you should consider when coming up with an introduction.

First of all, the introduction should be catchy and interesting.

This is because your readers will read it before deciding on whether to continue with the rest of the paper.

The best way to do this is to begin your introduction with something catchy or attention-grabbing sentence.

This will arouse the reader’s curiosity to know more about the topic.

The second thing you should know about the introduction is that it should offer a crisp and clear description of what you are going to talk about and the various strategies you will use to explore the topic. It all depends on the topic.

You can decide to highlight the issues that will be explored and the ways of addressing such issues. It is all about proving some brief background of what you will be exploring in the rest of the paper.

Do you remember that you formulated a research question after researching your topic? While introducing the topic of your extended essay, you should provide the context of your research question where you address the situation or the background from which the question comes.

While doing so, you should state the research question and elaborate on why answering the question is important for the paper’s findings. 

The introduction should also tell the readers why the research you present in your extended essay is important, interesting, and/or valuable to the discipline and the audience.

Finally, you should conclude your introduction by writing your thesis statement. This should be the last sentence of your introduction paragraph(s). 

Step 5: Methodology

This is also a very important step when writing an extended essay. To make sure that all the important aspects of the methodology are covered, you should divide this section into two.

The first section of the methodology explains your sources of information and the second section explores the related theories, topics, and arguments that will be used to explore your topic. 

In the first section, you should describe every primary and/or secondary source used, why the sources are important, and their limitations.

Sources of secondary research can include news articles, annual reports for companies, business textbooks, magazine articles, and encyclopedias. The final thing you should do while in section 1 is to state the adjustments made in your research. 

For the second section, you should provide a brief explanation of the theories that are going to be applied and the reason why they are the most appropriate in explaining your arguments.

Also, give the limitations of each theory, topic, or argument applied. Finally, state the changes made during the research and writing process.

Step 6: Drafting the Main Body

This should be the most elaborate part of your extended essay because you will concentrate on the research, analysis of the research, discussion, and evaluation.

You should try to retain the flow of step 5 that has steps 1 and 2. This will demonstrate that you understand the concepts of the International Baccalaureate while still addressing your topic using the relevant sources. 

In the first section, for each of the theories, arguments, and topics used to address your topic, include about 4 examples of each to help you answer the research question effectively. Also, address the qualitative tools applied before the quantitative tools.

The second section goes beyond the course to educate your evaluator and/or readers concerning your topic. Explore the related concepts and theories deeply while providing different perspectives on the topic.

Remember that you should be evaluating the findings here. Use analytical insight to further explain your arguments and points of view. Graphs and other forms of data presentation can be used. However, they should apply to the research.

Step 7: Writing the Conclusion

In this step, you should sum up your arguments from all your sections. It is important to stipulate what has been researched and how it has helped answer the research question.

It should be noted that no new information should be added in the conclusion. Mention some limitations of the research and their impact, and the reasons behind such limitations.

Finally, state the thing(s) you can do differently if you were to write another extended essay.

Step 8: Bibliography and Appendices

On a different page or the next page after the conclusion, reference your sources of information using the correct format (APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard styles). Always remember to arrange the references from A to Z. Bibliography or references are not part of the word count.

The appendices section showcases the extra work you have done such as transcripts of the interviews conducted, additional analysis, and any other data that you found interesting but did not include in the body of your paper. 

Once you are done with writing, thoroughly proofread your work and correct any grammatical or spelling errors made. Make sure that the work is well formatted with all the sections included.

At the same time, make sure that nothing in your paper is copy-pasted because it will be regarded as plagiarism. Always do this before submitting your extended essay. 

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Best Length of an Extended Essay

While there is no universally agreed minimum word count for an extended essay, you should not write less than 3,000 words. This is because lesser than that will demonstrate that you did not adequately research your topic.

Since the acceptable word limit on the upper side is 4,000 words, always strive to write more than 3,500 words. Unlike other types of essays like a GRE Essay that is short, an extended essay is long in terms of word count.

In other cases, the minimum word count is 1,500 words, and the maximum word count is 4,000 words. It is up to the student to decide what their word count should be. It is important not to go over or under the prescribed word count by more than 10%. The upper limit of 4000 words should be a guideline rather than a firm rule.

Can the extended essay be over 4000 words?

Yes, the extended essay may be up to 4000 words in length. The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays. This upper limit includes the introduction, the body, the conclusion, and any quotations, but does not include:

• the abstract
• the contents page
• acknowledgments
• any diagrams, charts, tables, and graphs
• the bibliography

How Many Pages is an Extended Essay?

4000 words is 8 pages single spaced, and 16 pages double spaced. The number of pages changes depends on the number of words, the font, and the font size. Usually, the extended essay is 4000 words in length, so it is quite a bit longer than your average essay. Double-space, Times New Roman 12 is pretty much universal, in college anyway.

What are the extended essay minimum and maximum word count?

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12 Examples of Extended Essay Topics

• What is the effect of age and gender on the photoreceptor cells in the human retina?
• How is climate change impacting the appearance of coral reefs?
• An evaluation of how antioxidants work in our bodies?
• Is there an association between viewing violence on television and the display of violent acts?
• What motivational climate should a coach employ to achieve optimal performance in athletes?
• How does the X hormone affect human behavior?
• How were women treated differently in the 1920s and 1950s Great Britain?
• What role did economics play in the unification of Germany from 1834 to 1871?
• How does the sugar concentration affect the refractive index of water?
• What factors influence the location of industries in country/city X?
• An investigation into the significance of preserving the quality of water in a continent/country/city?
• What effect does the coating of aspirin tablets have on the hydrolysis of aspirin?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you redo an extended essay.

Yes. You can redo an extended essay if you appeal to the relevant institution about the reason(s) why you failed on the first try. You should provide credible and sensible reasons for you to be considered. It is only then that you are granted a retake. 

Can You Fail an Extended Essay?

Yes. You can fail an extended essay if you do not follow the essay’s requirements, instructions, or rubric. 

What Happens if You Fail an Extended Essay?

If you fail an extended essay, you will not graduate with a diploma. Therefore, if you fail, you should request a retake and do your best to write a good extended essay. 

How many points is the extended essay worth?

The Extended Essay is a 4,000-word essay that you write on a topic of your choice. This counts towards your IB Diploma and it’s worth 3 points of your overall score.

The Extended Essay is often the most rewarding part of the IB Diploma. It gives you the chance to study something that you want to learn about in-depth, and it can be on any topic you choose – as long as there’s an expert to supervise it!

Can I publish my extended essay?

You may publish your extended essay. There are some things to consider before you do though: • Check that the subject of your essay is appropriate for publishing. Some subjects, such as science and math, may not be appropriate for publication because of how quickly the field develops. Also, check that your advisor approves of publishing the essay. • Check that you have gotten all the necessary permissions you need before you publish. • Check with your advisor if you have any doubts about these things.

Josh Jasen or JJ as we fondly call him, is a senior academic editor at Grade Bees in charge of the writing department. When not managing complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In his spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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What is an Extended Essay? Requirements, Subjects, Reflections

by  Antony W

July 18, 2023

What is an Extended Essay? What does it require? Is it a mandatory assignment?

Clearly, we expect many questions to run in your mind if you’re just getting started with the IB diploma program – and especially the EE.

So in this post, we tell you everything you need to know about the Extended Essay. In short, if you’re looking for a comprehensive, detailed guide to IB Extended Essay, you’ve to the right place.

Key Takeaways

• The Extended Essay, abbreviated as EE, is an individual project that requires self-directed research.
• In an EE, you choose a topic, develop a research question , conduct independent research, and then write a report of your finding.
• You’ll write an EE alongside other IB assignments, which are Internal Assessments at Standard and Higher Levels, and Theory of Knowledge essay and exhibition.

What is an Extended Essay?

The Extended Essay is an essential element of the IB diploma. We can define it as the individual assignment that gives you an opportunity to delve into a subject that captivates your interest.

As an obligatory requirement for all IB students, the Extended Essay necessitates a demonstration of your expertise in the chosen field beyond what you’ve learned in the classroom.

Keep in mind that your first year in the IB program is often the ideal time to start working on your Extended Essay.

Throughout this period, you will collaborate with a supervisor who will not only assist you in organizing your essay but also offer invaluable guidance during the writing process.

What Does The Extended Essay Require?

The IB Extended Essay requires that you do the following:

• Choose a subject from one of the six categories in the Diploma Program.
• Formulate a focused and concise research question that relates to the chosen subject.
• Engage in independent research on the topic.
• Present your findings in a well-structured essay of approximately 4,000 words.

Considering that the Extended Essay is a formal piece of writing, it is important to adhere to the following additional guidelines throughout the writing process:

• Conduct research beyond classroom materials and include proper citations for your sources.
• You should submit your initial draft to your supervisor for review and feedback.
• Subsequently, you will revise and refine your work, culminating in the second draft, which will serve as the final version of your Extended Essay.

On What Subjects Can You Write an Extended Essay?

The Extended Essay allows for a broad range of topics, providing you with the freedom to choose an area of investigation that aligns with your interests and the assignment's requirements.

However, it is important to note that your chosen topic must fall within one of the six subject groups approved by the IB . These subjects include:

• Biology (topics)
• Visual Arts
• Geography (topics)
• Business and Management

With such a diverse selection of subjects, you have the flexibility to decide on a topic that captivates your curiosity and focus your research on what you find most engaging.

What Does Reflection Cover?

The EE reflections hold significant importance and are a compulsory component of the Extended Essay process. They also contribute significantly to the assessment of your essay.

Referred to as "meetings," these reflection sessions provide you with valuable opportunities to connect with your supervisor and engage in discussions concerning your essay.

You will need to plan and attend three meetings, each serving to stimulate new perspectives and enhance your involvement in the research process.

These meetings aim to broaden your thinking and foster deeper engagement with your chosen topic.

Important EE Guidelines for IB Students

Here are some valuable tips that can help you to research and write an outstanding IB Extended Essay on any topic:

1. Decide What You Enjoy Writing

Writing a comprehensive EE is impossible if you are not passionate about or intrigued by a topic.

Remember that you have the freedom to select a subject and topic that pique your interest well in advance. So take time to evaluate your options and choose a topic that you feel comfortable exploring.

A helpful approach is to examine the six subgroups and select a category that aligns with your area of interest.

Generate a list of potential topics within that category, taking note of the most captivating ones and those that may be less interesting. Then, choose one of the most intriguing topics from your list and delve deeper into it.

2. Be Specific

Avoid the pitfall of selecting either an overly broad topic or an excessively narrow subject, as this can lead to difficulties in completing the work.

What purpose does it serve to write an IB History EE on World War II when 4,000 words are insufficient to cover all the intricate details of the event?

Clearly, such a topic would require a book of at least 700 pages to explore, making it too broad for an IB EE.

To impress your IB supervisor and score a 34, choose a specific topic.

Being specific allows you to explore your subject and gather ample ideas that not only fit within the expected word count but also address the research question without omitting crucial information.

3. Engage the Right Supervisor for Reflection

Having the right advisor to consult whenever questions arise can alleviate the frustrations of writing an IB Extended Essay.

Instead of selecting your favorite teacher as your advisor, choose a teacher who is well versed in the subject you wish to investigate.

Engaging in reflection sessions with such a supervisor ensures that you get relevant feedback on the progress of your EE and valuable insights for your first, second, and final draft.

For example, if you decide to work on an IB English EE, consider collaborating with an English teacher throughout the process, even if you don’t interact with them often at school. 

4. Start Early

One common misconception is that an IB Extended Essay is an assignment that you can write in the last minute.

However, the reality is that extensive research, reading, reflection sessions with your supervisor, drafting, and finalizing your work require a significant amount of time.

Therefore, attempting to complete all these tasks within a short period is unlikely to result in a high-quality essay.

For the best results, even in complex subjects such as Chemistry and Mathematics, it is crucial to start early so that you have ample time to start and complete the first, the second, and the final draft on time.

You’ll have at most 10 months to work on your Extended Essay, with 40 hours of pure writing spread out between the first and last month. Given the timeframe you have to work on the assignment, it’s highly unlikely you’ll fail the essay. Moreover, online help is only a click away should you ever need assistance to get the work done smoothly. All you have to do is to contact our team and we’ll be happy to help.

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

The Extended Essay Step-By-Step Guide 3: The Research

The Easter Break is nearly upon us. Ten years ago this might have been a cue to eat more chocolate than you can handle. But if you’re in DP1 of the IB that small thing called the Extended Essay will be hovering on the horizon. You know that you should think about it over the break, but whether you do or not might depend on how much Netflix you have to catch up on. To start the research or not to start?

If you read our first post  in this step-by-step guide, on choosing an Extended Essay topic, you’ll know that we think you should definitely start as soon as you can.

So what do I mean by research? I’m talking about the intense stuff. The in-depth exploration that will inform your essay, and which you will be able to use later on in your Bibliography. Good research is the key to making everything easy for you during the writing stage. If you’ve done the research properly, then the essay structure, the case study, or the experiment will practically plan itself.

But how do you do the research so that it is as effective as possible without taking over your entire Easter break?

1. Know WHAT you’ll need

Read the Extended Essay Guide for your subject (yes I am going to recommend that in every part of this guide, so you may as well do it now!). For all subjects it will tell you whether you need primary research, secondary data, or a combination. Work out whether ‘research’ for you means gathering data compiled by someone else, creating your own data, reading other people’s opinions, or digging out hard facts. Depending on what your subject and topic is, your research might be the crux of your entire essay, or it might simply give you ideas to enhance your own thoughts.

Use the Guide to define the limits of your research. Your Extended Essay has to focus on your chosen subject as defined by the IBO (and World Studies has its own definition and requirements). That means you must define your subject in the same way, e.g. “Biology is the science that deals with living organisms and life processes”. Use this to work out where your research should take you. And don’t waste time doing research that takes you into another subject area, E.g. Medicine.

Work out how recent your research needs to be. Again, this is a way to save time! Economics, for example, shouldn’t be historical. That means your information needs to be recent! Equally research in the Sciences goes out of date very quickly so stick within the last couple decades, and newer is better! (as long as it’s reliable… I’ll get onto that). For Literature and History, it’s less important that your sources are new, although it’s easier than you might think to quote what sounds like a very insightful idea only to realise it was first written in the 1920s!

Exercise 1: Read the guidelines for your subject and write down what kind of research you’ll be doing. Is it Primary or Secondary? Will you conduct your own experiment or use data from someone else’s? Are you looking for factual information or theories? What window of time do you want your research to have come from? 2013-2016, or 1980-2016? Write it down now because later you can check your progress against this to make sure you’re staying on track.

2. Know WHERE you’ll find it

For the Extended Essay you’ll need to go beyond Google and beyond the shelves of your library. A good Extended Essay Bibliography should be a varied pick and mix selection* of online and off-line sources, modern dates, and obscure and established publications. Remember those 40 hours the IB recommends you spend on your Extended Essay? Your Bibliography is proof that you have been working hard!

But how do you get all those sources? Ask your teachers. If you don’t have a supervisor yet, I can guarantee you that your librarian knows more about what you have access to than you realise. Find out what subscriptions your school has, both online and off. If your library doesn’t have a book in stock it might be able to order a book in for you. Find this out.

For Science, it’s vital that your research is up to date. That means your material will probably come from journals, (reliable) websites, and studies by other scientists. Consider approaching universities and other academics who may be able to point you in the right direction.

On the other hand for something such as Literature your primary research should mean reading your chosen texts, whether they are novels, plays or poems. Consider supplementing this with other first-hand materials such as journal entries, letters or essays by the author or their contemporaries. Finally secondary research encompasses the ideas of other academics, although the Guide states that these should not replace your own analysis and ideas.

It’s not too hard to work out whether a source is reliable or not. Most of the time it’s common sense; can you name the author? Do they have experience in what they’re talking about or might they know less than you? It’s okay to use sources that may have a bias or might be ignorant of one thing or another, but the key is to be aware of this and make it clear in your essay that you are aware of it.

Here are some good online places to go for information:

Google Scholar : Basically Google except that it will show you only the academic resources related to your search: articles, essays and legal documents. In other words, all of the stuff here should be fair game to put in a Bibliography.

Google Books : Free books! Lots of them! And the best part is you don’t have to admit you used Google; for all the examiner knows you dug through the dusty shelves of a library yourself. Even for books which only have a preview this is useful to work out if a hard copy of the book would be useful to you.

JSTOR : If your school has a subscription to this, use it! A database of hundreds of academic journals which make for great background research. However be aware it doesn’t include the latest research, so make sure what you find here will stick within the dates you defined earlier on.

Public Library of Science (PLOS) : An open access online library of scientific literature. Includes science-related journals.

www.online-literature.com A website full of poetry, short stories and novels of almost every ‘classic’ author whose work is out of copyright. When it comes to referencing later, it will probably look better to go and dig out a hard copy of the work purely for reference purposes, but this is handy for initial browsing.

Wikipedia : Didn’t think I’d put this on here, did you? This is obviously not good as a source in itself, however if you scroll to the bottom of most Wikipedia pages you’ll often find a pretty comprehensive list of sources that are directly relevant to the topic and which you could use as a starting point for your own research.

Exercise 2: Make a list of the resources you think will be useful for your essay, and which you know you have access to. And remember that different search engines are useful for different subjects.

3. Know HOW you’ll get it

Believe it or not, research requires research. It won’t happen by accident and takes careful planning in order to get the most out of the sources that you use.

After you know where you might find useful sources, do some initial digging to find out what’s out there that will be specifically useful for your chosen topic. As I mentioned, Wikipedia could be a starting place for this. Or you might need to do a quick search through the database of your school and local libraries and place orders for books. Whatever you do, keep a list of everything you find that might be useful to you, and use it as a checklist. You won’t have time to read it all at once.

Plan out your research time in blocks to make sure that it happens. And think about what you can do in different places. It goes without saying that you’ll be able to do your online research at home, but think about what articles you could download to read when you don’t have internet. If you take a book out of a library you will be able to read that when you don’t have a laptop in front of you.

Finally, think about when the research will be most useful to you. Is there information you need to know before you undertake a lab investigation? What about data that will make more sense after you’ve done some initial reading? Thinking about all of these things will make sure that your research is as effective as it can be.

Exercise 3: Make a plan of attack (also known as a schedule) for what you’re going to do in what order, and how long it will take. Fo r example (this one is for English A):

4. Keep track of everything!

You’ll need a reference for anything you use that you didn’t pluck out of your own head. This applies to:

• Ideas and Summaries

By ideas and summaries I mean any theory or idea that is not common knowledge. So you don’t need to reference the fact the spinach is green but you might need to reference what green food colouring is made of.

There is no set referencing system that you need to use in your Extended Essay, but you do get marked on how you use it. So make sure that whatever you choose, you use it consistently. Ask your supervisor which one they would recommend, and it’s useful at this stage to have a skim of what information you need to keep track of as you go along. Guides for the different systems are easily accessible online on websites like this one:

Anytime you read something that might be useful, make a note of all the information you’ll need to include in a Bibliography later. That will usually include the author name, title, the publisher, the year and place it was published, and the page numbers.

Keep track of your research by extracting the key material onto your own document. Whether that means copy and pasting the vital quotes, summarising the idea or saving an image you might want to use, make it as accessible for yourself as possible! Don’t just keep a document of links to articles you found interesting! When you want to plan your essay I promise you that you won’t remember what it says. This:

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=q4uEZnTJJIsC&pg=PA143&dq=virginia+woolf+mrs+dalloway+freedom&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=virginia%20woolf%20mrs%20dalloway%20freedom&f=false

Is much less useful than this:

“When beginning Mrs Dalloway, Woolf intended to write “six or seven” grouped short texts” p. 143, Wild Outbursts of Freedom: Reading Virginia Woolf’s Short Fiction , Nena Skrbic (2004), Praeger Publishers, Westport, CT

Exercise 4 : decide how you will organise your research:

• Create a EE research folder on your laptop and create blank documents inside it, labelled depending on what you might need, e.g. journal articles, primary research, hard copy books.
• Assign a physical EE folder for any handwritten notes that you make, whether in a library or just out and about.
• Choose your referencing system.

Got that? Okay… I think you’re ready!

Read Part 4: The Question

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Extended Essay: Structure of the Extended Essay

• Before You Start
• Business Management
• Language and Literature
• Visual Arts
• World Studies
• Developing a Research Question
• Structure of the Extended Essay
• Writing the Essay
• Citations/Sources/Academic Honesty
• Timelines and Materials
• Example Research Questions
• Supervisors

Elements To Be Included

• Table of Contents
• Introduction
• Body of the essay
• References/Bibliography

Not sure yet but something should be here

The Extended Essay Step by Step Guide 5: Structure and Planning When it comes to writing a brilliant first draft of your Extended Essay, or any essay, I fully believe that a solid structure is one of the surest guarantees of success there is. It's the skeleton of the essay that makes it into a fully formed being instead of a pile of jelly.

What's the Difference Between the Topic, Title, and Research Question?

• The  topic  of the extended essay is the subject, issue or theme that you are investigating within a specific DP subject or world studies area of study. The topic, which develops during the initial thinking about the EE, should later be reflected in the wording of the title.
• be short, descriptive and succinct
• not be phrased as a question
• use key words that connect with the topic and the DP subject or world studies area of study
• attract the interest of the reader.
• be clear and focused
• provide a path through which you can undertake achievable research
• use key words that connect with the topic, the title, and the DP subject or world studies area of study
• support the development of an argument.

Presentation Requirements

Title Page (i tems that should be included in the title page):

• Title of the essay
• Research question
• Subject for which the essay is registered (and category if necessary)

Times New Roman 12 pt. font 

Double spaced

Pages numbered after the title page

Bibliography/work cited

Table of contents

No more than 4000 words

Assessment of the EE - Advice for Students

Use this list to help you think about the assessment criteria and whether you have addressed the expectations within your essay. You do not need to address all of the questions posed, but they do provide some guidance in terms of what to consider.

Criterion A:  Focus and Method

What It Means: This criterion focuses on the topic, the research question and the methodology. It assesses the explanation of the focus of the research (this includes the topic and the research question), how the research will be undertaken, and how the focus is maintained throughout the essay.

Questions to ask:

• Does this essay meet the requirements for the subject for which you are registering it? • Is your research question stated as a question?

• Have you explained how your research question relates to the subject that you selected for the extended essay?

• Have you given an insight into why your area of study is important?

• Is your research question feasible within the scope of the task? Could your research question be “answered” or it is too vague?

• Did you refer to your research question throughout the essay (not only in the introduction and conclusion)? • Did you explain why you selected your methodology?

• Are there other possible methods that could be used or applied to answer your research question? How might this change the direction of your research?

• If you stated a particular methodology in the introduction of your essay, or specific sources, have you used them?

• Are there any references listed in the bibliography that were not directly cited in the text?

Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding

What It Means: This criterion assesses the extent to which the research relates to the subject area/discipline used to explore the research question; or in the case of the world studies extended essay, the issue addressed and the two disciplinary perspectives applied; and additionally, the way in which this knowledge and understanding is demonstrated through the use of appropriate terminology and concepts.

• Have you explained how your research question relates to a specific subject you selected for the extended essay?

• Have you used relevant terminology and concepts throughout your essay as they relate to your particular area of research?

• Is it clear that the sources you are using are relevant and appropriate to your research question?

• Do you have a range of sources, or have you only relied on one particular type, for example internet sources?

• Is there a reason why you might not have a range? Is this justified?

Criterion C: Critical Thinking

What It Means: This criterion assesses the extent to which critical thinking skills have been used to analyze and evaluate the research undertaken.

• Have you made links between your results and data collected and your research question?

• If you included data or information that is not directly related to your research question have you explained its importance?

• Are your conclusions supported by your data?

• If you found unexpected information or data have you discussed its importance?

• Have you provided a critical evaluation of the methods you selected?

• Have you considered the reliability of your sources (peer-reviewed journals, internet, and so on)?

• Have you mentioned and evaluated the significance of possible errors that may have occurred in your research?

• Are all your suggestions of errors or improvements relevant?

• Have you evaluated your research question?

• Have you compared your results or findings with any other sources?

• Is there an argument that is clear and easy to follow and directly linked to answering your research question, and which is supported by evidence? Are there other possible methods that could be used or applied to answer your research question? How might this change the direction of your research?

Criterion D: Presentation

What It Means: This criterion assesses the extent to which the presentation follows the standard format expected for academic writing and the extent to which this aids effective communication.

• Have you read and understood the presentation requirements of the extended essay?

• Have you chosen a font that will be easy for examiners to read onscreen?

• Is your essay double-spaced and size 12 font? • Are the title and research question mentioned on the cover page?

• Are all pages numbered?

• Have you prepared a correct table of contents?

• Do the page numbers in the table of contents match the page numbers in the text?

• Is your essay subdivided into correct sub-sections, if this is applicable to the subject?

• Are all figures and tables properly numbered and labelled?

• Does your bibliography contain only the sources cited in the text?

• Did you use the same reference system throughout the essay?

• Does the essay have less than 4,000 words?

• Is all the material presented in the appendices relevant and necessary?

• Have you proofread the text for spelling or grammar errors?

Criterion E: Engagement

What It Means:  This criterion assesses the student’s engagement with their research focus and the research process. It will be applied by the examiner at the end of the assessment of the essay, after considering the student’s RPPF (Reflections on planning and progress form).

• Have you demonstrated your engagement with your research topic and the research process?

• Have you highlighted challenges you faced and how you overcame them?

• Will the examiner get a sense of your intellectual and skills development?

• Will the examiner get a sense of your creativity and intellectual initiative?

• Will the examiner get a sense of how you responded to actions and ideas in the research process?

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• Last Updated: Nov 18, 2020 8:01 AM
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Extended Essay: Extended Essay Home

• Extended Essay Home
• Academic Honesty
• Research and Source Information
• EE Formal Presentation - Formatting & Citing
• Reflection Overview
• Read Exemplar EEs

Key Features of the Extended Essay

• The extended essay is compulsory for all students taking the Diploma Programme and is an option for course students.
• A student must achieve a D grade or higher to be awarded the Diploma.
• The extended essay is externally assessed and, in combination with the grade for theory of knowledge, contributes up to three points to the total score f or the IB Diploma.
• The extended essay process helps prepare students for success at university and in other pathways beyond the Diploma Programme.
• When choosing a subject for the extended essay, students must consult the list of available Diploma Programme subjects published in the Handbook of procedures for the Diploma Programme for the session in question.
• The extended essay is a piece of independent research on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a supervisor in the school.
• It is presented as a formal piece of sustained academic writing containing no more than 4,000 words accompanied by a reflection form of no more than 500 words.
• It is the result of approximately 40 hours of work by the student.
• Students are supported by a supervision process recommended to be 3–5 hours, which includes t hree mandatory reflection sessions .
• The third and final mandatory reflection session is the viva voce , which is a concluding interview with the supervising teacher.

Important Due Dates for the EE

Class of 2025 extended essay deadlines:.

5 May: First reflection due in ManageBac

23 August: Second reflection due in ManageBac

29 - 30 August: Senior Retreat

18 September: Completed draft due to Supervisor

23 October: Completed EE due to Supervisor

23 October - 7 November: Viva Voce and final reflection due in ManageBac

4 November: EE Assembly, 8:20 - 9:30 am

Extended Essay Books in the Library

Find both of these Extended Essay books in the IB and University Collection.

Useful Forms

• EE Expectations Agreement to be signed by student, supervisor and parent

EE Criteria

• This criterion focuses on the topic, the research question and the methodology. 
• It assesses the explanation of the focus of the research (this includes the topic and the research question), how the research will be undertaken, and how the focus is maintained throughout the essay.

Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding [6 marks]

• This criterion assesses the extent to which the research relates to the subject area/discipline used to explore the research question, or in the case of the world studies extended essay, the issue addressed and the two disciplinary perspectives applied, and additionally the way in which this knowledge and understanding is demonstrated through the use of appropriate terminology and concepts.

Criterion C: Critical Thinking [12 marks]

• This criterion assesses the extent to which critical-thinking skills have been used to analyse and evaluate the research undertaken.

Criterion D: Presentation [4 marks]

• This criterion assesses the extent to which the presentation follows the standard format expected for academic writing and the extent to which this aids effective communication.

Criterion E: Engagement [6 marks]

• This criterion assesses the student’s engagement with their research focus and the research process.
• It will be applied by the examiner at the end of the assessment of the essay, and is based solely on the candidate’s reflections as detailed on the  RPPF , with the supervisory comments and extended essay itself as context.
• Only the first 500 words are assessable.

EE Markbands

A = 27 - 34

B = 21 - 26

C = 14 - 20

D =  7 - 13

E =  0 - 6

EE/TOK Matrix

Ee guide and website.

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• Last Updated: Feb 1, 2024 9:47 AM
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The extended essay: Essential skills for English language learners

Lindsay Warwick discusses the challenges that students face when writing essays, and how the process writing approach can help to prepare for extended writing assignments. Lindsay Warwick is a teacher, trainer and materials writer. She is co-author of the forthcoming Milestones in English A2 and B1+ Student’s Books, publishing in January 2016.

As those of you working with students learning to study in English know, it requires many more skills than those covered by academic English exams. Of course students need to have effective English language skills and learning strategies to enable them to understand and produce academic material.  But my time teaching business studies on a university foundation course has taught me that young adults may not have developed academic skills in their own language and often need the time and space to learn these in addition to their English skills.

Part of my role was to set and mark business assignments written by a group of international students. My focus was on the content assessment rather than the language assessment (for a nice change) which was done by a colleague. Students had had a lot of input on how to source appropriate information and include a bibliography but these still proved an issue for some students. Online cheat essays were used as sources and students were surprised that these were not academically acceptable. After all, they’d referenced the site, they said.

Writing is not a standalone skill and in an academic context, often follows listening or reading in English. Another big challenge for my students was thoroughly understanding written material in order to be able to paraphrase it and synthesize it into their own work; a challenging skill even for native speakers.

Despite having been made fully aware of issues of plagiarism and having had practice in researching and synthesizing information in more controlled tasks, not all students seemed readily able to apply these techniques to extended writing in subject topics. In light of this, I believe that adopting a process writing approach to preparing students for writing extended assignments can be very beneficial; specifically, building up from short to longer texts that require researching and writing about other author’s points of view.

There are three key stages to the writing process: Pre-writing, drafting and redrafting, and editing (Hedge, 2005). Advocates say that it encourages learners to engage with the writing process more fully as well as learn to write as they write.

For me the most important advantage of this approach is that it allows students to receive feedback from their tutor and classmates at each stage of their writing rather than only at the end. Feedback has one of the most significant, positive effects on learning (Hattie 2013) and helps students to improve their approach and techniques as they write. In addition, students learn to peer and self-assess which are also key components of learning (Black & William, 2001) and useful skills for university students.

A process writing approach to an extended piece of writing might involve the following.

• Generating ideas : students share and question each other’s ideas in order to generate further ideas and develop higher order thinking skills. Techniques such as ‘cubing’ can be very useful here i.e. looking at a topic from six different perspectives. You can start with a simple What? Where? Why? When? Who? How?
• Research : students check that each other’s sources are academically acceptable to avoid referencing issues from the start. Encouraging students to use a free online citation tool from the beginning (e.g. zotero ) means they can bookmark reference material and have it create a bibliography for them at the end. Students no longer have to scrabble around in their browser history to find an article they vaguely remember seeing three weeks ago.
• Planning : teacher/students assess plans to pre-empt issues of organisation and synthesis. Teachers may also wish to add their own comments, either to each student’s plan or by taking one or two (anonymous) plans and discussing them with the whole class.
• Draft 1 : teacher/students offer feedback on content, organisation, synthesis and referencing so far to help move the student forward in their next draft.
• Final draft : students peer assess for accuracy to aid final editing.

If students are paired with the same student throughout this process, they can really support each other and see how each other’s work has developed. It will encourage a lot of reflection, both self- and peer, that will help develop metacognition. However, in my experience, for self- and peer assessment to be successful, assessment criteria should be made clear to students so they have something to assess against when giving feedback e.g. Other author’s work will be referenced appropriately . Language prompts will also help students provide constructive feedback (e.g. You referenced XXX well. I think you need to reference…next time ).

Whether a teacher will be able to spend time offering feedback to all students at all stages depends very much on the number of students and time they have. But by using self- and peer assessment, students can learn from each other, develop meta-cognition and develop important extended writing skills as they write and not have to wait until their next assignment to put feedback into practice when it may have been forgotten.

References and Further Reading

Black P & William D, Inside the Black Box, GL Assessment Ltd, 1990

Hattie J, Visible Learning for Teachers, Routledge, 2011

Hedge T, Writing, OUP, 2005

You may also like

Mastering classroom management: transform your teaching, learning through play: activity ideas for young learners, soft skills activities: ideas for your language classroom.

There’s no ‘quick fix’ when it comes to learning a new language. I have been working with students who want to learn another language for quite some time and I can attest that there is more than just skills. First of all having that interest to learn the language of your choice, sparing time and being in the right environment is always very important. After all learning another language isn’t just about writing or speaking but being associated with another culture. If the student understands this, then learning the language becomes more fun and easy in the process.

And you are right about adopting a process writing approach, it really helps.

Thanks for the post, I grasped some things.

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Get an insight into the minds of our academics and team of educational creatives here at Oxbridge Essays. From expert guidance and practical advice on essay and dissertation writing, to commentary on current academic affairs, our blog covers all things student-related, with the goal of helping you do better during your time at university.

How to write an extended essay

Even the most experienced essay writers, who are well in command of structure and effective essay technique , can be uncertain and confused when asked to write an extended essay. This format, not frequently required and seldom discussed, is one of the least available in essay examples, and can be perplexing to those who have not attempted it before. Read on to banish your queries with our top tips to writing an extended essay.

What is an extended essay?

An extended essay might sound daunting but it usually simply means a piece of writing that is longer than your usual essays but shorter than an undergraduate dissertation.

You might be asked to write an extended essay for a specific reason, such as University entrance applications or end of year assessments, so it should usually present the best essay writing example you can write. Make sure to check specific requirements about length and compulsory sections you may be asked to include such as a bibliography.

Choosing an extended essay topic

When planning an extended essay, remember that you will need to choose a topic broad enough to allow your essay writing to continue to a greater length than usual. Essay writers are also usually expected to present deeper analysis and research in an extended essay, so choose a topic that allows in-depth exploration and related sub-topics.

Writing an extended essay

One helpful idea when essay writing in this format might be to include evidence of other recent thinking or academic debate around the topic. Whilst a normal essay might only include your own ideas and theories about the subject, an extended essay ought to show evidence that you have researched the area more thoroughly as part of your essay writing process .

An excellent way to add length and academic depth to an extended essay (particularly if you are extending an existing essay, a common choice for essay writers) is to include a section on critical debate.

Try to find two or three theorists or critics who have written about your topic and compare and contrast their ideas with one another, weaving in your own analysis to suggest whose arguments you find the most convincing and academically supported.

Extended essay format

Remember that an extended essay will be longer and more complex than a shorter weekly essay. It is therefore essential to provide a strong, clear structure to show the development of your argument and remind the reader of its relevance to the question at every stage of your essay writing.

A good way to achieve this when writing an essay is to ensure that you provide a strong introduction , setting out your argument and detailing the different areas you will explore. Finally include a clear conclusion to remind the reader of the various points of your argument and sum them up with a clear, inclusive theory.

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Methodology.

Once you have a clear picture of what you know and what you want to know (see KWL diagram ), it's time to think about how you will conduct your research. Methodology is the term used to describe the ways in which you gather data and acquire knowledge. Before you finalise your research question , you will need to know which methods are most appropriate for exploring it. Here is an overview, by group, of common data-gathering methods. Consult this overview before filling out an EE proposal form. Note that the IB's website on the Programme Resource Centre (PRC) offers much more detailed guidance on methodology per subject. 

How is knowledge traditionally gatthered in your field of research? Under which Area of Knowledge (AOK) does your subject fall and learn more about its knowledge framework to learn ore about traditional methods of doing research in this subject.

One of the Approaches to Learning refers to self-management skills. When thinking about your methods of research, consider how long they will take. How much time do you need to read a novel, organise a survey or run an experiment? What if this takes longer then usual? Consider methodology when planning. 

Are you assessed on your methods? Yes! Criterion A: Focus and methods clearly states this. Criteria B and C also refer to the quality of research. For example: You may write an excellent essay about your lab results. But if your experiement was pedestrian, you will not score well on Criteria A-C. Ask your supervisor about the appropriateness of your methodology to get a sense of what it expected. Note that some methods are allowed but not recommended, such as data analysis in the sciences. Talk to your supervisor for more advice.

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