Extended Essay
It is a marathon, not a sprint.
What is the Extended Essay?
The Extended Essay (EE) is a 4,000-word independent research project required for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. It allows students to explore a topic of personal interest within one of the six subject areas offered in the IB curriculum.
How will student interests drive success?
Student interest is a key factor in driving success in the IB Extended Essay (EE) for several reasons:
Engagement and Motivation: When students choose a topic they are genuinely interested in, they are more likely to stay engaged throughout the research and writing process.
Depth of Exploration: Students are more likely to ask insightful questions, critically analyze sources, and explore complex ideas if they care about the topic.
Sustained Effort: Students who have an intrinsic interest in their topic are more likely to consistently put in the work needed over time, producing a more polished and thorough final product.
Passion Communicated in Writing: When students are passionate, they can convey their ideas more effectively, making their essay more compelling and engaging to read.
Creative Thinking and Problem Solving: An interested student is more likely to explore unconventional perspectives or creative approaches in their research.
Personal Growth and Learning: The Extended Essay is also a learning experience, and when students are interested in their topic, they tend to develop greater skills in research, critical thinking, and academic writing.
In short, student interest plays a crucial role in the success of an IB Extended Essay. It fosters engagement, motivation, creativity, and deeper intellectual exploration—all of which contribute to producing a high-quality essay.
What will be the process?
Here are the steps for completing the Extended Essay:
1. Choose a Topic
- Pick a subject: Decide on one of the IB subjects (like History, Biology, Literature, etc.) that interests you.
- Narrow the focus: Your topic needs to be specific and researchable within the 4,000-word limit. It should have enough resources available but not be too broad.
- Ask a research question: Your topic should lead to a focused research question that you can answer through analysis and investigation.
2. Formulate a Research Question
- Clear and focused: The research question should be clear, specific, and capable of being answered within the scope of the essay.
- Open-ended: It should allow for critical analysis and exploration rather than just a yes/no answer.
3. Find a Supervisor
- Find a teacher: This teacher should be someone who is knowledgeable about your subject and can guide you through the research process.
- Consult regularly: Your supervisor will help you refine your research question, review drafts, and give feedback on your progress.
4. Conduct Preliminary Research
- Explore resources: Gather information from books, academic journals, websites, and primary sources related to your topic.
- Evaluate sources: Ensure the sources are reliable and relevant to your research question.
- Identify gaps: This will help you narrow down your research and find areas where you can make an original contribution.
5. Create an Outline/Plan
- Organize your thoughts: Plan the structure of your essay, breaking it down into sections (introduction, body, conclusion).
- Research methodology: Determine the methods you’ll use for collecting and analyzing data (e.g., surveys, experiments, textual analysis, etc.).
6. Write the First Draft
- Introduction: Introduce your research question, provide background information, and explain the significance of your topic.
- Body: Analyze and evaluate your findings in relation to your research question, discussing key arguments, evidence, and counterarguments.
- Conclusion: Summarize the findings, answer the research question, and reflect on the significance and limitations of your work.
7. Review and Revise
- Edit for clarity: Ensure your argument is clear and logically structured.
- Check for sources: Make sure all sources are properly cited and referenced.
- Revise with feedback: Ask your supervisor or others to review your draft and provide constructive feedback.
8. Finalize the Essay
- Proofread: Carefully proofread for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.
- Format according to guidelines: Ensure your essay meets IB formatting requirements, including title page, table of contents, citations, and bibliography.
- Word count: Keep your essay within the 4,000-word limit.
9. Submit the Essay
- Submit to your supervisor: Ensure you meet the IB deadline for submission.
- Prepare for assessment: Your EE will be graded according to IB criteria, focusing on the research question, analysis, evaluation, and presentation.
10. Reflect on the Process
- Completing the Reflection: In addition to the essay itself, you will need to submit a reflection on planning and progress (RPPF), which includes your thoughts on the research process and any challenges you faced.
Key Tips for Success:
- Start early to allow time for thorough research and revisions.
- Stay in regular communication with your supervisor.
- Keep organized notes and document your sources as you go.
- Stay focused on your research question throughout the writing process.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to systematically approach and complete the Extended Essay while maintaining high-quality research and writing standards.
What are the long-term benefits of writing an Extended Essay?
A well-written Extended Essay contributes to student’s success in university applications. Analysis of student reports demonstrate that most of the knowledge learned through the EE writing process helped them to successfully cope with university academic demands.
Here are some reflections of DP alumni regarding the Extended Essay:
EE provides familiarity with the steps of a lengthy essay,
EE increases confidence in doing research essays,
EE improves ability to gather and evaluate sources of information,
EE provides preparation for university level writing,
EE improves critical thinking and time management skills,
EE increases basic knowledge of a formal academic style appropriate to a field of study.
What are some sample topics students have written about?
Here are some example topics for an Extended Essay (EE) in different DP subjects. These topics are designed to allow for in-depth research and critical analysis, which is essential for a successful Extended Essay.
Literature
- To what extent does the theme of isolation in Frankenstein reflect Mary Shelley’s personal life and societal context?
History
- To what extent did the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War affect the political and social climate of the 1960s?
Biology
- How does the diet of herbivorous vs. carnivorous animals impact the biodiversity of their ecosystems?
Chemistry
- A study of the correlation between the concentration of caffeine in different coffee brands and their stimulant effects.
Mathematics
- How can the Fibonacci sequence be applied to the modeling of population growth in certain species?
Psychology
- Investigating the relationship between sleep deprivation and cognitive performance in university students.
Geography
- To what extent has urban sprawl in [city name] contributed to environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity?
Philosophy
- The concept of “the veil of ignorance” in John Rawls’ theory of justice: How does it apply to global wealth distribution?