IB Extended Essay

Introductory Presentation

The Extended Essay is a core element of the IB Diploma programme. The Extended Essay requires you to write a 4,000 word academic research paper.

Introductory Presentation

The aims of the Extended Essay are:

• Pursue independent research on a focused topic
• Develop research and communication skills
• Develop skills of creative and critical thinking
• Engage in a systematic process of research appropriate to the subject
• Experience the excitement of intellectual discovery

As a student you are expected to:

• Plan and pursue a research project
• Formulate a precise research question
• Gather and interpret material
• Structure a reasoned argument in response to research question on basis material gathered
• Present in appropriate format, acknowledging sources
• Use language appropriate to the subject with skill and understanding
• Apply analytical and evaluative skills understanding implications and context research.

General advice:

• Read the assessment criteria - link below and in the EE guide
• Read previous essays - sample marked essays
• Spend time working out the research question - a focussed RQ is the key to a good EE
• Work out a structure for the essay that relates to the research question
• Record sources as go along
• Use appropriate language for subject
• Let interest and enthusiasm show.
• Rewrite intro at the end

Avoid:

• Researching question that is too broad or too vague
• Choosing topic where cannot find evidence to answer the research question.
• Ignoring the assessment criteria
• Using Internet uncritically
• Plagiarising
• Merely describing - evidence must be used to support the argument
• Citing sources not used
• Choosing to write EE in subject not studied

What are the different parts of the Extended Essay? What does it look like?

• Title page - including word count
• Contents page - pages must be numbered
• Introduction
• Body of the essay (development/methods/results) – use sub-headings
• Conclusion incl limitations, questions not resolved
• References and Bibliography - list only sources used in essay
• Appendices - examiner is not bound to read
• Reflections on Planning and Progress Form - records reflections on your planning and progress, and the nature of your discussions with your supervisor

Limit is 4,000 words - this does not include:

• contents
• maps, charts, diagrams, illustrations, tables
• equations, formulas and calculations
• references, footnotes
• bibliography & appendices.
• RPPF

Role of the Supervisor

You will have a supervisor (teacher) who will help guide you through the process. They can discuss your work with you, and give you some advice, but they will only give written feeedback to once (after the first draft is handed in - September of G12). It's recommended that the supervisor & student meets between 3–5  hours to include three formal reflection sessions, as well as supervision sessions called check-in sessions.

• Check in sessions - informal meetings to discuss progress/answer questions
• Formal reflection sessions - mandatory sessions, after which the RFFP is completed

Approaching the EE - where to start?

One of the most difficult things is to get started. 

• Follow the 12 points on this Initial Guidance on research and writing
• Complete the Extended Essay Proposal form

• Develop a clear and focused question centred on a research topic. 5 steps of developing a research question.

Academic Honesty

The IB and IST take academic honesty very seriously.  

Academic honesty

Researchers Reflection Space

Student reflection in the extended essay is critical. Effective reflection highlights the engagement of the student in an intellectual and personal process and how this has changed the student as a learner and affected the completion of that individual’s essay.

Use the Researcher's Reflection Space on ManageBac

Completing the 'Reflections on Planning & Reflection' form (RPPF) - criterion E worth up to 6 points

You are required to complete the RPPF form during the process and when you have met with your supervisor. You must share you thoughts, questions, discoveries, challenges, etc. There are three formal meetings, after which the written reflection is recorded on ManageBac

1. First Formal Reflection Meeting - after topic area has been selected and a supervisor agreed (a few check in session smay have happened) 
2. Interim Reflection Meeting - before the summer holidqys, before the first draft
3. Final Reflection Meeting (Viva voce) - after the final version has been submited

Click for subject examples of reflections on the RPPF

More Examples of students reflections and the mark given for Criterion E

The Assessment criteria

You will be graded from A (top grade) to E (lowest grade) for the Extended Essay. The EE is marked out of 34 points.

Overview of the assessment criteria

The assessment criteria in detail

• Criterion A: Focus and method
• Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding
• Criterion C: Critical thinking
• Criterion D: Presentation
• Criterion E: Engagement

Final Presentation - how to format the final document before submitting

Final EE presentation guidance

The Extended Essay and TOK points matrix

As you know, you can get up to three extra points for your extended essay and TOK combined. Click here for the points matrix.

Stages in the Extended Essay Process

Deadlines will be on ManageBac

Click on the following links for important documents:

IST Extended Essay Guide

Official IB extended essay Website

Extended Essay Proposal form

Sample extended essays - with assessment

See the Library Pages for a detailed breakdown of the process 

Extended Essay Day Planning Sheet

Guide to referencing your work

IBO Guide to refencing your work (2014)

IBO official guide to the Extended Essay

What ex-IB students think about their EE experience once they reach university

Here's the 'Reflections on Planning & Progress' (RPP) form