Getting started Extended Essay
Getting Started: EE Basics
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The Extended Essay is a unique, student-driven research project consisting of a 4000-word essay.
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Students choose their own topics based on personal preference or academic interest but must adhere to the IB EE guidelines.
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The EE is important because it allows students to use all of the research skills they have developed in their other IB subjects and showcase to the IB Examiners that they have become skilled researchers.
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The Extended Essay is compulsory. This means that it is a requirement and the IB Diploma will not be awarded without a passing grade on the Extended Essay.
IB Diploma TOK/EE Points Matrix
Assessment Criteria for the Extended Essay
IB Subjects Available for EE
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
Category 1: Studies of one or more literary works originally written in the language in which the essay is presented.
Category 2: Studies of a literary work or works were originally written in the language of the essay compared with one or more literary works originally written in another language. (The work originally written in another language may be studied in translation.)
Category 3: Studies in language based on one or more texts originally produced in the language in which the essay is presented.
Group 2: Language Acquisition
Category 1: A specific analysis of the language (its use and structure), normally related to its cultural context or a specific text.
Category 2: (a) A socio-cultural analysis of the impact of a particular issue on the form or use of the language.
(b) An essay of general cultural nature, based on specific cultural artifacts.
Category 3: An analysis of a literary type, based on a specific work(s) of literature exclusively written in the target language.
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
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Business Management
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Economics
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Geography
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Global Politics
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History
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Information Technology in a Global Society (ITGS)
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Philosophy
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Psychology
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Social and Cultural Anthropology
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World Religions
Group 4: Sciences
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Biology
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Chemistry
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Computer Science
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Design Technology
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Physics
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Sports, Exercise and Health Science
Group 5: Mathematics
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Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts
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Dance
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Film
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Music
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Theatre
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Visual Arts
Interdisciplinary Studies
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Environmental Systems and Societies
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Literature and Performance
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World Studies
EE Subjects
Tip on Subject Choices
It is highly recommended that you write your Extended Essay in a subject the you are already studying as part of your IB Programme.
This will ensure you:
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Are able to employ the relevant methodologies associated with research in your chosen subject
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Maintain an approach to research that adheres to the one outlined by the IB
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Or that subject area have access to content that could support your investigation
EE Topics
Choosing a Subject and Topic
Choose a topic that is meaningful to you. It should be in a subject you are currently studying. This makes sure that you will use the language, philosophies, and methodologies from that subject correctly. It is also a good idea to write your essay using a subject you are familiar with because you will have easier access to the content and sources you need. You do not need to choose a subject that you think you will be studying in university, although that does give you and your teachers more to write about when you apply to a school.
In any case, the subject and the topic you choose should lead you to a "workable research question". This means that you have found a question with a clear focus that can be successfully answered within the 4000-word limit.
Here's an example of how you can narrow down a subject and topic that will lead to a workable research question:
Writing your research proposal
Writing your research proposal
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Your research proposal should include the subjects you are interested in (2 subjects from 2 different IB Groups) or 1 standalone subject and 1 World Studies proposal which includes two subjects.
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See Mr. Knight, Ms Mansfield or Ms. Davey-Peel for more information if you are unsure how to proceed.
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Your research proposal will be taken into consideration when Mr. Knight and Ms. Davey-Peel assign Supervisors.
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The more complete your ideas are, the better chance you have of getting your first choice. Please read the first four chapters of the Oxford EE Guide before you write your proposal.
Define your EE Research Questions
Defining your Research Question
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Once you have submitted your proposal and you have an assigned Supervisor, you can work with them to refine your research question.
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It's important to make sure your research question is focused and lends itself to the scope and format of the Extended Essay.
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This must be a question that can be investigated in-depth but should not be too broad or too narrow.
Prewriting
What is Prewriting?
From www.thoughtco.com:
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In composition, the term prewriting refers to any activity that helps a writer think about a topic, determine a purpose, analyze an audience, and prepare to write.
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"The objective of prewriting," according to Roger Caswell and Brenda Mahler, "is to prepare students for writing by allowing them to discover what they know and what else they need to know.
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Prewriting invites exploration and promotes the motivation to write" (Strategies for Teaching Writing, 2004).
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Because various kinds of writing (note-taking, listing, freewriting, etc.) usually occur during this stage of the writing process, the term prewriting is somewhat misleading.
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A number of teachers and researchers prefer the term exploratory writing.
