Viva Voce

​

What is the viva voce?

​

The viva voce is a short conference between the student and the supervisor.   It is the recommended conclusion to the Extended Essay process, and lasts between 10 and 15 minutes.  

Why have the viva voce?

​

The EE supervisor is required to submit a report when your EE is shipped to the IB examiner has been assigned to grade it.  The supervisor can ask questions in the viva voce that will help with writing that report.  This is especially important if the supervisor feels there is a need to check for plagiarism and malpractice in general.  Supervisors are required to confirm the authenticity of the work in any Extended Essay submitted to IB.

​

The supervisor will use the viva voce to help you:

​

• Reflect on the successes and difficulties you had when researching and writing your essay

• Reflect on what you have learned

​​

What questions will be asked in the viva voce?

​

Here are some examples of questions you might be asked:

​

• What have been the high and low points of the research and writing process?

• In hindsight, would you choose the topic again?

• What were the most interesting aspects of the process?  Did you discover anything that surprised you?

• What have you learned through writing this essay?  

• Having finished your essay, what additional questions did you find that could lead to further investigation?

• Is there any advice you could pass on to someone who has just started work on their EE?

 

 

 

Reflections on planning and progress form (RPPF)

​

The Reflections on planning and progress form (RPPF) enables examiners to gain an insight into students’ thinking processes while researching and writing the EE. The examiners are looking to see how students’ thinking and skills have developed during this time.  

​

Completion of the RPPF is a mandatory requirement of the EE for first assessment in May 2018.  Your work on the RPPF constitutes 19% of your final Extended Essay grade from IB examiners.

​

Reflections on planning and progress form (RPPF)

​

​

For first use in 2018 assessment

The following are examples of the RPPF.  There is no one "right" way to complete the form and these examples should not be viewed as the "ideal".

​

• RPPF Example 1 - Studies in Language and Literature

• RPPF Example 2 - Studies in Language and Literature

• RPPF Example 3 - History

• RPPF Example 4 - Visual arts

• RPPF Example 5 - World Studies

• RPPF Example 6 - Biology

• RPPF Example 7 - World Studies

• RPPF Example 8 - Mathematics

​

​

​

                                                          Evaluate Your Work

​

 

                                                                                                 Ask yourself questions.
                                      Your answers will help you identify any problems, so you can then find ways to solve them.

​

Take a break between finishing your work and evaluating it. This helps you assess your work more objectively.

​

Begin by asking yourself general questions, like:

​

Have I answered the question?
Does my work meet the assessment criteria I was given?
Have I given evidence to support my ideas?
Is my assignment structured correctly?
Have I edited my work enough?
Is my work interesting?

​

Then, ask more specific questions, like:

​

Are there any spelling mistakes?
Does each sentence make sense?
Is there anything I can do to improve my presentation?
Does every sentence and paragraph add to my argument?

​

​

                                                                                             Ways to evaluate

​

PMI - Pluses, minuses, improvements

​

A PMI is a graphic organizer that helps you to evaluate your work by viewing it objectively:

​

           P = pluses: what's good?
           M = minuses: what's bad?
           I = improvements: what can I do better and how can I improve?

 

To use this method:

​

• Divide your page into three columns

• Write one letter at the top of each column

• Underneath each letter, write your thoughts about your work.

​

When you've finished your PMI, you'll be able to clearly see the parts of your assignment that need improvement, and also the parts that you've done really well.

​

Six Thinking Hats

​

This method helps you to view your work from six different points of view. You ‘wear' one hat at a time and think about your topic from that perspective.

​

It's important to focus on one perspective at a time and give it your full attention:

​

• White hat = facts and information - Does your work make sense? Is your spelling right? Are your facts right?

         ​

• Red hat = feelings - Do you feel anxious or concerned about your work? Why? Are you happy with it? Is there anything you're proud of?

         ​

• Black hat = Negatives - What's wrong with your work?

​​

• Yellow hat = Positives - What's good about your work?

​​

• Green hat = Creativity - Is there anything you could have done differently? Is your work interesting? Unique? Personal? Surprising?

​​

• Blue hat = Organization - Do the different parts of your assignment fit together as a whole? Have you answered the question?

​

In the end it doesn't matter which strategy you choose to evaluate your work. As long as you take the time to reflect on what you've done, you're guaranteed to improve your final product.