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Extended Essay: Extended Essay- The Basics

A guide to the research and writing process required for students completing the IB Extended Essay.

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.

Extended Essay Timeline, Class of 2022 (Due Dates and Assignments)

This is the abbreviated version of the Extended essay timeline for the Class of 2022, with dates and assignments only. See the full timeline in the box below for detailed descriptions for each item listed.

 

Mod D: January 4 - February 12, 2021

 

EE grade for 2020-2021 is ¼ credit, Pass/Fail, and is posted in Mod F.

January 4 - February 12, 2021

Juniors have a 7th-period class with EE Coordinator, Susan Trower. 

The URL for the meeting room is posted in the Extended Essay Google Classroom.

January 15, 2021 - DUE: ‘Individual EE Proposal – Request for Alternate Subject Form’ 

Document emailed to Susan Trower by 3:30 PM on 01/15/2021

Only required of students who want to do an EE in a subject other than English A: Language and Literature; Literature and Performance; Global Politics; Dance; Music; Theatre; Visual Arts.

January 22, 2021 - DUE: ‘Student Undertaking Contract’ to Susan Trower, signed by both student and parent, by 3:30 PM
January 22, 2021 - DUE: ‘Proposed Subject and Topic Form’ to Susan Trower by 3:30 PM
January 22, 2021 - DUE: 'Feasibility Study' completed in NoodleTools by 3:30 PM

At least five annotated sources in your NoodleTools EE project related to your subject and topic proposal

January 29, 2021 - DUE: ‘Notecard Assignment’ completed in NoodleTools by 3:30 PM

        At least ten Notecards for at least five different sources in your NoodleTools EE project

January 29, 2021

Extended Essay Supervisors assigned

February 1-5, 2021 - Schedule appointment with supervisor and meet for the first time (INITIAL REFLECTION SESSION)

 

February 12, 2021 - DUE: Research Readiness Form' to Susan Trower, signed by both student and supervisor, by 3:30 PM
February 12, 2021 - DUE: Initial reflection (150-175 words) to Susan Trower by 3:30 PM

 

Mod E: February 23 - April 2, 2021

 

Students can schedule occasional meetings with their supervisors.

 

Mod F: April 12 - May 19, 2021

 

April 12 - May 19, 2021

Juniors have a 3rd-period class with EE Coordinator, Susan Trower. EE grade for 2020-2021 is ¼ credit, Pass/Fail, and is posted in Mod F.

The URL for the meeting room is posted in the Extended Essay Google Classroom.

 April 12-23, 2021 - Meet with supervisor to discuss plans for EE Café presentations

 

April 26-30, 2021 - Extended Essay presentations are given to Supervisors and Class of 2022

Slide deck due on 4/26/2021; presentations will be given during class time

April 30, 2021 - DUE:  'Writing Readiness Form' emailed to Susan Trower, initialed by student and supervisor, by 3:30 PM on 4/30/2021

 

May 10, 2021 - DUE: EE Introduction/Criterion A due to Susan Trower by 3:30 PM

 

May 11-18, 2021

Meet with Supervisor

May 19, 2021 - DUE:  'Extended Essay Progress Check Form' emailed to Susan Trower, initialed by student and supervisor, by 3:30 PM

 

June Term (Mod G): May 28 - June 11, 2021

 

May 28 - June 11, 2021

Juniors have ½ day June Term class with Susan Trower, EE Coordinator,  Eric Bright, Theory of Knowledge teacher, and Alayna Garvin, IB Language and Literature teacher.  Class time will be used to work on IB Language and Literature HL assignments, Theory of Knowledge assignments, college application essays, and Extended essays.

June 7-11, 2021

Meet with Supervisor

June - August, 2021 - Students work on first draft of their Extended essays.

 

Summer Break

EE grade for 2021-2022 is ¼ credit letter grade, and is posted to transcript in March, 2022.

August 30, 2021 - DUE: First 10 pages due to Supervisor and Susan Trower

 

September 6-10, 2021 - INTERIM REFLECTION SESSION WITH SUPERVISOR

 

September 13, 2021 - DUE: Interim reflection (150-175 words) due to Susan Trower

 

October 18, 2021 - DUE: Complete draft due to Supervisor and Susan Trower

 

October 25-29, 2021 - Mandatory draft (revision) conference with Supervisor

 

November 29, 2021 - FINAL COPY DUE to Supervisor and Susan Trower

 

December 6-10, 2021 - FINAL REFLECTION SESSION WITH SUPERVISOR (VIVA VOCE)

 

December 13, 2021 - DUE: Final reflection (150-175 words) due to Susan Trower

Extended Essay Forms, Contracts, and Assignments - Class of 2022

Extended Essay Timeline, Class of 2022 (Full Timeline, with detailed descriptions of assignments)

 

Mod D: January 4 - February 12, 2021

 

EE grade for 2020-2021 is ¼ credit, Pass/Fail, and is posted in Mod F.

January 4 - February 12, 2021

Juniors have a 7th-period class with EE Coordinator, Susan Trower. The URL for the meeting room is posted in the Extended Essay Google Classroom. Class time will be devoted to:

  • Introduction to Extended Essay (EE) 
  • Choice of EE subject and topic
  • Generating research questions
  • RPPF (Reflections on planning and progress form)
  • RRS (Researcher's reflection space)
  • EE Assessment Criteria 
  • IB's ethical guidelines related to academic honesty, citing and referencing, and (if applicable to your subject and topic) research and fieldwork, and use of animals
  • Research methods, referencing skills, literature review skills

 

January 15, 2021 - DUE: ‘Individual EE Proposal – Request for Alternate Subject Form’ 
  • Document emailed to Susan Trower by 3:30 PM on 01/15/2021
  • Only required of students who want to do an EE in a subject other than English A: Language and Literature; Literature and Performance; Global Politics; Dance; Music; Theatre; Visual Arts.
  • Document will be assessed Pass/Fail. EE grade is posted in Mod F.
January 22, 2021 - DUE: ‘Student Undertaking Contract’ to Susan Trower, signed by both student and parent, by 3:30 PM
January 22, 2021 - DUE: ‘Proposed Subject and Topic Form’ to Susan Trower by 3:30 PM
  • Documents scanned and emailed or delivered in person by 3:30 PM on 01/22/2021. 
  • Each document will be assessed Pass/Fail. EE grade is posted in Mod F.
  • Students who have had an ‘Individual Proposal for Subject and Topic Form’ approved do not need to submit the ‘Proposed Subject and Topic Form’.
  • Include one or two proposals, each with:
    • EE Subject, chosen from approved Subject list 
    • Specific topic area or initial research question
    • Rationale for choosing this topic area
  • Documents will be assessed Pass/Fail. EE grade is posted in Mod F.
January 22, 2021 - DUE: ‘Feasibility Study’ completed in NoodleTools by 3:30 PM 

Assignment is to be completed in your NoodleTools project, shared with Susan Trower’s Class of 2022 EE inbox in NoodleTools. Include:

  • A list of at least five sources relevant to your subject and topic proposal, each with an annotation that has:
    • An explanation of the main points and/or purpose of the work
    • Verification of the authority or qualifications of the author
    • Comments on the worth, effectiveness, and usefulness of the work in terms of your research
    • The point of view or perspective from which the work was created
  • All components of assignment will be assessed Pass/Fail. EE grade is posted in Mod F.
January 29, 2021 - DUE: ‘Notecard Assignment’ completed in NoodleTools by 3:30 PM

Assignment is to be completed in your NoodleTools project, shared with Susan Trower’s Class of 2022 EE inbox in NoodleTools. Include:

  • At least ten Notecards in NoodleTools for at least five different sources in your project. Each Notecard:
    • Should answer this question: What information does the source contain that is relevant to your project (i.e., some important details about the topic that you have learned about from this source)?
    • Must include at least 3 bulleted notes on relevant factual data and include corresponding page numbers.
    • The goal is to prove viability of the proposed research question 
  • All components of assignment will be assessed Pass/Fail. EE grade is posted in Mod F.

January 29, 2021

Extended Essay Supervisors assigned

February 1-5, 2021 - Schedule appointment with supervisor and meet for the first time
  • This is your Initial Reflection Session
  • Scheduled by student in advance at discretion of Supervisor
  • Meeting can take place in Supervisor’s Zoom room
  •  Students should be prepared to discuss the following:
  1. Criteria:  you should go over the subject-specific assessment criteria 
  2. Research question: 
    1. At this initial meeting, work with your supervisor to narrow your topic/question down to a manageable scope (capable of being covered in 4,000 words)
    2. Investigate the viability of your topic.  Will there be need for special equipment?  Are the needed resources available locally? (This is especially important if the nature of your question requires you to conduct primary research.)
    3. If you have a wildly interesting but impractical question:  be prepared to heed the advice of your supervisor!
    4. It's up to you.  Your supervisor will not prescribe or create a research question for you.
  3. Exemplars:  ask for exemplars in your chosen subject from the EE coordinator or your supervisor.
  4. Library:  Be sure to check with the WSA Librarian for help in getting access to publications or online journals that would apply to your topic.
  5. Structure: Work with your supervisor to devise a plan as t how your research question could be structured or go to the session with a proposed structure you have in mind for review (chapter headings, for instance.)  MindMap® of ideas, flow charts, and other models could prove useful here to help you visualize your structure at this early stage.
  6. Time Management: If you are finding it difficult to plan your time due to other assessment pressures or extra-curricular demands, then it may be useful to speak to your supervisor with regards to creating a structured research timeline or more specific timetable to help you to see exactly what is required and when.

 

February 12, 2021 - DUE: Research Readiness Form' to Susan Trower, signed by both student and supervisor, by 3:30 PM
  • Document scanned and emailed or delivered in person by 3:30 PM on 02/12/2021
February 12, 2021 - DUE: Initial reflection (150-175 words) to Susan Trower by 3:30 PM
  • Reflection submitted to Google Classroom by 3:30 PM on 2/12/2021
Mod E: February 23 - April 2, 2021

 

Students can schedule occasional meetings with their supervisors.

 

Mod F: April 12 - May 19, 2021

 

April 12 - May 19, 2021

Juniors have a 3rd-period class with EE Coordinator, Susan Trower. The URL for the meeting room is posted in the Extended Essay Google Classroom. EE grade for 2020-2021 is ¼ credit, Pass/Fail, and is posted in Mod F. Class time                                         will be devoted to:

  • Reviewing EE assessment criteria, especially Criterion A (Focus and Method)
  • Discussing requirements of the Extended Essay Café presentations
  • Extended Essay Café presentations to audience of EE Coordinator, IB Coordinator, and EE supervisors
  • Time for research and note-taking
  • Individual student meetings with EE Coordinator

 

 April 12-23, 2021 - Meet with supervisor to discuss plans for EE Café presentations
  • Scheduled by student in advance at discretion of Supervisor
  • Meeting can take place in Supervisor’s Zoom room
  • Other issues to be prepared to discuss with your supervisor:
    • Passivity - If you haven't done as much as you had hoped for since your first meeting, discuss the reasons and causes for this with your supervisor and ways to overcome or avoid this in future sessions.
    • Reading - Discuss your reading and/or research.  What have you found out?  Any surprises? Any useful lines of thought or approaches to the question?
    • Notes - Do you have a workable note-taking system in place?
    • Essay plan - Go over how to best structure your essay.
    • Exemplars - Try marking up a pre-existing essay with the assessment criteria, then go over this with your supervisor.  This will allow you to write with the assessment criteria firmly in mind.
    • Time-management - Be prepared to adjust your normal routines to accommodate any delays or issues with your EE so far. Sticking to deadlines will ensure you get this done!
    • Writing - Commit to getting started on your writing!
    • Research question - Tweaking at this point is OK, but not big changes to your topic area or question.

     •  Continue to use your RRS (Researcher's reflection space) to record reflections on what you are reading, writing, and thinking.

April 26-30, 2021 - Extended Essay presentations are given to Supervisors and Class of 2022

  • Will be scheduled during EE class time, 3rd period
  • Slide deck submitted to Google Classroom by 3:30 PM on 4/26/2021
  • PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation, 7 slides, using template provided by EE Coordinator:
    • Slide 1: Introduction
    • Slide 2: Subject and Research Question
    • Slide 3: Background (what your EE is about)
    • Slide 4: Chapter Headings/Working Outline 
    • Slide 5: Detailed summary of one or two chapters or sections
    • Slide 6: Problems encountered / Solutions found
    • Slide 7: Bibliography, accurately referenced with chosen citation style
  • Slide deck and presentation will be assessed Pass/Fail. EE grade is posted in Mod F.

April 30, 2021 - DUE:  'Writing Readiness Form' emailed to Susan Trower, initialed by student and supervisor, by 3:30 PM
  • Complete this form AFTER the Extended Essay Presentation 
  • Students complete these parts of the form:  Student Name, Supervisor, IB Extended Essay Subject (or WSEE theme and subjects), Refined Research Question, Student Initials, and Date (date of last meeting)
  • Students send this form to the supervisor to complete
  • Supervisors email the forms to Susan Trower
  • Document will be assessed Pass/Fail. EE grade is posted in Mod F.
May 10, 2021 - DUE: EE Introduction/Criterion A due to Susan Trower by 3:30 PM
  • Document submitted to Google Classroom and emailed to Supervisor (cc Susan Trower) by 3:30 PM on 5/10/2021
  • Required components: Context, Outline of argument, Scope, and Worthiness as explained in EE textbook, pp. 62-64 AND pp. 102-105
  • Recommended word count: 300-450
  • Meets requirements of Criterion A (Focus and Method) for EE Assessment as presented in EE textbook and the EE guide for your subject
  • Required format:  Readable font (such as Arial), 12-point font size, double-spaced text, numbered pages, indented paragraphs, appropriate margins (1" on all sides is acceptable)
  • Acceptable file type:  Google Doc, DOCX or PDF
  • Document will be assessed Pass/Fail. EE grade is posted in Mod F.

May 11-18, 2021 - Meet with Supervisor

  • The meeting may be held remotely
  • Discuss your EE Introduction/Criterion A writing assignment
May 19, 2021 - DUE:  'Extended Essay Progress Check Form' emailed to Susan Trower, initialed by student and supervisor, by 3:30 PM
  • Complete this form AFTER your meeting May 11-18 
  • Students complete these parts of the form:  Student Name, Supervisor, IB Extended Essay Subject (or WSEE theme and subjects), Refined Research Question, Student Initials, and Date (date of last meeting)
  • Students send this form to the supervisor to complete
  • Supervisors email the forms to Susan Trower
  • Document will be assessed Pass/Fail. EE grade is posted in Mod F.
June Term (Mod G): May 28 - June 11, 2021

 

May 28 - June 11, 2021

Juniors have ½ day June Term class with Susan Trower, EE Coordinator,  Eric Bright, Theory of Knowledge teacher, and Alayna Garvin, IB Language and Literature teacher.  Class time will be used to work on IB Language and Literature HL assignments, Theory of Knowledge assignments, college application essays, and Extended essays. The EE portion of the class will cover:

  • Outlining and organization of your essay
  • Citations and references
  • EE Assessment Criteria, especially Criterions B, C, and D
  • How to demonstrate analysis in your writing
  • Things to avoid when writing an academic research paper
  • Time management

June 7-11, 2021 - Meet with Supervisor

  • The meeting may be held remotely
  • Discuss writing completed in EE June Term
  • Discuss summer plans for working on your EE
June - August, 2021 - Students work on first draft of their Extended essays.

 

Summer Break

EE grade for 2021-2022 is ¼ credit letter grade, and is posted to transcript in March, 2022.

August 30, 2021 - DUE: First 10 pages due to Supervisor and Susan Trower
  • Document submitted to Google Classroom and emailed to Supervisor (cc Susan Trower) by 8:30 AM on 8/30/2021
  • Worth 100 points towards EE grade, posted to transcript in March, 2022
  • Late paper = 0 points
September 6-10, 2021 - INTERIM REFLECTION SESSION WITH SUPERVISOR
  • Meeting with Supervisor regarding quality of writing
  • In preparation for the interim reflection session, students should have:
    • Attempted to refine a focused and appropriate research question
    • Significantly deepened their research and recorded pertinent evidence, information or data in the Researcher’s reflection space
    • Reviewed and consolidated the methodologies they are using
    • Formulated arguments based on the evidence that they have collected
    • Added to the working bibliography for their research.
September 13, 2021 - DUE: Interim reflection (150-175 words) due to Susan Trower
  • Reflection submitted to Google Classroom and emailed to Supervisor (cc Susan Trower) by 3:30 PM on 9/13/2021
  • Worth 50 points towards EE grade, posted to transcript in March, 2022
  • Late reflection = 0 points
October 18, 2021 - DUE: Complete draft due to Supervisor and Susan Trower
  • Document submitted to Google Classroom and emailed to Supervisor (cc Susan Trower) by 3:30 PM on 10/18/2021
  • Draft must conform to IB Formal Presentation Requirements as provided to Candidate
  • Required components: Title Page, Table of Contents, Introduction, Body of Paper, Conclusion, Works Cited
  • Required format:  Readable font (such as Arial), 12-point font size, double-spaced text, numbered pages, indented paragraphs, appropriate margins (1" on all sides is acceptable)
  • Acceptable file type:  Google Doc, DOCX or PDF.
  • Worth 100 points towards EE grade, posted to transcript in March, 2022
  • Late paper = 0 points
October 25-29, 2021 - Mandatory draft (revision) conference with Supervisor
  • Scheduled by student in advance at discretion of Supervisor
November 29, 2021 - FINAL COPY DUE to Supervisor and Susan Trower
  • Document submitted to Google Classroom and emailed to Supervisor (cc Susan Trower) by 3:30 PM on 11/29/2021
  • Final copy must conform to IB Formal Presentation Requirements as provided to Candidate (see note above)
  • Worth 100 points towards EE grade, posted to transcript in March, 2022
  • Late paper = 0 points
December 6-10, 2021 - FINAL REFLECTION SESSION WITH SUPERVISOR (VIVA VOCE)
  • Final session with Supervisor, scheduled by student in advance at discretion of Supervisor
  • Students should bring the following to this session:
    • Extracts from their RRS that illustrate how they have grown as learners through the process of reflection
    • A willingness to share their personal experience and to discuss the skills and development of conceptual understandings that they have acquired through the completion of the extended essay.
December 13, 2021 - DUE: Final reflection (150-175 words) due to Susan Trower
  • Reflection submitted to Google Classroom and emailed to Supervisor (cc Susan Trower) by 3:30 PM on 12/13/2021
  • Worth 50 points towards EE grade, posted to transcript in March, 2022
  • Late reflection = 0 points

Extended Essay Coordinator

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Susan Trower
Contact:
West Sound Academy
16571 Creative Drive NE
Poulsbo, WA 98370
360-598-5954
Website

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.

See: 

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

Open door with stairway - Britannica ImageQuestNeed tips on how to get started?  Follow these steps to get going on the research for your 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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