THE IB EXTENDED

ESSAY Mrs Novak 2011

What actually is it?

And what does the whole process

involve?

A Golden OpportunityThe Extended Essay is a wonderful opportunity to research and write about something that you

are really interested in

– something you will

enjoy working on

Basic FactsPersonal research by the student

On a question or hypothesis chosen by the student, not assigned by the teacher

In a subject or discipline listed by the IB

In the format of a formal research paper

Length 4,000 words

not including

appendices,

illustrations,

bibliography,

footnotes or

endnotes

with an abstract

within 300 words

Required for the IB Diploma

Counts towards additional diploma points along with Theory of Knowledge

Assessed according to published criteria

WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE EXTENDED ESSAY?

The student

The student’s supervisor

The IB Coordinator

The International Baccalaureate Organisation

HOW TO CHOOSE A RESEARCH TOPIC

Decide which subject interests you the mostWithout personalcuriosity and interest, it’s impossible to do research

Choosing the subject area and topic is possibly the most difficult part of the whole process!

EXPECT TO CHANGE YOUR MIND

SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE YOU

FINALLY SETTLE ON a subject/TOPIC

Once you have an idea, talk to your supervisor – this is what they are for – to help you!

Also,Discuss this idea with:

your teacher

your friends

your parents and/or

anyone else who you think may be able to give you advice or be interested.

While reading, try to list questions that you are curious about.

THIS MUST BE DONE RIGHT THROUGH THE RESEARCH PROCESS, SO....

KEEP A RESEARCH DIARY!

Now – it’s time to do some

Ask yourself:what data you might need to

answer these questions

whether you will have access to the data

whether you will need to find other sources of data

See whether there has been any research by others in

this area.

How? Where do you start?

The librarian can help to find books,

Journals & research papers

And, of course, there are many libraries you can visit – don’t limit

yourself

Don’t be too dependent

on Internet resources –

these can be

unreliable

And, besides, you want to demonstrate reading and research from a wide variety of

sources

Brainstorm - in whatever way works

for youAdd ideas

as you think of them

Write everything down in your Extended Essay

Journal

(this way you won’t forget that brilliant

idea you have)

Gradually, your ideas will become

focused and refined

Narrow down the number and

scope of your questions as you

proceed

Before you know it,

your Extended Essay

will be well

under way

Remember – The Extended Essay is your

chance to “shine”.You don’t often get the

opportunity to write about something you are

passionate about – so, make it one of the most

rewarding pieces of writing you have ever done!