Extended Essay Tips

In working on the extended essay, students are expected to:

   1. plan and pursue a research project with intellectual initiative and insight

   2. formulate a precise research question

   3. gather and interpret material from sources appropriate to the research question

   4. structure a reasoned argument in response to the research question on the basis of the

material gathered

   5. present their extended essay in a format appropriate to the subject, acknowledging

sources in one of the established academic ways

   6. use the terminology and language appropriate to the subject with skill and

understanding

   7. apply analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject, with an

understanding of the implications and the context of their research.

Recommended: things to do

Examiners’ reports frequently emphasize the following positive steps.

Before starting work on the extended essay, students should:

• read the assessment criteria
• read previous essays to identify strengths and possible pitfalls
• spend time working out the research question (imagine the finished essay)
• work out a structure for the essay.

During the research process, and while writing the essay, students should:

• start work early and stick to deadlines
• maintain a good working relationship with their supervisor
• construct an argument that relates to the research question
• use the library and consult librarians for advice
• record sources as they go along (rather than trying to reconstruct a list at the end)
• choose a new topic and a research question that can be answered if there is a problem with the original topic
• use the appropriate language for the subject
• let their interest and enthusiasm show.

After completing the essay, students should:

• write the abstract
• check and proofread the final version carefully.

Recommended: things to avoid

Examiners’ reports also mention these things to be avoided at all costs.

Students should not work with a research question that is too broad or too vague, too narrow, too difficult or inappropriate. A good research question is one that asks something worth asking and that is answerable within 40 hours/4,000 words. It should be clear what would count as evidence in relation to the question, and it must be possible to acquire such evidence in the course of the investigation. If a student does not know what evidence is needed, or cannot collect such evidence, it will not be possible to answer the research question.

In addition, students should not:

• forget to analyse the research question
• ignore the assessment criteria
• collect material that is irrelevant to the research question
• use the Internet uncritically
• plagiarize
• merely describe or report (evidence must be used to support the argument)
• repeat the introduction in the conclusion
• cite sources that are not used.

One further piece of advice is as follows: the more background a student has in the subject, the better the chance he or she has of writing a good extended essay. Choosing to write the extended essay in a subject that is not being studied as part of the Diploma Programme often leads to lower marks.

It is required that students:

• choose a topic that fits into one of the subjects on the approved extended essay list
• observe the regulations relating to the extended essay
• meet deadlines
• acknowledge all sources of information and ideas in an approved academic manner.

It is strongly recommended that students:

• start work early
• think very carefully about the research question for their essay
• plan how, when and where they will find material for their essay
• plan a schedule for both researching and writing the essay, including extra time for delays and unforeseen problems
• record sources as their research progresses (rather than trying to reconstruct a list at the end)
• have a clear structure for the essay itself before beginning to write
• check and proofread the final version carefully
• make sure that all basic requirements are met (for example, all students should get full marks for the abstract).

Subjects available: Group 1 (English Literature), Group 2 (written in Spanish or French and about the Literature or Culture & Society of that language), Biology, Business & Management, Chemistry, Classical Greek & Latin, Computer Science, Dance, Design technology, Economics, Environmental systems & societies, Film, Geography, History, Human rights, Information technology in a global society, Mathematics, Music, Peace & conflict studies, Philosophy, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Social & cultural anthropology, Theatre, Visual arts, World religions.