Extended essay
and the role of the student
Table of contents
Part 1: Extended essay at a glance --------------------------------------------- 03
Part 2: General guidelines for students –---------------------------------- 14
Part 3: Extended essay assessment -------------------------------------------- 26
Extended essay at a glance
Part 1
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The extended essay (EE) is an opportunity for you to undertake independent research on a topic of your choice under the guidance of your supervisor. Over the course of the EE journey, you engage in 40 hours worth of work which entails:
Overview of the extended essay
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Producing a 4000-word independent research essay
Selecting an area of research and align it with a DP subject or subjects
Completing a reflective statement using the Reflection and progress form (RPF)
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Deciding whether you will write a subject-focused essay or an interdisciplinary essay
The EE is a unique opportunity for you to engage in sustained academic research in preparation for university education.
As a part of the EE, you will be expected to show evidence of intellectual growth, critical and personal development, intellectual initiative, and creativity. This can be facilitated by the use of the researcher’s reflection space (RRS).
Furthermore, the process of researching and writing the EE represents the learner profile in action. Being open-minded, principled, and reflective are aspects of personal development you will experience with the EE.
Finally, the EE allows you to become more internationally-minded by engaging with local and global communities on topics of personal inquiry.
Nature of the extended essay
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There are 2 EE pathways:
A subject-focused EE explores a topic through the lens of a single DP subject.
Tip: you should write your EE in a DP subject you are studying.
You can choose to write it in an SL or an HL subject.
An interdisciplinary EE combines 2 different subjects to bring different perspectives.
Tip: You should be studying at least one of these subjects.
The extended essay pathways
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What is the interdisciplinary extended essay pathway?
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What is it?
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The interdisciplinary EE combines knowledge, theories, and methods from two DP subjects to explore a research topic.
Balance and integration
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The two subjects don't need to be equally balanced, but their integration must help answer the research question effectively.
Rigour
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A strong understanding of at least one subject is crucial for quality research. Regular feedback from your supervisor is recommended.
Subjects to avoid
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Cross-disciplinary subjects like environmental systems and societies (ESS) and literature and performance cannot be used in the interdisciplinary pathway.
Why choose it?
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This approach offers fresh insights and deeper understanding that a single subject might not provide.
Deciding your pathway
Use the flowchart below to help you decide on which pathway is most suitable for your EE.
What topic am I interested in exploring?
I can explore my topic through the lens of one subject
My topic is better explored through 2 subjects
Subject-focused pathway
Interdisciplinary pathway
Which DP subject is most pertinent to my topic?
Which 2 DP subjects can I combine to explore my topic?
Which framework does my essay fall under?
What knowledge, methods and concepts from this subject are relevant to my topic?
What knowledge, methods and concepts from the 2 subjects are relevant to my topic?
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The interdisciplinary essay frameworks
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If you choose to write an interdisciplinary essay, it will have to be registered under one of the following frameworks. Frameworks help you focus your topic, but your research question is what drives your exploration.
power, equality, justice
movement, time space
evidence, measurement, innovation
culture, identity, expression
sustainability,
development, change
The 5 frameworks
These 5 frameworks provide a starting point for shaping your interdisciplinary essay. Each framework focuses on a different theme.
Your topic doesn’t need to cover every aspect of the framework. For example, if you focus on identity, you don’t need to address all aspects of culture or expression. You can even connect your topic to a different framework, depending on your research approach.
The frameworks help you narrow your focus and organise your ideas, but they’re not directly assessed. The goal is to use them to guide your inquiry, not define the limits of your research.
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Unpacking the frameworks
Use this guidance to help you map your topic ideas to one of the required interdisciplinary frameworks. Focus on the lens that best matches your research angle, not the broadest fit.
Power, equality, justice |
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Here are some ideas to help you explore this framework. You can think of topics related to societal issues and how power is distributed.
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Culture, identity, expression |
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This framework allows you to explore how culture and identity shape our world. Consider how different forms of expression play a role in society.
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Movement, time, space |
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Think about how people, ideas, and things move across time and space. This framework includes topics like migration and the connections between physical and virtual spaces.
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Evidence, measurement, innovation |
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This framework encourages you to explore how we measure and innovate. You can consider how evidence and innovation come together in both the arts and sciences.
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Sustainability, development, change |
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This framework focuses on how the world changes and develops over time. You can explore topics related to sustainability, development, and the challenges our planet faces.
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Approach: The research question could be addressed through the following lenses:
An example of an interdisciplinary EE
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Research question: How did the use of music in the civil rights movement in the United States during the 1960s influence political change and social justice?
Framework: Culture, identity, expression
Topic: The role of music in shaping political movements
Subjects: music and history, or music and global politics.
The EE, being at the core of the IBDP, is a valuable learning experience for you. It has three key aims and helps you to:
Aims of the extended essay
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Engage in independent research with intellectual initiative and rigour
Develop research, thinking, self-management, and communication skills
Reflect on what has been learned throughout the research and writing process
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General guidelines for students
Part 2
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The IB does not discourage the use of AI to support the writing of the EE. However, here are some general guidelines to consider when you engage with AI.
AI and the extended essay
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You can use AI to…
You can’t use AI to…
AI should be used as a thinking partner, not as a ghost writer!
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Decide whether your EE will be a subject-focused or an interdisciplinary essay.
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Choose a broad topic connected to one or two DP subjects, and narrow it down to a more focused topic.
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Conduct preliminary research to explore possible topics of interest in your chosen subject(s).
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Formulate a well-focused RQ and ensure it satisfies all requirements.
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Conduct research focused on your RQ and compile a list of reliable (primary and) secondary sources.
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The EE can be a long and, at times, arduous process. Having a roadmap to guide you along this journey can be helpful.
Roadmap to extended essay success
Attend a mandatory first reflection session with your supervisor and discuss the choice of topic and RQ with your supervisor.
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Record your first reflection.
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Incorporate suggestions made by your supervisor on your first draft
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Record your second reflection
Attend a mandatory final reflection session with your supervisor (viva voce)
Attend a mandatory interim reflection session with your supervisor
Ensure that the final version of the essay is handed in before the final reflection session (viva voce)
Record your reflective statement on the RPF for submission as part of the assessment
The EE can be a long and, at times, arduous process. Having a roadmap to guide you along this journey can be helpful.
Roadmap to extended essay success
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Complete a first draft of your EE and submit to your supervisor for review.
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Structuring the essay
Steps for writing the extended essay
Writing an effective research question
Choosing a topic
Some important areas that you will cover during your EE journey are outlined below:
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Reflection and progress form (RPF)
Developing approaches to learning (ATL) skills
Choosing a topic
The first step in your EE journey after you select your subject(s) is choosing a topic. Your choice of topic is integral to your success in EE. Below are some key steps for you to consider.
Identify topic of interest
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Identify a topic or two that interests you. This ensures that you are engaged in the process.
Conduct preliminary
research
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Begin with preliminary research on your topic to check if you will be limited by availability or lack of translations for sources; whether you need to modify your topic or broaden it or narrow the focus.
Complete annotated bibliography
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Provide a list of identified reliable sources with a detailed description and evaluative comments known as annotations.
Craft an open-ended research question
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Using your topic and preliminary research, create a question that will lead to an appropriate investigation. Ensure that it uses higher-order questions (to what extent…? How significant…? etc.) to help you engage in analysis and critical evaluation
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Narrow down the topic
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Identify which DP subject(s) your topic is linked to and focus it so it is manageable.
Writing an effective research question
Once the topic is chosen, you can narrow your focus and begin writing the research question. There are five key elements to consider when writing the research question (not necessarily in that order). The end result should be an open-ended question with a narrow and focused scope. Consider the following aspects of writing an effective research question.
Higher-order questions
To what extent…
How useful…
How significant….
Why/How….
In what ways…
Topic of interest
Novel, film, event, situation, policy, individual, experiment, equation, debate, theory, etc.
Link
Responsible for…
A person studying…
Impacts development.. .
Causes issues…
etc.
Consequence
Event, policy, situation, development, discovery, etc.
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Scope
Time period?
Place?
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Writing an effective research question
How effective are the measures Singapore has taken since 2018 to ensure food security and sustainability for its people?
In this RQ example, you can identify the five blocks, as highlighted in different colours:
A: Higher-order question | B: Topic of Interest | C: Scope | D: Link | E: Consequence |
Tip: Notice how the example RQ is open-ended but focused on a very particular aspect.
You may use the table below to piece together your research question
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E
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Structure of the extended essay
It is important to consider the appropriate structure of the extended essay as outlined below.
Title page: It should include your student code, the research question, whether it is a subject-focused or an interdisciplinary essay (and which subject(s) it is registered under) and the word count
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Contents page: It must be provided at the beginning of the EE and all pages should be numbered
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Introduction: It should tell the reader what to expect in the essay including the focus of the essay, the scope of the research, the sources to be used, and an insight into the argument to be proposed
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Body of the essay: It should include the undertaken research an analysis, discussion and evaluation of the topic
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Conclusion: It should say what has been achieved, including notes of any limitations and any questions that have not been resolved
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References and bibliography: These should be completed in a consistent style of academic referencing
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During the course of completing the EE the role of reflection for future action is paramount. Here is a brief sketch of what you can plan for during the course of the EE process. The RPF helps inform the examiners’ judgment on Criterion E and helps document the process for authentication.
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Reflection and progress form (RPF)
Social: Interview and correspond with people, supervisors and primary source experts, etc.
Creative thinking: Apply existing knowledge
Critical thinking: Ask open questions and write SMART goals
Information literacy: Build a keyword search strategy around your research question to narrow down the search
Media & information literacy: Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, and reference information from a variety of sources and media based on their appropriateness and credibility
Communication: Write an effective research question, use subject-specific jargon and appropriate essay structure
Critical thinking: Synthesize relevant information from multiple sources to formulate an argument
Self-management: Set and stick to goals by implementing action plans, and overcome setbacks
Reflection: Consider the content, ATL skills, and personal learning strategies
The EE process helps you develop ATL skills as you inquire deeply into your chosen subject/topic. Here are examples of different activities that you may undertake that will help with ATL skill development.
ATL skills and the extended essay
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EE success checklist
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Congratulations! You have written your extended essay.
Are you ready to submit it?
You can use this checklist to help you ensure that your EE is good to go.
Extended essay assessment
Part 3
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Criterion A: Framework for the essay�Do your RQ, methods, and structure provide a clear framework for your essay?
Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding
Do you demonstrate a strong understanding of the subject matter in your research?
Overview of extended essay criteria
The EE is assessed against 5 criteria, each with a different weightage as summarized in the illustration. The maximum mark awarded is 30. The criteria is holistic as it assesses not only your knowledge but also communication skills, research methods and reflection.
Criterion D: Discussion and
evaluation
Do you discuss and evaluate your findings effectively?
Criterion C: Analysis and line
of argument�Have you analysed the information and presented a clear argument?
Criterion E: Reflection�How has the extended essay process impacted your development as a learner?
6 marks
6 marks
6 marks
8 marks
4 marks
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Description and unpacking of extended essay criteria
Before implementing the EE criteria, you should ensure that you understand them using the unpacking of EE Criteria published by the IB. Below is a summary of what each criterion focuses on.
Framework for the essay: This criterion looks at how well your research question, methods, and essay structure work together. Your research question should be clear and focused. The methods you choose should be suitable for the question, and the structure should help communicate your research effectively.
Knowledge and understanding: This criterion focuses on how well you demonstrate your understanding of the subject. You should use relevant research, accurate terminology, and explain key concepts to show your knowledge of the topic.
Analysis and line of argument: This criterion assesses how well you analyse your research and build a clear argument. Your analysis should lead to relevant conclusions, and your argument should be clear and consistent throughout the essay.
Discussion and evaluation: This criterion looks at how well you discuss your findings and evaluate your essay. You should provide a balanced discussion supported by evidence and explain the strengths and weaknesses of your work.
Reflection: This criterion applies only to your RPF and not to the essay itself. It focuses on how you reflect on the EE process. Your reflection should show how the experience has helped you grow as a learner, with specific examples of what you've learned and how you've applied that knowledge.
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B
C
D
E
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Grade boundaries
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Grade | From | To |
A | 23 | 30 |
B | 18 | 22 |
C | 12 | 17 |
D | 5 | 11 |
E | 0 | 4 |
Your final assessment against the different criteria will result in a final grade out of 30 which will then be converted into a letter grade. Each letter grade represents a ‘grade descriptor’. The grade boundaries will be published at the end of the May 2027 exam session, but here is an example of what the grade boundaries may look like.
After being assessed against the five criteria, your numerical grade is then converted to a letter grade. Each letter grade represents a ‘grade descriptor’. Grade descriptors consist of characteristics of performance at each grade. The grade descriptors may also be used to help you understand the academic requirements of the EE and how you could improve your essay.
Grade descriptors
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Final IBDP Grade | A | B | C | D | E |
Grade Descriptor (Example) | Demonstrates: effective research skills resulting in a well-focused and appropriate research question that can be explored within the scope of the chosen topic. | Demonstrates: appropriate research skills resulting in a research question that can be explored within the scope of the chosen topic. | Demonstrates: evidence of research undertaken, leading to a research question that is not necessarily expressed in a way that can be explored within the scope of the chosen topic. | Demonstrates: a lack of research, resulting in unsatisfactory focus and a research question that is not answerable within the scope of the chosen topic. | Demonstrates: little or no research, a lack of focus and an ineffective research question. |
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Assessment in the core
TOK and the EE are graded using letter grades A–E, with A being the highest. These two grades are then combined in the bonus points matrix to contribute between 0 and 3 points to the total.
The overall maximum points from subject grades, TOK and the EE is 45.
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Award of points matrix for TOK and the EE