How to Write an Extended Essay IB: Student Guide & Timeline [Templates]

Did you know that the extended essay IB counts for up to 3 points toward your final IB diploma? That’s right – this 4,000-word research paper could make the difference between achieving your target score or falling short.

Whether you’re just starting your IB journey or getting ready to write your essay, the process might seem overwhelming at first. However, with proper planning and the right approach, you can create an outstanding piece of academic work.

In fact, successful IB students often say that writing their extended essay taught them valuable skills they later used in college and their careers. From choosing the perfect research topic to mastering academic writing, this guide will walk you through each step of creating your extended essay.

Ready to turn your extended essay from a daunting challenge into a rewarding achievement? Let’s break down exactly what you need to do and when you need to do it!

What is an IB Extended Essay

The Extended Essay (EE) stands as a core component of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, requiring students to conduct independent research and produce a substantial academic paper ^[1]. Throughout this year-long journey, students invest approximately 40 hours exploring a specific topic aligned with their chosen IB subject ^[1].

Key requirements

The Extended Essay demands students to demonstrate advanced academic skills through independent research. Students must select a topic from one of the six approved DP categories:

• Studies in Language and Literature
• Language Acquisition
• Individuals and Societies
• Sciences
• Mathematics
• The Arts ^[2]

Additionally, students need to work closely with an IB advisor – typically an IB teacher at their school – who supervises their progress ^[2]. The process involves formulating a research question, conducting thorough research, and presenting findings in a formally written academic paper ^[3].

Word count and formatting rules

The Extended Essay follows strict formatting guidelines to maintain academic professionalism. The maximum word limit stands at 4,000 words ^[4]. Going beyond this limit results in penalties, as examiners are instructed not to read or assess any content exceeding the word count ^[4].

The word count includes:

• Introduction
• Main body
• Conclusion
• Quotations
• Footnotes and endnotes (if not used for references)

Meanwhile, these elements remain outside the word count:

• Abstract
• Contents page
• Maps, charts, diagrams
• Tables
• Equations and calculations
• Citations and references
• Bibliography
• Appendices ^[1]

For proper formatting, students must use:

• 12-point readable font (Calibri or Times New Roman)
• Double spacing throughout
• Page numbers in the top right corner
• No candidate, school, or supervisor name on the title page ^[4]

The essay structure requires specific elements:

1. Title page
2. Contents page
3. Introduction
4. Body (research, analysis, discussion)
5. Conclusion
6. References and bibliography ^[5]

Students writing in Asian languages follow different character limits:

• Japanese: 8,000 characters (1 word ≈ 2 characters)
• Korean: 4,000 characters (1 word = 1 character)
• Chinese: 4,800 characters (1 word ≈ 1.2 characters) ^[6]

Through this structured approach, the Extended Essay prepares students for undergraduate research while allowing them to explore subjects that genuinely interest them ^[3]. The combination of independent research, academic writing, and formal presentation skills makes the EE a valuable component of the IB Diploma Program.

Pick Your Research Topic

Selecting the perfect topic for your extended essay IB marks the beginning of an exciting academic journey. The right choice can transform your research experience from a mere assignment into an engaging exploration of your interests.

Choose your subject area

Contrary to common belief, your extended essay subject does not need to align with your Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL) courses ^[7]. Instead, focus on a subject that genuinely interests you. Consider these aspects before making your choice:

• Personal passion for the subject
• Access to research materials and resources
• Alignment with approved IB subject categories

Narrow down your focus

After selecting your subject area, start refining your topic. Begin by describing your interests in a single sentence, such as “I want to learn about…” ^[8]. Subsequently, consider these elements to sharpen your focus:

• Specific time periods
• Geographic locations
• Particular aspects or features
• Case studies
• Methodologies ^[9]

For instance, rather than writing broadly about “The Impact of Climate Change,” concentrate on “The Effect of Climate Change on Coral Reef Biodiversity in the Great Barrier Reef” ^[10]. This focused approach allows for thorough exploration within the 4,000-word limit.

Write your research question

Your research question serves as the cornerstone of your extended essay ^[11]. To craft an effective question:

1. Start with preliminary reading around your chosen topic
2. Frame questions using ‘how,’ ‘why,’ or ‘to what extent’
3. Evaluate your question based on three key criteria:
   • Clarity: Will readers understand your research direction?
   • Focus: Can you answer it within 4,000 words?
   • Arguability: Does it allow for analysis and evaluation? ^[12]

Avoid these common pitfalls:

• Closed questions answerable with ‘yes’ or ‘no’
• Sweeping generalizations
• Vague or imprecise language ^[11]

Throughout this process, remember that your research question should remain provisional until you have gathered sufficient data to support a reasoned argument ^[8]. Furthermore, ensure your topic allows for approximately 40 hours of research ^[13], providing enough material for meaningful analysis and conclusion.

Research Methods and Sources

Gathering reliable research materials forms the foundation of a strong extended essay IB. Primary and secondary sources, coupled with effective note-taking strategies, will shape your research journey.

Find primary sources

Primary sources provide direct insights into your research topic through original documents and materials. These sources include:

• Original documents like diaries, speeches, and manuscripts
• Creative works including poetry, drama, and art
• Official records and government documents
• Sound and video recordings
• Business records and surveys ^[14]

For historical topics, primary sources offer eyewitness accounts through photographs, letters, and ethnographic research records ^[14]. Moreover, scientific research often requires experimental data, peer-reviewed journal articles, and original research findings ^[15].

Use academic databases

Academic databases serve as gateways to scholarly articles and research papers. Several reliable databases support extended essay research:

• JSTOR – Provides access to more than 12 million academic journal articles across 75 disciplines ^[16]
• PubMed – Specializes in scientific and medical research
• Semantic Scholar – Offers peer-reviewed articles
• ERIC – Features educational research and information ^[17]

Accordingly, these databases allow you to filter results by:

• Topic relevance
• Source type (dictionary, encyclopedia, magazine)
• Format (eBook, video, audio)
• Language options ^[18]

Take effective research notes

Systematic note-taking prevents plagiarism and saves time during the writing process ^[19]. Consider these proven strategies:

1. Record information systematically:
   • Never write in full sentences
   • Always credit sources immediately
   • Start with focused inquiry questions
   • Make notes for everything you read ^[19]
2. Gather essential citation details:
   • For books: Title, author, publisher, date, and page numbers
   • For websites: Full URL and access date
   • For online articles: Permalink and database name ^[20]
3. Use digital tools:
   • YiNote: A Chrome extension for video note-taking with timestamp features
   • Weava: Helps organize research materials
   • OneNote or Evernote: For categorizing information ^[21]

Throughout your research process, evaluate sources based on:

• Currency: Age relevance of the material
• Relevance: Connection to research question
• Accuracy: Cross-reference with other sources
• Authority: Author credentials
• Purpose: Intent behind the publication ^[3]

Primary research methods might also include experiments, investigations, interviews, or surveys, depending on your subject area ^[22]. Nevertheless, ensure your chosen methods align with IB requirements and ethical guidelines ^[22].

Remember to organize your notes by theme or argument, making them easily retrievable during the writing phase. Most importantly, maintain meticulous citation records to uphold academic integrity throughout your extended essay journey ^[10].

Write Your First Draft

Now that you have gathered your research materials, transforming them into a well-structured extended essay requires careful planning and organization. The first draft serves as the foundation of your academic argument, setting the stage for refinement in later revisions.

Create an outline

Creating a detailed outline helps organize your thoughts and ensures a logical flow throughout your extended essay IB. Begin by breaking down your essay into clear sections ^[23]. Consider these proven outline methods:

1. Bullet-Point Method
   • Start with concise paragraph summaries
   • Add supporting evidence and quotes
   • Connect ideas to your main argument ^[24]

Alternatively, try the spreadsheet outline technique, which allows you to compare paragraphs in terms of length and content ^[25]. This method particularly benefits students who prefer structured organization.

Your outline should identify four main points that support your argument ^[23]. Therefore, divide your essay body into four sections of approximately 600 words each, with three paragraphs per section ^[1].

Structure your argument

The extended essay demands a reasoned argument that clearly shows what relevant evidence you discovered and how it supports your thesis ^[2]. Begin structuring your argument by following these guidelines:

First, view your essay as an answer to your research question, followed by an explanation supporting that answer ^[23]. Your preliminary reading should provide a general sense of your potential argument.

As you develop your first draft, arrange sections in a way that best supports your argument ^[26]. Place your strongest points at the beginning and end, with weaker points in the middle ^[1]. This strategy maintains reader engagement throughout the essay.

Each paragraph should follow the PEEL method ^[27]:

• Point (your statement)
• Evidence (primary source)
• Explanation (analysis)
• Link (to research question)

Remember that your first draft need not achieve perfection ^[28]. Focus initially on:

• Outlining main variables
• Establishing your line of argument
• Setting mini-goals for each section

Throughout the writing process, ensure every piece of evidence actively answers your research question ^[24]. Your research direction may evolve as the essay develops, therefore remain flexible in adapting your argument structure ^[28].

For scientific or mathematical topics, consider using subject-specific subheadings to help readers follow your argument ^[2]. Nevertheless, any information crucial to your argument must appear in the main text, as examiners will not read appendices or footnotes ^[2].

Edit and Polish Your Essay

Polishing your extended essay IB requires meticulous attention to detail and careful review against assessment criteria. This final stage determines the quality of your academic work and ultimately impacts your final grade.

Check citations and references

Begin by examining your in-text citations and bibliography. The IB assessment criteria place significant emphasis on proper documentation of sources ^[6]. Ensure every source cited in your text appears in your bibliography and vice versa. Your references must include:

• Author name
• Publication date
• Title of source
• Page numbers for print sources
• Access date for electronic sources
• URL for online materials ^[29]

For translated works, present both the original text and your translation. Furthermore, add a note in your acknowledgments stating that all translations are your own ^[29].

Review assessment criteria

The IB evaluates extended essays using five main criteria, with a total possible score of 34 points ^[30]:

• Focus and method (6 marks)
• Knowledge and understanding (6 marks)
• Critical thinking (12 marks)
• Presentation (4 marks)
• Engagement (6 marks)

Throughout your revision process, keep these assessment criteria at hand ^[6]. Pay special attention to:

1. Research question clarity and focus
2. Subject-specific terminology usage
3. Evidence analysis and evaluation
4. Argument development and coherence
5. Layout and structural elements ^[31]

Get feedback from supervisor

Your supervisor plays a crucial role in the final stages of your extended essay. Although they cannot edit your work directly, they can provide valuable guidance through:

• Three mandatory reflection sessions
• Comments on one draft only
• Open-ended feedback about potential improvements ^[32]

Supervisors may offer suggestions like:

• “Is your research question consistent throughout?”
• “Your essay needs clarity here”
• “Check this page for referencing accuracy” ^[32]

Consider using tools like Grammarly for initial proofreading ^[10]. Nonetheless, remember that automated tools should supplement, not replace, careful manual review.

As you polish your essay, focus on eliminating:

• Grammatical errors
• Awkward phrasing
• Superfluous writing
• Uncited sources ^[33]

Most importantly, ensure your essay demonstrates:

• Personal engagement
• Intellectual initiative
• Evaluative approach ^[4]

Your reflections carry substantial weight, accounting for approximately 18% of your total Extended Essay grade ^[4]. Therefore, document your research journey, challenges faced, and solutions implemented ^[5].

Remember that different examiners might interpret criteria slightly differently ^[33]. Consequently, aim to satisfy all aspects of the assessment criteria thoroughly. This approach ensures your essay maintains high standards regardless of who evaluates it.

Conclusion

Writing an IB Extended Essay requires careful planning, thorough research, and attention to detail. Each step, from selecting your topic to polishing your final draft, builds essential academic skills that serve you well beyond your IB journey.

Success in your Extended Essay depends on following the structured approach outlined above. Your research question must be focused and arguable, while your sources need careful evaluation and proper citation. Additionally, maintaining regular communication with your supervisor helps ensure you meet all assessment criteria effectively.

Most importantly, remember that your Extended Essay represents more than just a 4,000-word assignment – it showcases your ability to conduct independent research and present academic arguments clearly. Therefore, take time to document your research process, reflect on your learning, and polish your work carefully.

Struggling with your EE? Book a session with an IB ++tutors Extended Essay expert today! Finally, approach your Extended Essay as an opportunity to explore a subject you genuinely care about, rather than viewing it as just another requirement. This mindset, combined with proper planning and execution, will help you create an outstanding piece of academic work worthy of those crucial diploma points.

FAQs

Q1. What is the word limit for an IB Extended Essay?
The maximum word limit for an IB Extended Essay is 4,000 words. Exceeding this limit can result in penalties, as examiners are instructed not to read or assess any content beyond the word count.

Q2. How do I choose a topic for my Extended Essay?
Choose a subject that genuinely interests you, even if it’s not one of your IB courses. Narrow down your focus to a specific aspect, time period, or case study within that subject. Then, formulate a clear and focused research question that allows for analysis and can be answered within the word limit.

Q3. What types of sources should I use for my Extended Essay research?
Use a combination of primary and secondary sources. Primary sources can include original documents, creative works, and experimental data. For secondary sources, utilize academic databases like JSTOR and PubMed to access scholarly articles and research papers. Always evaluate sources for currency, relevance, accuracy, authority, and purpose.

Q4. How should I structure my Extended Essay?
Your Extended Essay should include a title page, contents page, introduction, body (divided into sections), conclusion, and bibliography. The body should present a reasoned argument with about four main points, each supported by evidence and analysis. Use the PEEL method (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) for each paragraph to maintain a clear structure.

Q5. How is the Extended Essay assessed?
The Extended Essay is assessed based on five main criteria: focus and method (6 marks), knowledge and understanding (6 marks), critical thinking (12 marks), presentation (4 marks), and engagement (6 marks). The total possible score is 34 points. Your supervisor can provide feedback on one draft, and your reflections on the process also contribute to your final grade.

References

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