How to Write Reflections for Your IB Extended Essay: A Student-Tested Guide
How to Write Reflections for Your IB Extended Essay: A Student-Tested Guide Did you know that reflection sessions can make up to 18% of your final IB Extended Essay grade? Many students focus solely on research and writing, overlooking the crucial need to write reflections throughout their Extended Essay journey. However, these reflections aren't just […]
How to Write Reflections for Your IB Extended Essay: A Student-Tested Guide
Did you know that reflection sessions can make up to 18% of your final IB Extended Essay grade?
Many students focus solely on research and writing, overlooking the crucial need to write reflections throughout their Extended Essay journey. However, these reflections aren’t just another box to tick – they’re your opportunity to showcase your critical thinking and personal growth.
I’ve seen countless students struggle with reflection writing, unsure about what to include or how to express their thoughts effectively. In fact, the most common feedback from IB examiners points to weak reflections as a major factor in lower grades.
That’s why I’ve created this practical guide to help you master the art of writing reflections for your Extended Essay. Whether you’re just starting your EE journey or preparing for your final reflection session, you’ll find actionable steps to strengthen your reflection writing skills.
Let’s explore how to craft meaningful reflections that will boost your Extended Essay score!
Understanding IB Extended Essay Reflections
Reflection writing stands as a cornerstone of the IB Extended Essay process, primarily because it demonstrates your growth as a learner and researcher. As one of the ten IB learner profile attributes [1], reflection helps develop critical thinking and metacognitive skills.
Purpose and importance of reflections
The Extended Essay reflections focus specifically on your progress during planning, research, and writing phases. These reflections serve multiple purposes – they help you develop your essay, evaluate your choices, and reconsider your ideas when needed [1]. Furthermore, they showcase your intellectual growth and creative approach to problem-solving.
The three mandatory reflection points
Each student must complete three formal reflection sessions with their supervisor [2]. Initially, the first reflection occurs early in the process, focusing on your initial planning thoughts and research question formulation. Subsequently, the interim reflection takes place after significant research completion, where you discuss developments and any changes in your approach. Finally, the concluding interview, known as the viva voce, happens after submitting your final essay [1].
How reflections impact your final grade
Your reflections carry substantial weight in the final assessment, accounting for 6 marks out of 35 – approximately 18% of your total Extended Essay grade [1]. The Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF) captures these reflections and must stay within a 500-word limit [1]. Additionally, examiners evaluate your reflections based on two key aspects:
- Your engagement with the research process
- Your personal connection to the research focus
To achieve top marks, your reflections need to demonstrate personal engagement, intellectual initiative, and most importantly, an evaluative approach rather than just description [3]. The reflections should specifically show how you’ve developed your conceptual understanding, made decisions, and handled challenges throughout your Extended Essay journey.
Planning Your Reflection Strategy
Setting up an effective reflection strategy requires careful planning and consistent implementation throughout your Extended Essay journey. The Researcher’s Reflection Space (RRS) serves as your primary tool for recording thoughts, progress, and insights [4].
Choosing the right moments to reflect
Successful reflection goes beyond the three mandatory sessions. Primarily, you should reflect at these key moments:
- Before starting new research phases
- After discovering significant findings
- When facing research challenges
- Upon completing major essay sections
- While evaluating source materials
Setting up a reflection journal
Your Researcher’s Reflection Space needs organization and accessibility. Notably, you can choose between several formats [5]:
A physical notebook works well for handwritten reflections and quick thoughts. Moreover, a digital system like OneNote or ManageBac offers flexibility and automatic sharing with your supervisor. Particularly useful is a cloud-based solution, as it ensures your reflections are accessible anywhere and protected from loss [5].
Essential elements to include in your reflection journal are emerging questions, resource evaluations, and methodology notes. Additionally, store all supervisor meeting notes and decision-making documentation [5].
Tracking your research progress
Progress tracking forms a crucial part of your reflection strategy. ManageBac’s Planning and Progress Form helps monitor your advancement through different stages [6]. Consequently, you can track completion of first, interim, and final reflections through checkmarks in the system.
Your tracking should focus on both quantitative and qualitative aspects. Record word counts for reflections, as the combined total must not exceed 500 words [7]. Furthermore, maintain a timeline of research milestones and document any changes in your research direction.
The RRS essentially becomes your research companion, where you can store annotated articles, record search strategies, and document data collection methods [5]. This organized approach ensures you have concrete examples to discuss during supervisor meetings and solid material for writing your formal reflections.
Writing Strong First Reflections
The first reflection session marks the beginning of your documented Extended Essay journey. This crucial meeting with your supervisor sets the foundation for your entire research process [8].
Initial planning thoughts
Your first reflection requires careful consideration and should be approximately 100 words [7]. At this stage, focus on articulating your research interests and explaining why your chosen topic deserves investigation. Accordingly, prepare to discuss your preliminary research findings and outline potential approaches to answer your research question.
Research challenges and solutions
First reflection meetings primarily address several key areas that your supervisor will explore:
- What drives your interest in this research area?
- How appropriate are your chosen research methods?
- What potential obstacles do you anticipate?
- How will you use your gathered sources effectively? [7]
Certainly, you might face initial challenges in accessing specific databases or finding relevant sources [9]. Therefore, prepare alternative approaches and backup plans for potential research roadblocks. Indeed, discussing these challenges with your supervisor can lead to valuable solutions and strengthen your research strategy.
Setting clear goals
Your first reflection should demonstrate clear decision-making and showcase your initial conceptual understanding of the subject matter [10]. Hence, focus on:
- Establishing concrete research milestones
- Documenting your preliminary findings
- Creating a structured timeline for completion [11]
Next, use your Researcher’s Reflection Space (RRS) to track these goals and document your progress [10]. This systematic approach ensures you maintain focus while demonstrating engagement with your research topic.
Remember to share your written reflection with your supervisor through the Reflections on Planning and Progress form before your first formal meeting [10]. This practice allows for more productive discussions and helps refine your research direction. Your supervisor can then provide targeted guidance based on your documented thoughts and concerns.
Crafting Meaningful Interim Reflections
The interim reflection marks a pivotal point in your Extended Essay journey, occurring after substantial research completion [12]. This crucial session allows you to document your progress and showcase your growing understanding of the research process.
Discussing research developments
Throughout your research phase, focus on tracking significant changes in your approach and methodology. Your interim reflection should address how your research question has evolved and what new insights you’ve gained [1]. As you prepare for this session, consider these key reflection points:
- How your understanding of the topic has deepened
- Which sources proved most valuable and why
- What unexpected discoveries shaped your research
- How you’ve adapted your methodology based on findings
Addressing setbacks and changes
Research rarely follows a straight path, and setbacks often lead to valuable learning opportunities [13]. Your interim reflection needs to highlight:
- Specific challenges you encountered
- Solutions you implemented
- Changes made to your original plan
- Impact of these adjustments on your research direction
For instance, if you discovered information that challenged your initial assumptions, explain how this prompted you to revise your approach [14]. Remember to evaluate the effectiveness of your problem-solving strategies, as this demonstrates critical thinking and adaptability.
Showing intellectual growth
The interim reflection primarily serves as a platform to demonstrate your developing research capabilities [15]. Focus on articulating:
Your analytical progress in evaluating sources and data
Skills you’ve acquired or strengthened
New questions that emerged from your research
How your thinking about the topic has evolved
To achieve high marks in the engagement criterion, your reflection must go beyond mere description [14]. Instead, analyze how each research experience has contributed to your intellectual development. For example, if you modified your research methodology, explain the reasoning behind this decision and what it taught you about academic investigation.
Remember that your interim reflection contributes to the overall 500-word limit for all three reflections [12]. Make every word count by focusing on meaningful developments and authentic learning experiences. Your supervisor will use this reflection to gage your engagement with the research process and your ability to think critically about your academic journey [15].
Creating Powerful Final Reflections
Your final reflection represents the culmination of your Extended Essay experience, carrying significant weight in your assessment. As well as documenting your academic journey, this reflection demonstrates your growth as a researcher and learner [1].
Evaluating your journey
The PMI method (Plus, Minus, Improvements) offers an effective framework for evaluating your Extended Essay journey [16]. Through this approach, you’ll analyze:
- What worked well (Pluses)
- What didn’t work as planned (Minuses)
- Areas for potential improvement
Similarly, the Six Thinking Hats technique provides a structured way to examine your experience from multiple angles [16]:
- White Hat: Examine facts and information accuracy
- Red Hat: Consider emotional responses and feelings
- Black Hat: Identify challenges and limitations
- Yellow Hat: Highlight achievements and successes
- Green Hat: Explore creative solutions and alternatives
- Blue Hat: Assess overall organization and coherence
Demonstrating learning outcomes
Your final reflection needs to showcase both intellectual and personal development [17]. Focus on describing specific skills you’ve acquired, such as:
- Research methodology expertise
- Critical analysis capabilities
- Time management proficiency
- Academic writing skills
Likewise, address how these skills might benefit your future academic endeavors. Research shows that IB students who effectively document their learning outcomes through Extended Essay reflections demonstrate stronger self-regulation in university studies [18].
Connecting to assessment criteria
The engagement criterion, worth 6 marks out of 35, evaluates your reflections based on several key elements [1]. To achieve maximum marks, your final reflection must:
- Document personal significance of your research
- Show intellectual initiative
- Present creative approaches to problem-solving
- Demonstrate authentic engagement
Although the word limit remains at approximately 200 words for this final reflection [7], prioritize quality over quantity. Together with your previous reflections, ensure the total word count stays within 500 words [1].
In light of the assessment requirements, structure your final reflection around these guiding questions [1]:
- What surprised you most about your research findings?
- Which strategies proved most effective?
- How has your understanding evolved?
- What would you do differently in future research?
Remember to reference specific examples from your research process, as this strengthens your reflection’s authenticity [17]. Your final reflection should paint a clear picture of your academic growth, highlighting both challenges faced and solutions implemented throughout your Extended Essay journey.
Conclusion
Writing meaningful reflections stands as a vital component of your Extended Essay success. Each reflection session offers a chance to showcase your growth, critical thinking, and personal connection to your research.
Therefore, starting your reflection process early helps build a strong foundation for your Extended Essay journey. Additionally, maintaining an organized Researcher’s Reflection Space ensures you capture valuable insights throughout your research process. Most importantly, your reflections should tell the story of your academic growth while meeting the specific criteria for each session.
Above all, remember that authentic engagement with your research topic shines through in your reflections. Stay ahead with your EE by booking a consultation with IB ++ Tutors. Avoid last-minute panic!
Success in Extended Essay reflections comes from consistent documentation, honest self-evaluation, and clear demonstration of your learning journey. Following these guidelines will help you craft reflections that not only meet assessment criteria but also truly represent your growth as an IB learner.
FAQs
Q1. What are the three mandatory reflection points for the IB Extended Essay?
The three mandatory reflection points are the initial reflection focusing on planning thoughts, the interim reflection discussing research developments, and the final reflection or viva voce after essay submission.
Q2. How much do reflections contribute to the final Extended Essay grade?
Reflections account for 6 marks out of 35, which is approximately 18% of the total Extended Essay grade. They play a significant role in demonstrating your engagement with the research process.
Q3. What should be included in the Researcher’s Reflection Space (RRS)?
The RRS should include emerging questions, resource evaluations, methodology notes, supervisor meeting notes, decision-making documentation, annotated articles, search strategies, and data collection methods.
Q4. How can I make my reflections stand out to examiners?
To make your reflections stand out, focus on demonstrating personal engagement, intellectual initiative, and an evaluative approach. Show how you’ve developed conceptual understanding, made decisions, and handled challenges throughout your Extended Essay journey.
Q5. What is the word limit for Extended Essay reflections?
The total word limit for all three reflections combined is 500 words. It’s important to make every word count by focusing on meaningful developments and authentic learning experiences.
References
[1] – https://ismanila.libguides.com/c.php?g=899545&p=6472244
[2] – https://www.ibo.org/programs/diploma-program/curriculum/dp-core/extended-essay/what-is-the-extended-essay/
[3] – https://fdrlibrary.amersol.edu.pe/c.php?g=813763&p=5806637
[4] – https://support.toddleapp.com/en/articles/8612338-how-can-i-track-my-child-s-progress-in-dp-core-components-as-a-family-member
[5] – https://oakham-rutland.libguides.com/ib-extended-essay/Reflect
[6] – https://help.managebac.com/hc/en-us/articles/360019106831-Reviewing-Extended-Essay-EE-Progress
[7] – https://www.clastify.com/blog/extended-essay-reflections
[8] – https://sturgischarterschool.libguides.com/c.php?g=893522&p=6425093
[9] – https://sturgischarterschool.libguides.com/EEcriteria/InitialReflection
[10] – https://www.theroamingscientist.com/post/reflecting-and-the-ibdp-extended-essay-the-rrs-3-formal-reflections
[11] – https://www.ts-tutoring.com/blog/ib-extended-essay-guide
[12] – https://www.ibo.org/globalassets/new-structure/university-admission/pdfs/ee_subjectbrief_en.pdf
[13] – https://libguides.westsoundacademy.org/ee/do-the-research
[14] – https://www.ibo.org/contentassets/71f2f66b529f48a8a61223070887373a/angela-riviere.pdf
[15] – https://www.casieonline.org/post/the-ib-extended-essay-guide-topics-examples-and-grading/
[16] – https://libguides.westsoundacademy.org/ee/evaluating-your-work
[17] – https://www.ibmastery.com/blog/how-to-write-ib-extended-essay-reflections
[18] – https://www.ibo.org/research/outcomes-research/diploma-studies/exploring-the-learning-benefits-and-outcomes-of-the-ib-extended-essay-in-preparing-students-for-university-studies-in-canada-phase-1-and-phase-2/
