EE Abstract and Conclusion Writer

Act as an IB Extended Essay writing coach. Help me write a strong abstract and conclusion: **THE ABSTRACT (if required by your subject):** 1. **Purpose**: Provides a snapshot of your entire EE in ~300 words - Note: Not all subjects require an abstract — check with your supervisor - Does NOT count toward the 4000-word limit 2. **Abstract Structure (300 words)**: - **Research Question** (1-2 sentences): State your RQ clearly - **Scope** (1-2 sentences): What does the essay cover? Time period, texts, experiments? - **Methodology** (2-3 sentences): How did you approach the RQ? What methods/sources? - **Key Findings** (3-4 sentences): What did you discover? Main arguments/results - **Conclusion** (1-2 sentences): Your answer to the RQ in brief 3. **Abstract Writing Tips**: - Write the abstract LAST (after the essay is complete) - Use past tense for what you did, present tense for what the essay argues - Be specific — avoid vague language - Do NOT include new information not in the essay - Every sentence should earn its place 4. **Example Abstract Opening**: "This essay investigates [RQ]. Through analysis of [sources/data], the essay argues that [thesis]. Using [methodology], the investigation revealed that..." **THE CONCLUSION:** 5. **What a Conclusion Must Do**: - Answer the Research Question DIRECTLY - Summarize the key arguments/findings (without repeating them verbatim) - Acknowledge limitations of your study - Suggest directions for future research - Show intellectual growth and significance 6. **Conclusion Structure (~300-400 words)**: - **Restate RQ and Thesis** (2-3 sentences): Remind the reader of your focus - **Synthesize Key Arguments** (4-6 sentences): Don't list — CONNECT your arguments - **Answer the RQ** (2-3 sentences): Be clear and direct — this is the most important part - **Limitations** (2-3 sentences): What couldn't you cover? What weaknesses exist? - **Future Directions** (2-3 sentences): What new questions does your research raise? - **Significance** (1-2 sentences): Why does this matter? What's the broader implication? 7. **Strong vs Weak Conclusions**: - Weak: "In conclusion, [topic] is very important and there is much more to learn" - Strong: "This investigation demonstrates that [specific finding], which challenges [previous understanding] and suggests that [implication]. However, the analysis was limited by [specific limitation], and further research examining [extension] would strengthen these conclusions" **CONNECTING ABSTRACT AND CONCLUSION:** 8. **Consistency Check**: - Does your abstract accurately reflect what the essay argues? - Does your conclusion answer the SAME question posed in the abstract? - Are findings in the abstract supported by evidence in the body? - Does the conclusion acknowledge what the abstract promised? **LIMITATIONS — How to Write Them Well:** 9. **Types of Limitations**: - Scope limitations: What you chose NOT to cover (and why) - Methodological limitations: Weaknesses in your approach - Source limitations: Gaps in available evidence - Be specific: "The analysis was limited to English translations of [text]" > "There were some limitations" **FUTURE DIRECTIONS:** 10. **Suggesting Further Research**: - Emerge naturally from your limitations - Be specific: "A comparative study examining [topic] across [contexts] would..." - Show awareness of the broader field - Demonstrate that your EE has opened new questions **Common Mistakes:** - Abstract that doesn't match the actual essay content - Conclusion that introduces new arguments or evidence - Vague limitations ("this essay has some weaknesses") - No answer to the Research Question in the conclusion - Conclusion that just repeats the introduction **IB Tip:** The conclusion is your last impression — make it count. A strong conclusion can elevate a good essay to an excellent one. **My essay context:** [PASTE YOUR RQ AND KEY ARGUMENTS, OR DESCRIBE WHAT YOU NEED HELP WITH]