Extended Essay: Overview

The extended essay is an in-depth study of a focused topic chosen from the list of available Diploma

Programme subjects for the session in question. This is normally one of the student’s six chosen subjects

for those taking the IB diploma, or a subject that a course student has a background in. It is intended

to promote academic research and writing skills, providing students with an opportunity to engage in

personal research in a topic of their own choice, under the guidance of a supervisor (an appropriately

qualified member of staff within the school). This leads to a major piece of formally presented, structured

writing, in which ideas and findings are communicated in a reasoned and coherent manner, appropriate

to the subject chosen. It is mandatory that all students undertake three reflection sessions with their

supervisor, which includes a short, concluding interview, or viva voce, with their supervisor following the

completion of the extended essay. An assessment of this reflection process is made under criterion E

(Engagement) using the Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (EERPF)

• The extended essay is a requirement for all students taking the full IB Diploma Programme and is an option for

course students.

• A student must achieve a D grade or higher (to pass the EE) to be awarded the Diploma.

• The extended essay is externally assessed and, in combination with the grade for theory of knowledge,

contributes up to three points to the total score for the IB Diploma.

• The extended essay process helps prepare students for success at university and in other pathways

beyond the Diploma Programme.

• When choosing a subject for the extended essay, students must consult the list of available Diploma

Programme subjects published in the Diploma Programme Assessment procedures for the session in

question.

• The extended essay is a piece of independent research on a topic chosen by the student in consultation

with a supervisor in the school.

• It is presented as a formal piece of sustained academic writing containing no more than 4,000 words

accompanied by a reflection form of no more than 500 words.

• It is the result of approximately 40 hours of work by the student.

• Students are supported by a supervision process recommended to be 3–5 hours, which includes three

mandatory reflection sessions.

• The third and final mandatory reflection session is the viva voce, which is a concluding interview with

the supervising teacher.

The extended essay is a unique task for all students, both those who are studying for the full IB diploma

and course students who choose it as an option. While no particular background is formally required to

undertake the extended essay, students are strongly recommended to carry out research in a subject

area they are currently studying in the Diploma Programme to ensure that they have sufficient subject

knowledge to complete the task. If a student has a background in the subject that is not from their

Diploma Programme studies, the student must ensure that they are familiar with the subject from a

Diploma Programme perspective.

For those students completing a world studies extended essay, it is strongly recommended that they

are undertaking a course of study in at least one of the subjects chosen for their essay. A familiarity with

research methods would be an advantage; however, when students begin the extended essay, part of the

process is to develop an understanding of the methodology most appropriate for the research area within

the chosen subject. Developing this understanding will be undertaken with the support and guidance of

their supervisor, Diploma Programme and/or extended essay coordinator and librarian.

The extended essay is a unique opportunity for students to explore an academic area in which they have

a personal interest. This takes the form of an independently written research paper that allows students

to demonstrate their passion, enthusiasm, intellectual initiative and/or creative approach for their chosen

topic. Such topics can range from focused, in-depth analyses of specific elements of a subject to critically

evaluating responses to issues of global significance in the case of the world studies extended essay.

Students develop important transferable skills such as research, critical thinking, and self-management,

which are communicated in the form of an academic piece of writing. Emphasis is placed on engagement

and reflection on the research process, highlighting the journey the student has made on an intellectual

and personal level and how it has changed them as a learner and affected the final essay.

Students complete an extended essay in a specific discipline or in one of the interdisciplinary options

available. In a disciplinary essay students must demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the

theories, tools and techniques of a specific discipline explored through a topic of their choice. Students

who choose a world studies extended essay must demonstrate how their understanding of an issue of

contemporary global significance is enhanced by taking an interdisciplinary approach.

An important aim of the extended essay, as part of the Diploma Programme core is to support and be

supported by the academic disciplines. Whichever subject is chosen, the extended essay is concerned

with exploring a specific research question through interpreting and evaluating evidence, and

constructing reasoned arguments. In undertaking the extended essay students model many of the

elements of academic research by locating their topic within a broader disciplinary context, or issue

in the case of a world studies extended essay, justifying the relevance of their research and critically

evaluating the overall strength of the arguments made and sources used. Guided through this process by

a supervisor, students are encouraged to reflect on insights gained, evaluate decisions, and respond to

challenges encountered during the research.

Embedded within the process of writing the extended essay are many elements of the approaches

to learning (ATL). While research skills are fundamental to successful completion, other ATL skills are

implicit in the task. As the extended essay is an independent task, it requires students to self-manage by

developing organization and affective skills, including mindfulness, perseverance, resilience and selfmotivation.

The process of researching and writing the extended essay represents the learner profile

in action. Being open-minded, principled and reflective are aspects of the student experience within

the extended essay. The extended essay provides students with the opportunity to become more

internationally minded by engaging with the local and global communities on topics of personal inquiry.

The development of the learner profile attributes help to unify IB learners in a larger community in this

shared experience.

The aims of the extended essay are for students to:

• 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.