Embedded Files
The extended essay at a glance
The extended essay at a glance
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 on 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.
Key features of the extended essay
Key features of the extended essay
The extended essay is compulsory for all students taking the Diploma Programme and is an option for course students.
A student must achieve a D grade or higher 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 Handbook of procedures for the Diploma Programme 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.
Aim of the extended essay
Aim of the extended essay
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.
The student
The student
As the extended essay is an important component of the Diploma Programme, and a substantial piece of work, students need to ensure that they understand the expectations of the task and manage their time and workload effectively. The following suggestions are given as guidance to help with the process.
Students are strongly recommended to:
develop a Researcher’s reflection space as a planning tool
use the Researcher’s reflection space to prepare for reflection sessions
share excerpts from the Researcher’s reflection space with the supervisor during the reflection sessions
choose a subject, followed by a topic, and then think carefully about the research question for their essay
plan how, when and where they will find material and sources for their essay before deciding on the final topic and research question
plan a schedule for both the researching and writing of their extended essay, including extra time for delays and unforeseen problems
record sources as their research progresses using their Researcher’s reflection space rather than trying to reconstruct a list at the end
make the most of their supervision and reflection sessions by arriving prepared to discuss their work
have a clear structure for the essay before beginning to write
check and proofread the final version of their extended essay
make sure that the version they submit for assessment is the final version with all sources correctly and consistently referenced
ensure that all requirements are met.
Extended essay assessment criteria
Extended essay assessment criteria
EE and TOK matrix
EE and TOK matrix
Responsibilities of the EE supervisors:
Responsibilities of the EE supervisors:
undertake three mandatory reflection sessions with each student they are supervising
sign and date each reflection summarized on the Reflections on planning and progress form and provide
comments at the end of the process. If the form and essay are submitted via the eCoursework system,
then it is deemed signed and authenticated. A blank or unsubmitted RPPF will score a 0 for criterion E.
provide students with advice and guidance in the skills of undertaking research
encourage and support students throughout the research and writing of the extended essay
discuss the choice of topic with each student and, in particular, help to formulate a well-focused
research question which is suitable to the subject of registration and ensure that the chosen
research question satisfies appropriate legal and ethical standards with regard to health and safety,
confidentiality, human rights, animal welfare and environmental issues is familiar with the regulations governing the extended essay and the assessment criteria, and gives copies of these to students
monitor the progress of the extended essay to offer guidance and to ensure that the essay is the student’s own work (this may include presenting a section of the essay for supervisor comment)
read and comment on one draft only of the extended essay (but do not edit the draft); this should take
place after the interim reflection session, but before the final reflection session, the viva voce
ensure that the final version of the essay is handed in before the final reflection session (viva voce) takes
place, and that no changes are made to it subsequently
read the final version and, in conjunction with the viva voce, confirm its authenticity.
One teacher can supervise a maximum of 5 extended essays.
Reflection in the extended essay
Reflection in the extended essay
Reflection in the extended essay focuses on the student’s progress during the planning, research and writing process. It is intended to help students with the development of their extended essay as well as allowing them the opportunity to consider the effectiveness of their choices, to re-examine their ideas and to decide whether changes are needed.
The emphasis in the extended essay is on process reflection, characterized by reflecting on conceptual understandings, decision-making, engagement with data, the research process, time management, methodology, successes and challenges, and the appropriateness of sources.
Students will be encouraged to informally reflect throughout the experience of researching and writing the extended essay, but are required to reflect formally during the reflection sessions with their supervisor and when completing the Reflections on planning and progress form.
Check-in sessions
Check-in sessions
Students are encouraged to meet with their supervisor in between (and in addition to) the formal reflection sessions. Supervision time should meet the needs of the individual student; therefore, the frequency and duration of these meetings will depend on the needs of the student and the supervisor’s requirements. Supervision time may consist of an occasional 10-minute check-in to discuss a timeline or clarification of a comment made by the supervisor. It may also include a more lengthy discussion about particular issues, for example, regarding access to resources. These supervision sessions do not form part of the formal reflection process and do not, therefore, need to be reported on the Reflections on planning and progress form. However, they nevertheless form an important part of the supervision process.
Formal reflection sessions
Formal reflection sessions
These are the mandatory sessions that must be recorded on the Reflections on planning and progress form. It is recommended that these sessions last 20–30 minutes. During these sessions students should share excerpts from their Researcher’s reflection space with their supervisor. These sessions should focus on progress made so far and set clear objectives for moving forward in the research process. Students should be prepared for these sessions and the meetings should be a dialogue guided by questions posed by the supervisor.
Form - Extended Essay Subject Selection
Form - Extended Essay Subject Selection
Page updated
Report abuse