International Baccalaureate Diploma candidates are required to complete an Extended Essay. The extended essay is an in-depth study of a topic chosen from within the list of approved Diploma Program subjects—one of the student’s six chosen subjects for the IB diploma. It is intended to promote high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery, and creativity. Students engage in personal research on a topic of their own choice under the guidance of a mentor (a teacher in the school familiar with the IBDP). 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.
Compulsory
Independent research
Related to a diploma subject
Externally assessed
develop independent research and communication skills
develop creative and critical thinking
experience the excitement of intellectual discovery
Students are expected to:
Plan a research project
Formulate a precise research question
Gather and interpret appropriate material
Structure a reasoned argument
Use an appropriate format
Use appropriate terminology
Apply analytical and evaluative skills