Guide → Extended Essay →Drafting your essay→Introduction
Guide → Extended Essay →Drafting your essay→Introduction
The goal of the introduction is to introduce the topic and provide enough information about it in order to enable the reader to comprehend the significance of your research question. The research question must be clearly and precisely stated in the introduction. The research question is the central question you are trying to answer through your research and writing of the extended essay. This question, if properly composed, will both enable you to maintain your focus on a topic of narrow and limited scope while also help you to maintain the purpose and orientation of your entire investigation. Your extended essay will be assessed in part according to the extent to which the essay appropriately addresses and develops your specific research question. The readers will also evaluate your success in collecting information relevant to the research question. Establish the significance of the research question and explain why it is worthy of study. Briefly and concisely preview your body by providing a plan of investigation (game plan) for the rest of the paper. The game plan briefly explains how you intend to answer the research question.
____ Does your introduction include some background information and place the topic in an appropriate context
_____ Is your research question clearly and exactly focused, and stated (in bold)?
_____ Does your introduction explain the significance and context of your topic? (This topic is an important because…)
_____ Does your introduction explain why your topic is worthy of investigation and still have contemporary relevance? (This topic is worthy of investigation because…)
_____ Does your introduction explain how the research question relates to existing knowledge?
_____ Do you avoid writing lengthy, irrelevant background material?
_____ Do you give the game plan for the rest of the essay?
_____ Is it clear where your intro ends?
States your research question
Addresses significance
Addresses worthiness of investigation
Briefly puts investigation into context
Provides academic context (what other scholars have said)
Outlines plan of investigation (what questions will the EE answer and what sources will be used)
Use the checklist to evaluate the introductions on the sample EEs below.
Introduction Checklist
Use this checklist "4 Parts to the Introduction" to evaluate the components of the IB sample introductions.
Biology Introduction
Sample introduction from an EE in biology provided by the IB.
Business Management Introduction
Sample introduction from an EE in Business Management provided by the IB.
Visual Arts Introduction
Sample introduction from an EE in Visual Arts provided by the IB.
Background information identifies and describes the history and nature of your research question with reference to the existing literature. Background information expands upon the key points stated in the beginning of your introduction but is not intended to be the main focus of the paper. Sufficient background information helps your reader determine if you have a basic understanding of the research question being investigated and promotes confidence in the overall quality of your analysis and conclusion. This information provides the reader with the essential context needed to understand the research question and its significance.
Source: Baltimore City Libguides and Jennifer Gaither.