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Formatting your Extended Essay
Formatting your Extended Essay
Your extended essay is a formally written research paper and you should strive to present it as professionally as you can. See the boxes on the right for IB documents giving detailed requirements for presentation, required elements, and suggestions on formatting. See the box below for guidance on what should be on the title page.
Font and spacing
Use a readable 12-point font such as Arial and double spacing. You will be helping your examiners read and assess your essay on-screen.
Referencing and citations
The IB does not specify what referencing/citation format you should use. Whichever system you choose, make sure that you follow it consistently. Check, too, that it meets the minimum requirements for acknowledging both written and electronic sources expected by the IB. See the IB publication:
What should be on the Title Page?
What should be on the Title Page?
What should be on the first page/title page of your EE?
The title page should include only the following information:
the title of the essay (required)
the research question (required)
the word count (required)
the subject for which the essay is registered (required)
if it is a language essay it should also state which category it falls into
if it is a world studies essay it should also state the theme and the two subjects utilized
Distinguishing Between the Title and the Research Question
Your extended essay can have a title and a research question.
The title is a clear, focused summative statement of the research which gives the reader an indication of the research topic. It should not be phrased as a research question.
The research question indicates the specific topic of research and must be phrased as a question.
What should NOT be on the first page/title page of your EE?
The title page should NOT include only the following information:
your name
the school's name
your IB candidate number
any identifying pieces of information (on the title page, or any other section of the essay, such as headers or footers)
WHY???
When work is uploaded, the IB tags each document with the student's digital profiles so personal details like your name, your school, and your candidate number are not required. Very important: to make sure that IB assessment is unbiased and fair, IB does not give your name to examiners, so there should be nothing that could identify you in the essay itself.
Source: Susan Trower - West Sound Academy and documents from the IBO
Which one would be better to send to the IB?
Which one would be better to send to the IB?
Compare and contrast: which would be better to send to IB?
Submitting a paper in the recommended format will set a serious tone. Take a look at the example text below formatted in two different fonts. Notice the difference in tone and mood—which format would be easier for the examiner to read, assess and comment on?
Example A (12 point, Arial, double-spaced)
The revenue received by the government will increase with the increasing prices if there is no significant change in demand. As it does not, the revenue will rise but not at a steady pace. The sales of used cars will increase the scope of the revenue of the government, as its demand will rise as a result of the rise in COE prices of relatively new cars. However, its full impact cannot be determined as its supply fluctuates in different time periods as the government predefines the number of quotas released every six months in a year.
Example B (9 point, Comic Sans, single-spaced)
The revenue received by the government will increase with the increasing prices if there is no significant change in demand. As it does not, the revenue will rise but not at a steady pace. The sales of used cars will increase the scope of the revenue of the government, as its demand will rise as a result of the rise in COE prices of relatively new cars. However, its full impact cannot be determined as its supply fluctuates in different time periods as the government predefines the number of quotas released every six months in a year.
Source: Susan Trower - West Sound Academy and documents from the IBO
EE Final Checklist
EE Final Checklist
EE_Draft_Checklist_Criteria_A_to_E.pdfEE Presentation Requirements
EE Presentation Requirements
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Information on formatting the extended essay, covering: word counts (what is included and what is NOT included), illustrations, tables, footnotes and endnotes, appendices and specimen materials. Covers essays submitted in November 2018 and forward (IB Guide 2018).
EE Required Elements
EE Required Elements
Required Elements
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme list and description of the six required elements of the final extended essay work that is to be submitted for extended essays for November 2018 and forward (IB Guide 2018).
Six required elements of the extended essay (IB Guide 2018):
Title page
Contents page
Introduction
Body of the essay
Conclusion
References and bibliography
Formal Elements
Do NOT put your name / candidate number / or school anywhere on EE
Cover page should have these four items centered:
-Title
-Subject and Category (where applicable)
- Research Question
- Word count at bottom
See example below on this page.
Other required formatting guidelines:
- Times New Roman font size 12
- Page number top right-hand corner (Do NOT write "p." or "page" or "pp" - just the number)
- 1" margins (2.54 centimeters)
- Double-spaced (no additional spacing between paragraphs)
- When labeling tables and figures, simply write "Table 1" or "Figure 2", capital letter, no abbreviations, no bold
- 10MB max upload size
- File type: Word or PDF
Extended Essay Formatting Tips
Extended Essay Formatting Tips
Tips from the IB on presenting your Extended Essay in a professional manner, with suggestions on font type and size, citations, and referencing. Includes examples showing how choices on font size and type can change the mood and tone of the text being presented.
Sample Title Page
Sample Title Page
Title
Subject (& Category)
English, Category 3
Research Question
How has the language used in sea shanties shaped the way we think about British pirates from the 1700s?
Word Count
3995
Sample Works Cited MLA Format
Sample Works Cited MLA Format
Works Cited
The Depression Project. "How To Prevent An Anxiety Attack!" Facebook, www.facebook.com/RealDepressionProject/videos/how-to-prevent-an-anxiety-attack/2290216994535513/.
Elliot, Walter. "Walter Elliot Quotes." Brainy Quotes, www.brainyquote.com/quotes/walter_elliot_190719. Accessed 11 Oct. 2022.
Holiday, Ryan. "Enchiridion (Epictetus): Book Summary, Key Lessons and Best Quotes." The Daily Stoic, 2021, dailystoic.com/enchiridion-epictetus/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2022.
The Week Staff. "Our Plastic Ocean." The Week, 23 July 2018, theweek.com/articles/785709/plastic-oceans. Accessed 13 Oct. 2022.
"What is Common Knowledge?" Academic integrity at MIT: A student handbook, integrity.mit.edu/handbook/citing-your-sources/what-common-knowledge#:~:text=This%20includes%3A,race%20to%20be%20elected%20president. Accessed 13 Oct. 2022.
Attribution
Attribution
Source: Susan Trower - West Sound Academy and documents from the IBO
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