These first activities are not just about starting writing. We won't be doing that for many months. Everything in this first semester is getting you excited about researching something - the best Extended Essays are not done because you need to do them, but because you want to do them. So much of what we are doing for this first month is trying to see what you care about - and how we can then turn that thing into a suitable EE.

The information you need for this task is in the first Deadline under the Extended Essay section of Managebac. This will be your first time exploring all the new tabs and unique(ly terrible) functions Managebac has for the EE page. So if you get lost a little this time, that is okay. But for next time there will be no more hand-holding.

"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. "

The RRS is one of the most important tools we have for the Extended Essay.

It is similar to your Personal Project process journal, but different in the role it is meant to play and the overall importance it has for the EE. 

It is something that you can--and should--update on a regular basis. Keep track of your research, write short reflections about your mood and attitude towards EE work (or DP in general), keep track of triumphs, describe challenges you encounter... 

The RRS will aid you in writing the three mandatory reflections for the EE -- these reflections are worth up to 6 points to your final EE score (out of 34.) The better your RRS is, the more prepared you are to get those six points!