Introduction to the EE

Introduction

Key features of the extended essay

• The EE is compulsory for all students taking the Diploma Programme and is a highly recommended option for Diploma Course students.
• A student must achieve a D grade or higher to be awarded the Diploma. An E grade will result in the student being awarded the IB Diploma Course qualification instead.
• The EE is externally assessed and, in combination with the grade for Theory of Knowledge (ToK), contributes up to three points to the total score for the IB Diploma.
• The EE process helps prepare students for success at university and in other pathways beyond the Diploma Programme.
• When choosing a subject for the EE, students must consult the list of available Diploma Programme subjects. It is generally advisable to chose one of the subjects being studied.
• The EE 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 written 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 face-to-face reflection sessions.
• The third and final mandatory reflection session is the viva voce, which is a concluding interview with the supervising teacher.
  • The Extended Essay is designed to give you a first taste of academic work, encouraging you to move beyond the structure of exam-based study into a world of possibility. Here, you are entirely in control of all aspects of the investigation from beginning to end - which we know can feel scary!

Why write an Extended Essay?

Academic benefits:

Try to view your Extended Essay as an opportunity to have academic freedom to follow your own interests, whilst still having a high degree of academic and pastoral support. It will help you learn about academic independence, and give you a head start with skills used daily by researchers and university students in the wider world (e.g. planning and conducting research, referencing, writing analytically). It is also a chance to get credit for writing about something that you care about. Those who choose a the right topic for them as an individual will find the process exhilarating, interesting and enjoyable, so choose wisely!

Practical benefits:

University applications:

Many universities ask for a writing sample from you and as your Extended Essay will probably be a fairer reflection of you and your interests than any other piece of schoolwork. Furthermore, having written an essay relating to your chosen university course will aid in writing a personal statement with more individuality, or help you show some originality during any potential interviews.

Work experience:

If you already have a potential career in mind or if you have any particular extracurricular interests which you would like to pursue further, then writing a related Extended Essay can provide you with valuable initial expertise. Some students considering the medical profession have written about the mathematics of the spread of diseases during epidemics, others with an interest in sports have written about how the language used in sports journalism has enforced a gender stereotype over the last 60 years and potential engineers have benefited from the experiments they conducted into the methods for reducing the effects of vibrations on bridges during earthquakes for their essay.

Core Points:

Writing a good Extended Essay can significantly help in improving your overall mark, which is especially useful if you feel unsure about your ToK abilities. Remember that up to 3 points are available from your combined EE and ToK grades – this could be the difference between securing a university place, and missing out. You also need to score at least a D to receive your Diploma, so beware of underestimating the importance of the EE!

Personal development:

Finally, writing an EE is not just some task to be approached pragmatically and because of the grades; it can also be highly entertaining and personally rewarding. Take advantage of the flexibility of the project to really adapt it to your own ambitions, interests and local context. Your research can thus include interesting travels or meetings: past students have done everything from revisiting their family village to interviewing Government Ministers. It could be that your topic, and/or issues arising form it, are culturally, politically or religiously sensitive or personally challenging. The Pre-U team and your EE Supervisor will provide guidance on how to approach and engage with such topics and issues in a responsible manner and support you through the journey.

In this way, even if you’re not particularly academically inclined, writing the essay can prove to be an unforgettable experience and a great learning opportunity and is highly recommended for all students.