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 in which a student has background knowledge. 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 the school staff). 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 each student undertakes 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. An assessment of this reflection process is made under criterion E (Engagement) using the Reflections on planning and progress form.

The Extended Essay is assessed against common criteria, interpreted in ways appropriate to each subject.

Role of the Student

The onus is solely on the IB Diploma candidate for the success or failure of the Extended Essay.

Choose a subject and topic that interests them and allows them to develop and demonstrate their understanding, creativity, and/or originality.
Understand that the direction and authorship of the paper and all ideas in the paper must be entirely theirs.
Keep all internal deadlines. These are student deadlines and must be met in order to remain in the Programme.
Understand EE criteria and subject-specific criteria for their EE.
Read all email from Managebac - this is how IB Core Coordinators communicate with the students.
Understand that they will gather research several times during the process.
Schedule time before and between deadlines to work on the EE.
Make the most of supervisor availability.
Take the reflection process seriously. It is an entire criteria for the EE. Prepare for reflection sessions appropriately.
Ask for help when needed (before deadlines).
Thank their supervisor at the end :)

***While it is not mandatory, it is helpful to print out the timeline and save the link to their browser toolbar, so they can reference the timeline easily. All FAQs and links to important and helpful information is on the timeline.

Role of the EE Supervisor

EE supervisors are faculty volunteers who understand that the relationships forged through student-led research investigations create a more engaging, IB-oriented community at Windermere Prep.

Listen to the student’s topic ideas and help them to narrow it.
Provide feedback of the student’s research question and their ideas for research gathering, production, and outlining of results.
Provide students with advice and guidance in the skills of undertaking research in the discipline.
Spend between three and five hours with each student (students must schedule all meetings).
Advise students with problems and pitfalls they encounter.
Undertake three, student-initiated, mandatory reflection sessions with each student they are supervising. Sign and date each reflection summarized on the Reflections on planning and progress form (RPPF).
Discuss the choice of topic with each student and help to formulate a good research question.
Read and provide question-based feedback on one draft only of the extended essay. It must be feedback, not editing/proofreading.
Read the final version and conduct the viva voce to confirm authenticity.
Write a supervisory report to IB.

Role of the EE Coordinator

Work with IBDP candidates to get them started on a topic.
Create the timeline and FAQ page.
Assign supervisors.
Help with general and specific questions that pertain to the EE.
Collect and submit EE, student reflections, and supervisor comments.
Report all students who are not meeting requirements set forth by the school.

Role of the Parent

Because the EE, by nature, is entirely student-driven and does not have a course, your student is solely responsible for meeting their deadlines and creating their own work schedule. What we ask of you, is that you help them to use the timeline, ask them how they are doing, and ask them to show you their progress.

Please note, the International Baccalaureate Organization wants the Extended Essay to be entirely driven by the student. Essentially, they are the one in charge and overseeing it. Because we, at home and at school, often take the lead, it may be worthwhile to remind your child that the adults are there to assist, not lead, in the EE process and production.

ManageBac

Students will use the ManageBac reporting system for work on their extended essay and CAS (as well as community service hours). Throughout the year, students will receive instructions and reminders regarding their need to enter pertinent information in the system so that the IB Coordinator as well as their teachers can keep abreast of the students' progress.

Key Features of the Extended Essay

The Extended Essay is compulsory for all students taking the Diploma Programme.
A student must achieve a D grade or higher on the Extended Essay to be awarded the Diploma.
The Extended Essay is externally assessed and, in combination with the grade for Theory of Knowledge, contributes up to three points to the total score for the IB Diploma.
The Extended Essay process helps prepare students for success at university and in other pathways beyond the Diploma Programme.
When choosing a subject for the Extended Essay, students must consult the list of available Diploma Programme subjects published in the Handbook of procedures for the Diploma Programme for the session in question.
The Extended Essay 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 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 reflection sessions.
The third and final mandatory reflection session is the viva voce, which is a concluding interview with the supervising teacher.

-International Baccalaureate Organization, 2017

Importance of the Extended Essay

The Extended Essay is externally examined. Marks are awarded against a set of published criteria (both general and subject-specific). The final Extended Essay grade and the final ToK grade are entered into the Diploma Points Matrix to award a possible maximum of 3 extra points to be added to a student’s Diploma score. Candidates not submitting satisfactory work in either area will fail the Diploma.

While there is no class for the EE, we have allotted work time at two different stages in the process where students can devote time to their research. The first one is in April and consists of time to address subject-specific criteria, EE exemplars, creation of a research question, and collection of research. The second is in August and consists of time to finish the first 2,000-3,000 words, as well as review ways to ensure that students are maximizing their points for their finished product.