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International Baccalaureate (IB)

IB students around the globe fear writing the Extended Essay, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress! In this article, I'll get you excited about writing your Extended Essay and provide you with the resources you need to get an A on it.

If you're reading this article, I'm going to assume you're an IB student getting ready to write your Extended Essay. If you're looking at this as a potential future IB student, I recommend reading our introductory IB articles first, including our guide to what the IB program is and our full coverage of the IB curriculum .

IB Extended Essay: Why Should You Trust My Advice?

I myself am a recipient of an IB Diploma, and I happened to receive an A on my IB Extended Essay. Don't believe me? The proof is in the IBO pudding:

If you're confused by what this report means, EE is short for Extended Essay , and English A1 is the subject that my Extended Essay topic coordinated with. In layman's terms, my IB Diploma was graded in May 2010, I wrote my Extended Essay in the English A1 category, and I received an A grade on it.

What Is the Extended Essay in the IB Diploma Programme?

The IB Extended Essay, or EE , is a mini-thesis you write under the supervision of an IB advisor (an IB teacher at your school), which counts toward your IB Diploma (learn more about the major IB Diploma requirements in our guide) . I will explain exactly how the EE affects your Diploma later in this article.

For the Extended Essay, you will choose a research question as a topic, conduct the research independently, then write an essay on your findings . The essay itself is a long one—although there's a cap of 4,000 words, most successful essays get very close to this limit.

Keep in mind that the IB requires this essay to be a "formal piece of academic writing," meaning you'll have to do outside research and cite additional sources.

The IB Extended Essay must include the following:

• A title page
• Contents page
• Introduction
• Body of the essay
• References and bibliography

Additionally, your research topic must fall into one of the six approved DP categories , or IB subject groups, which are as follows:

• Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
• Group 2: Language Acquisition
• Group 3: Individuals and Societies
• Group 4: Sciences
• Group 5: Mathematics
• Group 6: The Arts

Once you figure out your category and have identified a potential research topic, it's time to pick your advisor, who is normally an IB teacher at your school (though you can also find one online ). This person will help direct your research, and they'll conduct the reflection sessions you'll have to do as part of your Extended Essay.

As of 2018, the IB requires a "reflection process" as part of your EE supervision process. To fulfill this requirement, you have to meet at least three times with your supervisor in what the IB calls "reflection sessions." These meetings are not only mandatory but are also part of the formal assessment of the EE and your research methods.

According to the IB, the purpose of these meetings is to "provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their engagement with the research process." Basically, these meetings give your supervisor the opportunity to offer feedback, push you to think differently, and encourage you to evaluate your research process.

The final reflection session is called the viva voce, and it's a short 10- to 15-minute interview between you and your advisor. This happens at the very end of the EE process, and it's designed to help your advisor write their report, which factors into your EE grade.

Here are the topics covered in your viva voce :

• A check on plagiarism and malpractice
• Your reflection on your project's successes and difficulties
• Your reflection on what you've learned during the EE process

Your completed Extended Essay, along with your supervisor's report, will then be sent to the IB to be graded. We'll cover the assessment criteria in just a moment.

We'll help you learn how to have those "lightbulb" moments...even on test day!  

What Should You Write About in Your IB Extended Essay?

You can technically write about anything, so long as it falls within one of the approved categories listed above.

It's best to choose a topic that matches one of the IB courses , (such as Theatre, Film, Spanish, French, Math, Biology, etc.), which shouldn't be difficult because there are so many class subjects.

Here is a range of sample topics with the attached extended essay:

• Biology: The Effect of Age and Gender on the Photoreceptor Cells in the Human Retina
• Chemistry: How Does Reflux Time Affect the Yield and Purity of Ethyl Aminobenzoate (Benzocaine), and How Effective is Recrystallisation as a Purification Technique for This Compound?
• English: An Exploration of Jane Austen's Use of the Outdoors in Emma
• Geography: The Effect of Location on the Educational Attainment of Indigenous Secondary Students in Queensland, Australia
• Math: Alhazen's Billiard Problem
• Visual Arts: Can Luc Tuymans Be Classified as a Political Painter?

You can see from how varied the topics are that you have a lot of freedom when it comes to picking a topic . So how do you pick when the options are limitless?

How to Write a Stellar IB Extended Essay: 6 Essential Tips

Below are six key tips to keep in mind as you work on your Extended Essay for the IB DP. Follow these and you're sure to get an A!

#1: Write About Something You Enjoy

You can't expect to write a compelling essay if you're not a fan of the topic on which you're writing. For example, I just love British theatre and ended up writing my Extended Essay on a revolution in post-WWII British theatre. (Yes, I'm definitely a #TheatreNerd.)

I really encourage anyone who pursues an IB Diploma to take the Extended Essay seriously. I was fortunate enough to receive a full-tuition merit scholarship to USC's School of Dramatic Arts program. In my interview for the scholarship, I spoke passionately about my Extended Essay; thus, I genuinely think my Extended Essay helped me get my scholarship.

But how do you find a topic you're passionate about? Start by thinking about which classes you enjoy the most and why . Do you like math classes because you like to solve problems? Or do you enjoy English because you like to analyze literary texts?

Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing your Extended Essay topic. You're not more likely to get high marks because you're writing about science, just like you're not doomed to failure because you've chosen to tackle the social sciences. The quality of what you produce—not the field you choose to research within—will determine your grade.

Once you've figured out your category, you should brainstorm more specific topics by putting pen to paper . What was your favorite chapter you learned in that class? Was it astrophysics or mechanics? What did you like about that specific chapter? Is there something you want to learn more about? I recommend spending a few hours on this type of brainstorming.

One last note: if you're truly stumped on what to research, pick a topic that will help you in your future major or career . That way you can use your Extended Essay as a talking point in your college essays (and it will prepare you for your studies to come too!).

#2: Select a Topic That Is Neither Too Broad nor Too Narrow

There's a fine line between broad and narrow. You need to write about something specific, but not so specific that you can't write 4,000 words on it.

You can't write about WWII because that would be a book's worth of material. You also don't want to write about what type of soup prisoners of war received behind enemy lines, because you probably won’t be able to come up with 4,000 words of material about it. However, you could possibly write about how the conditions in German POW camps—and the rations provided—were directly affected by the Nazis' successes and failures on the front, including the use of captured factories and prison labor in Eastern Europe to increase production. WWII military history might be a little overdone, but you get my point.

If you're really stuck trying to pinpoint a not-too-broad-or-too-narrow topic, I suggest trying to brainstorm a topic that uses a comparison. Once you begin looking through the list of sample essays below, you'll notice that many use comparisons to formulate their main arguments.

I also used a comparison in my EE, contrasting Harold Pinter's Party Time with John Osborne's Look Back in Anger in order to show a transition in British theatre. Topics with comparisons of two to three plays, books, and so on tend to be the sweet spot. You can analyze each item and then compare them with one another after doing some in-depth analysis of each individually. The ways these items compare and contrast will end up forming the thesis of your essay!

When choosing a comparative topic, the key is that the comparison should be significant. I compared two plays to illustrate the transition in British theatre, but you could compare the ways different regional dialects affect people's job prospects or how different temperatures may or may not affect the mating patterns of lightning bugs. The point here is that comparisons not only help you limit your topic, but they also help you build your argument.

Comparisons are not the only way to get a grade-A EE, though. If after brainstorming, you pick a non-comparison-based topic and are still unsure whether your topic is too broad or narrow, spend about 30 minutes doing some basic research and see how much material is out there.

If there are more than 1,000 books, articles, or documentaries out there on that exact topic, it may be too broad. But if there are only two books that have any connection to your topic, it may be too narrow. If you're still unsure, ask your advisor—it's what they're there for! Speaking of advisors...

Don't get stuck with a narrow topic!

#3: Choose an Advisor Who Is Familiar With Your Topic

If you're not certain of who you would like to be your advisor, create a list of your top three choices. Next, write down the pros and cons of each possibility (I know this sounds tedious, but it really helps!).

For example, Mr. Green is my favorite teacher and we get along really well, but he teaches English. For my EE, I want to conduct an experiment that compares the efficiency of American electric cars with foreign electric cars.

I had Ms. White a year ago. She teaches physics and enjoyed having me in her class. Unlike Mr. Green, Ms. White could help me design my experiment.

Based on my topic and what I need from my advisor, Ms. White would be a better fit for me than would Mr. Green (even though I like him a lot).

The moral of my story is this: do not just ask your favorite teacher to be your advisor . They might be a hindrance to you if they teach another subject. For example, I would not recommend asking your biology teacher to guide you in writing an English literature-based EE.

There can, of course, be exceptions to this rule. If you have a teacher who's passionate and knowledgeable about your topic (as my English teacher was about my theatre topic), you could ask that instructor. Consider all your options before you do this. There was no theatre teacher at my high school, so I couldn't find a theatre-specific advisor, but I chose the next best thing.

Before you approach a teacher to serve as your advisor, check with your high school to see what requirements they have for this process. Some IB high schools require your IB Extended Essay advisor to sign an Agreement Form , for instance.

Make sure that you ask your IB coordinator whether there is any required paperwork to fill out. If your school needs a specific form signed, bring it with you when you ask your teacher to be your EE advisor.

#4: Pick an Advisor Who Will Push You to Be Your Best

Some teachers might just take on students because they have to and aren't very passionate about reading drafts, only giving you minimal feedback. Choose a teacher who will take the time to read several drafts of your essay and give you extensive notes. I would not have gotten my A without being pushed to make my Extended Essay draft better.

Ask a teacher that you have experience with through class or an extracurricular activity. Do not ask a teacher that you have absolutely no connection to. If a teacher already knows you, that means they already know your strengths and weaknesses, so they know what to look for, where you need to improve, and how to encourage your best work.

Also, don't forget that your supervisor's assessment is part of your overall EE score . If you're meeting with someone who pushes you to do better—and you actually take their advice—they'll have more impressive things to say about you than a supervisor who doesn't know you well and isn't heavily involved in your research process.

Be aware that the IB only allows advisors to make suggestions and give constructive criticism. Your teacher cannot actually help you write your EE. The IB recommends that the supervisor spends approximately two to three hours in total with the candidate discussing the EE.

#5: Make Sure Your Essay Has a Clear Structure and Flow

The IB likes structure. Your EE needs a clear introduction (which should be one to two double-spaced pages), research question/focus (i.e., what you're investigating), a body, and a conclusion (about one double-spaced page). An essay with unclear organization will be graded poorly.

The body of your EE should make up the bulk of the essay. It should be about eight to 18 pages long (again, depending on your topic). Your body can be split into multiple parts. For example, if you were doing a comparison, you might have one third of your body as Novel A Analysis, another third as Novel B Analysis, and the final third as your comparison of Novels A and B.

If you're conducting an experiment or analyzing data, such as in this EE , your EE body should have a clear structure that aligns with the scientific method ; you should state the research question, discuss your method, present the data, analyze the data, explain any uncertainties, and draw a conclusion and/or evaluate the success of the experiment.

#6: Start Writing Sooner Rather Than Later!

You will not be able to crank out a 4,000-word essay in just a week and get an A on it. You'll be reading many, many articles (and, depending on your topic, possibly books and plays as well!). As such, it's imperative that you start your research as soon as possible.

Each school has a slightly different deadline for the Extended Essay. Some schools want them as soon as November of your senior year; others will take them as late as February. Your school will tell you what your deadline is. If they haven't mentioned it by February of your junior year, ask your IB coordinator about it.

Some high schools will provide you with a timeline of when you need to come up with a topic, when you need to meet with your advisor, and when certain drafts are due. Not all schools do this. Ask your IB coordinator if you are unsure whether you are on a specific timeline.

Below is my recommended EE timeline. While it's earlier than most schools, it'll save you a ton of heartache (trust me, I remember how hard this process was!):

• January/February of Junior Year: Come up with your final research topic (or at least your top three options).
• February of Junior Year: Approach a teacher about being your EE advisor. If they decline, keep asking others until you find one. See my notes above on how to pick an EE advisor.
• April/May of Junior Year: Submit an outline of your EE and a bibliography of potential research sources (I recommend at least seven to 10) to your EE advisor. Meet with your EE advisor to discuss your outline.
• Summer Between Junior and Senior Year: Complete your first full draft over the summer between your junior and senior year. I know, I know—no one wants to work during the summer, but trust me—this will save you so much stress come fall when you are busy with college applications and other internal assessments for your IB classes. You will want to have this first full draft done because you will want to complete a couple of draft cycles as you likely won't be able to get everything you want to say into 4,000 articulate words on the first attempt. Try to get this first draft into the best possible shape so you don't have to work on too many revisions during the school year on top of your homework, college applications, and extracurriculars.
• August/September of Senior Year: Turn in your first draft of your EE to your advisor and receive feedback. Work on incorporating their feedback into your essay. If they have a lot of suggestions for improvement, ask if they will read one more draft before the final draft.
• September/October of Senior Year: Submit the second draft of your EE to your advisor (if necessary) and look at their feedback. Work on creating the best possible final draft.
• November-February of Senior Year: Schedule your viva voce. Submit two copies of your final draft to your school to be sent off to the IB. You likely will not get your grade until after you graduate.

Remember that in the middle of these milestones, you'll need to schedule two other reflection sessions with your advisor . (Your teachers will actually take notes on these sessions on a form like this one , which then gets submitted to the IB.)

I recommend doing them when you get feedback on your drafts, but these meetings will ultimately be up to your supervisor. Just don't forget to do them!

The early bird DOES get the worm!

How Is the IB Extended Essay Graded?

Extended Essays are graded by examiners appointed by the IB on a scale of 0 to 34 . You'll be graded on five criteria, each with its own set of points. You can learn more about how EE scoring works by reading the IB guide to extended essays .

• Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
• Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
• Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
• Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
• Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

How well you do on each of these criteria will determine the final letter grade you get for your EE. You must earn at least a D to be eligible to receive your IB Diploma.

Although each criterion has a point value, the IB explicitly states that graders are not converting point totals into grades; instead, they're using qualitative grade descriptors to determine the final grade of your Extended Essay . Grade descriptors are on pages 102-103 of this document .

Here's a rough estimate of how these different point values translate to letter grades based on previous scoring methods for the EE. This is just an estimate —you should read and understand the grade descriptors so you know exactly what the scorers are looking for.

Here is the breakdown of EE scores (from the May 2021 bulletin):

How Does the Extended Essay Grade Affect Your IB Diploma?

The Extended Essay grade is combined with your TOK (Theory of Knowledge) grade to determine how many points you get toward your IB Diploma.

To learn about Theory of Knowledge or how many points you need to receive an IB Diploma, read our complete guide to the IB program and our guide to the IB Diploma requirements .

This diagram shows how the two scores are combined to determine how many points you receive for your IB diploma (3 being the most, 0 being the least). In order to get your IB Diploma, you have to earn 24 points across both categories (the TOK and EE). The highest score anyone can earn is 45 points.

Let's say you get an A on your EE and a B on TOK. You will get 3 points toward your Diploma. As of 2014, a student who scores an E on either the extended essay or TOK essay will not be eligible to receive an IB Diploma .

Prior to the class of 2010, a Diploma candidate could receive a failing grade in either the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge and still be awarded a Diploma, but this is no longer true.

Figuring out how you're assessed can be a little tricky. Luckily, the IB breaks everything down here in this document . (The assessment information begins on page 219.)

40+ Sample Extended Essays for the IB Diploma Programme

In case you want a little more guidance on how to get an A on your EE, here are over 40 excellent (grade A) sample extended essays for your reading pleasure. Essays are grouped by IB subject.

• Business Management 1
• Chemistry 1
• Chemistry 2
• Chemistry 3
• Chemistry 4
• Chemistry 5
• Chemistry 6
• Chemistry 7
• Computer Science 1
• Economics 1
• Design Technology 1
• Design Technology 2
• Environmental Systems and Societies 1
• Geography 1
• Geography 2
• Geography 3
• Geography 4
• Geography 5
• Geography 6
• Literature and Performance 1
• Mathematics 1
• Mathematics 2
• Mathematics 3
• Mathematics 4
• Mathematics 5
• Philosophy 1
• Philosophy 2
• Philosophy 3
• Philosophy 4
• Philosophy 5
• Psychology 1
• Psychology 2
• Psychology 3
• Psychology 4
• Psychology 5
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 1
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 2
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 3
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 1
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 2
• Visual Arts 1
• Visual Arts 2
• Visual Arts 3
• Visual Arts 4
• Visual Arts 5
• World Religion 1
• World Religion 2
• World Religion 3

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How to Write an IB Application Essay

Writing an IB application essay is an inevitable part of the application process. If you have decided to apply, then you need to search for more information on the admission process, in order to evaluate your chances for entering the program. The main idea of the essay proves not to be very different from other application essays: you have to tell more about yourself, your personal traits, interests, needs, achievements and future plans. Of course, in contrast with the personal statement required for college admission, here you will not have so many things to say, as you still do not have such a big life experience.

How to write an IB application essay – essential tips

Proficient english.

The first thing to work on is your English, especially if this is a foreign language to you. Your level should be pretty high, since the IB program has very high requirements. You must understand academic language, work with abstract concepts, develop hypotheses and prove them. In such a sense, after you have finished the essay, you should hand it over to a specialist to check for grammar and spelling mistakes.

Introduction

Your intro should consist of one paragraph, but it must catch the reader’s attention at once. Try to start your essay in an original manner, without using phrases like “I am George”, “I live in the town of X”, “I am quite interested in your program”, and so forth. You can, for example, refer to an event from the past, the event which has exerted influence on you. You can also use metaphors or allegories here.

The main part should consist of several paragraphs. Talk about the following:

• why are you attracted by the IB program?  
• what skills and competencies will you develop while in the program?  
• how would you contribute to your particular school?  
• what is the biggest achievement in your life by now?

We suggest using one life event as a main focus of the paper. This should be an event which sheds more light upon your mentality and worldview, the way in which you see the world. Then you should connect it with your needs, interests and skills.

Do not boast

You should keep the balance between self-confidence and lack of self-esteem. Write about facts: your achievements, your interests, and so forth. Phrases like “I deserve to be admitted”, or “I am an appropriate person for your program” do not work here. Your text in general should convince the admission committee that you are really the appropriate person.

In your IB application essay you should keep the balance between self-confidence and lack of self-esteem. Tweet This

The instructions given above will clarify for you how to write an IB application essay. Notwithstanding, you need to work hard: improve your English (if it is foreign to you), read more academic literature and practice your writing. You have time to write and re-write it, so do not worry - start writing. 

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Extended essay

The extended essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.

One component of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) core, the extended essay is mandatory for all students.

Read about the extended essay  in greater detail.

You can also read about how the IB sets deadlines for the extended essay , find examples of extended essay titles from previous DP students and learn about the world studies extended essay .

Learn more about the extended essay in a DP workshop for teachers . 

DP subject briefs

Find out about what each subject offers within the Diploma Programme (DP).

Our DP subject briefs—for both standard and higher level—contain information about core requirements, aims and assessment.

• Explore the DP subject briefs

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5 Steps That Will Make Your IB Essay Great!

I’ve seen hundreds of successful IB students in the past and read lots of successful essays – and written a few of my own! What I’m going to do here is share with you a few tips that the most successful students always seem to use when writing their essays. Students who get 7s don’t have magical powers, they just use a few simple rules to get awesome grades in the IB. Let’s look at how you can do it too!

1) Keep It Simple

Although your essay might have lots of good evidence and be very interesting the overall structure should be simple. A clear simple argument, which makes a good point and supports it well is always going to be better than a long complicated argument which confuses the reader. So how can you tell if you have a clear simple argument? Try to explain your point to someone in a few sentences. You might sum up your essay like this: ‘ my essay argues that since the collapse of the Soviet Union the USA has continued to fear and suppress the Russian government.’ If you can’t sum your essay up like this, then it might be that you’re not really sure what your argument is and you should know what you’re talking about!

Check out this TED talk on the value of simplicity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWczWFPMA7o 

2) Make a clear plan

You should have an argument you want to make and should know what this is (see point 1). Then you need to start fleshing out your argument . What evidence supports your idea. Who agrees with you, and who disagrees. Why are those people who disagree with you wrong? Lay out your argument logically, step by step. So if you’re going to argue that German farmers would suffer if a certain economic policy was imposed on them, you might like to start by explaining the situation those farmers are in. You might then explain how the policy works. You could then explain why it would harm the farmers. You could draw some examples of how a similar policy has hurt French farmers. Finally you might deal with some critics, who would disagree with you. Start with what you want to show then prove it step by step.

Now watch this 1 minute motivational video on the power of planning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jAE-a7nLXw

3) Logically show how your points support your argument

You should make it very clear how every point relates back to your main argument. Let’s say you are arguing that a poem is about murder and jealousy. It is not enough to say ‘the author uses lots of red and green imagery in the poem’. You must be very clear ‘the use of red and green imagery is symbolic of feelings of anger and jealousy’. The key is to imagine that your reader isn’t very smart and needs you to make everything very clear to them. If you do this you know your argument is clear – and this is very important.

4) Write the Introduction

Remember, your introduction should do twothings. One is to hook the reader in – you can do this with an interesting fact, or quote. The second purpose is to give them an idea about what they’re going to read. To let them know what to expect so your argument is easy to follow.

You might be wondering why this is point 4! Lots of successful students like to write the introduction after they’ve written the main body of their argument. This is because, for many students, their arguments change as they write and think about them. Only when they are finished can they write a really convincing introduction. So consider writing your introduction after your main essay is done!

5) Check, check and check again

Read over your essay before you hand it in, check for spelling and grammar. Get someone else to check it and help you make it better. If possible find someone who is awesome at your subject and ask them to check your work to make it even better. Then ask someone who knows nothing about your subject to read your essay. If they can understand it you know it’s really clear, which is vital.

Now hand it in! When you’re satisfied, don’t delay, just give it straight in. And finally, when your teacher gives you feedback, listen to what he or she says and if you’re confused, ask him or her to clarify.

If you follow these steps you’ll find your next essay will be getting those higher grades and will be able to score more than ever on your next assessment!

Now continue refining your IB skills by learning how to write a stellar Extended Essay!

Step by Step – The Extended Essay!

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Guide to the IB Extended Essay in 2024

January 24, 2024

If you’re an International Baccalaureate student getting ready to write your IB Extended Essay, you might be experiencing some very understandable trepidation. But have no fear—we’re here to help you understand what’s required of you, how to plan ahead (IB extended essay topics), and how you’ll be graded (IB extended essay rubric). Keep reading for a good dose of preparation and confidence before you begin the journey. In this article, we’ll cover:

What is the IB Extended Essay?

The ib extended essay—required content, ib extended essay topics.

IB Extended Essay—Sample Essays

IB Extended Essay Tips

Ib extended essay rubric, ib extended essay—more resources.

The IB Extended Essay is a 4,000-word paper that asks you to immerse yourself in research and academic writing. A required part of the IB program, the Extended Essay is a chance to dig deep into a topic that fascinates you.

Although it’s no small task, the IB Extended Essay is an opportunity to gain practical research and writing skills that will come in handy again in college. As you write, you’ll learn how to:

• Identify credible sources
• Formulate a research question and limit your scope of research
• Communicate ideas to an audience
• Develop a well-supported argument

The IB Extended Essay is largely an independent, self-directed project, but don’t worry—the IB program doesn’t throw you into the deep end. You do get to select a mentor (usually a teacher at your school) to help guide you through the process. As you write, you’ll be required to meet with your mentor three times. As part of your final evaluation, your mentor will interview you in a final reflection section called a viva voce . During the viva voce, your mentor will check for plagiarism and malpractice, ask you to reflect on challenges and difficulties, and prompt you to discuss what you’ve learned through the research and writing process. Your mentor will then generate a report that factors into your final grade.

Your final essay must include the following:

• Contents page
• Introduction
• Body of the essay
• References and bibliography

For this essay, it will be up to you to generate a topic; the International Baccalaureate does not provide prompts. However, your essay will need to fit within one of six provided subject areas . You’ll choose from the following list of IB Extended Essay Topics:

• Language and literature
• Language acquisition
• Individuals and societies
• Mathematics

IB Extended Essay Topics (Continued)

At a glance, the subject areas might look limited, but the topics you can choose to write about are actually wide-ranging. The “Individuals and societies” category includes social science topics like economics, history, world religions, and philosophy. And, if you’re leaning toward “Science,” you can choose from classic subjects such as biology, chemistry, and physics, or related topics like environmental systems or health science, among others.

The IB also offers a special “World Studies” option for students interested in researching global issues. This subject would allow you to center your writing on global issues such as migration, global health, cultural exchange, or climate change.

Wondering what an outstanding IB Extended Essay looks like? The International Baccalaureate provides quite a few sample student essays online . Here are five essays that earned A grades.

Language and literature: An exploration of an aspect of the narrative voice in Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita

Environmental Systems and Societies: The economic impact of the 1995 reintroduction of grey wolves to Yellowstone National Park

Psychology: To what extent do social networking sites (SNS) usage lead to experience of anxiety in adolescents?

Music: Composition techniques in the 1st movement of Johannes Brahms’s Symphony No. 2, Op. 73

Business Management: Corporate Culture at Oracle

1) Pick something you’re passionate about

As you can see from the titles above, the IB Extended Essay is a great place to delve into a niche topic that fascinates you. Since you’ll be spending many months on this essay, you’ll want to pick a topic you genuinely enjoy spending time learning about. It’s also smart to choose something you’ve already learned about in your IB classes so that you have a strong foundation of knowledge to start with. In music class, do you love pondering why music makes us feel a certain way? Maybe an essay about music theory will keep your gears turning. Do you come alive trying to solve seemingly impossible problems in physics class? Now’s your chance to put those equations into action.

Since this essay is all about your academic interests, it’s also a good idea to pick a topic that’s relevant to what you plan to study in college. Selecting a relevant topic will provide you with significant exposure to the field and will also give you something meaningful to talk about in your college admissions essays.

2) Limit your scope

What’s the meaning of life? Why do wars happen? What is time? Some questions are just way too big to answer, and your IB Extended Essay is not a good place to tackle expansive, philosophical questions. Instead, think of this essay as a place to investigate one piece of a big question. If, let’s say, you’re generally interested in what helps women reach positions of leadership in business, this is a good place to examine how one or a few companies approach this issue. Or, if you’re interested in studying what inspires surrealist painters, you’ll want to pick one or a few painters to research, likely all from the same time period. For both these topics, you’d need a whole textbook to tackle the full question, but limiting your scope will make it much easier to write a clear and cohesive 4,000 words.

On the other hand, it’s possible to narrow your focus too much. It would be impossible, for example, to write 4,000 words about a single sentence in a novel. Make sure you talk about scope early and often with your mentor. Together, you can find the perfect Goldilocks scope for your project that’s not too big and not too small.

3) Choose a good mentor

Speaking of mentors, choosing wisely will help you enormously as you embark on your IB Extended Essay. You’ll want to make sure you choose someone with existing knowledge in your research topic. Your English teacher may be able to give you great writing advice, for example, but they won’t be able to guide your research and scope if you’re writing about marine animals or modern dance.

Before you approach a teacher, make sure you have at least one topic idea (or even a few ideas) in mind so that you can make sure they’ll be a good fit to supervise your project. When you meet with them, find out what their mentorship style is like. Make sure they’ll have time to read several drafts of your essays, meet with you a few times, and give you feedback. Some IB schools will require your IB Extended Essay mentor to sign an agreement form too, so make sure you find out what paperwork is required in advance.

4) Get organized, way organized

The IB Extended Essay is not something you can crank out the night before it’s due. The essay is meant to be a substantive, in-depth, thoughtful, and thoroughly researched analysis, and Rome simply isn’t built in a day. This might be the longest paper you’ve written to date, and this project might require more research than you’ve been asked to do before. Timelines vary by school, but you’ll likely spend between eight months and a year working on your IB Extended Essay. So, how will you pull it all off? For these 8-12 months, organization will be your guiding light. We recommend you:

• Get started early. If your essay is due November of your senior year, start generating topic ideas during your junior year right after winter break.
• Create a long-view schedule for yourself. What will you accomplish each month of your process?
• Give yourself deadlines. Once you choose a mentor, suggest 2-3 draft deadline dates so that you will be held accountable throughout the writing process.
• Find a note-taking system that works for you. You’ll be reading many articles and books and it’s hard to keep track of all your sources. Create a document or spreadsheet where you keep track of the sources you’ve found and check them off as you read. As you finish reading a text, type up important quotes and a few notes explaining how it connects to your topic and to your other texts.

5)Write a messy first draft

Writing never comes out perfect the first time, even for New York Times bestselling authors and the most experienced researchers. In your first draft, give yourself permission to get all your thoughts out, no matter how unstructured or rambling they are. Call this your brainstorming draft. When you’re ready to revisit it, see what patterns emerge, what common ideas you can group together, what beginning buds of ideas you can make bloom into full-fledged analysis.

6) Communicate for an audience

When you’re used to producing writing that only your teacher reads, it can be hard to remember to write for an audience. But at the end of the day, writing is communication , and the best writing is clear and thorough communication that anyone could pick up and read. For your IB Extended Essay, you’ll want to remember that many people will be reading your final essay, and not all of them will be experts in the niche topic you choose to study. Ask yourself: how can I explain my research to an audience who doesn’t already agree with my analysis?

To communicate to an audience, you’ll want to:

• Provide lots of general background information on your topic.
• Don’t assume your reader is familiar with your sources. Introduce them as if they’re guest speakers about to walk up to a podium and deliver a lecture.
• After including quotes, facts, and figures, be sure to explain what those sources mean in your own words and how they connect to your bigger-picture argument.
• Don’t assume your arguments are self-evident. In this essay, communicating for an audience means supplying ongoing interpretation and analysis, even if it feels like you’re explaining the obvious. Your reader isn’t on your research journey with you, so your points might not be so obvious to your reader.

Although your IB Extended Essay provides a report that factors into your grade, your essay will also be assessed by external examiners the IB. Per the IB Extended Essay Rubric , essays are graded on a scale from 0 to 34 based on 5 different criteria:

• Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
• Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
• Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
• Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
• Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

As you can see, Critical Thinking is the most significant rubric category. This means that the IB wants to see you arrive at your own unique analysis of your topic, drawing connections between sources and data, and making well-supported arguments. This means they want a lot of you: your ideas, your interpretations, your thoughts. Make sure you emphasize that in your essay, but of course don’t forget the other categories.

The score a student receives corresponds to a letter grade scale that is slightly different than what we’re accustomed to in the U.S. Here’s the letter grade to numerical score breakdown:

You must earn a D or higher to receive your IB Diploma. To learn more about the different criteria included in the IB Extended Essay Rubric, you can explore the IB’s full guide to the Extended Essay .

We hope you found our look at the IB extended essay rubric and IB extended essay topics to be helpful. Ready to dive into research? You may want to read our 10 Expert Tips for Improving Reading Comprehension before you hit the books.

And if you’re a high school student in the process of mapping out your pathway to college, take a look at a few other useful guides:

• IB vs AP—Which Classes are Best for College Admission?
• How to Earn College Credit in High School
• High School Course Requirements for College Admission
• SAT Score Calculator
• ACT Score Calculator 
• High School Success

Christina Wood

Christina Wood holds a BA in Literature & Writing from UC San Diego, an MFA in Creative Writing from Washington University in St. Louis, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in English at the University of Georgia, where she teaches creative writing and first-year composition courses. Christina has published fiction and nonfiction in numerous publications, including The Paris Review , McSweeney’s , Granta , Virginia Quarterly Review , The Sewanee Review , Mississippi Review , and Puerto del Sol , among others. Her story “The Astronaut” won the 2018 Shirley Jackson Award for short fiction and received a “Distinguished Stories” mention in the 2019 Best American Short Stories anthology.

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IB Extended Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Extended Essay is a substantial research project that challenges high school students to explore a topic of personal interest within one of the IB's six subject areas. This extended essay, typically around 4,000 words in length, allows students to engage in independent research and develop critical thinking and writing skills. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of completing your IB Extended Essay successfully.

1. Choose Your Subject Area and Topic

- Subject Area: First, select one of the six IB subject areas that you're passionate about and in which you have a strong academic background. These areas include Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts.

- Topic: Narrow down your subject area to a specific topic or research question that genuinely interests you. Your topic should be neither too broad nor too narrow, allowing for in-depth exploration within the word limit.

2. Develop a Research Question

- Research Question: Create a clear and focused research question that guides your investigation. Your research question should be specific, open-ended, and relevant to your chosen subject area.

3. Conduct Preliminary Research

- Literature Review: Start with preliminary research to gain an understanding of the existing scholarship and literature related to your topic. This will help you refine your research question and identify gaps in the current knowledge.

4. Create a Research Plan

- Timeline: Develop a timeline that outlines key milestones and deadlines for your extended essay. This plan should include research, data collection (if applicable), writing, and revision phases.

5. Collect and Analyze Data (if applicable)

- If your extended essay requires data collection (e.g., experiments, surveys, interviews), conduct this research following ethical guidelines. Ensure that your data collection is well-documented and relevant to your research question.

6. Outline Your Essay

- Structure: Create a clear and organized outline for your extended essay. Typically, your essay will include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The body should be divided into sections or chapters that address different aspects of your research.

- Thesis Statement: Develop a strong thesis statement that presents your main argument or hypothesis.

7. Write Your Extended Essay

- Introduction: Start with a compelling introduction that introduces your research question and provides context for your study.

- Body: Present your research findings and analysis in a logical and structured manner. Ensure that each paragraph contributes to your argument and supports your thesis.

- Citations: Properly cite all sources using a consistent citation style (e.g., MLA, APA). Be diligent in avoiding plagiarism.

- Conclusion: Summarize your main findings, restate your thesis, and discuss the significance of your research.

8. Revise and Edit

- Review: Take time to review and revise your extended essay. Check for clarity, coherence, grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.

- Peer Review: Consider having a peer or teacher review your essay for feedback and suggestions.

9. Create Citations and Bibliography

- Generate a comprehensive bibliography that includes all the sources you used in your research. Ensure that your citations are accurate and properly formatted.

10. Submit Your Extended Essay

- Follow your school's guidelines for submission, including deadlines and formatting requirements.

11. Reflect on the Process

- After completing your extended essay, take some time to reflect on your research journey. Consider what you learned, the challenges you faced, and the skills you developed.

12. Celebrate Your Achievement

- Completing an IB Extended Essay is a significant accomplishment. Celebrate your hard work and the knowledge you've gained throughout the process.

The IB Extended Essay is an opportunity for high school students to engage in independent research and develop essential academic skills. By following this step-by-step guide and staying committed to your research and writing, you can successfully complete your extended essay and present a well-researched and well-structured project that demonstrates your academic abilities and passion for your chosen subject area.

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Step-By-Step Guide On IB Extended Essay With 10 Tips

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Extended Essay is a challenging and rigorous component of the IB Diploma Programme . It requires students to choose a research question, conduct extensive independent research, and present their findings in a formal essay format. The extended essay provides students with an opportunity to develop their research, writing, and critical thinking skills, and to delve into a subject that interests them in depth. 

This essay is a significant component of the IB Diploma, as it contributes up to 36 points toward a student’s final score, and is considered an important factor in university admissions. In this blog, we will explore the importance of the extended essay and provide tips and guidance on how to succeed in writing a high-quality essay. 

Furthermore, as Ignite Training Institute offers full-scale support for IB Diploma , know more!

Table of Contents

What Is An Extended Essay For IB? 

Ib extended essay checklist: what to include, 10 tips to write an excellent ib extended essay, what is the assessment criteria of an ib extended essay, is extended essay important for ib diploma, #1 support for ib diploma in uae.

The Extended Essay (EE) is a core component of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP). It is a research-based essay of up to 4,000 words written on a topic of the student’s choice, under the guidance of a supervisor. The Extended Essay is a unique opportunity for students to engage in independent research and develop their skills in critical thinking, research, and writing. 

The IB Extended Essay is intended to encourage students to explore their interests, develop their knowledge of a subject in depth, and demonstrate their ability to communicate their ideas effectively in written form. The Extended Essay is scored by external examiners and contributes up to three points toward the final IB DP score. The Extended Essay is a challenging but rewarding part of the IB DP and provides students with a valuable experience for their future academic and professional careers.

Related: The IB CAS Program: A Unique Approach to Learning

The IB Extended Essay Checklist is a set of guidelines that students should follow when writing their Extended Essays. It is a comprehensive list of the essential elements that should be included in the essay to ensure that it meets the criteria set by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). Here are some of the key components that should be included in an IB Extended Essay:

• Introduction: This should include a brief overview of the research question, the scope of the essay, and the methodology used.
• Abstract: A concise summary of the main findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the essay.
• Research Question: The research question should be clear, specific, and focused, and it should reflect the scope of the essay.
• Methodology: A clear and detailed description of the methods used to gather and analyze data.
• Results: This section should present the findings of the research, and it should be supported by data and evidence.
• Discussion: A critical analysis of the results and an interpretation of their significance.
• Conclusion: A summary of the main findings and conclusions of the essay, along with any recommendations for further research.
• Bibliography: A list of all the sources used in the essay, including books, articles, and other materials.
• Referencing: The essay should be properly referenced, using the appropriate referencing style, such as MLA or APA.
• Word count: The essay should be within the word limit set by the IBO, typically 4000 words.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Extended Essay is a research paper that students write as a requirement for their IB Diploma. To write an excellent IB Extended Essay, you should follow these steps:

• Choose A Topic: Choose a topic that you are passionate about and have enough information to research.
• Conduct Research: Gather information from multiple sources and note important information.
• Create A Research Question: Formulate a research question that will guide your investigation and analysis.
• Plan Your Essay: Organize your information and ideas into a clear and logical structure.
• Write The Introduction: Introduce your topic, research question, and thesis statement.
• Develop The Main Body: Present your research, arguments, and evidence in support of your thesis.
• Write The Conclusion: Summarize your findings, explain their significance, and restate your thesis.
• Use Credible Sources: Cite all sources of information used in the essay to avoid plagiarism.
• Revise & Edit: Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors and make revisions as needed.
• Get Feedback: Seek feedback from your teacher or peer to identify any weaknesses in your essay and make improvements.

The grading system of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Extended Essay is based on a scale of 0 to 36 points. The essay is evaluated using four assessment criteria, each worth a maximum of 7 points. The criteria are:

Criterion A: Research Question

Criterion B : Introduction

Criterion C: Investigation

Criterion D: Conclusion

Each criterion is marked by two independent assessors, who award marks based on the quality of the student’s work in that area. The final grade is the average of the two assessors’ marks, rounded to the nearest whole number. The extended essay contributes up to 3 points towards a student’s overall score in the IB Diploma Program, with the maximum score of 36 points equating to a grade of A.

The assessment criteria are designed to measure the depth and quality of the student’s research and writing skills, as well as their ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate sources. Additionally, the criteria assess the student’s ability to use critical thinking and independent judgment to address the research question and support their argument with evidence.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Extended Essay is an integral part of the IB Diploma Programme. Here’s why it is important for the IB Diploma Programme. 

• A Significant Part Of The IB Diploma: The Extended Essay (EE) is an important component of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, accounting for up to 3 points out of the total of 45 points.
• Develops Research & Writing Skills: Writing an Extended Essay requires students to engage in independent research and develop their critical thinking and writing skills.
• Enhances Subject Knowledge: By choosing a topic that interests them and conducting in-depth research, students can develop a deeper understanding of a specific subject area.
• Prepares For University Studies: The Extended Essay provides students with a taste of what academic research and writing are like at the university level, preparing them for future academic challenges.
• Improves Time Management & Organizational Skills: Completing the Extended Essay requires students to manage their time effectively, prioritize tasks and stay organized, skills that are essential for success in higher education and beyond.
• Boosts Confidence & Self-Esteem: The successful completion of the Extended Essay can be a source of great pride and self-esteem for students and can help build their confidence in their own abilities.
• Improves Language Skills: Writing the Extended Essay in English, and presenting it in a clear and concise manner, helps students to improve their language skills.
• A Valuable Addition To College Applications: Completing an Extended Essay demonstrates to colleges and universities that students are capable of independent research and writing, making them stand out as strong candidates for admission.

Ignite Training Institute is a well-known and highly respected institution that provides comprehensive support to students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Whether you are looking to improve your grades or get a head start in your future academic career, Ignite Training Institute has you covered.

At Ignite Training Institute, you can expect to receive a first-class education experience. Our experienced and knowledgeable instructors understand the unique challenges that students face when pursuing the IB Diploma Programme, and they work tirelessly to provide you with the support you need to succeed. With a comprehensive curriculum that covers all of the key subjects and topics in the IB program, our courses are designed to help you reach your full potential and develop the skills you need to succeed in your future academic and professional careers.

Related: How To Find The Best Coaching Institute In Dubai?

1. Is IB Extended Essay Hard? 

The difficulty level of the IB Extended Essay (EE) varies from student to student. Some students may find the process of research and writing the essay challenging, while others may find it relatively easier. The difficulty of the EE depends on factors such as the student’s writing skills, time management abilities, research skills, and understanding of the topic chosen.

2. What Makes A Good IB Extended Essay?

A good IB Extended Essay is one that showcases the student’s ability to conduct independent research and present their findings in a well-structured, organized, and analytical manner. It should demonstrate the student’s understanding of the research topic and their ability to critically evaluate and analyze information. The essay should also reflect the student’s originality and creativity, and showcase their writing skills. 

3. How Important Is The Extended Essay In IB?

The EE is assessed and contributes to a student’s overall score for the IB Diploma. As such, it is important for students to take the EE seriously and put in the necessary time and effort to produce a high-quality piece of work. This not only demonstrates their competence in research and writing but also showcases their intellectual curiosity and ability to engage with complex topics.

The IB extended essay is a crucial component of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. It provides students with the opportunity to engage in independent research and develop important skills such as critical thinking, time management, and effective communication. The extended essay also offers students the chance to explore a topic that they are truly passionate about and demonstrate their ability to think critically and creatively. 

Ultimately, the extended essay is a valuable experience that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of higher education and beyond. By embracing the extended essay process, students can gain a deeper understanding of their chosen topic, enhance their research and writing skills, and achieve greater academic success. As Ignite Training Institute offers full academic support for IBDP, get in touch with expert consultants today.

Related: List Of Top 10 Benefits Of The IB Diploma Programme

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How to Choose an IB Extended Essay Topic

What’s covered:, what is the ib extended essay, what makes a good extended essay topic, narrowing down your focus, how is the extended essay scored.

• How Does The Extended Essay Affect My Admissions Chances?

The International Baccalaureate Program (IB) curriculum requires students to go above and beyond typical academic standards for most high school students. One of the required tasks is writing the extended essay. To further understand the extended essay, we need to understand what IB’s core is, which is related to the 45 points one can achieve in IB . Out of 45 points, three of these points come from the core, which is made up of the extended essay (EE), theory of knowledge, and CAS. Performing well in the EE is critical to doing well in IB, because passing the core is a necessary component of earning the diploma. 

The EE is one of the mandatory components of the IB curriculum, and it’s a practical way of preparing students to write undergraduate-level research papers in the form of a 4000 word essay. You would choose which subject to write your EE on in relation to the subject sets you take when in IB, so you have six choices. If you were to ideally timeline the extended essay and plan all the work out early, you’d start planning a topic the first semester of your junior year (or IB year 1).

Starting early to pick a topic is an advantage many students miss, because the phase of the EE in which most students get stuck on is just finalizing a solid topic to write about. While picking a topic shouldn’t be too stressful, it is important to pick one you could enjoy writing about, as lack of interest is apparent in an essay and will come across to your examiner. 

Searching for ideas to create a topic can come from different sources, but for most people it usually begins with the subjects you’re already taking. For example, let’s say you chose to write an EE in Physics HL or SL, then it does not matter too much. You’d use the topics discussed in class content, ranging from textbooks to lectures as source material for inspiration to create a topic for yourself. 

Perhaps you found yourself particularly interested in planetary physics – you could then read more into that unit of the course and hopefully find bits of information to help create a topic. 

After finding a source of inspiration for your topic, structuring your ideas in a specific format to create a topic is important. 

On the idea of physics, a great topic would be:

Physics EE on Aerodynamics: What is the relationship between frequency and surface area against lift of the propeller of a toy helicopter?

The reason this topic is great is because we can instantly tell how specified and narrowed down the central focus of the paper is just off a glance. Narrowing down your focus in your topic allows you, as the writer, to stay on track throughout the entirety of the paper. Derailing from your topic and going out of its bounds can lead to irrelevant information, making the content of your paper essentially useless. Keep your topic narrow and make sure to follow the topic throughout the entire paper, so you end up with a concise paper that actually can conclude with a solution to whatever your paper seeks to solve. 

Additionally, using keywords in your topic that give the examiner an idea of what they’re going to read is important. In this case, the writer used “frequency” and “surface area,” telling us they’re writing a paper related to mechanics as well. 

Understanding that the topic is the skeleton of your essay, make sure to refer back to it every time you make a finding or reveal data directly relevant to answering the topic’s question. Using data and evidence that isn’t relevant to your narrowed down topic will also cause you to lose points, simply because of the lack of use for it. 

The EE is scored out of 34 total points, with grade boundaries being assigned to associated letter grades with it. The following table lists the grade boundaries with their respective letter grades:

As mentioned earlier, the EE is part of a larger component of the IB curriculum, the core of IB. The core has its own grading scheme that also determines whether or not you pass and earn the diploma. It goes by the following table:

How Does the Extended Essay Affect My Admissions Chances?

While the EE has no direct impact on your college admissions, it does impact your total IB grade. However, even though your IB grade has little impact on your college admissions, being part of IB demonstrates proof of taking rigorous classes, which will positively impact your college admissions. 

That being said, writing the EE will also make you a much better essay writer, and this could later help you in writing essays for college admissions! For more information on how your chances of college admissions look, use CollegeVine’s admissions calculator ! This tool takes into account GPA, test scores, classes, and more to calculate your admissions chances at your dream schools!

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The IB extended essay is a paper of up to 4,000 words that is required for students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program. The extended essay allows students to engage in independent research on a topic within one of the available subject areas.

The extended essay should be an original piece of academic writing that demonstrates the following student's abilities:

• Formulating a research question
• Conductig independent investigation
• Presenting key findings in a scholarly format.

Check out this article by StudyCrumb to discover how to write an IB extendend essay properly. We will give you a complete writing guide and critical tips you need for this essay type.

IB Extended Essay: What Is It?

An extended essay is independent research. Usually students choose a topic in consultation with a mentor. It is an integral part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) degree program. This means that you won't receive a degree without a successfully written paper. It requires 4,000-word study on a chosen narrow topic. To get a high score, you should meet all required structure and formatting standards. This is the result of approximately 40 working hours. Its purpose is giving you the opportunity to try independent research writing. It's approved that these skills are critical for student success at university. The following sections explain how to write an extended article with examples. So keep reading!  

Choosing a Mentor for Extended Essay

IB extended essay guidelines require supervisor meetings, totaling 3-5 hours. They include three critical reflections. A mentor won't write a paper instead of you but can help adjust it. So it is important to consult with them, but no one will proofread or correct actual research for you. In general, initially treat an essay as an exclusively individual work. So your role and contribution are maximal.

Extended Essay Outline

Let's take a look at how to write an extended essay outline. In this part, you organize yourself so that your work develops your idea. So we especially recommend you work out this step with your teacher. You can also find any outline example for essay . In your short sketch, plan a roadmap for your thoughts. Think through and prepare a summary of each paragraph. Then, expand annotation of each section with a couple more supporting evidence. Explain how specific examples illustrate key points. Make it more significant by using different opinions on general issues.  

Extended Essay: Getting Started

After you chose an extended essay topic and made an outline, it's time to start your research. Start with a complete Table of Contents and make a choice of a research question. Select the subject in which you feel most confident and which is most interesting for you. For example, if at school you are interested in natural science, focus on that. If you have difficulties choosing a research question, rely on our essay topic generator .

Extended Essay Introduction

In the introduction of an extended essay, present a thesis statement. But do it in such a way that your readers understand the importance of your research. State research question clearly. That is the central question that you are trying to answer while writing. Even your score depends on how you develop your particular research question. Therefore, it is essential to draw it up correctly. Gather all relevant information from relevant sources. Explain why this is worth exploring. Then provide a research plan, which you will disclose further.  

Extended Essay Methodology

In accordance with extended essay guidelines, it's mandatory to choose and clearly state a methodological approach. So, it will be apparent to your examiner how you answered your research question. Include your collection methods and tools you use for collection and analysis. Your strategies can be experimental or descriptive, quantitative or qualitative. Research collection tools include observations, questionnaires, interviews, or background knowledge.

Extended Essay Main Body

Well, here we come to the most voluminous part of the extended essay for IB! In every essay body paragraph , you reveal your research question and discuss your topic. Provide all details of your academic study. But stay focused and do it without dubious ideas. Use different sources of information to provide supporting arguments and substantial evidence. This will impress professors. For this section, 3 main paragraphs are enough. Discuss each idea or argument in a separate paragraph. You can even use supporting quotes where appropriate. But don't overcomplicate. Make your extended essay easy to read and logical. It's critical to stay concise, so if you aren't sure how to make your text readable, use our tool to get a readbility test . Following the plan you outlined earlier is very important. Analyze each fact before including it in your writing. And don't write unnecessary information.

Extended Essay Conclusion

Now let's move on to the final part of IB extended essay guidelines. In conclusion, focus on summarizing the main points you have made. No new ideas or information can be introduced in this part. Use conclusion as your last chance to impress your readers. Reframe your own strong thesis. Here you must show all key points. Do not repeat absolutely every argument. Better try to make this part unique. This will show that you have a clear understanding of the topic you have chosen. And even more professional will be recommendations of new areas for future research. One good paragraph may be enough here. Although in some cases, two or three paragraphs may be required.

Extended Essay Bibliography & Appendices

To write an impressive extended essay, you should focus on appropriate information. You must create a separate page for bibliography with all sources you used. Tip from us: start writing this page with the first quote you use. Don't write this part last or postpone. In turn, appendices are not an essential section. Examiners will not pay much attention to this part. Therefore, include all information directly related to analysis and argumentation in the main body. Include raw data in the appendix only if it is really urgently needed. Moreover, it is better not to refer to appendices in text itself. This can disrupt the narrative of the essay.  

Extended Essay Examples

We have prepared a good example of an extended essay. You can check it by downloading it for free. You can use it as a template. However, pay attention that your paper is required to be unique. Don't be afraid to present all the skills you gained during your IB.

Final Thoughts on IB Extended Essay

In this article, we presented detailed IB extended essay guidelines. An extended essay is a daunting academic challenge to write. It is a research paper with a deep thematic analysis of information. But we have described several practical and straightforward tips. Therefore, we are sure that you will succeed!

If topics seem too complex, turn to our top essay writers. They will accomplish any IB assignment in the best way your professor can evaluate it!  

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

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IB ESS IA - A Step-by-Step Guide To Achieve That 7!

Transform your IB ESS IA score with this step-by-step guide! Learn how to achieve that 7 and outshine your peers. Get started now!

Table of content

Structure of your ib ess ia criteria, identifying the context, results, analysis & conclusion, discussion & evaluation, applications, communication, ib ess ia topic ideas, some tips that can come handy, explain your our research topic, addresses a specific concern for the environment, justify your study's location, examining how people are responding to your questionnaire & survey, writing strength & weaknesses in the discussion & evaluation, express the weaknesses in the right way, writing a concise conclusion, don’t hold back on discussing pros & cons., …but where do i start.

From defining the structure to brainstorming topic ideas, this IB ESS IA guide will answer all your questions and provide helpful insight on how to go about your essay.

ESS, which stands for Environmental Systems and Societies, is a multidisciplinary curriculum at the standard level (SL). 

It combines the approach, procedures, and data related to the scientific side of arts and humanities.

Let us dig in further to see how to ace this baby!

In all honesty, IB Environmental Systems & Societies IA is a challenging path that necessitates applying a broad spectrum of skill sets. It is firmly rooted in a scientific investigation of ecological processes in terms of their definition and operation, as well as a study of civilizations' historical, financial, social, geopolitical, and personal relationships with the ecosystem. You would gain the competence to notice and assess the influence of the sophisticated structure of civilizations on the native environment as a consequence of completing this program.

The goal of your ESS internal assessment is to conduct research on a topic related to the environment that falls inside the purview of the IB ESS IA research question. 

It should be simultaneously associated with a significant environmental framework, which will eventually illuminate the more substantial problem via the recommendation of remedies or implementations.

Hence to break it in more accessible terms, your study will call for you to follow the process of:

• Discovering a comprehensive concern for the environment (the context of your IA) which intrigues you.
• Planning and implementing small-scale research on one or more facets of the chosen subject.
• Using the research's results and assessment to recommend solutions to the broader problem that prompted the investigation.

It might sound like a lot already but don't sweat. 

Nail IB offers a wide range of guidebooks and resource samples to save your day!

Be it a Geography IA or even Mathematics , all you'll find in our warehouse of information is gold.

Each parameter of your essay is designed to evaluate various parts of your research ability.

The details are variably assessed to indicate the proportional importance of each factor to the inquiry's general performance.

Total Weightage:  6 marks, 20%

This criterion evaluates how well you originate and investigate a global or regional identified problem for an inquiry, then evolve it into a meaningful and targeted topic of interest and create the study's objective.

You'll be asked to demonstrate an awareness of the more significant ecological issues before coming up with a specific study objective. The critical idea here will be to convey the more important point and refine it into a targeted study topic relevant to the broader problem but scaled appropriately for the inquiry's time duration and availability of resources.

To get a good grade, you'll have to explain how your research relates to the more significant issue that prompted your inquiry.

This criterion evaluates how well you've devised strategies for collecting data related to the study subject. The focus is primarily on developing the inquiry's technique. IB ESS IA enables a wide variety of technical and social science investigations. This benchmark was created with a wide variety of learning kinds in mind. The central notion would be that the approach is acceptable for the targeted research issue, that enough data is gathered to reach a result, and that the rationale is appropriately described.

This criterion evaluates your ability to acquire, organize, evaluate, and comprehend information in a manner that is relevant to the topic issue. The facts and figures must be accurately assessed to reach a meaningful conclusion. 

You are expected to detect the possibility of such a flaw and reconsider the approach before beginning data collecting or evaluation. 

Conversely, if preliminary information is scarce, secondary data sources from various databases or models might be used to enhance the information available for assessment.

Depending on the extent of the internal assessment and the time available, variation in the evidence will be more than sufficient to result in a speculative evaluation, which may highlight relationships and trends instead of demonstrating causal relationships. This has to be acknowledged, and the magnitude of the inconsistency must be considered in the outcome.

Total Weightage:  6 marks, 20%

This criterion demands you consider your research. Throughout the first case, you must assess your research approach, outlining the application's merits, shortcomings, and limits. 

Creative blocks and challenges will affect your research project at this stage. Thus, the goal would be to recognize those challenges and remark on how they affected the original study's result. Shortcomings in the research setup that surfaced during the study's execution may be addressed here. It's important to mention that while the essay doesn't have to be arranged as per the criteria's titles, the reliability of the research will be evaluated as a component of the findings. The approach will be assessed in this discussion benchmark.

You should also consider the results of your research in light of the more significant environmental concern that was brought up at the start of the internal assessment procedure.

Total Weightage:  3 marks, 10%

To score a complete 3 in this criterion, you need to dwell on the outcomes of your investigation given the broader environmental problem and indicate how the results may be implemented to solve that problem or provide a viable answer to one part of the equation. As a result, this criterion is focused on creating new standards depending on the study findings. Due to the nature of the preliminary investigation topic and the accuracy of the evidence acquired, the recommendation may be relevant in the investigation's specific setting or even in a broader area. Instead of just presenting a plan, you should defend and assess your recommendation to receive a good score.

Total Weightage: 3 marks, 10%

The said criterion determines if the essay has been delivered in or around a framework, cohesion, and simplicity that facilitates effective interaction. The communicative scoring elements consider the complete essay into account. There will be no need for your teacher to proofread your essay if it is well structured and discussed rationally. The facts and interpretations provided ought to be specific to the topic under discussion instead of a broad overview of the context of knowledge; in simple words, they must be specific.

The terminology should be specific to the topic and of a high enough standard to be used in the Diploma Course. The appropriate forms for charts, spreadsheets, and column titles, as well as the proper usage of measures, are expected.

Having the right topic is directly proportionate to a successful IA essay completion! In simple terms, choosing a topic is what your entire essay will revolve around (duh!).

Hence, what you pick cannot be just for the 'sake' of it. It needs to be of your interest and should keep you gripped throughout. After all, it is something you're going to spend endless hours with!

Here are a few IB ESS IA ideas and topics to give you a head start on picking a suitable theme.

• Examine the calorie content of various foods.
• Examine the type and quantity of trash observed in particular regions (such as beaches or other tourist destinations).
• Examine the elements that influence the reliability of estimations based on the Lincoln scale.
• Assess the nature and extent of biological indicators in marine, grassland, or poor air quality.
• Examine the impact of one element (of your choosing) on Elodea's photosynthetic activity.
• Create a study that examines a significant limitation for botanical, animal, or fungus development.
• Investigate development in a particular ecosystem. (You might utilize your survey abilities to check if the variations you notice are due to transition by matching your results to information about species that should be found in that particular area)
• Design and execute an inquiry of the elements that influence run-off subsurface level.
• Discuss the different distinct characteristics of communities at various stages of development.
• Create a test to investigate the impact of UV radiation on crops or objects.
• Investigate the effect of proximity from a roadway on lichen proliferation
• Asses the CO2 Emissions with the Shelter-In-Place Program
• The impact of constructing a new multi-purpose university building on the surrounding environments
• An examination of recent policy evaluations on carbon emissions
• How has The Rio Grande's silvery carp been impacted by urbanization in Albuquerque, New Mexico?
• A brief study of the influence of the US Border Wall on the Desert Bighorn Sheep Movement
• Assess the impact of agricultural fertilizers on river macroinvertebrates' ecology
• How is the magnitude of an individual's carbon impact influenced by their wealth?
• Can GDP be used as a proxy for a nation's fertility and mortality rates?
• Assessing the consequences of pesticide usage on biodiversity and wildlife population.
• In Arizona and California, how do soil moisture strategies impact (positively or negatively) the soil salinity levels in agricultural farmland?
• Assess how acid rain has drastic negative impacts on Brazil's rainforests.
• What impact does the dosage of NPK fertilizer have on the quantity of legumes seeds that sprout?
• To what degree does the percentage of sulphur dioxide in the air harm the life of Moscow residents?
• To what degree does the mobility mode used by Vienna Global School students impact their environmental footprint?
• How does dishwashing in the sink impact an individual's water footprint?
• Examine how amphibian populations in Mill and Nancy Creek are affected by anthropogenic trash.
• How is an individual's environmental belief influenced by their age grouping?
• Analyze the effect of deforestation on land subsidence
• What impact does income serve in the variations between a relatively low-income household's carbon impact and an upper-class household's related emissions in a metropolis like Los Angeles?
• The impact of economic growth on carbon dioxide emissions and ocean acidification
• Examine how methane generation in cattle production systems can be reduced.
• Assessment of the recycling programme at a particular school (of your choice)

The more you know how to go about the IB ESS IA, the better. Here are 8 things to be mindful of when composing your essay.

This topic needs to be tailored to the research you're doing. As the name implies, it must be stated as nothing more than a question that can be immediately addressed. Through the entire course of performing and evaluating your investigation, your research topic will move and evolve. Ensure that any citations to your research topic in your essay are consistent throughout the IA.

That would be a crucial element of your opening introduction since you will be graded on how well you tie your work to a significant environmental and scientific challenge. 

You must clearly define one main issue you believe your research will answer. 

Try to think about ecological topics you've heard about in the media, or preferably, feel from your lifestyle to see whether there are any environmental health improvements you may investigate. Wherever feasible, try back up this section with relevant studies that emphasize the critical topic!

Although it is enticing, you cannot say that the location you picked was the only option available/easy.

This is true for most IB students in any research they do. 

Nevertheless, to earn marks, you must precisely discuss how vital the topic you've picked is in your location. Any rationale that is just not "it was the simplest region for me to explore" must be provided. Attempt to come up with a variety of justifications for your decisions that appear logical to any IB ESS IA examiner reviewing your work.

You must give details on how respondents in your research could answer the presented surveys. Every questionnaire is unique and has its own set of conditions for obtaining the best results. This is why deciding on the appropriate reaction alternatives is sometimes challenging. Whatever you choose, you must provide at least a description or a snapshot of what that is.

Create a list of everything you decided to modify before the research to improve the situation and make it more durable. All of those are your strengths. Examine items under your disposal that turned out to be flawed or resulted in distorted consequences due to your activities. These are all the weaknesses your essay has.

Your weaknesses and strengths must, preferably, be interwoven. 

Identify what aspects of your research may have been accidentally impacted by your manipulating anything to discover linked weaknesses and strengths. You have a strength in which you have a better awareness of the environmental situation in that location. 

Even so, one area for improvement could be the inability to integrate your results in more extensive and diverse situations outside the chosen region.

Pick three main elements from the list of factors mentioned in the previous point that is out of your hands and lead your IB ESS IA to be opinionated. 

All of those are your restraints; hence, you need to provide a feasible solution that might be introduced in a future study to mitigate the consequences of each one. It would help if you tried to cover as much of your IA as feasible when identifying limits.

Recollect how you raised the environmental threat at the opening of your IA when you were discussing why it's vital to complete your research. So, it would help if you immediately solved your recognized environmental concern by utilizing the conclusion segment you reached from your research. 

This section is simply a two-sentence summary.

Be bold and open to uncover the possible benefits and drawbacks of the alternatives you've pondered since this will demonstrate that you have seriously considered them. In other terms, if you can identify essential defects in your proposed remedies and alternatives, you might earn extra brownie marks.

The entire process can be overwhelming, with so many hints on what to do but no clue what to start with.

Start by understanding that the research might be done on a national, regional, or worldwide scale. You can start by defining a broader perspective, conduct a relevant study on a smaller scale, and afterward analyze how the results connect to proposing answers to the more significant problem. It is also feasible to establish an international setting and then use secondary sources to conduct a fair amount of research on one component of the chosen issue. Another approach would be to base your concentrated study on a regional context since not all genuine environmental concerns originate worldwide.

The preliminary planning you do is critical to your specific investigation's performance! You must be passionate about your subject and determine if you would like to conduct an independent inquiry using questionnaires, literature reviews, ecological research, hands-on, pragmatic sample preparation, or go for secondary data collection like databases and models or a combination of all these materials.

This concludes our guide, but not the passion you would write your IA with! Although this isn't the new gold standard for your IA, it should lead to understanding what's expected of you to achieve excellent grades.

Become a part of Nail IB , register for free and keep an eye on our blogs to stay in the loop with everything you need to ace your IA. 

Happy writing!

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IB Application Essay

Learning is an activity that I like the most. Deepening my knowledge, widening my perspectives and growing as a person are the main goals I envision achieving in my life. That’s why I’m seeking the best education I can get. Besides that, I understood quite early that I want to expand my experience beyond my own country and explore more of the world. Graduating school abroad and eventually getting into a good university are some things that align with both of these realizations. I started doing research on what steps are the best to take in order to achieve this, learnt about various study programmes and discovered the IB. It immediately sparked an interest in me with the many ideas and features it represents.

Of course, to start the IB programme, the first step would be pre-IB. So, the short answer is – I want to prepare for the IB, which, as I’ve heard, is a challenging programme. However, that is one of the reasons why it appeals to me. I challenge myself in various areas, for example, last summer I decided to teach myself guitar, so I could perform in a school play. During quarantine, I started learning a coding language called C++ with the goal of creating a 2D video game one day. I like challenges because they build self-discipline and I love seeing the results of something I’ve worked hard on.

I also appreciate how the IB doesn’t focus only on academics by having CAS to encourage developing socially, ethically and creativity wise by making you think outside the box and perhaps, step out of your comfort zone. This school year, I started taking art classes to improve my drawing and creativity skills and unexpectedly it became a huge passion of mine. I think CAS could help me find even more unexpected hobbies or interests. 

Finally, since it is an international programme, I would become more culturally aware by meeting people from all around the world and finding out more about their cultures. I would learn a new language - Danish, which would help immensely if I decide to study at a university in Denmark, but I also just love language learning. I’m fluent in Lithuanian and English, speak some French, Russian, Swedish and already started learning Danish. In addition to that, the IB is accepted by many universities in Europe, which would open up a lot of options for me.

Overall, this programme, in my opinion, prepares students well for university, life and I admire its focus on critical thinking, which is especially relevant in this age of social media. Besides that, the combination of IB and Grenaa Gymnasium seems to fit me well personally. As music is a very important factor to me, it has drawn my attention that Grenaa gymnasium has wonderful conditions for musicians – practicing facilities, music cafes, concerts. The overall atmosphere of the school “clicked” to me, everything came into its place and formed this big dream, which has only grown stronger throughout these past 2 years and I still hope this vision comes true.

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How to prepare your students for the Extended Essay

The Extended Essay is a challenge for every student. How can you make sure they feel prepared rather than panicked?

But the self-directed Extended Essay is also a source of dread for many students, who fear its rigour, complexity and sheer length. The task puts their self-management skills to the test too. IB World spoke to experienced educators to find out how teachers can play a vital role in both academic and attitudinal preparation.

Start them young

The concept of writing an essay would draw a blank look from most four-year-olds. But that’s no reason why the basic building blocks of academic rigour can’t be put in place as soon as children begin school. The American International School in Cyprus (AISC), which offers the IB Diploma Programme, begins indirect preparation for the Extended Essay in its elementary grades, with research writing a key component of its Library Media Skills programme.

Four-year-olds extract information from non-fiction texts and answer ‘mini-research’ questions. “It encourages young minds to start to think about research, and early forms of research terminologies and methodologies they can build on for later grade levels,” says Sarah Washburne, IB history teacher and communications officer at the AISC.

‘Formal Research Writing’ classes commence in middle school and students are encouraged to choose a topic from those in the Extended Essay guide. In each subsequent year, students learn about different research methodologies and aspects of writing, and undertake research projects.

“Research and writing skills are scaffolded so that by the time the students begin the IB Diploma Programme, they have the skills to write a meaningful, analytical and evaluative Extended Essay,” says Washburne.

Even if students do not continue on to the IB Diploma Programme, the writing classes offer a firm foundation for their senior year final project. AISC says it has received positive feedback from parents and students about how the Formal Research Writing classes fit into the middle school curriculum.

Offer a guiding hand

Jonathan Newell, Director of college music and tutor at Brasenose College, UK, believes a formal programme of support is the best preparation for the Extended Essay. He says the school, librarian and supervisor should form a triumvirate of guiding hands. “The school needs to provide a framework that allows the necessary time for the Extended Essay process to happen, and supports the student by providing the necessary skills to complete this well,” explains Newell.

Aynsley O’Carroll, Grade 12 leader and IB English teacher at the Anglo American School of Moscow, adds such support is crucial: “Making time, offering guidance and designing calendars with the end in mind helps give students a manageable framework for completing their research and writing process.”

O’Carroll believes mentors should take on no more than six students. “Some students need much more guidance than others. Time should be made for conversations as this will help students clarify their thinking and find focus,” she adds.

Stay on track

Corinna Mansfield, library media specialist and IB Extended Essay coordinator at AISC, meets with students individually on a regular basis to track their progress and help them stay focused. What I have found is that students are usually more worried about the formatting guidelines and word count than about writing the content of their Extended Essay,” she says.

“Through the research writing classes at AISC, we alleviate some of that fear by making things like formatted citations and formal research writing part of their skill sets before they get to 11th grade.”

And what about students who just can’t get motivated or organized to face the task? “The most effective and meaningful way to help students see the importance of the Extended Essay is to celebrate and make the inquiry visible,” answers O’Carroll. “In so doing, students are more apt to feel inspired and excited about the process – it becomes transparent, interesting and valued.”

Let us know how you prepare your students for the extended essay – email [email protected]

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