Student Guide to the

Extended Essay

It’s all about the PROCESS!

The Extended Essay Requirements

Chosen from approved DP list

Involves higher level research

Opportunity for personal research

• In any IB subject taken by student

Required for all DP candidates

Independent time commitment for student

Externally Assessed

Extended Essay Requirements

4000 word maximum

300 word abstract

No editing by supervisor

Supervisor guides process with each student

TOTAL assessment points 0-36

Point relationship between EE and TOK

New Regulation for 2010

if “E” grade earned on either the extended essay or TOK essay is failing condition

• 28 points (on exams) required to earn diploma

Grade “A” on either assessment earns 1 extra point even if the other is a grade “E”.

• Still failing condition

• Attaining a grade “E” in both the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge continues to represent an automatic failure.

Relationship between EE and TOK

Aligned with TOK for awarding of points

Both require interpretation / evaluation of evidence and formation of reasoned arguments

Differs from TOK essay in that EE places emphasis on research and outcome

Both help develop academic writing skills necessary for college

Page 6

TOK and EE Sample Topics

TOK Topics ‘It is more important to discover new ways of

thinking about what is already known than to discover new data or facts’. To what extent would you agree with this claim?

Discuss the claim that some areas of knowledge are discovered and others are invented.

Extended Essay Research Question

JRR Tolkien has been criticized for the seemingly exclusive masculinity of his The Lord of Rings trilogy. To what extent is The Lord of the Rings an empowering work for the female?

What College Writing Is…

Academic writing done by scholars for scholars.

• “…being a scholar requires that you read, think, argue, and write in certain ways.”

Academic writing devoted to topics and questions that are of interest to the academic community. (purposeful topics)

• “When you write an academic paper, you must…find a topic or question that is relevant and appropriate.”

Academic writing [presents] the reader with an informed argument.

• “To construct an informed argument, you must first try to sort out what you know about a subject from what you think about a subject.”

--quoted from The Dartmouth Writing Project

The Iceberg Model

7/8 = Pre-Writing/Draft Phase Student and Supervisor work together to:

• Explore and discuss ideas

• Locate resources

• Discuss readings and ideas

• Develop suitable research question

• Supervisor monitors progress

1/8 = Writing Phase Student works independently to:

• Write EE draft (5 page increments) • Revise draft based on conference

w/supervisor

• Prepare final EE and conform with guidelines for formal presentation

EE Grade Boundaries as of 2009

A 29 – 36

B 23 – 28

C 16 – 22

D 8 – 15

E 0 – 7

Page 10

Extended Essay Results – May 2011

Details—Subject Specific Guidelines

Specific Subject Criteria (p. 34 – 175)

Each Subject Area Includes:

• Overview of subject

• Choice of topic

• Treatment of the topic

• Interpretation of assessment rubric Students Must Know Subject Specific Details

and Criteria in order to select a subject for study.

Student Responsibilities

Choose a topic that fits into a subject area approved for the extended essay

Observe all extended essay regulations.

Meet deadlines and keep appointments.

Maintain a good working relationship with the supervisor.

Learn to conduct efficient and meaningful research.

Use the library and consult with your librarians.

Avoid plagiarism and malpractice

Student Responsibilities

Learn to use the MLA handbook.

Learn to participate in meaningful dialog with your supervisor. Be prepared for meetings.

• Relates to Criterion K: Holistic Judgment

Plan a schedule for research and writing.

Acknowledge all sources of information.

• Plagiarism is an act of malpractice

Structure the essay.

Meet all assessment criteria of the chosen subject area.

Check and proofread the final version carefully.

Academic Honesty

Student is ultimately responsible

Work or ideas of others must be fully and

correctly acknowledged

Supervisor confirms that the EE submitted is the

authentic work of the student

Both plagiarism and collusion are forms of

malpractice

Same piece of work, or two versions of same,

cannot be submitted by student

What is the Viva Voce?

Verbal interview.

Lasts between 10-15 minutes

Serves as conclusion to the Extended Essay process

Opportunity for reflection

Conducted by the supervisor