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Struggling to write a successful Extended Essay that meets all the criteria and impresses your teachers?
An extended essay requires in-depth research, critical thinking, and excellent writing skills. It can be overwhelming, and the stakes are high - your final grade depends on it.
With our comprehensive guide, you'll have everything you need to succeed. We'll walk you through each step of the process with expert advice and insider tips.
Let us help you achieve academic excellence with the extended essay, whether you're a seasoned student or a first-timer feeling the pressure.
So without further ado, let’s begin!
The Extended Essay (EE) is a research-based academic paper that is a core component of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program.
It is an independent, self-directed piece of research, culminating in a word count of 4,000 words.
The purpose of the extended essay is to provide students with an opportunity to:
The extended essay is an essential component of the IB Diploma Program and for a good reason.
Here are some of the reasons why the extended essay is so important:
The first step is choosing a topic for your extended essay. Here are some tips to help you choose a topic that's right for you:
Before you choose a topic, it's important to understand the criteria that your essay will be assessed against. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the research question, the subject area, and the assessment criteria.
Brainstorming is a great way to generate ideas and narrow down your topic options. Here are some brainstorming techniques to help you get started:
Choosing a topic that you enjoy is crucial for your success in the Extended Essay. Here are some tips to help you choose a topic that you'll enjoy researching and writing about:
You must ensure that your research topic fits into one of the six designated IB subject groups, also known as DP categories. These categories include the following:
So when selecting your research topic, it's important to make sure it aligns with one of these groups to ensure it meets the requirements of the IB program.
Once you've chosen your topic for the extended essay, it's time to begin the research and writing process.
Here are some tips to help you navigate this stage:
Here are a few steps to conduct appropriate research for your next essay!
1. Choosing Sources
Choosing credible and reliable sources is crucial for the success of your extended essay. To choose sources, consider the following:
2. Taking Effective Notes
Effective note-taking will help you organize your ideas and write your essay. Here are some tips for taking effective notes:
A clear and focused research question is essential for the success of your Extended Essay. To develop your research question, consider the following:
Outlining your essay is a helpful way to organize your ideas and ensure that your essay is structured and coherent.
Your outline should include the following:
Once you have your outline, it's time to begin writing your essay. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Overall, the research and writing process for the extended essay requires careful planning and organization.
By choosing credible sources, developing a clear research question, outlining your essay, and following a structured writing process, you'll be on your way to success. With time and dedication, you can produce a high-quality essay that showcases your research and writing skills.
Ensure to complete the following steps while you are formatting your extended essay.
Formatting is an essential aspect of any academic essay, including an extended essay. It ensures that the essay is well-organized, readable, and professional-looking.
Formatting requirements may differ depending on the institution or department. So, it's essential to check the guidelines carefully before submitting your essay.
Here are some general formatting requirements that you should consider when writing your extended essay:
When conducting research for your extended essay, it's essential to give credit to the sources you use.
Citing sources not only acknowledges the work of others but also demonstrates the credibility and validity of your own research.
There are different citation styles that you can use, and the most common ones are:
Each citation style has its own set of rules and guidelines. So, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the one required by your institution or department.
When citing sources, you should include the author's name, the title of the work, the publication date, and other relevant information, depending on the type of source.
Failing to properly cite sources can lead to plagiarism, which can result in severe academic consequences.
One of the best ways to understand what an extended essay entails is by examining examples of successful essays.
These examples can provide insight into the research, structure, and writing style required for an extended essay.
Here are some examples of extended essays that can help you get a better understanding of what to expect:
When it comes to the IB Extended Essay, examiners appointed by the IB assess your work and grade it on a scale of 0 to 34. To determine your final grade, they evaluate your essay on five different criteria, each with its own point value.
Here is an overview of the criteria:
You must score at least a D to be eligible for your IB Diploma. While each criterion has a maximum number of points, the IB emphasizes that graders are not simply converting point totals into letter grades.
Instead, they use qualitative grade descriptors found on page 103 of the IB guide to extended essays to determine the final grade.
To give you an idea of how these different point values translate to letter grades, based on previous scoring methods for the EE, here is a rough estimate:
To help you better understand how your IB Extended Essay will be assessed, here is a rubric for each:
Criteria | Point Value | Description |
---|---|---|
A: Focus and Method | 6 points maximum | The research question is clearly stated and focused<br>- The research approach is appropriate and effective<br>- The essay demonstrates an understanding of the topic and research question |
B: Knowledge and Understanding | 6 points maximum | The essay demonstrates a knowledge and understanding of the subject and the research question<br>- The essay effectively incorporates relevant theories, concepts, and/or facts |
C: Critical Thinking | 6 points maximum | The essay demonstrates an understanding of the research question and the methodologies used<br>- The essay effectively analyzes and evaluates sources and information<br>- The essay demonstrates independent and creative thinking |
D: Presentation | 6 points maximum | The essay is well-organized and clearly presented<br>- The essay follows appropriate academic conventions, including referencing and formatting |
E: Engagement | 6 points maximum | The essay demonstrates a personal engagement with the research question and the subject<br>- The essay effectively communicates the significance of the research<br>- The essay demonstrates a clear and insightful conclusion |
In conclusion, writing an extended essay can be a challenging yet rewarding experience that develops critical thinking and research skills.
By planning ahead and staying organized, students can produce a high-quality essay that showcases their knowledge and understanding of the subject.
With the right approach and mindset, an extended essay can be a valuable preparation for future academic pursuits.
If you're feeling overwhelmed with your extended essay, consider seeking assistance from a professional essay writing service like CollegeEssay.org.
Our extended essay writing service can help you with every step of the process. Visit our website today to learn more and get started.
WRITTEN BY
Cathy A. (Marketing, Law)
For more than five years now, Cathy has been one of our most hardworking authors on the platform. With a Masters degree in mass communication, she knows the ins and outs of professional writing. Clients often leave her glowing reviews for being an amazing writer who takes her work very seriously.
For more than five years now, Cathy has been one of our most hardworking authors on the platform. With a Masters degree in mass communication, she knows the ins and outs of professional writing. Clients often leave her glowing reviews for being an amazing writer who takes her work very seriously.
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