A Step-by-Step Guide For Writing an Extended Essay

Struggling to write a successful extended essay that meets all the criteria and impresses your IB 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 extended essay 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!

What is an Extended Essay?

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. The maximum extended essay word count is 4,000 words. In simple terms, you can think of an extended essay as a "mini-thesis." Both involve in-depth research and a detailed exploration of a specific topic.

Purpose of an Extended Essay

The purpose of the extended essay is to provide students with an opportunity to:

• Engage in independent research
  
• Develop advanced research and writing skills
  
• Deepen their understanding of a chosen topic
  
• Demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of a specific subject area
  
• Prepare for university-level research
  

Importance of Extended Essay

The extended essay is an essential component of the IB Diploma Programme and for a good reason. 
Here are some of the reasons why the extended essay is so important:

• Develop research and writing skills: The extended essay IB requires students to engage in independent research and develop advanced research skills.
  
• Fosters critical thinking: The extended essay encourages students to think critically and analyze information independently, which is a valuable skill for both academic and personal success.
  
• Deepens subject knowledge: The extended essay allows students to deepen their understanding of a specific subject area and pursue their academic interests in greater depth.
  
• Prepares for university-level research: The skills and knowledge developed through the extended essay are invaluable for university-level research and academic success.
  
• Impacts university admissions: The extended essay is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their academic potential and passion for a subject area, which can impact university admissions decisions.
  

7 Simple Steps on How to Write an Extended Essay

Here is a complete step-by-step guide to help students write an effective extended essay.

Step 1: Choose a Strong Topic and Research Question

Start with something meaningful that can be deeply explored and clearly answered. Your essay is only as strong as your foundation: the topic and the question driving it.

How to do it:

• Pick a subject you are familiar with—one you have studied in school and feel confident navigating.
• Choose a topic that sparks your interest. If you are bored, your essay will be too.
• Narrow it down. A broad idea like climate change is too much. Focus on a specific case, region, or effect.
• Frame a research question that can be investigated. Use formats like:
• "To what extent does..."
• "How did..."
• "What role did..."

Make sure the question is not too obvious or factual. It should invite analysis, not just summary.

Check if there are enough credible sources available on this topic. If not, pivot fast.
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:

• 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

Step 2: Do Background Reading and Research

Build a solid knowledge base before jumping into arguments. Research fuels your essay. The more you know, the stronger your analysis.

How to do it:

• Start with general background sources—textbooks, encyclopedias, and summary articles.
• Identify major theories, events, or debates in your topic area.
• Use library databases, Google Scholar, or JSTOR for deeper academic sources.
• Take clear notes. Use bullet points or Cornell notes to organize ideas.
• Write source details down immediately for citation later (author, title, year, publisher, page).
• Begin forming a rough structure of how your findings might support or challenge your thesis.
• If your research question feels weak after this stage, now is the time to revise it.

Step 3: Develop Your Thesis and Create an Outline

Turn your research into a central argument and a clear plan. The thesis tells the reader what you believe. The extended essay outline shows how you will prove it.

How to do it:

• Write a clear thesis statement that answers your research question directly.
• Make sure your thesis is debatable—it should be something that can be argued, not just stated.
• Example: Instead of “The Treaty of Versailles ended WWI,” try “The Treaty of Versailles contributed more to WWII than it prevented future conflict.”
• Outline your essay by splitting it into three parts:
• Introduction: Brief context, research question, and thesis
• Body paragraphs: Group arguments logically (causes, effects, comparisons, etc.)
• Conclusion: Summarise key findings and their significance
• Decide what evidence fits where. Each section should build on the last.

Step 4: Write the Introduction

Begin your essay with context, the research question, and your thesis. The introduction tells the reader what the essay is about and why it matters.

How to do it:

• Provide background on the topic to build interest
• Clearly state your research question
• Include your thesis and explain what you aim to show
• Briefly mention how the essay is structured
• Keep the tone formal and the sentences clear

Step 5: Write the Body Paragraphs

Use each paragraph to build and support your argument with evidence. The body is where your research and thinking come together.

How to do it:

• Begin each paragraph with a clear topic sentence
• Add supporting data, examples, and expert views
• Explain how each piece of evidence connects to your thesis
• Make smooth transitions between points
• Keep each paragraph focused on one idea or argument

Step 6: Write the Conclusion

Summarise your findings and reflect on their significance. The conclusion brings closure by answering the research question and showing what was learned.

How to do it:

• Restate your thesis using different words
• Sum up the main points or findings from your body paragraphs
• Mention why your findings matter or how they can be applied
• Point out any limits of your research if needed
• Avoid bringing in new arguments

Step 7: Revise, Proofread, and Finalise

Edit for clarity and polish the details to meet professional standards. The final product should feel smooth, smart, and mistake-free.

How to do it:

• Take a break after writing, then read your essay with fresh eyes.
• Look for unclear arguments, weak transitions, and unsupported claims.
• Fix grammar, punctuation, spelling, and awkward sentence structures.
• Make sure the essay is under 4,000 words (excluding citations and footnotes).
• Read it aloud to hear clunky phrases.
• Ask a teacher, supervisor, or peer for feedback and apply it wisely.
• Double-check formatting, bibliography, and title page.
• Save the final version as a PDF or Word file before submission.

Formatting and Citations

Ensure to complete the following steps while you are formatting your extended essay.

Formatting Requirements

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. 
Your extended essay format 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:

• Font and Size: Most academic essays require a standard font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, in size 12.
  
• Margins: The margins should be set to one inch (2.54 cm) on all sides of the paper.
  
• Page Numbering: Page numbers should be placed in the header or footer of the essay, with the title page being page 1.
  
• Title Page: The title page should include the title of the essay, the candidate's name, the candidate's ID number, the subject area of the essay, and the date.
  
• Table of Contents: The table of contents should include all the headings and subheadings in the essay, along with the corresponding page numbers.

Citation Styles (APA, MLA, Chicago)

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:

• APA (American Psychological Association): This citation style is commonly used in the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and education.
  
• MLA (Modern Language Association): This citation style is commonly used in the humanities, such as in English literature, history, and philosophy.
  
• Chicago: This citation style is commonly used in history, social sciences, and some humanities.

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.

Extended Essay Examples 

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 extended essay structure and writing style. 

Here are some examples of extended essays that can help you get a better understanding of what to expect:

You can find more examples in our 'extended essay examples' blog. Give it a read to find more examples. 

Grading the IB Extended Essay

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 extended essay grade boundaries:

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)

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:

A: 25-34 points
B: 19-24 points
C: 13-18 points
D: 7-12 points
E: 0-6 points

Rubric for Grading the IB Extended Essay

Here is an extended essay rubric to help you better understand how your IB Extended Essay will be assessed:

Criteria	Point Value	Description
Focus and Method	6 points maximum	The research question is clearly stated and focused - The research approach is appropriate and effective - The essay demonstrates an understanding of the topic and research question
Knowledge and Understanding	6 points maximum	The essay demonstrates a knowledge and understanding of the subject and the research question - The essay effectively incorporates relevant theories, concepts, and/or facts
Critical Thinking	6 points maximum	The essay demonstrates an understanding of the research question and the methodologies used - The essay effectively analyzes and evaluates sources and information - The essay demonstrates independent and creative thinking
Presentation	6 points maximum	The essay is well-organized and clearly presented - The essay follows appropriate academic conventions, including referencing and formatting
Engagement	6 points maximum	The essay demonstrates a personal engagement with the research question and the subject - The essay effectively communicates the significance of the research - 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. 

If you're feeling overwhelmed with your extended essay, consider seeking assistance from an 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.