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 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!

Understanding 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, culminating in a word count of 4,000 words. 

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 Program and for a good reason. 

Here are some of the reasons why the extended essay is so important:

• Develops research and writing skills: The extended essay 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.

Choosing a Topic

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:

Understanding the Criteria

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 Techniques

Brainstorming is a great way to generate ideas and narrow down your topic options. Here are some brainstorming techniques to help you get started:

• Mind maps: Draw a circle in the middle of a piece of paper with your main topic idea, then draw lines out from the circle with related subtopics and ideas.
  
• Freewriting: Write down everything that comes to mind about your topic for a set amount of time, without worrying about grammar or structure.
  
• Listing: Make a list of all the topics that interest you or that you have knowledge in, then narrow down the list by eliminating topics that are too broad or too narrow.

Choosing a Topic That You Enjoy

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:

• Consider your passions: Choose a topic that you're passionate about, whether it's a particular subject area or a specific research question.
  
• Look for inspiration: Read books, articles, and other sources to find inspiration and ideas for your topic.
  
• Talk to your teachers: Your teachers can offer guidance and support in choosing a topic that's appropriate for the subject area and meets the assessment criteria.

Choose a Topic that Falls into 6 Approved DP Categories  

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

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.

Research and Writing Process

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:

Conducting Research

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:

• Appropriate sources: Make sure to choose sources that are appropriate for the subject area and research question.
  
• Reputable sources: Ensure that the sources you use are up-to-date, relevant, and reputable. Some common sources include academic journals, books, and reputable websites.
  
• Balance: Strive to include a variety of sources to ensure a balanced approach to your research.

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:

• Use a system: Choose a note-taking system that works for you, whether it's outlining, summarizing, or highlighting.
  
• Keep track of sources: Record the sources you use, including author, title, and publication information, to make referencing easier.
  
• Analyze information: Analyze the information you gather and make connections between different sources to develop your own ideas. 

Developing a Research Question

A clear and focused research question is essential for the success of your Extended Essay. To develop your research question, consider the following:

• Specificity: Ensure your question is specific and relevant to the subject area.
  
• Manageability: Your question should be manageable in scope and allow for in-depth analysis and exploration.
  
• Significance: Your question should be significant and meaningful, addressing a gap or issue in the field.

Outlining the Essay

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:

• Introduction: Your introduction should provide background information on the topic, explain the significance of your research, and include a clear thesis statement outlining your research question and main argument.
• Body: The body of your essay should be structured around key points and subheadings that support your thesis statement. Each paragraph should focus on a single idea and include evidence and analysis to support your argument.
• Conclusion: Your conclusion should summarize your main points, restate your thesis statement, and provide a final reflection on the significance of your research.

Writing the Essay

Once you have your outline, it's time to begin writing your essay. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Stay focused: Keep your research question in mind and ensure that each paragraph and section supports your argument.
  
• Use evidence: Use evidence and analysis to support your claims and ensure that your essay is well-supported.
  
• Edit and revise: After writing a draft, edit and revise your essay to ensure clarity, coherence, and accuracy.

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.

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. 

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:

• 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.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Order Now

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.

Examples of Extended Essays

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:

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 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)

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

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Order Now

Rubric for Grading the IB Extended Essay

To help you better understand how your IB Extended Essay will be assessed, here is a rubric for each:

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.