A research article known as an extended essay (EE) serves as a foundational element of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. High school students often complete it in their final two years of the IB program, which are frequently in the 11th and 12th grades. The extended essay is intended to improve students' research, critical thinking, and writing abilities while enabling them to thoroughly investigate a particular area of interest.
Key elements of a lengthy essay include:
Research Question:
As the foundation for their investigation, students must develop a precise and narrow research question.
Independent Study:
On their chosen topic, students are expected to undertake independent research using a variety of primary and secondary sources. This frequently entails collecting and evaluating data, running experiments, or reading previously published material.
Word Count:
The maximum word count for the extended essay varies depending on the subject. However, it usually has between 3,000 and 4,000 words.
Supervision:
Each student has a supervisor who gives direction and help throughout the research and writing process. This supervisor is typically a teacher at the student's school.
Formal Structure:
An introduction, literature review, methodology (if appropriate), analysis, conclusion, and bibliography should all be included in the extended essay's formal academic framework. It should also follow the rules for referencing and citation in academic works.
Assessment:
IB examiners grade the extended essay externally. It is scored from 0 to 36 points, with points given for the study question, methodology, analysis, and presentation, among other factors.
Selecting a topic:
For their extended essay, students can select from a wide range of topics in the humanities, sciences, social sciences, and arts.
Multidisciplinary Strategy:
The extended essay invites students to conduct interdisciplinary research, relating their chosen topic to other academic disciplines where appropriate.
The extended essay gives students the chance to delve deeply into a subject they are interested in while also developing important research and writing skills that will help them in their future academic endeavors. It contributes to the overall evaluation of a student's performance in the program and is an important part of the IB Diploma Programme.
