… as well as World Studies, an interdisciplinary topic combining two or more subjects from the Diploma Programme that explores one of the following global themes:
- Language, culture and identity
- Science, technology and society
- Equality and inequality
- Conflict, peace and security
- Economic and/or environmental sustainability
- Health and development
For more information, please see pages 360 - 369 in the
The supervisor-student working relationship is probably the most important one in the Extended Essay process. The EE supervisor will advise students during the entire process such as confirm research questions, read final draft and give comments for revising it and submit a predicted grade to the IBO. It is the student's responsibility to select the appropriate supervisor for their EEs. While selecting supervisor, students are advised to consider the following issues: S/he
is interested in the topic and available to work with
What supervisors can do:
What supervisors cannot do:
If students give
Tips on choosing a supervisor...
If you are not certain of who you would like to be your advisor, I would start by creating a list of your top three choices. Next, create a list of pros and cons (I know this sounds tedious, but it really helps!).
For example, Mr. Green is my favorite teacher, and we get along really well, but he teaches English, and I want to conduct an experiment to compare the efficiency of American Hybrid Cars to Foreign Hybrid Cars. Ms. White teaches Physics, I had her a year ago, and she liked me. She could help me design my experiment. I am going to ask Ms. White!
Do NOT just ask your favorite teacher to be your advisor. They may be a hindrance to you if they teach another subject. I would not suggest asking your Biology teacher to guide you in writing your English EE.
EXCEPTION: If you have a teacher who is passionate and knowledgeable about your topic (as my English teacher was about my Theater topic), you can ask that instructor. Consider all of your options first before you do. There was no theater teacher at my school, so I could not find a theater-specific advisor, but I chose the next best thing.
Some IB high schools require your IB Extended Essay advisor to sign an Agreement Form. Make sure you ask your IB coordinator if there is any required paperwork. IBO does not require any paperwork. If your school needs a Form signed, make sure you bring it with you when you ask a teacher to be your EE advisor.
Some teachers may just take on students because they have to and may not be passionate about reading drafts and may not give you a lot of feedback. Choose a teacher who will take the time to read several drafts and give you extensive notes. I would not have gotten my A without being pushed to make the draft better.
Ask a teacher that you have experience with through class or an extracurricular activity. Do not ask a teacher that you have no connection to; a teacher who does not know you is unlikely to push you.
Note: The IBO only allows advisors to suggest improvements to the EE, but they may not be engaged in writing the EE. The IBO recommends that the supervisor spends approximately 3-5 hours in total with the candidate discussing the EE.
Source: PrepScholar, available at https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-guide-to-ib-extended-essay-tips-grading-guideline-and-sample-essays
After choosing the subject for your extended essay, the next step in the research process is to define what your research is going to focus on - the topic.
At this stage you need to explore:
Your research topic:
Tips to choose a research topic:
Details tips on how to choose a Research Topic
[Developing a Topic video by Oregon School Library Information System]
[“Writing a Research Paper.” World News Digest. Infobase Learning, n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2017. ]
The research question (RQ) derives from the title and is expressed as a question that is intended to be answered through researching and writing the EE. It appears on the title page and could also be visible as a header throughout the essay. It should:
• be clear and focused
• provide a path through which you can undertake achievable research
• use keywords that connect with the topic, the title, and the DP subject or world studies area of study
• support the development of an argument
1. Cannot Google the answer!
2. It should be broad enough to explore (40 hours) and narrow enough to be manageable (4000 words)
3. It does not repeat what is already known
4. It adds value to the existing knowledge
5. It expands on existing knowledge or frames it in a new context
Sample Research Questions
What is the history of Chinese theater? | How does the legacy of Mei Lan Fang contribute to modern Jingju? |
What was the impact of Ho Chi Minh’s allegiance to Lenin? | To what extent was nationalism the guiding factor in Ho Chi Minh’s adoption of Leninism in 1920? |
How important is chlorophyll to plant life? | What is the effect of different concentrations of kinetin on leaves aging and the biosynthesis of chlorophyll? |
How has grooming products changed over the time? | How has the portrayal of men in male grooming products changed from the 1980s to date? |
Five steps to developing a research question
1. Choose a topic within a subject that is of interest
2. Carry out preliminary reading.
3. Consider the emerging questions
4. Evaluate the question
5. Consider research outcomes
Note: Sometimes students may need to revise their research question; therefore, a research question should always be considered provisional until they have enough research data to make a reasoned argument.
The following video and pictorial presentations may guide you on how to formulate a research question:
Lekanides , Kosta . Extended Essay Course Book: Oxford IB Diploma Programme . OUP, 2016.
Working on a specific area of research and engaging with different sources of information and data, you may expose to different and new perspectives on issues and topics. At this stage, you need to construct a r esource Plan, identifying all the resources needed to complete the essay. You should also produce a schedule indicating when each resource will be used and note any assumptions and constraints made during the resource planning process. IB suggested that students should use both primary and secondary sources for their research. However, students should use secondary data as the basis of their EE, supported where appropriate by primary research. The sole use of secondary sources is permitted and will allow students access to all levels of the EE assessment criteria (IB EEG, p.146).
Primary vs Secondary Sources
Whether conducting research in the social sciences, humanities (especially history), arts, or natural sciences, the ability to distinguish between primary and secondary source material is essential.
Primary sources are materials that are direct or firsthand evidence about an event, object, person, or as close to the original source as possible. | Secondary sources describe, discuss, interpret, comment upon, analyze, evaluate, summarize, and process primary sources. analyzes based on primary sources. |
Example: | Example: *Please note that a book is simply a format. You can find primary and secondary sources published in book form |
Note: Often secondary and primary sources are relative concepts. Typical secondary sources may be primary sources depending on the research topic.
How can I find and identify scholarly sources/resources?
Not very easy! but following some strategies/ methods, one can justify the scholarly resources. The following presentation may guide you on how to search and justify scholarly resources online!
Subscribed Dat abases at ICS, Zurich
Open Access Dat abases at ICS, Zurich
These are highly recommended Open Access databases. To search your desired resource click on the selected database and explore…
DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals)
ScholarWorks (Indiana University)
HighWire (Stanford University)
BASE ( Bielefeld University Library, Germany)
Google Scholar
IB Research Database
Digital Common Networks
World Digital Library
CORE (Open Access Research Papers)
FreeFullpdf
List of Digitized Magazines
It is recommended that the student sends their supervisor an outline of their research proposal ahead of the meeting in order to give the supervisor the opportunity to review their work. Therefore, plan a Research Outline is crucial for the EE...
*Your thesis statement is the foundation of your research paper and is an answer to the research question that you formulated. Your thesis statement is not the title of your paper; it is a single sentence that summarizes the argument you intend to make or the point you want to prove throughout your paper.
Students should use their chosen style of academic referencing as soon as they start writing. That way they are less likely to forget to include a citation. It is also easier than trying to add references at a later stage. Regardless of the reference style adopted by the student/school for a given subject, it is expected that the minimum information given includes (IB EEG, p.81):
• name of author
• date of publication
• title of source
• page numbers as applicable
• date of access (electronic sources)
Please, educate yourself with the IB Effective citing and referencing documents !
What to Cite and How to Cite
For the In-text citation and bibliography, follow the minimum requirements as summarized in this presentation.
More resources
Commence Reading
It is important to adapt how you read to suit the material and your purpose for reading. Depending on what you are reading and why, you will find some of the following strategies useful. The following are the effective reading strategies adapted from Charles Darwin University:
Skimming ( click and scroll down)
Keyword Spotting@Key information
Analytical Reading
Critical Reading
Reading Difficult Texts
Commence Research
If you are undertaking an Extended Essay on any subject you are required to complete some research. Research generally involves two different types: primary and secondary research. Once students have identified their topic and written their research question, they can decide how to research their answer. Consider your research goals, and whether they can be met by secondary research, or require primary research. The definition of “research” and terms such as “primary data” and “secondary data” varies from subject to subject. In some subjects, students must use both primary and secondary data. In others, students may, or even must, rely exclusively on secondary data.
Primary vs Secondary Research
Primary Research | Secondary Research |
---|---|
(field research) involves gathering new data that has not been collected before. It is based on raw data. | (desk research) involves gathering existing data that has already been produced. It is based on analyzed and interpreted information. |
Example | Example and industry publications |
Considering the complexity of research, all students must carry out secondary research in terms of a literature review for their topic (IB, EEG, p. 111). The purpose of secondary research is to:
Use of Scholarly resources
It is also important that you consult relevant and reliable scholarly and peer-reviewed sources in your research. You need to evaluate all the sources that you use for your secondary research. The authority and credibility evident in scholarly sources will improve the quality of your paper or research project. Moreover, the use of scholarly sources is an expected attribute of academic coursework.
How can I tell if a source is scholarly?
Not very easy but following some strategies/ methods such as ABCDE, CRAAP, CRAB methods, one can justify the scholarly resources. The following presentation may guide you on how to search and justify scholarly resources online!
Research Skills Guide: Brought to you by...
Oregon School Library Information System@ Learn how to do Research
State Library of Victoria@ Research Skills
Kentucky Virtual Library@ How to do Research
Writing the extended essay
The structure of the essay is very important. It helps students to organize the argument, making the best use of the evidence collected. Six required elements of the extended essay:
Title page Contents page Introduction Body of the essay Conclusion References and bibliography
Integrate others' ideas through Paraphrasing, Summarizing and Quieting
In academic writing, we have to incorporate other ideas and research findings to our research. Now the question is how do we do that? Quoting, paraphrasing and summarizing are the three main ways of integrating others’ ideas in your academic work.
Writing Tips: Brought to you by...
Purdue University-OWL@ Academic Writing
Cambridge Rindge & Latin School@ Writing an Introduction
Cambridge Rindge & Latin School@ Writing a Conclusion
Plagiarism Tutorials: Brought to you by...
University of Sydney Library
Vaughan Memorial Library
Plagiarism Quizzes: B rought to you by...
Turnitin
Staffordshire University
You are highly encouraged to read the document "How to Write a Research Paper" at Research Guide . <https://icsz.libapps.com/libguides/admin_c.php?g=664309&p=4700645>
The length of the extended essay
The extended essay should be written in a clear, correct and formal academic style, appropriate to the subject from which the topic is drawn. Given that the extended essay is a formally written research paper, it should strive to maintain a professional, academic look.
To help achieve this, the following formatting is suggested:
• the use of 12-point, readable font
• double spacing
• page numbering
• no candidate or school name on the title page or page headers
• the essay should be a maximum of 4 000 words (the examiner won’t read anything past this cut off point!)
• the file size must not be more than 10 MB.
Note that the RPPF is uploaded separately and is not part of the overall file size of the essay!
Word counts
The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays. Examiners are instructed not to read or assess any material in excess of the word limit. Please refer to the following guidance on what content should be included in the word count (IB EEG, pp. 82-83):
Included in the word count | Not included in the word count |
---|---|
The introduction | The contents page |
The main body | Maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations |
The conclusion | Tables |
Quotations | Equations, formulas and calculations |
Footnotes and/or endnotes that are not references | Citations/references (whether parenthetical, numbered, footnotes or endnotes) |
The bibliography, appendices, survey form | |
The Reflections on planning and progress form | |
Headers |
Exception: Students writing their extended essay in Japanese or Chinese should use the following conversions:
• Japanese: 1 word = approximately 2 Japanese characters (upper limit 8,000 characters)
• Chinese: 1 word = approximately 1.2 Chinese characters (upper limit 4,800 characters)
There are two types of assessment identified by the IB:
• Formative assessment informs both teaching and learning. It is concerned with providing accurate and helpful feedback to students and teachers on the kind of learning taking place and the nature of students’ strengths and weaknesses in order to help develop students’ understanding and capabilities. Formative assessment can also help to improve teaching quality, as it can provide information to monitor progress towards meeting the course aims and objectives.
• Summative assessment gives an overview of previous learning and is concerned with measuring student achievement.
Assessment of the extended essay is a combination of formative assessment (the Reflections on planning and progress form) and summative assessment (the extended essay itself). However, generic assessment criteria are used with subject-specific interpretations.
What are the criteria to assess the Extended Essay?
There are five (A-E) criterion to assess the EE and each criterion is organized at three levels of information. Firstly, the markband , which relates to the mark range available; secondly, the strand , which relates to what is being assessed; and, thirdly, the indicators , which are the demonstration of the strands within a markband.
Criterion A: Focus and method – This criterion focuses on the topic, the research question and the methodology. Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding – This criterion assesses the extent to which the research relates to the subject area/discipline used to explore the research question. Criterion C: Critical thinking – This criterion assesses the extent to which critical-thinking skills have been used to analyse and evaluate the research undertaken. Criterion D: Presentation – This criterion assesses the extent to which the presentation follows the standard format expected for academic writing and the extent to which this aids effective communication. Criterion E: Engagement – This criterion assesses the student’s engagement with their research focus and the research process.
Overview of the Criteria
B: knowledge and understanding | C: critical thinking | D: presentation | E: engagement | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Topic • Research question • Methodology | Context • Subject-specific terminology and concepts | Research • Analysis • Discussion and evaluation | Structure • Layout | Process • Research focus |
Mark | Mark | Mark | Mark | Mark |
6 | 6 | 12 | 4 | 6 |
How is the Extended Essay assessed? All extended essays are externally assessed by examiners appointed by the IB. They are marked on a scale from 0 to 34. The score a student receives relates to a band. The bands are:
As the extended essay is an important component of the Diploma Programme, and a substantial piece of work, students need to ensure that they understand the expectations of the task and manage their time and workload effectively. The following suggestions are given as guidance to help with the process.
Students are strongly recommended to:
• develop a Researcher’s reflection space as a planning tool
• use the Researcher’s reflection space to prepare for reflection sessions
• share excerpts from the Researcher’s reflection space with the supervisor during the reflection sessions
• choose a subject, followed by a topic, and then think carefully about the research question for their essay
• plan how, when and where they will find material and sources for their essay before deciding on the final topic and research question
• plan a schedule for both the researching and writing of their extended essay, including extra time for delays and unforeseen problems
• record sources as their research progress using their Researcher’s reflection space rather than trying to reconstruct a list at the end
• make the most of their supervision and reflection sessions by arriving prepared to discuss their work
• have a clear structure for the essay before beginning to write
• check and proofread the final version of their extended essay
• make sure that the version they submit for assessment is the final version with all sources correctly and consistently referenced
• ensure that all requirements are met
Adapted from IB EE Guide, pp.48-49.
At ICS, Zurich students are required to:
Supervisor's support:
You should think of your EE supervisor as a resource for general feedback, but do not rely on them to hold your hand through this process. You must take the initiative on all fronts, from choosing your subject to writing a plan and setting internal deadlines for yourself so that you can meet school deadlines! You will edit your EE on your own; do not expect your EE Supervisor to read, edit, or mark up your drafts in any way.
Think of it this way: The IB’s general EE guidelines require you to spend at least forty hours researching and writing your Extended Essay. In contrast, your EE Supervisor should spend no more than about 3-5 hours advising your work along the way.
That said, your supervisor can be a valuable support to you through this process - someone to bounce ideas off, clarify your understanding and support your time-management. Make them your first point of call if you have difficulties…do n't suffer in silence, they are there to help!
The supervisor-student working relationship is probably the most important one in the Extended Essay process. The EE supervisor will advise students during the entire process such as confirm research questions, read final draft and give comments for revising it and submit a predicted grade to the IBO. Supervisors must ensure that they understand the important role they play in supporting students in this process.
Supervisors are required to:
Supervisors are strongly recommended to:
Adapted from IB Extended Essay Guide, pp.46-47.
The following FREE online courses may guide you throughout your extended essay (click on the course image):
1. Developing Your Research Project
What topics will this course cover?
Academic research: principles and definition
Drafting and developing research proposals
Gathering information from literature and from findings
Research methods: choosing an appropriate methodology
Academic reading and note taking
Referencing, plagiarism, and academic integrity
Academic writing: organising sources, structuring essays
Academic writing: summarising a research project into an abstract
Academic presentations: preparation and delivery
2. Information & Digital Literacy for University Success
3. Research Writing: How to Do a Literature Review
Yes. If you do not complete the extended essay (or it does not meet minimum standards) you will be deemed ineligible to receive your IB Diploma.
No. However, it is strongly recommended that you select a topic from one of your Higher Level (HL) subjects. Other subject areas may be chosen; however, that will only be allowed if there is a qualified staff member to help so that you have every opportunity to do well in that area. If you are not currently enrolled in a course in the subject area from which you choose your EE topic, you must have a solid knowledge base in that subject area. In general, you are ‘wisest’ to choose a topic in an area that you are passionate about and currently studying at the HL.
Unlike most student/teacher relationships, for the Extended Essay, you are the one in the driver’s seat. Yes, there are deadlines and guidelines and you must meet them, but you choose your topic and you plan your research on your own and you write and edit the essay on your own. Your EE Supervisor is there as a resource if you need help, or if your essay is heading in the wrong direction or stalled. Think of your EE Supervisor as a backseat driver - you may hear “Watch out!” or “Go [write] faster!” but, ultimately, you are the one responsible for putting your foot on the pedal and making sure you are in good shape coming down the home stretch of the Extended Essay process.
Learning how to edit your own work is an invaluable skill, though it may be painful at first. Some tried-and-true tips for copy-editing as you go along:
Relax. Many students are overly worried about writing academic papers simply because they may not be able to visualize what exactly an academic paper will entail, and how it differs from the school papers they have been writing in one form or another since elementary school.
Here is the quick definition: an academic paper is a piece of formal writing (i.e., unlike a conversational tone such as what I am using now, you will most likely be using the third person voice, and should avoid colloquialisms and unfounded generalizations). At the heart of most academic papers is the thesis statement, which describes what you believe and what you are trying to prove, out of all the research and analysis you have done. All the other points in the paper will go towards supporting your thesis statement.
You will write the Extended Essay to emulate an academic journal article. Because these journal articles are published, there is often a very strict methodology for how you go about writing them. This is great for you because it means there are a lot of resources, both online and off, available to teach you about these methodologies! Good luck, and happy writing!
You will have the opportunity to explore an interesting self-selected topic in-depth. You will develop your research skills and, if applicable to your subject area, your investigative skills. As well, you will improve your presentation skills, as you will be required to use MLA/APA as a citation format and to prepare an annotated bibliography. These skills will be extremely useful in your post-secondary studies.
Yes! As noted above, if you do not submit an extended essay, or if your extended essay does not meet the minimum requirements, you will not receive your diploma. As well, your assessment on your extended essay and your ToK essay and project are combined into a point matrix. You may qualify for up to three additional points which are added to your total IB Diploma score.
Step -1: Read the key EE documents
Step -2: Record your thoughts@RRS
Step -3: Choose a subject & supervisor
Step -4: Confirm a research topic & title
Step -5: Formulate a research question
Step -6: Identify sources
Step -7: Plan a research outline
Step -8: Decide on reference style
Step -9: Commence research/reading
Step -10: Writing the essay
*Write 3 reflections according to the ICS timeline
Susan Trower from West Sound Academy
Start Working NOW!
The Extended Essay (EE) is one of the requirements of the IB Diploma Programme. It provides students with an opportunity to conduct independent research on a topic of interest to them. It is written on a freely-chosen topic as long as there is a subject teacher in school, as the candidate must have a subject supervisor.
The IBO recommends that candidates spend approximately 40 hours in total on their extended essays, and if you put it off until that last weekend, your work won't be nearly as good as it can be. Talk to your IB school supervisor, as it is his or her job to set internal school deadlines (i.e. choosing a topic, formulating an outline, rough draft, final draft, etc).
To get a diploma, you need to complete the TOK Essay and the Extended Essay. At best, you can achieve 3 bonus points towards your IB diploma, so don't ignore your schoolwork, as your courses are worth much more. The point matrix is outlined in the "Diploma Points Matrix for the Extended Essay and TOK" grid in the IBO form. You can still get your diploma if you get a "Mediocre" on one and an "Elementary" on another. NOTE: As of May 2010, an 'Elementary' on both TOK and Extended essay is an automatic fail, but you may still pass with an 'Elementary' on either one, just not both. An 'Elementary' on either is a so called 'failing condition' which requires a minimum 28 points rather than the usual 24 to obtain your diploma.
However, you can make a very good essay, provided you allot yourself enough time to write about something you are interested in. The IBO knows that you are between 16 and 18 years old and thus does not require a perfect essay or a groundbreaking new discovery. They just want to see that you can work on and complete a big project.
You'll want to write about a topic or subject you're fairly familiar with. For instance, if you've nailed the process of writing labs, do a science investigation. It'll be just like a big lab write-up, and writing the method, materials, qualitative/quantitative observations are all part of the word count, and take up a significant amount of words.
Find out if there are competitions or scholarship opportunities in which you can enter your essay. Why not kill two birds with one stone and head off to university with a scholarship? If you don't win, at least you'll get feedback, something the IBO neglects to give.
Everyone wants to write a good Extended Essay, but just remember that it's really not as overwhelming as it sounds. Some candidates will find their first drafts are in the 6,000 to 8,000 range, while others will reach about 2800-3500. In fact, keep in mind that 4,000 words is the maximum word count and not where you must get to. While most essays have a word count in the 3,900 range, it is perfectly acceptable to submit an essay that is 3,500 words. While there is no actual minimum word count, you would probably want to write over 3,000 words, since a short essay might imply that the topic was not investigated thoroughly enough. However, some topics - mathematics among them - may require only 2,000 words to fully investigate them.
Keep legible, consistent and accurate notes that include bibliographic information. There's nothing more annoying than browsing through a 1200 page book looking for where that key quotation came from. Cite your sources in a consistent manner (either in MLA or APA format, or some other recognized format). IBO is very strict with plagiarism, so remember that the text has to be your own and do not forget to make references. You will have to sign an IBO form certifying that your EE is your own, and has no unsourced material in it, before they will even read your essay. Failure to submit an Extended Essay will result in no diploma being awarded.
Use the internet to find information but do include books in your research especially if your essay is not on the Sciences. Be skeptical in your use of the internet. Anyone can post anything, so read with a critical eye. Generally, university and academic websites are good sources to refer to. News sources are generally reliable, but be sure to stay away from "gossip" media which often contorts the truth.
Keep in mind that a general guide line used in many schools is 5 sources minimum for the IA in History, so if you are doing a History paper aim to have as close to ten sources as possible if not more for the EE.
Once you have researched your topic, you should spend a lot of time structuring and organizing your essay. Make sure your essay has a clear introduction, research question/focus (i.e. what you will be investigating), body, and conclusion. A poorly organized or unclear essay will hurt the assessment of your essay. You should also spend some time making sure that your 300-word abstract is clear and succinct in summarizing your essay. An unclear abstract will make your essay difficult to understand and will also hurt the assessment of your essay.
Although this is stated in the "General Requirements" for the Extended Essay, I feel it is necessary to repeat: if you are doing a paper in a subject not offered at your school, be very careful , especially if doing your paper in World Religions. You might want to either reconsider your choice of topic, or make sure you have several people with good credibility in that topic reading your paper. If you don't, especially in World Religions, you could end up offending your reader, and I promise you, you do not want to do that.
You can do your extended essay on any topic for which an IB class exists - i.e. something like Islamic History, which only about 100 candidates a year write about. However, you cannot do your extended essay in Theory of Knowledge, most pilot subjects and school-based syllabus subjects (check with your IB coordinator). Bear in mind that getting a good score in your extended essay, combined with your score for your Theory of Knowledge essay, may reward you with up to 3 bonus points. So aim high!
The IBO's official guide to writing the Extended Essay can be found here: http://xmltwo.ibo.org/publications/DP/Group0/d_0_eeyyy_gui_1012_1/html/production-app3.ibo.org/publication/258/part/1/chapter/1.html
The above site is quite useful in perusing tips and hints for writing the essay, in addition to viewing the IBO standards for the essay. Note that the above link is for consideration purposes only.
"three: The Ultimate Student's Guide to Acing the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge" by Alexander Zouev - a book full of tips and time savers for IB EE.
Acknowledging the Work of Another Person
Caution on using footnotes and endnotes.
IB Publications on Academic Honesty
Use this checklist from IB to make sure you've done a complete job of referencing all the sources in your EE.
When you have used an author’s exact words, have you put “quotation marks” around the quotation named (cited) the original writer? (If you indent your quotation(s), quotation marks are not needed, but the author must still be cited; have you cited your indented quotations?) | |
When you put someone else’s thoughts and ideas in your own words, have you still named (cited) the original author(s)? | |
When you use someone else’s words or work, is it clear where such use starts—and where it finishes? | |
Have you included full references for all borrowed images, tables, graphs, maps, and so on? | |
Have you included the page number(s) of print material you have used (especially important with exact quotations)? | |
Have you included both the date on which the material was posted and the date of your last visit to the web page or site? | |
Have you included the URL or the DOI? | |
For each citation in the text, is there a full reference in your list of references (works cited/bibliography) at the end? Is the citation a direct link to the first word(s) of the reference? | |
For each reference in the list of references (works cited/bibliography) at the end, is there a citation in the text? Do(es) the first word(s) of the reference link directly to the citation as used? | |
Is your list of references (works cited/bibliography) in alphabetical order, with the last name of the author first? |
Students must acknowledge all sources used in work submitted to IB for assessment.
Diploma Programme students submit work for assessment in a variety of media that may include audio-visual material, text, graphs, images and/or data published in print or electronic sources. If students use the work or ideas of another person, they must acknowledge the source using a standard style of referencing in a consistent manner. A student's failure to acknowledge a source will be investigated by the IB as a potential breach of regulations that may result in a penalty imposed by the IB final award committee.
The IB does not proscribe which style(s) of referencing or in-text citation should be used by students; this is left to the discretion of appropriate faculty/staff in the student's school. In practice, certain styles may prove most commonly used, but schools are free to choose a style that is appropriate for the subject concerned and the language in which students' work is written.
The following criteria must be applied:
Adapted from "Introduction; Academic honesty, Acknowledge the work or ideas of another person", from Extended Essay Guide, International Baccalaureate Organization, 2016.
References to online materials should include the title of the extract used as well as the website address, the date it was accessed and, if possible, the author.
In other words, all electronic sources must be date stamped by including the date the student accessed the resource (for example, accessed 12 March 2016). Caution should be exercised with information found on websites that do not give references or that cannot be cross-checked against other sources. The more important a particular point is to the essay, the more the quality of its source needs to be evaluated.
IB has a caution for students using footnotes and/or endnotes in their Extended Essays:
Footnotes and endnotes may be used for referencing purposes and if this is the case will not be included in the word count of the essay.
In order to avoid confusion and unwittingly exceed the word limit, students are advised to avoid using footnotes or endnotes other than for referencing purposes unless it is appropriate.
As footnotes and endnotes are not an essential part of the extended essay students must take care to ensure that all information with direct relevance to the analysis, discussion and evaluation of their essay is contained in the main body of it.
An essay that attempts to evade the word limit by including important material in footnotes or endnotes will be compromised across the assessment criteria. Please note that footnotes and endnotes are added to the word count as they are encountered.
Extended Essay Guide, International Baccalaureate Organization, p. 86, 2016.
For information on academic honesty in the IB Diploma Programme, see these IB publications:
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For more information, including examples of different materials in the different styles of referencing, as outlined by the IB, please follow this link.
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To participate, submit your response here by Aug. 9 at 9 a.m. Eastern. This week’s winners will be announced by Aug. 21.
By The Learning Network
Welcome to the ninth week of our 15th Annual Summer Reading Contest .
Every week for 10 weeks this summer we’re asking students “What got your attention in The New York Times this week? Why?” To participate in Week 9, choose something to read, watch or listen to in The Times and submit a response that answers those questions by 9 a.m. Eastern on Aug. 9.
You can choose anything that was published in the print paper or on nytimes.com in 2024, including articles, photos, essays , videos , podcasts or graphics . We hope you’ll click around to find your own great pieces, but we also know that not everyone who participates has a Times subscription so, each week, you’ll find dozens of free links to interesting articles, features and multimedia below.
Students are invited to submit responses in the form of a 250-word comment OR a 90-second video. Please see the requirements for each type of response below and read the full rules and guidelines in our contest announcement before making your submissions.
Your responses will be read by New York Times journalists and staff, as well as educators from around the world. We’ll choose at least one favorite answer to feature on our site each week. Winners from Week 9 will be announced by Aug. 21.
What did you read, watch or listen to in The Times this week? You can respond to anything that was published online at nytimes.com, including all the sports coverage in The Athletic , or in the print paper in 2024, but, if you don’t have a subscription, here are some stories you can access through this page for free:
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Reverses Marvel’s Box Office Slump
Warning of ‘Extreme’ Agenda, Biden Calls for Supreme Court Overhaul
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The extended essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper. One component of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) core, the extended essay is mandatory for all students. Read about the extended essay in greater detail. You can also read about how the IB sets deadlines for ...
t be included in the word count of the essay. If information is contained in a footnote or endnote and is not a refer nce, this must be included in the word count. In order to avoid confusion and unwittingly exceed the word limit, students are advised to avoid using footnotes or endnotes other than for
How Long Is IB EE? Minimum and Maximum Word Count As a seasoned IB writer, I've seen my fair share of extended essays ranging from the succinctly brilliant to the lengthy and sprawling. So, let's cut to the chase: What exactly is an IB extended essay, and why is its word count crucial? This essay, a cornerstone of the International Baccalaureate diploma, challenges students to focus on a ...
Crafting a successful IB Extended Essay? Learn about the core components such as word count, paragraph length and research sources, along with helpful resources like templates for structuring and formatting your essay.
Want help on the IB Extended Essay? Here's our complete guide, full of example ideas, essay topics, timeline, step by step plans to get a great score on your essay.
The research process When researching the extended essay, students should do the following. Choose the approved Diploma Programme subject for the extended essay. Read the assessment criteria and the relevant subject guidance. Choose a topic. Formulate a well-focused research question.
the title of the essay the research question the subject the essay is registered in (if it is a language essay also state which category it falls into; if a world studies essay also state the theme and the two subjects utilized) word count The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays.
"The title page should include only the following information:" Title of the Essay Research Question Subject for which the Essay is registered Category - If a Language A or B Essay Theme & 2 Subjects utilized - If a World Studies Essay Word Count - must be between 3,900 - 4,000 words (no more, no less) Do not include: Contents Page maps charts ...
The Extended Essay (EE) is an independent, self-directed academic research, presented in the form of a 4,000-word paper. One component of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) core, the extended essay is mandatory for all students. The final work is given a grade from E to A, and makes up part of each student's final IB score. These are our thoughts on how to do well ...
What Is a Word Count for Extended Essay? As someone who has cut through the complexities of the International Baccalaureate or IB program, I feel it is necessary first to clarify what an Extended Essay (EE) entails. The Extended Essay is a cornerstone of the IB diploma, a task that challenges students to conduct independent research on a topic of their choice. In my experience, understanding ...
The ultimate IB extended essay guide to help you to understand the core elements of an extended essay with a step-by-step process for scoring higher IB grades.
The essay has a maximum count of 4,000 words, with most successful essays hovering just under the limit. You will need to select a research question under your topic, conduct independent research, and write an essay of your findings.
Extended essay minimum word count is 3,500 words. This includes the main body of the essay but does not include the abstract, contents page, bibliography, or any appendices. However, it is important to note that meeting the minimum word count is not necessarily sufficient to produce a high-quality Extended Essay.
Planning your essay It is vital to plan your essay before you start writing. An essay plan provides an outline of your argument and how it develops. Reread your EE Subject Guide. What MUST your essay include? Make a checklist to refer to throughout your essay.
Quick note: The content on this page will not be included in your essay word count. With this, we come to the end of our article on what is an IB extended essay and how to write an extended essay.
Title page The title page should include the: title of the essay research question subject for which the essay is registered if it is a language essay also state which category it falls into; if a world studies essay also state the theme and the two subjects utilized) word count.
Extended EssayThe Extended Essay(EE) is a mandatory core component of the IB Diploma Programme. It is a research paper of up to 4,000 words giving students an opportunity to conduct independent research or investigation on a topic that demonstrates their passion, enthusiasm, intellectual initiative and/or creative approach for their chosen topic. Like the theory of knowledge (ToK) essay, ToK ...
While most essays have a word count in the 3,900 range, it is perfectly acceptable to submit an essay that is 3,500 words. While there is no actual minimum word count, you would probably want to write over 3,000 words, since a short essay might imply that the topic was not investigated thoroughly enough.
A guide to the research and writing process required for students completing the IB Extended Essay.
The length of the extended essay. The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays. This upper limit includes the introduction, the body, the conclusion and any quotations, but does not include: • the abstract. • acknowledgments. • the contents page. • maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations and tables.
For more information, including examples of different materials in the different styles of referencing, as outlined by the IB, please follow this link.
I don't know if anything's changed since 2008, but the advisory word count is wholly dependent on what subject you're doing your extended essay on. History and English EEs are traditionally the longest ones, and should aim for that 3500 - 4000 word count window.
The length of the extended essay. The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays. This upper limit includes the introduction, the body, the conclusion and any quotations, but does not include: • the abstract. • acknowledgments. • the contents page. • maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations and tables.
Yes, this is included in the word count. Requirements for video responses Use a phone to shoot your video vertically (so it looks like the videos you might see on TikTok or Instagram Reels ).