An introduction. What is an extended essay? a requirement for all Diploma candidates a 4000-word in-depth study of a limited topic within a subject an.

An introduction

What is an extended essay?a requirement for all Diploma candidates a 4000-word in-depth study of a limited

topic within a subjectan opportunity to engage in independent

research universities like students to have research experience

a chance to get bonus points towards the Diploma total

it should take about 40 hours to complete.

What is the extended essay?The EE is similar to a college-level

research paper. It should be well planned, including rigorous research from scholarly sources (more on this later).

It is presented as professionally as possible—the rough and final drafts will be word-processed and adhere to the requirements for “formal presentation” described in the IBO Extended Essay Guide (or EEG).

How is the EE assessed?The EE is assessed externally—this

means that, when you have turned in your final draft in the fall semester of your 12th grade year, it will be sent to an IB-trained reader/grader, who can be located anywhere in the world. That person will score your essay, and the score will be figured into your overall final diploma score.

AssessmentGeneral criteria (common to all subjects)

research question introduction investigationknowledge and understanding of topic coveredreasoned argumentevaluation and application of skills appropriate to the subjectuse of language appropriate to the subjectconclusion formal presentationabstractholistic judgment

Maximum total : 36 points!30+=A17-24=C8 or less=E

Bonus Points Toward DiplomaExtended essay A, ToK A =+3Extended essay B, ToK B = +2Extended essay C, ToK C = +1Extended essay D, ToK E = 0Extended essay E, ToK E = Diploma fail....No Extended Essay = Diploma fail....

Assessment Matrix

What sources are appropriate for the EE?

You should use scholarly sources from the very beginning of your research. This means essays, articles, and books written by professionals with advanced academic degrees in the appropriate field of study. Scholarly sources can be found in the libraries at UARK and BHS or the public library (for some subjects)

What sources are appropriate for the EE?

You should try, whenever possible, to locate and use primary sources for your EE. Your EE supervisor (a teacher at BHS with a degree in the topic area of your EE) will help you determine what primary sources would be most useful for your research question. Your EE supervisor is the person you should refer to any time you have questions about the legitimacy of a source.

What sources are NOT appropriate for the EE?

Your high school textbooks are not appropriate sources for the EE. They contain information that should become your common knowledge about a subject.

Sources found through internet search engines will probably not be appropriate. Wikipedia and other online “information” sources are not appropriate. You will consult your EE supervisor for advice on which internet sources, if any, can be used.

Choice of subject areachoose a subject you enjoy! you may choose any IB subject, but it is usually better

to choose one you are studyingBHS offers the following IB Courses:

English Group 1French Group 2Spanish Group 2HistoryPsychologyPhysicsBiologyMathMusicPhilosophy

Choice of supervisoryour supervisor must be a teacher in schoolit makes sense to ask one of your current

teachers to be your supervisor – but this is not compulsory

teachers are not required to supervise extended essays – but they can be persuadedYou need to sell them on your desire to do

the required work.Once bitten, twice shy!

teachers normally only supervise 2 or 3 IB Candidates

Don’t wait too long to find a supervisor!

Choice of topicyour supervisor may help youget ideas from previous essays

your own, previous candidates, etc.Think about what would make a good topic

of studydo not copy someone else’s topic – but pay attention to the types of topics chosen

the topic should allow you to collect information, analyze and evaluate in depth

don’t just write a summary!

The Research Questionnarrow the focus of the topic down to a research question or a hypothesis

get ideas from previous essaysthe question should be challenging – but capable of being answered!

keep referring back to the research question as you write the essay.

Examples of research questionsHistory: What effect did the newly

revolutionized military tactics and strategies have on technologies produced during World War II?

History: What were the political and economic relations between the British and the Confederacy during the American Civil War?

History: Which of King Henry VIII’s wives had the most influence over his decisions?

examples of research questionsMathematics: What is card counting within

the card game blackjack, and will it increase a player’s chance of winning?

Biology: How do differing levels of gibberellic acid affect the growth of zinnia elegans?

Research question, cont’d

Developing a research question will be one of the most crucial parts of the extended essay process. Your research question must be specific enough to answer thoroughly and meaningfully, but broad enough to justify writing 4,000 words (approximately 10 double spaced pages) about it.

requirements

The next several slides contain the overall requirements and recommendations, directly quoted from the IBO Extended Essay Guide, for the student writing the EE.

Requirements from IBO EEGchoose a topic that fits into one of the subjects on the approved extended essay list (in the Vade Mecum)

observe the regulations relating to the extended essay

meet deadlinesacknowledge all sources of information and ideas in an approved academic manner [such as MLA or APA documentation style].

Strong Recommendations for students from IBO EEG

start work earlythink very carefully about the research question for their essay

plan how, when and where they will find material for their essay

plan a schedule for both researching and writing the essay, including extra time for delays and unforeseen problems

Strong Recommendations for students from IBO EEG

record sources as their research progresses (rather than trying to reconstruct a list at the end)

have a clear structure for the essay itself before beginning to write

check and proofread the final version carefully

make sure that all basic requirements are met (for example, all students should get full marks for the abstract).

Who supervises and helps with the EE?

Mr. Chapman is the extended essay coordinator for the school. He will approve your subject choices and set deadlines for your completion of the essay.

Who supervises and helps with the EE?

You will “recruit” an extended essay supervisor—a teacher at BHS who has specialized knowledge in the subject area you choose. This person may or may not be an IB teacher.

The EE supervisor will advise you during the entire process, will read your rough draft and give you comments for revising it, and will read your final draft and submit a predicted grade to the IBO.

When do you work on your EE?During 11th and 12th grade, most of the work on your EE must be done outside of the school day. It is a project to be completed independently of your coursework.

Meetings with your EE supervisor or the EE coordinator may sometimes take place during the school day (for example, at lunchtime).

Time ScheduleFebruary – March: choose subject,

supervisor, title or topic areaApril – June: consult supervisor, clarify

research question, organize sources, make plan

June – August: write the body of the essay – submit first draft by end of August

September – December: Consult supervisor, revise, complete and hand in final essay

Final Essay Due Before End Of First Semester

More advice....Avoid plagiarism by referencing correctly

Supervisors will be instructed to look out for any academic impropriety

Keep a list of all references from the startUse note cards for all sources

Aim to be 90% finished by August! Grade 12 is a very busy year with lots of

courseworkMeet the deadlines!