• IB Logo  The Extended Essay

     

    Aims of the Extended Essay

    The extended essay, including the world studies extended essay, offers the opportunity for IB students to investigate a topic of special interest, in the form of a 4,000-word piece of independent research. Students select an area of research from Diploma Programme subjects, or in the case of the interdisciplinary world studies essay from two subjects, and become acquainted with the independent research and writing skills expected at university. This leads to a major piece of formally presented, structured writing, in which ideas and findings are communicated in a reasoned and coherent manner, appropriate to the subject or subjects chosen. It is intended to promote high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity. As an authentic learning experience, the extended essay provides students with an opportunity to engage in personal research on a topic of choice, under the guidance of a supervisor.

     

    Key Features of the Extended Essay

    • The extended essay is compulsory for all students taking the Diploma Programme and is an option for course students.
    • A student must achieve a D grade or higher to be awarded the Diploma.
    • The extended essay is externally assessed and, in combination with the grade for theory of knowledge, contributes up to three points to the total score for the IB Diploma.
    • The extended essay process helps prepare students for success at university and in other pathways beyond the Diploma Programme.
    • When choosing a subject for the extended essay, students must consult the list of available Diploma Programme subjects published in the Handbook of procedures for the Diploma Programme for the session in question.
    • The extended essay is a piece of independent research on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a supervisor in the school.
    •  It is presented as a formal piece of sustained academic writing containing no more than 4,000 words accompanied by a reflection form of no more than 500 words.
    • It is the result of approximately 40 hours of work by the student.

     

    Extended Essay Supervisor: Mr. Aaron Moul: AMOUL@AACPS.ORG

     

    Extended Essay Guide for first assessment 2018

     

     Advice for students

     

    Extended Essay Exemplars

    History Sample A

    History Sample B

    History Sample C

    Biology Sample A

    Psychology Sample A

    Language and Literature Sample A

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