From the Initial Idea to the Finished Product. How to
Produce an Effective Essay.
Assumptions by the end of this presentation
 That you have a basic understanding of what the
IB Extended Essay is about.
 That you have thought about the subject and
topic area in which you wish to undertake your
EE.
 That you will begin doing some research into your
subject choice (probably in one of your Higher
subjects) in order to develop a draft title. Only
if you have a draft title or TOPIC AREA you will
you be able to gain a supervisor in January.
Background and Basics
 All IB Diploma students have to submit an
Extended Essay of 4000 words. In addition there
will be an abstract of 300 words.
 Non-IB Diploma students must submit an
Extended Essay of 2000 to 2500 words.
 Can it be in any IB Subject (?) Can not be on the
same topic as another piece of internal assessment
you are submitting as part of the IB?
 Students must have an Extended Essay Supervisor
who will guide them through the requirements of
the essay. This will probably be one of your class
teachers.
Background and Basics
 The supervisor must be a teacher at Bangkok Patana
School and will spend approximately 2-6 hours advising
you over the whole process. You can not use an outside
tutor.
 The IB recommends you should spend about 40 hours on
the essay.
 It is your responsibility to arrange regular meetings with
your supervisor and to keep to all deadlines set by them
(see booklet). You must also ensure that you arrive
prepared. Your supervisor does not have the time to have
unproductive meetings with you.
 Failure to meet deadlines will put the entire Diploma in
question. You have until November to complete the essay
but you will need to work consistently throughout the
process.
Background and Basics
 You need to research independently and
extensively using a minimum of ten sources.
(except in Language A1)
 Commit regular time to work on your Extended
Essay.
 Extended Essays chosen in a Group 1 or 2 language
must be written in that language. (language
comparison studies are great for bilingual
Diploma students)
 The Extended Essay is marked in sections out of a
total of 36 marks.
 The supervisor is there to guide you but it is your
essay. Do not expect them to choose all readings,
decide on the exact title, edit multiple drafts in
detail etc.
Background and Basics
 Ensure that your focus is narrow enough to
allow for in depth development in 4000 words.
Discuss this with your supervisor and ask to
see previous Extended Essays in your subject
area. All previous essays are kept in my office
and can be read in the college/careers area.
 Plagiarism in the Extended Essay and in all IB
subjects is taken very seriously and can result
in a failed Diploma.
 The maximum grade for an Extended Essay is
A. The minimum is E. An E in both the
Extended Essay and TOK is a failing condition
of the Diploma. Other combinations of
grades can gain up to 3 bonus points.
Between now and the End of Year 12
 Ensure that you arrange regular meeting times
with your supervisor once they are assigned in
January. The frequency and length of the
meetings is for you and them to decide. It
should be at least monthly. It is your
responsibility to attend, to complete the
necessary reading and to initiate discussions.
 Commit regular time in school to work on the
essay as well as at home (1 double period per
fortnight is recommended)
 Make sure you do not lose your ‘little green
book’ once you get it in January.
Between now and the End of Year 12
 Make sure that your supervisor is happy with your
final question and approach to it. If you can not
find resources or are unsure of the direction you
are taking you must inform them.
 Actively search for sources. Contact libraries,
companies, individuals, universities in Thailand
and abroad, complete surveys etc. If you are
planning to go to your home country in July ask
your local university in advance if you can use
their library, speak to professors etc.
 Please don’t risk your Diploma by doing nothing
until the last minute. The deadlines are nonnegotiable. No-one must fail their Diploma over
the Extended Essay. They haven’t here, Yet!!!
Between now and the End of Year 12 continued
 Familiarise yourself with the criteria for
assessment (see booklets when you get them)
 Focus tightly on the criteria. Do not throw
away marks through not following technical
requirements of the essay eg word limit, page
numbering, contents page, abstract etc (this is
frequently commented on in reports eg
History May 2005. Presentation is very
important)
 Remember that you will be expected to make a
presentation on ‘your Extended Essay to date’
at the end of Year 12 to a group of your peers
and supervisor.
Final Recommendations
When you have secured a supervisor talk to them regarding:
 The research question.
 The abstract.
 Formal presentation and referencing.
 Always set yourselves targets . (see booklet)
 Stick to the deadlines outlined in the back of the ‘little
green book’ and look carefully at the level descriptors and
discuss what you need to do to attain the higher levels.
 Remember the best essays are clear, well researched, are
linked closely to the criteria and show some originality.
 Ask your supervisor to go through the subject specific
Extended essay report with you.
 Refer to this power point on Year 12/Tutorial/Link and learn
as necessary or see me if you haven’t got a supervisor by the
end of the designated week.
And remember
 The EE is more important than just the final
product!!!