Extended Essay
(EE)
Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
The Extended Essay is
 compulsory for diploma
programme students
What is the Extended Essay?
 A formal piece of scholarship of no more than
4,000 words based on extensive independent
research
 4,000 word upper limit includes intro, body,
conclusion, quotations

Does not include:





Abstract
Contents page
Citations
Works cited
Appendices
The Extended Essay is
 chosen from a list of
approved subjects
 the result of
approximately 40 hours
of student work over 1
& ½ years
 Scored by IB, not East
teachers
EE and ToK Diploma Points
 EE + ToK: 0-3 Diploma Points
 A grade of ‘E’ (lowest grade) on the EE raises
the total number of required DP points (28)
 A grade of ‘E’ in EE & ToK is an automatic
Diploma Programme failure
Why? Aims of the EE
 Pursue independent research on a focused
topic
 Develop research and communication skills
 Develop creative and critical thinking skills
 Engage in a systematic process
 Experience intellectual discovery
Why? Objectives
“Reading maketh a full man,
conference a ready man, and writing
an exact man.”
Sir Francis Bacon (1625)
 Formulate a precise research question
 Gather and interpret material from
appropriate sources
 Structure a reasoned argument in response
to the research question
 Support the argument with evidence
 Acknowledge sources (WC list)
 Use subject appropriate
terminology/language
Who?
 You, of course!

Independent investigatory and writing
experience
Who?
 Well, mostly you.

You will have the assistance of a faculty
supervisor who will serve as your guide.
Role of the Supervisor
 Meet with student (total: 3-5 hrs)
 Assist with EE fundamentals

EX) writing a research question
 Possess knowledge of EE rules/guidelines
 Read and comment on first draft
 Submit predicted grade and brief report
 Conduct ‘viva voce’ (exit interview)
The Iceberg Model
 7/8 = Pre-Writing Phase
 Student and Supervisor work
together to:
 Explore and discuss ideas
 Locate resources
 Discuss readings and ideas
 Develop suitable research
question
 Supervisor monitors
progress
 1/8 = Writing Phase
 Student works independently
to:
 Write EE draft
 Prepare the final EE
How are supervisors assigned?
 You will be assigned a supervisor based on
selected subject area, personal preference
and supervisor availability
Where?
 This is not a class that regularly meets.
 Research and writing is conducted mostly on
your own time.

Make use of KE’s excellent library resources




Online databases & physical books
Library staff! (aka your new best friends)
Meetings with supervisor @ KE
Off campus libraries – UB, Erie County,
databases
When? EE Timeline
 In general:

Junior year


Summer between junior year & senior year


all pre-writing & rough draft
Time away from the EE 
Fall senior year: revise and write final draft

Due February
Students should
 Read several EE samples in different subject areas
 Pick a subject and topic of genuine interest
 Avoid picking a subject just to work with a “popular
teacher”
 Meet deadlines

Components count as a grade
 Start early (procrastination kills)
 Build in time for unexpected problems
 Meet with your supervisor
 Be academically honest
Academic Honesty
 Student is ultimately responsible
 Work or ideas of others must be fully and
correctly acknowledged
 The EE submitted must be the authentic
work of the student
 Both plagiarism and collusion (working
with others) are forms of malpractice
Deadlines: Junior Year
 September 28, 2012: Read extended essay
guide including subject area guides for your
subject
 October 19, 2012 : Read 3 example EEs
(from KE IB website), complete comment
sheet, select subject
 November 2, 2012 : Supervisor will be
assigned
 January 2013: Working research question
finalized
EE Junior Year continued
 February - April 2013 : Acquire sources
 April 2013 : Annotated bibliography
 April - June 2013 : Develop working outline,
meet with supervisor to discuss outline
 June 2013 : Finalize outline with supervisor
 July - August 2013 : Write first draft
Timeline: Senior Year
 September 2013 : Submit first draft for
commentary to your supervisor
 October - December 2013 : Rethink, Revise,
revise, revise, edit and proofread
 Viva Voce w/ supervisor

Interview with supervisor, EE coordinator, DP
coordinator
 January 2014 - Submit paper to IB
Ultimately, you are responsible for your EE.