The Extended Essay
What is it?
And why should I care?
The Extended Essay is a requirement of the
diploma program.
To provide students with an opportunity to:
• Pursue independent research on a focused topic
• Develop research and communication skills
• Develop the skills of creative and critical
thinking
• Engage in a systematic process of research
appropriate tot eh subject
• Experience the excitement of intellectual
discovery
IB Curriculum
Extended Essay Requirements
 Compulsory and externally assessed
 Contributes in combination with TOK; up to 3 points to
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diploma
A piece of independent research on a topic chosen by
the student in cooperation with a supervisor
In a subject on the approved Diploma Program list
A formal piece of scholarship in a form that matches
how research is done in the field
No more than 4000 words
About 40 hours of work
Concluded with a short interview with the supervising
teacher
Diploma Point Matrix
Theory of Knowledge
Excellent Good Satisfactory Mediocre Elementary
Excellent
Good
Extended Satisfactory
Essay
Mediocre
Elementary
Not
Submitted
3
3
2
2
1
3
2
1
1
0
2
1
1
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
N
N
N
N
1
0
0
0
Failing
condition
N
Not
Submitted
N
N
N
N
N
N
Changes to the EE
Same for 2009
New for 2009
 4000 words max
 strongly recommended
 300 word abstract
that supervisors spend 3-5
hours with each student
supervised
 Bibliography lists only
sources cited
 one set of assessment
criteria A-K interpreted for
each subject
 concludes with the Viva
Voce
 40 hour commitment
for student (?)
 no editing by
supervisor
 supervisor submits
predicted grade &
supervisor report
Viva Voce
(optional)
The viva voce is a short interview
(10 and 15 minutes) between the
student and the supervisor, and is a
recommended conclusion to the
extended essay process.
Students who do not attend the
viva voce may be disadvantaged.
Choosing a subject
 The essay can be done in any of the IB areas of study
 It cannot cross boundaries (e.g. a psychological look at
a biological problem) since it would not fit into one
discipline for grading purposes.
 Highly recommended that students choose a subject
they are studying since then they have been exposed to
the “way” academic study in that field is done. (A
TOK approach)
 The research and essay should align with the way work
is done in the field.
Subjects
 Chemistry
 Biology
 English
 History
 French
 Mathematics
 Each one has specific requirements for the nature of
the paper; e.g. an EE in math would look very different
from one in English.
After the Subject…what next?
 Subject (e.g. English)
 Topic (Shakespeare & Hamlet)
 Research Question (How is Hamlet a guideline for
mental illness in the modern world?)
It is a Persuasive Essay or
Investigation
 You develop an answer to your research question:
 You can only say what you can prove
 You can only prove what you can find evidence to
support
 You can only find evidence that supports your
question, if you can identify the experts in the field
 You can only identify experts in the field by searching
who the people are who write on this field and who are
respected; professors, writers
 So, you state a point, and find some evidence from a
reputable, reliable source to back it up
Criteria for Good Questions
 It meets the requirements for the subject under the EE
guide (will tell you how the RQ should be
phrased…question, hypothesis, thesis)
http://xmltwo.ibo.org/publications/DP/Group0/d_0_ee
yyy_gui_1012_1/html/productionapp3.ibo.org/publication/258/part/1/chapter/1.html
Criteria for Good Questions
 Research Question: This criterion assesses the extent
to which the purpose of the essay is specified. In many
subjects, the aim of the essay will normally be
expressed as a question and, therefore, this criterion is
called the “research question”.
Criteria for Good Questions
 However, certain disciplines may permit or encourage different ways of
formulating the research task.
 Can it be asked and answered (Is there an answer? Can info be found to
answer?)
 Can sources be found in English? (Shouldn’t be translated)
 Will you find experts whose words and work will support this? It can’t be
about how you feel or think…it is about what you can prove!)
 Is it worthwhile to answer? Does it add to the discussion in the field?
 Is the topic focused? Can it be answered in only 4000 words?
 Is the topic broad enough to discuss in up to 4000 words? Not trivial or already
answered.
 Can the topic be objectively treated? Not just conjecture or in “pseudo” areas
 Does the question fit squarely in the area of study
 Does the topic avoid hypothetical discussion? (No, what if ….didn’t happen?)
 Are all terms in the question clearly defined and understood by all in the field
Choosing a supervisor
 Once you have selected your subject and begun to
narrow down your focus, we can begin the search for a
good supervisor to match your interests
 The supervisors must be someone on staff, not related
to you and with qualifications in the subject you want
to work with them on.
 If you choose to do a paper in history, we have several
trained teachers on staff who are trained in history.
Depending on what sub-field of history you choose, we
will match you with the best person.
Supervisor/EE Mentor
 Your Mentor must be a teacher at
Ancaster
 Teachers are not required to supervise an
extended essay
 Teachers normally only supervise 3 to 4
students
 We will try to match you up
Supervisor/EE Mentor
The extended essay supervisor has
a few principal responsibilities:
 Provides advice & guidance in the skills of undertaking research
 Encourages & supports the student throughout the writing of the
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EE
Ok's the research question
Knows the regulations governing the EE & the assessment criteria
Reads & comments on first draft only – does not edit the draft
Monitors the progress
Submits a predicted grade
Completes the supervisor's report which among other things states
that the essay you are submitting is your work (so supervisor must
see enough of you and your research process to honestly say this)
Student Responsibilities
It is required that students:
 Choose an appropriate topic
 Observe the regulations relating to the EE (on website)
 Meet deadlines (sheet of dates will be posted)
 Read and understand IB Academic Honesty Policy (on
website)
 Realize that your papers will be sent in and examined by
Turnitin and you will receive an Originality report showing
any problem areas. (you will go over this with the supervisor)
 Acknowledge all sources of information & ideas in an
approved academic manner appropriate to the field of study
(Which citing style)
Ancaster Library - EE Website
http://schools.hwdsb.on.ca/ancasterhigh/library-2/
 Go to the AHS Extended Essay web site to find all of the
information and forms needed to complete the EE.
Student Responsibilities
 It is strongly recommended that students:
 Start early
 Think about and choose the research question carefully
 Plan how, when & where you will find the research material
 Plan a schedule for researching and writing the essay
 Record all sources accurately
 Have a clear structure for the essay before beginning to write
 Check & proofread the final version carefully
 Treat your supervisor appropriately according to IBO guidelines
 Seek out your supervisor or EE Co-ordinator for help early
 Use the Library and Librarians to help
 Go to our school website for direction (under IB; Extended Essay)
 Remember it is your responsibility, not anyone else’s
Responsibility of Academic
Honesty
 Read the Honour Code
Specifics for the EE:
 Important for the essay to be based on a question for
which there is no obvious answer.
 You cannot use someone else’s question
 It cannot be based on a piece of work you did for
assessment or evaluation in any other class
 It must be based on your own work
 It must include proper citations for any thoughts,
ideas, used from others.
Choose a subject first
 Go through the curriculum of your IB subjects
 It is recommended that you study a question that
relates to something in that curriculum
 Do some web searching
 Read a lot on the topic…remember you are going to
have to focus on a specific question
 Complete Form #1 and Honour Code and return to Ms.
Swackhammer in the library by Sept. 28.
That’s all for now…
Any questions?
Choosing a topic
 Narrowing it down to the form of a research question
 This takes pre:research; literature search
 Helps to have several questions
 You should check with your supervisor and work
through which one seems to offer thee best chance for
a successful paper.
 WHO IS YOUR SUPERVISOR????
Deciding on your topic
Your supervisor may help you:
 Ensure that the chosen research question is appropriate
for the subject
 Advise you on:
 Access to appropriate resources
 Techniques of information, evidence , data gathering,
and analysis
 Writing an abstract
 Documenting sources
Emphasis is placed on the
Research Process
 Choose a topic (no later than Dec. 1)
 Check the EE guide to make sure your intended
research matches the requirements for the subject
 Formulate the research question (RQ)
 Plan the investigation & writing process
 Plan a research structure (outline)
 Undertake some preparatory reading
 Carry out the investigation
A common assessment
rubric has been established
Assessment
A
-- Research Question (2)
 B -- Introduction (2)
 C -- Investigation (4)
 D -- Knowledge and Understanding of
the topic studied (4)
 E – Reasoned Argument (4)
Assessment
 F – Application of analytical and evaluative
skills appropriate to the subject (4)
 G – Use of Language appropriate to the
subject (4)
 H -- Conclusion (2)
 I – Formal Presentation (4)
 J -- Abstract (2)
 K – Holistic Judgment (4)
Time Management
 Recommended: 40 hours in total
 Work done outside of regular class time
 Attendance at Library Workshops count
towards final hours
 Consultation Sessions with supervisor
 Internal Deadlines established by
supervisor
 Final Deadline: Monday, November 29
How to Write a 4000 word EE...
 Attend the Research Skills Workshop in the
Library on Wed., June 2 @ 11:10 a.m.
 Consult the guide ($10)
 Look at exemplars (on website)
 Work in the library during free time
Definition of Malpractice
 Plagiarism
 The representation of ideas or work
of another person as the candidates
own
 Collusion
 Supporting malpractice by another
candidate, as in allowing one’s work
to be copied or submitted for
assessment by another
Definition of Malpractice
 Duplication of work
 The presentation of the same work
for different assessment components
and/or diploma requirements
 Any other Behaviour
 Which gains an unfair advantage for a
candidate or which affects the results
of another candidate
The process of writing a 4000
word essay for the first time.
Suggestions for the students...
Tackle the EE by breaking it
down into small parts.
The Research and Writing Process
The success of an extended
essay is shaped largely during
the preparatory stages.
The Research and Writing Process
 The iceberg analogy
illustrates clearly the
importance of the
analysis/research/exp
erimentation that
underpins the
completed essay.
The Research and Writing Process
Since the initial work is so crucial,
consider following the steps
preparing the extended essay.
in
The Research and Writing Process
Title
 Provide a concise title that clearly
indicates the focus of the essay.
 Do not use your research question or
hypothesis as your title.
The Research and Writing Process
 Abstract
 An abstract is not an introduction,
although there is some overlap. (250 to
300 words)
 An abstract is a synopsis of the essay.
 It also sets the tone of the essay.
The Research and Writing Process
 Table of contents
 The contents page outlines the main
sections with corresponding page
numbers.
 It also indicates the structure of the
essay.
The Research and Writing Process
Introduction
Although not listed as a criterion of
assessment, an introduction is an
important component of an
extended essay.
The Research and Writing Process
Body and development
This is the longest and most
important section.
The Research and Writing Process
Conclusion
Remember that last impressions
are lasting impressions.
The Research and Writing Process
Quotations
Use quotations judiciously and
integrate them smoothly into the
text of the essay.
The Research and Writing Process
Structure
Organization enhances the
clarity of your thesis.
The Research and Writing Process
Style
Write your essay in a style
that is clear and smooth and
in a tone that is formal and
scholarly.
The Research and Writing Process
Subheadings/chapters
Longer essays in certain subjects,
like the sciences, might require
section headings.
The Research and Writing Process
Documentation
Whether you are citing a
quotation, an idea, an illustration
or Internet information, you must
document the source.
The Research and Writing Process
Length
The most successful essays are in
the 3,200 – 3,800 word range.
[4000 maximum]
The Research and Writing Process
Formal presentation
Proofread your essay
meticulously from the title
page to bibliography.
The Research and Writing Process
Appendix
All material placed in the
appendix must be directly
relevant to your thesis.
The Research and Writing Process
Technology
The computer is simply a tool and
its effectiveness as a tool is
determined by how you use it.
The Research and Writing Process
Your next meeting with us is …
Wednesday, June 2nd @ 11:10 a.m.
Thank you.
Ms. Swackhammer
EE Coordinator
Ancaster High School