I.B. Extended Essays

1. I.B. Extended Essays An introduction

2. 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 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.

3. 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).

4. 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.

5. Assessment • General criteria (common to all subjects) • research question • introduction • investigation • knowledge and understanding of topic covered • reasoned argument • evaluation and application of skills appropriate to the subject • use of language appropriate to the subject • conclusion • formal presentation • abstract • holistic judgment • Maximum total : 36 points! • 30+=A • 17-24=C • 8 or less=E

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

7. Assessment Matrix

8. 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 UofAand BHS or the public library (for some subjects)

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Choice of subject area • choose a subject you enjoy! • you may choose any IB subject, but it is usually better to choose one you are studying • BHS offers the following IB Courses: • English Group 1 • French Group 2 • Spanish Group 2 • History • Psychology • World Religions • Physics • Math • Other subject areas need specific approval of Mr. Chapman and require a teacher with expertise in that area to agree to advise you

12. Choice of supervisor • your supervisor must be a teacher at BHS • it 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 persuaded • You need to sell them on your desire to do the required work. • Once bitten, twice shy! • teachers normally only supervise1 or 2 IB Candidates • Don’t wait too long to find a supervisor!

13. Choice of topic • your supervisor may help you brainstorm • get ideas from previous essays • your own, previous candidates, etc. • Think about what would make a good topic of study • do 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!

14. The Research Question • narrow the focus of the topic down to a research question or a hypothesis • the question should be challenging – but capable of being answered! • keep referring back to the research question as you write the essay • The question should not be trivial – this is an academic endeavor

15. Examples of research questions • History: 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?

16. examples of research questions • Mathematics: What is card counting within the card game blackjack, and does it really increase a player’s chance of winning? • Biology: How do differing levels of gibberellic acid affect the growth of zinnia elegans?

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. Requirements from IBOEEG • choose a topic that fits into one of the subjects on the approved extended essay list (in the IB Extended Essay Guide) • observe the regulations relating to the extended essay • meet deadlines established by the EE Coordinator (Mr. Chapman) or your advisor • acknowledge all sources of information and ideas in an approved academic manner [such as MLA or APA documentation style].

20. Strong Recommendations for students from IBO EEG • start work early • think 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

21. 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).

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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).

25. Time Schedule • Refer to the Extended Essay Work Schedule provided to you by Mr. Chapman. • There are several milestone due dates for certain aspects of the EE process. • Follow these guidelines carefully and faithfully to avoid undue stress at the end of the EE process

26. 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 start • Use note cards for all sources • Aim to be 90% finished by August! • Grade 12 is a very busy year with lots of coursework • Meet the deadlines!