IB Extended Essay Guide
The Extended Essay (EE) is an independent research paper of up to 4,000 words and one of the three compulsory core components of the IB Diploma Programme. It gives students the chance to explore a topic of their own choosing within a subject and to build research skills at university level.
$29.00- Programme
- IB Diploma Programme
- Subject
- Extended Essay (EE) - Core
- Level
- All DP students
- Pages
- 141 pages
- Language
- English (bilingual terms)
About this guide
The IB Extended Essay Guide walks students through the entire journey: from choosing a subject and shaping a research question, to working with a supervisor, recording Reflections on the RPPF, and drafting and editing a polished essay.
The book follows the assessment criteria (Criteria A-E) and explains how the EE combines with TOK to award the core bonus points, so students understand exactly what it takes to earn a high grade.
What is inside
- What the EE is and its role in the core points alongside TOK
- Choosing a subject and a topic that fits the list of permitted subjects
- Building a research question that is clear, narrow enough and genuinely investigable
- The supervisor's role and how to make the most of your guidance sessions
- Research methods, gathering sources and evaluating their reliability
- Structuring the EE: introduction, body, conclusion and references
- Reflections and the Reflection on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF)
- Assessment Criteria A-E and the common mistakes that cost marks
Who this guide is for
- IB Diploma Programme students preparing for or currently writing the Extended Essay
- Students unsure how to choose a subject and research question for the EE
- Students who want to master Criteria A-E to maximise their score
- Teachers acting as supervisors who need material to guide their students
- Parents who want to understand the EE requirements and follow their child's progress
How to use this guide
- Use the book to choose a subject you are genuinely interested in before settling on a topic
- Refine your research question so it is narrow and achievable within 4,000 words
- Plan around the Reflection milestones and prepare your content for the RPPF
- Follow Criteria A-E as you write so you never miss a scored component
- Record sources and cite consistently from the very start of your research
- Check your draft against the checklist in the book before submitting the final version
Questions about this guide
How long is the Extended Essay and how does it count towards the score?
The EE is an independent research paper of up to 4,000 words. Its grade combines with the TOK grade on a matrix to award up to 3 core bonus points within the DP's 45-point total.
What is the RPPF in the EE?
The RPPF (Reflection on Planning and Progress Form) records the student's three reflections throughout the EE process. It is a scored component under Criterion E (Engagement).