Extended Essay or EE

Your extended essay is an activity designed to develop your learner profile. Through your research, you will become a better inquirer and more knowledgeable. Throughout the writing process you will become more reflective and a better communicator. Many other attributes of the learner profile will also be positively impacted as you learn and grow through your research.

This 4,000-word research paper is a required element of your IB program. You must score a D or better on your EE in order to be awarded your diploma. Your EE will be marked by an IB grader, not your teachers. However, you will have an EE coordinator/adviser to help you along the way. 

It is expected that you will choose a topic related to one of the courses you are taking. This will provide you with enough background knowledge on the subject to get you started. Please keep in mind, if you choose an EE topic related to ESS, it must be different than your Internal Assessment. It cannot use the same data or research question. 

Formatting your essay

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Your EE must be in the correct academic style. Format it as follows: 
  • Font: nothing fancy or difficult to read (try Calibri, Arial, or TNR)
  • Size: 12 points
  • Double-spaced
  • Pages numbered according to MLA format
The following CANNOT appear ANYWHERE in your EE
  • your name
  • your candidate number
  • the school's name
  • the school's candidate number
Word count
  • 4,000 words
  • examiners will not read past 4,000 words
  • includes
    • introduction
    • main body
    • conclusion
    • quotations
    • footnotes 
  • does not include
    • contents page
    • maps, charts, diagrams, annotated diagrams
    • equations, formulas & calculations
    • citations/references

Structuring your EE

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Your EE must have the following elements IN ORDER:
  • Title Page
    • ​title
      • ​clear & focused
      • shows the RQ
      • NOT phrased as an RQ
    • Research question (RQ)
    • subject EE is registered for
    • word count
  • Contents Page
    • ​all pages must be numbered
    • includes references to all sections
  • Introduction
    • ​tells the reader:
      • ​focus of essay
      • scope of RQ
      • sources used
      • line of argument
  • Body of EE
    • ​contains research, analysis, discussion and evaluation
    • should: 
      • ​be presented as a reasoned argument
      • show relevant evidence
      • show where/how evidence was discovered
      • how evidence supports argument
  • Conclusion
    • ​what has been achieved
    • notes on limitations
    • unresolved questions
    • summative conclusion
  • References & Bibliography
    • ​​use MLA format per RPBHS guidelines

Assessing your EE

Your EE is assessed in a similar way to your IA - using markbands. Your work is awarded marks on a 'best-fit' basis. The five criteria are as follows: 
Criterion
Maximum Marks
A: Focus & method
6
B: Knowledge & Understanding
6
C: Critical Thinking
12
D: Formal Presentation
4
E: Engagement
6