An Introduction to the Extended Essay

An Introduction to the Extended Essay What do you already know about the Extended Essay? What don’t you know about the Extended Essay but would like to know?

Interesting Facts The Extended Essay is an independent research paper on a subject of the student’s choice The Extended Essay, together with TOK grades can add up to 3 diploma points Many students miss getting the IB Diploma by just a few points!

The Diploma Points Matrix

The Aims of the Extended Essay Pursue independent research on a focused topic Develop research communication skills Develop the skills of creative and critical thinking Engage in appropriate, subject-specific research Experience the excitement of intellectual discovery

The Extended Essay 4,000-word maximum research paper written in one of the following subject areas offered by the school and the IB Diploma Program

The Extended Essay You will begin work in IB1 The final copy is due at around Christmas of IB2 You will analyze a research question in your EE This is the hardest part! A good research question is something that is worth asking and that can be answered within 40 hours/4,000 words

Get Started Now Think of an area/subject/topic you are PASSIONATE about Focus on an subtopic within that larger idea by forming an excellent research question Find a mentor who can and will work with you Make a plan

What is Research? This is NOT a report It must “PROVE” an arguable point or analyze facets to form an arguable position It must integrate multiple sources It must use credible sources It must include your own reasoning and critical thinking

The Research Question What is the problem or issue? How can it be approached? What different sides or perspectives are there to the issue? Has this issue (or attitudes about it) changed over time? Focus on a perspective– cause/effect, relationships, origins, etc

Sample Questions History: To what extent did the Florida teachers’ strike of the 1960’s change the educational and professional climate in that state? Science: To what extent is the Chernobyl nuclear accident still affecting agriculture and public health? Mathematics: Under what conditions does the Newton-Raphson method fail? Politics: To what extent did the US’s involvement in Grenada alter American perception and presidents’ use of the War Powers Act? Art: To what extent is the kimono an art form or merely Japanese traditional costume?

Can I Research This and How? Locate serious resources Databases Journals Books Experts Consult your mentor or a personal source Primary vs. Secondary Sources Is there enough information available?

Make a Plan Make a calendar Set realistic goals Question, Sources, Notes, Thesis, Outline, Rough draft Make appointments with your mentor and your experts Make appointments to visit places important to your research (locales, libraries, people out of town)

Note-Taking Consider taking notes on note cards Prevents plagiarism Allows you to integrate sources Writes the paper itself We will model this in later meetings Keep a working bibliography, noting where you got the source

EE Structure Front Cover Research Question A relevant picture with a caption underneath Your name and candidate number “Lucaya International School” Overall Word Count (elaborate)

EE Structure Table of Contents Provide a breakdown of the investigation in the format   A. Abstract B. Introduction C. Investigation 1. [Factor 1] 2. [Factor 2] 3. [Factor 3] …etc D. Conclusion E. Bibliography F. Appendix 1. [Description] 2. [Description] …etc

EE Structure Abstract 1. Research Question • “This essay investigates the question [your research question goes here].” 2. Scope of the Investigation • “The investigation makes use of a range of primary and secondary sources:…” • “The investigation is structured in the following manner…” 3. Conclusions Reached “The main conclusions reached in the investigation are that…”   An abstract is designed to allow readers to understand quickly the contents of the extended essay. Any Abstract exceeding 300 words gets 0/2 marks.

EE Structure Introduction 1. Historical Relevance Outline why the topic / period you have chosen for study is so important to know about, and why your question within that topic is such an important one to answer. 2. Contemporary Relevance Why the issues raised by your question still have contemporary relevance.

EE Structure Investigation 1. Structure of the Investigation Outline how the investigation is structured (“The investigation will firstly consider…it will then move on to…Following this, consideration will be given to…[etc]”) 2. Source Material Outline the (a) Primary sources and (b) Secondary sources you will use. For each source referred to, explain its values (origin, purpose) and its limitations (origin, purpose). Add a footnote next to each source mentioned giving a full Harvard Author-Date reference.

EE Structure 3. The Main Debates (i) What are the main disagreements between the sources with regard to your question? (ii) Why do the sources disagree so strongly? 4. Analysis of the debate This is the main body of course essay. Proceed to examine each key argument / factor in turn. Within each paragraph, take every opportunity to consider the value and limitations of each source that you use (Origin? Purpose? Friendly or hostile witness? Untrue, or merely incomplete? Written to inform, or to persuade?), evaluating its strengths and weaknesses and reaching your own judgment at the end of each section

EE Structure 3. The Main Debates (i) What are the main disagreements between the sources with regard to your question? (ii) Why do the sources disagree so strongly?

EE Structure 4. Analysis of the debate This is the main body of course essay. Proceed to examine each key argument / factor in turn. Within each paragraph, take every opportunity to consider the value and limitations of each source that you use (Origin? Purpose? Friendly or hostile witness? Untrue, or merely incomplete? Written to inform, or to persuade?), evaluating its strengths and weaknesses and reaching your own judgment at the end of each section.

EE Structure Conclusion “This investigation has sought to answer the question ‘[your question here’].” (Restate the research question) “The evidence and arguments considered has led me to the conclusion that the answer to this question is that…” (Answer the research question as far as you are able). “Nevertheless, my studies demonstrate that there are clearly problems with reaching a final answer to the question because…” (a) weaknesses of the source material available; (b) gaps in the historical record; (c) the question produced different answers depending on “When” (short term? Long term?), “Where”, “For Whom” and “What theme” (Social? Political? Etc).

EE Structure Bibliography 1. Primary Sources 2. Secondary Sources 3. Other sources (including websites) All sources should be listed alphabetically (by author surname), using the Harvard: Author Date-Title-Publisher-Page system. Websites should be provided in a similar form using the format: Author-Date accessed-Title of page.

EE Structure Appendix Any sources included as Appendix items must be referred to within the main body of the study either in brackets like this (Appendix 1) or as footnotes. Material in the Appendix is not included in the overall word count.