Writing the Extended Essay “Most people would rather die than think; in fact they do so.” -Bertrand Russell

IB EXTENDED ESSAY

THE EXTENDED ESSAY RELAX

THE EXTENDED ESSAY It’s just a paper The myth is worse than the reality You will spend more time worrying and whining than working You think you will do it all in 1 or 2 weekends, so why not tackle it now? It’s like baking a cake – follow the recipe

THE EXTENDED ESSAY “A study in depth of a limited topic” Independent research supervised by a teacher In a topic YOU choose from one of the IB subject areas On a question YOU develop Presented in 4000 words (max.) In accordance with IB requirements

WHAT IS IT? Prepares you for independent research expected by universities Format is a formal research paper – scholarly journal Written in a scholarly voice Essay is an analytical answer to a question YOU develop.

WHAT IS IT NOT? It is NOT a review of the literature It is NOT a book report or plot summary It is NOT everything you ever learned about your subject It is NOT your opinion, your thoughts, or your beliefs

THE EE IS…….. A carefully constructed analytical answer to a very precise question Based on DATA and EVIDENCE from your research Data cited as to source

General Time Line Due Date: End of first semester your senior year This semester: thesis & beginning research, first outline Summer: research and rough draft Next semester: writing the essay

REQUIRED DELIVERABLES Topic & IB Advisor: May 3rd Research question: May 10 Bibliography: May 17 First draft of outline: EXAM Summer progress report: ~ Aug. 19* Detailed outline: ~Oct. 1*? 1st Complete Draft: ~Dec. 1*? FINAL: February 1? * Depends on final school calendar

How do we support you? Provide you with an EE supervisor based on your research question Make appointments – don’t do drive bys or drop ins Use email. Schedule summer contact

The EE Advisor Must be a Reagan teacher YOU are responsible for making appointments Will advise and guide you through the research Will complete a Supervisor’s Report at the completion of the essay (submitted with essay to IB) IB will not accept an essay w/o an Advisor.

The EE Advisor WILL NOT Tell you what to do Give you a Research Question Give you research resources Edit your work Remind you of the deadlines Chase you down

Getting to the Research Question S-T-Q Subject…. Topic…. Question….

Getting to the Research Question Choose a SUBJECT Choose a TOPIC within that subject Choose a narrow RESEARCH QUESTION that will focus your research and argument.

Choosing a Subject Step 1: READ THE GUIDELINES On my weebly: ajcraig.weebly.com Must be one of IB subjects Choose a subject that is interesting and challenging to you and that you have taken as an IB class Do background reading Essays submitted in Group 2 must be written in that language

Choosing a Subject Your essay must use scholarly language of the field so it must reflect your study of the field. It is not recommended that you do an essay in a subject you have not studied

Choosing a Topic Limited in scope and sufficiently narrow to allow you to examine an issue in depth But big enough so you may collect and/or generate data for analysis Science topics are most successful when you conduct an experiment Consult your advisor and Librarian

Choosing a Topic Read some more. If you’re not confused, you haven’t spent enough time on it yet. Keep reading. If you haven’t changed your mind, you haven’t spent enough time on it yet. Read some more.

The Research Question The MOST important part of the essay. There are NO good essays with BAD research questions. Think of the RQ as the map for the essay – don’t create a map to nowhere. Questions have “question marks” No ??, no research question.

The Research Question - It must be: Narrow Specific Non-trivial Answerable in 4000 words (max) Researchable, not speculative

BAD Research Questions ECONOMICS: Does globalization affect Turkey? ENGLISH, Group 1: What symbols are employed by F. Scott Fitzgerald?

BAD Research Questions BIOLOGY: What causes cancer? HISTORY: What was the impact of the civil rights movement? The History of _______________ (fill in the blank…smurfs, pogo sticks, shoes?)

GOOD Research Questions ENGLISH: How does the portrayal of Joan of Arc by Shaw, Anouilh, and Schiller differ? BIOLOGY: An experimental study to determine if Vitamin C levels in an orange differ in supermarket versus restaurants

GOOD Research Questions ECONOMICS: What is the impact of international coffee prices on the standard of living in Guatemala?

IB Prohibitions Cannot recycle topics/papers you have written for IB classes. (self plagiarism) Ethical considerations in design of experiments – no experiments that cause pain or stress to living organisms.

IB Prohibitions The RQ MUST be yours. One student per Research Question – this YOUR question

Know the Criteria! A. Research Question (0-2) B. Introduction (0-2) C. Investigation (0-4) D. Knowledge of topic (0-4) E. Reason argument (0-4) F. Application of Analytical skills (0-4) G. Use of appropriate language (0-4)

Know the Criteria (con’t)! H. Conclusion (0-2) I. Formal presentation (0-4) J. Abstract (0-2) K Holistic Judgment (0-4) TOTAL possible points: 36

Mark Bands 29 – 36 Excellent A 23-28 Good B 16-22 Satisfactory C 8-15 Mediocre D 0-7 Elementary E

Diploma Points Matrix TOK/A TOK/B TOK/C TOK/D TOK/E EE/A 3 2 1* EE/B 1 0* EE/C EE/D EE/E Failing

Failing Condition for the Diploma If you fail to submit an EE If you write an EE but fail to meet with your advisor If you fail BOTH the TOK paper AND the EE If you fail the EE or TOK, you must earn at least 28 points on the exams to earn the Diploma (instead of 24)*

It’s all about analysis Use EVIDENCE, DATA not description, chronological lists. This is not a ‘report.” It’s an argument with supporting information. This is NOT a review of the literature—your voice must come through loud and clear.

It’s about being a scholar Use a scholarly, professional style No “I” statements (“I think”) Use the language and vocabulary of your field Keep a Research Diary/Portfolio

It’s about the rules! Read the Guidelines Make sure your RQ is in the right Subject – your essay will be submitted to an examiner in YOUR subject This is NOT the place for interdisciplinary topics Did we mention: Read the Guidelines

It’s about the sources! Do not rely uncritically on Internet sources Analyze your sources IN your essay Primary sources over secondary sources No encyclopedia-like sources No textbooks No Wikipedia!! Range and balance of sources

Let’s talk plagiarism EACH fact, idea, quote, chart, graph, picture, number not your own must be sourced (with page number) The direct or indirect use of the words of another person MUST be sourced. Restating someone’s ideas EVEN IF not copied is plagiarism! The solution: CITATIONS Be consistent in citation style Manage sources as you do your research: research notebook/ notecards

What do you do now? Read some Extended Essays – available on my weebly – ajcraig.weebly.com Toy with ideas, talk to teachers Explore!

Pitfalls: The Research Plan for science experiments to go awry – they always do Data may be unavailable for your topic RQ may be too broad You may not have enough background to complete the research Be flexible and willing to change directions in the beginning

APPENDIX: The Presentation How to put it all together Title page (Title is NOT the RQ) Abstract of 300 words Table of contents with subheads Body of essay with subheads Bibliography (ONLY works cited and in alphabetical order) Page numbers Candidate number on every page

Pitfalls: Word Count Word count must be on title page 4000 words max for paper This does not include acknowledgements, table of contents charts and tables, annotated illustrations, bibliography or any appendices.

Pitfalls: Word Count Word count must be on title page 4000 words max for paper This does not include acknowledgements, table of contents charts and tables, annotated illustrations, bibliography or any appendices.

PRESENTATION: TITLE PAGE The Impact of Bicycle Paths on Land Use in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Susie Q. Student Candidate 0517-123 Environmental Systems and Societies Word Count: 3922 December 16, 2013

ABSTRACT Abstract of 300 words. Abstract is NOT an introduction. Write this LAST. Abstract should state: Research question being investigated The scope of the investigation The conclusion/s of the essay

TABLE OF CONTENTS Place AFTER the abstract All pages must be numbered Body of essay must have subheadings that are reflected in the TOC Index is not required

BIBLIOGRAPHY Each work cited in the essay must be listed in the bibliography Examiners match the citations to the bibliography Over reliance on limited sources will lose points

APPENDICES Not viewed as essential and examiners are not required to read Unless considered essential, complete lists of raw data should not be included