+ IB Extended Essay A Grade 11 ISM Introduction

+ Aims of the Session… A reminder of what the Extended Essay is all about… Reduce any confusion… Give you a timeline… Help you get started… Answer any questions.

+ What is the Extended Essay (EE)? …a short reminder An opportunity to produce a piece of academic investigative work on a topic that interests you… Length 4000 words (not including appendices, illustrations, bibliography, footnotes, endnotes or abstract) With an abstract within 300 words Viva-voce Your EE should represent approx. 40 hours of work

+ Aims of the EE Independent research on a focused topic Develop research and communication skills Experience the excitement of intellectual discovery Past students say the EE turned out to be the single most valuable part of their IB diploma

+ What it’s worth? Six subjects… up to 7 points each gives a total of 42 points EE + Theory of Knowledge = up to 3 Core bonus points Total Diploma = 45 points Satisfy all core requirements – CAS, ToK, EE The Diploma is awarded for 24 points and above if… At least 12 points from HL subjects At least 9 points from SL subjects No 1s no more than one 2 and no E grades for ToK & EE The DiplomaDiploma award details…

+ The ToK & EE Score Grid An E grade in Both EE and ToK = failing condition for diploma Any E grade in either ToK or EE is a failing condition unless there is a total diploma subject score of 28 or more (instead of usual 24)

+ Assessment & Grade Boundaries… 30 – 36 = A 25 – 29 = B 17 – 24 = C = D 0 – 8 = E Externally Assessed 11 criteria Maximum possible score = 36 General criteria – but subject specific guidelines Predicted grade only awarded by supervisor

+ Subject One you are already studying Enjoy / Good at Future choices - university Topic Think about an area within the subject that interests you Talk to teachers / friends / family Read / Preliminary research Title Focus – narrow area in depth 4000 words sufficient to investigate Resources available – discuss again Choosing…

+ Timeline Grade 11 Today - Kick off 31 st Jan – 4 th Feb – Lunchtime info sessions by department – attend 2 min! 9 th March – deadline for 2 proposals submitted to me 31 st March each student assigned advisor April – May - Meet advisor and – plan and research pre summer break. Grade 12 August – Meet advisor & discuss issues and progress September – EE writing day – compulsory November – Full draft submitted January – Final EE submission Late January – Viva Voce February final EE & IB paperwork completed – submission to IB

+ Problems with Extended Essays… Don’t pace your self with research and writing… too little to late! Don’t meet advisor regularly or follow their advice! Too few or poor quality data sources Essay lacks personal engagement – merely a compilation of source material

+ How to succeed… The IB Says… ‘The more background you have in the subject, the more likely you’ll write a good EE. Choosing to write your EE in a subject that is not being studied often leads to lower marks.’ ‘Make sure your research question is not too broad, too vague, too narrow, too difficult or inappropriate. A good research question is one that asks something worth asking and that is answerable within 40 hours/4,000 words.’ The Portal – High School / IBoffice / EE 50 Excellent EEs EE Guides (by subject) Check the Rubric (twice) HSMC – Archive – all A and B grade EEs for the past 5 years Teachers – Expertise and advice

+ EE Taught Subjects at ISM… Languages (A or B) Biology Business & Management Chemistry Computer Science Economics Film Geography Environmental Systems & Societies History Mathematics Physics Psychology Theatre Visual Arts

+ Additional IB EE Subjects… Dance Design Technology Human Rights IT in a Global Society Music Peace and Conflict Studies Philosophy Politics Social & Cultural Anthropology World Religions YOU NEED SPECIAL PERMISSION TO WRITE YOUR EE IN ANY OF THESE SUBJECTS

+ What Now?... Attend 2 information lunchtime sessions (31 st Jan – 4 th Feb) Talk to your teachers Read through IB EE guide Begin to think about topics Don’t just sit there and wait for something to happen! Complete and submit 2 separate EE proposal forms (again found on the portal in the High School / IB Office / EE folder) Deadline: 9 th March

+ Assigning EE Advisors… 120 Diploma Students No Staff member more than 4 EE students Departments review proposals and select the best The better the proposal the more likely to get first choices If you have a great idea – sell it well on the proposal!

+ Feeling Better Now? Any Questions?...