The Extended Essay

Senior 6 Introductory Session

BRITISH SCHOOL OF COSTA RICA

2013 Session

BEFORE WE START

Make a list of the most pressing questions you have at the moment about Extended Essays. At the end of this session we will try to answer all of your questions

You may also bring up myths and comments you have heard around to clarify.

Make notes during the whole presentation. You will find them useful later on.

The Diploma Programme

EE Brief Description

A requirement to obtain the IB Diploma

Externally assessed by IBO evaluators (not supervisor)

Total assessment points 0-36, of which a grade between an A to E is awarded

Represents 40 hours of work

Point relationship between TOK and EE (maximum 3 diploma points altogether) (E grade in both is automatic fail. E in one and less than 28 points is also a fail)

Opportunity for personal exploration/independent learning

Great preparation for university-style research papers

Topic chosen by YOU, but agreed upon with supervisor

Topic chosen within IB subjects taught in school

EE General Requirements

Between 3,500-4,000 words

Involves academic, critical research

Supervisor can spend a maximum of 5 hours helping you

Apply analytical and evaluative skills, and terminology appropriate to subject matter

Supervisor submits a predicted grade and a supervisor’s report to the IBO. Not revealed to student.

Concludes with the viva voce interview

EE demands a “diverse range of sources” in most subjects

EE Assessment Objectives

As an Extended Essay student you are required to:

Plan carefully, leading up to proposed topic

Develop a precise research question

Learn where to find and interpret research materials

Structure a reasoned argument to answer research question (based on research)

Apply the correct vocabulary, format and argumentative style according to the subject

EE Coordinator Role Train all supervisors and students

Provide students with a qualified supervisor

Make Extended Essay information and guidelines accessible

Provide and manage deadlines to all supervisors and students

Provide learning and researching opportunities

Resolve all pending EE issues and questions

Ship all EEs out for external assessing

Contact information: anarojas@bscr.ed.cr

Always in the English office during first break

Mrs. Wolff, IB Coordinator: twolff@gmail.com

Subject-Specific AreasWhich are my options?

Group 1 (English/Spanish)

Literature

Language and Literature

Group 2 (French B)

Group 3 (Individuals and Societies)

Geography

History / Historia

Information technology in a global society (ITGS)

Economics

Philosophy / Filosofía

Group 4 Experimental Sciences

Biology / Biología

Chemistry

Physics / Física

Environmental systems and societies

Group 5 Mathematics and Computer Science

Mathematics

Computer Science

Group 6 The arts

Visual Arts/Artes visuales

Music

Note: To obtain a bilingual diploma you want to do your Extended Essay in a language other than your Group 1 Language

IB clarifies:

To qualify as a history EE, all events discussed must take place ten years ago or more

Group 2 EEs must be written in the target language and on matters related to the target language (not Costa Rican media)

No strong links between internal assessment topics and Extended Essay

No similar topics between current students or former students

Responsibilities of the Student

Choose a topic of personal interest and invest the time defining carefully your research question

Observe and follow all EE regulations, both general and specific (“Extended Essay Guide 2013” printed copy from supervisor or in the office)

Never plagiarize, acknowledge ALL sources cited

Meet BSCR/Supervisor deadlines

Communicate with your supervisor!

Actively request appointments and attend meetings

Ask for help immediately when struggling

Address emerging issues

IB recommends

Start work early

Draft research question carefully and precisely

Plan when, where and how to obtain material for research

Plan schedule for researching and writing, including extra time for unforeseen problems

Record sources in bibliography and quotes as you read them. Do not wait until essay writing time!

Have a clear structure before writing

Check and edit essay carefully

Check and meet all basic requirements

EE Examiners recommend

Read assessment criteria and EE Guide 2013 (subject)

Read previous Extended Essays (Library)

Maintain a good working relationship with supervisor

Use the library and consult supervisor for further sources

Change research question as soon as serious problems appear for a more answerable question

Use language appropriate for the field

Show your enthusiasm for the topic in your writing

Off the Record from the IBO

Quality is important, but so is quantity. Getting as close to the 4,000 word-count is important…

…except in Math. A great paper can be 3,300 words. But usually, 3,300 words will earn very low marks.

Experimental designs are frequently a must-have for a decent grade in a science essay.

Do not choose a subject that you are just beginning to have background in. This is not the time for beginner’s exploration. This is a time for further exploration.

Things to Avoid Choosing a question that is too broad or vague, narrow,

difficult or inappropriate

Forgetting to analyze/answer the question

Ignoring the EE Assessment Criteria

Wasting time collecting data irrelevant to your question

Surfing the Internet aimlessly and uncritically

Limiting yourself to internet sources only

Plagiarizing

Simply describing or reporting other information

Repeat introduction in the conclusion

Citing sources that aren’t used

Supervisor’s Role Use knowledge in subject area to provide advice and

guidance to students

Helps define research question

Aids in the research process

Reads and comments on first draft

Submits a predicted grade to the IBO

Conducts the viva voce with student

Reports plagiarism, if suspected

Your supervisor does NOT have to: Offer/choose a topic for you

Chase you around school for meetings or deadlines

Edit/proofread your paper, only advice on ideas

Read endless numbers of drafts for you

Supervisor Selection

Students request a meeting with at least 2 potential supervisors to discuss possible topics (already proposed by you). If feasible, supervisor signs proposal form and you hand it in to the Extended Essay coordinator.

Think about at least 2 different subjects, since some subjects seem to be too popular and supervisors get booked/full very early.

Choose a teacher you will feel comfortable working with.

Ask your supervisor if they will be in school next year, to avoid any future issues regarding supervision.

Changes in subject choice need to occur very early in the process, and only when both supervisors, Extended Essay coordinator and IB coordinator agree.

The Research Process (Phase A)

Read the subject-specific guide for your subject area (starting on p. 26 of the 2013 Extended Essay Guide)

Check out past student essays in the Library (As and Bs)

Brainstorm general ideas or attempts at research questions, explaining why the topic is of interest to you

Work with your supervisor to develop a research question that is:

Answerable within 3,500-4,000 words

Focused to the subject matter

Correctly worded and unambiguous

Relevant/Important enough to be asked

The Research Process (Phase B)

Discuss with your supervisor: The location of materials for your topic (Internet, Google

books, school library, university libraries, institutional libraries, books purchased internationally, specialized journals or magazines, research databases, interviews with experts, experiments, surveys, etc.)

A proper academic referencing/citing system (APA, MLA, etc.)

A general list of sub-headings for your paper

A developing list of EE reading for background and information-gathering

Internal BSCR deadlines

Best times to meet or discuss the EE

The Research Process (Phase C)

Undertake some preparatory reading (is there enough research material, has this been done before?). If too difficult, start again with a new topic

Make sure you use scholarly sources (essays, articles, books written by professionals with advanced degrees in the field of study)

Carry out the investigation

Organize material gathered logically according to outline

Prepare for things to go wrong. You may find material that contradicts what you started with, so be ready to revise and change research question

Writing the Extended Essay

Parts of an Extended Essay

Title page

Abstract

Acknowledgements (of desired)

Contents page

Introduction

Body (development/methods/results)

Conclusion

References and bibliography

Appendices

Word limitMaximum 4000 words, minimum 3500 (20 p)

Introduction

Body (including quotes)

Conclusion

What is not included in these 4000 words

Abstract

Acknowledgements

Content page

Maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations, tables, image captions

Equations, formulas and calculations

Citations and references (whether parenthetical or footnotes)

Bibliography

Appendices

Writing the Extended Essay

Extremely precise structure

Introduction should be written after you have already developed the body of the essay (general overview)

Abstract written absolutely last (after first draft conference)

Main focus of essay is the body

Sub-headings helpful in most subjects

Include only relevant sources, citations all present and consistent

Evaluator not required to read references, bibliography, or footnotes

Planning your time

7/8 = Research Phase (Apr-Nov 2012)Student & supervisor work together to:

Explore and discuss ideasLocate appropriate resourcesDiscuss readings and ideasDevelop a suitable research questionSupervisor monitors research progress

1/8 = Writing Phase (Dec-May 2013)

Student works independently over summer to:

Organize research materialCarry out experimentsWrite EE first full draft Revision conference to discuss draftRevise and have ready the final EEInterview with supervisor about the whole experience (viva voce)

SENIOR 6

SENIOR 7

Contacting your parents

Students are required to be proactive in attending meetings, completing assignments, and communicating struggles

Parents will be kept updated of your progress on grade reports and progress reports sent home

First phone call to parents may occur after missed meetings, due dates, or failing to be in school on deadline days

This will result in after school detentions to make up for the time wasted

What is the Viva Voce?

Verbal interview

Lasts 10-15 minutes

Serves as conclusion to EE process

Opportunity for reflection

Can serve as plagiarism/malpractice check

Used to bolster holistic assessment

Should end on a positive note

Extended Essay Grade Boundaries

A 29 – 36

B 23 – 28

C 16 – 22

D 8 – 15

E 0 – 7