The IB Extended Essay

The Extended Essay is one of the core components of the IB Diploma!

ToK/EE/CAS How do they relate? Must pass ToK and EE (D or better) Must meet requirements for CAS

Why Take TOK/EE Seriously? *ToK and EE count for Bonus Points! –The band descriptors are: –A Work of an excellent standard –B Work of a good standard –C Work of a satisfactory standard –D Work of a mediocre standard –E Work of an elementary standard.

Bonus Points Good! Not So Much…..\Mis. TOK Forms, Handouts\IB Diploma minimum requirements.rtf IB Diploma Minimum Requirements:

In this Case the bonus points aren’t necessary-- Student y gets –4 HL Math –4 HL Eng. –4 HL Bio. –4 SL Spanish –4 SL Econ. –4 SL Hist. –24 pts total- –D in ToK –C in EE –Completed CAS You are good! IB Diploma awarded!

In this case, the bonus points do matter-- Student x gets –4 HL Math –5 HL Eng. –2 HL Bio. –6 SL Spanish –5 SL Econ. –5 SL Hist. –27 pts total- BUT, they haven’t averaged 4 on HL (a failing condition) However, they got a B on EE and a C in ToK, so they get +1 making 28, which mitigates a single failing condition.

Extended Essay Overview The first steps.

Basics…the extended essay is 4000 words (max) Independent Self selected Research driven In an official IB subject area

Aims…(from the EE Handbook) Pursue independent research on a focused topic Develop research and communication skills Develop creative and critical thinking skills Engage in systematic research appropriate to the subject in a topic of your choice Experience the raging excitement of intellectual discovery!

Objectives (1) Plan and pursue a research project with intellectual initiative and insight Formulate a precise research question Gather and interpret material from sources appropriate to the research question

That means… Developing an appropriate question… –Clear –Achievable –Appropriate Actually doing RESEARCH –Appropriate to question –Achievable –Genuine

Objectives (2) Structure a reasoned argument in response to the research question on the basis of the material gathered That means… Have an argument. Have a structure that bests facilitates the argument Support the argument with RESEARCH!

Objectives (3) Present EE in a format appropriate to the subject, acknowledging sources in one of the established academic ways Use methodology and terminology appropriate to the subject with skill and understanding

Objectives (4) Apply analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject, with an understanding of the implications and the context of their research

Getting it done… Choose a subject and a supervisor With the advice of the supervisor, formulate an appropriate research question and plan Work independently, with occasional guidance Meet the progress deadlines Stay focused and committed Finish!

Research! It takes work –Reading –Lab –Library –Interviews –(and MAYBE the internet) RE- search, do it over, and over, and over, and over…that’s what the word means.

Writing… Developing drafts –Word count is guide for scope, not a finish line –Serious revision (new conclusions, changing context, evaluating data, shifting perspective, critical/theoretical lenses) Revise, Revise, Revise –NOT just spell-check

Musts… Must fit your topic into an IB subject area Must have a supervisor from FHS Must have an appropriate question and research plan Must meet deadlines

My role…EE Coordinator Deadlines and scheduling Conferring with supervisors Collecting and distributing Offering final preparation tips and guidelines Answering questions as necessary

Supervisor’s Role FHS faculty Subject area advice Assess project –Focus/scope –Appropriateness –Achievability –Final product Confer with coordinator

YOUR role… Develop topic and question Develop research plan Execute plan Develop paper Consult with supervisor and coordinator as needed Turn in awesome paper!

Subjects… Group 1- Language Group 2- Language Biology Business and Management Chemistry Classical Greek and Latin Computer Science Dance Design Technology Economics Environmental Systems and Societies Theater Visual Arts Film Geography History Human Rights ITGS Math Music Peace and Conflict Studies Philosophy Physics Politics Psychology Social and Cultural Anthropology World Religions

1 st Assignment Read Chapter 3 of the EE Handbook-- pages (in-class) Pick a Subject- Study relevant subject area in EE guide (see website) Choose an FHS supervisor and confirm with them Turn in proposal of subject area, topic, research question, supervisor—Due 2/11