1. IB EXTENDED ESSAY & OTHER RESEARCH PAPERS
GOALS for this unit in IB Support:
How to choose a viable research question
BUT you’re NOT expected to choose your EE research question during this unit.
How to access, select & evaluate sources
How to recognize an excellent EE research paper

2. THE EXTENDED ESSAY
INDEPENDENT - prepares you for independent research expected in college
analytical answer to a question YOU develop from one of the IB subject areas
In-depth study of a meaningful topic
Presented in 4000 words (about 16 pages) This does not include acknowledgements, table of contents charts and tables, annotated illustrations, bibliography or any appendices.
in accordance with IB requirements
supervised by an adviser - a teacher from our school

3. What the EE (& any research paper) is 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 or your beliefs

4. What the EE (& any research paper) is:
investigation of a research question, the answer to which you don’t know
based on EVIDENCE & ARGUMENTS from your research to support your answer to the question
well constructed & ANALYTICAL
your original work (citing sources used)

5. Your EE Advisor will NOT
Tell you what to do or give you a RQ
Give you resources
Edit your work
Remind you of the deadlines & appointments
Chase you down
Approve your essay for submission if you don’t keep your appointments and deadlines with him/her

6. Your EE Advisor will: Help you narrow down your RQ
Ensure that the RQ and subject choice meets IB requirements
Read your drafts
Advise you on research & analysis
Be available to answer your questions
Approve your essay for submission & complete a report to be submitted with your EE

7. Don’t do…
Don’t recycle topics/papers you have written for any classes.
Ethical considerations in design of experiments – no experiments that cause pain or stress to living organisms.
The RQ must be yours. One student per Research Question – this YOUR question.

8. 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)
H. Conclusion (0-2)
I. Formal presentation (0-4)
J. Abstract (0-2)
K Holistic Judgment (0-4)
TOTAL possible points: 36

9. IB Points to Grades 29 – 36 Excellent A 23-28 Good B
Satisfactory C
8-15 Mediocre D
0-7 Elementary E

10. Diploma Points Matrix – 2015 (you need at least 24 points for the diploma)
TOK/A
TOK/B
TOK/C
TOK/D
TOK/E
EE/A 3 2 No
diploma
EE/B 1
No diploma
EE/C
EE/D
EE/E

11. Where to start? You need a topic which is exciting and meaningful to you, so brainstorm: – individually – for 5 min:
List 5 of your favorite classes. For each course, think of lessons, projects, discussions, & readings & list the ones that:
intrigued you
made you think you could do this for a living
made you talk nonstop
morally outraged you
broke your heart, disturbed you
made you feel exceptionally smart
opened a whole new world to you
left you unsatisfied--there was so much more to discover
puzzled you--something just didn't make sense
Now list 5 significant events from your life, amazing books, films, plays, or people, then consider the above questions once again.
Fill the paper. When you've exhausted your memory, start crossing off ideas that are less interesting, less promising, impractical, unoriginal, or redundant. Circle your favorites.

12. What to do next?
Discuss your brainstorming list with a partner
Share with the class
Read the Research Packet and highlight/underline (5 pts)
Save the packet in your binder – you’ll use it again in the future