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Courses | What Is The Diploma | Diploma Timeline | Theory of Knowledge
Creativity, Action, Service | Extended Essay | Advice | College Information Ethics

Extended Essay

As part of the IB Diploma Program candidates must complete a formal research paper during their IB Diploma studies. The Extended Essay is an integral part of the IB program. Its process and completion emphasizes independent research, candidate dedication, academic interest, and organization. IB Diploma Recipients often say that the lessons they learned from the Extended Essay are the most valuable part of the IB Diploma Program. At JEB Stuart each candidate is assigned an Extended Essay advisor early in the 3rd quarter of the junior year. The student begins work on the essay at that time and works in monitored steps toward completion of the Extended Essay the first day of 3rd quarter in the senior year. Students pursuing the IB Diploma are required to choose a topic from within an IB subject they are studying.

Upon embarking upon their Extended Essay quest, all IB Diploma candidates receive an Extended Essay handbook, complete with detailed instructions, suggestions for the research and writing process, and a timeline of required deadlines.*

Excerpts from the International Baccalaureate Organization’s Extended Essay Guide:

The extended essay is defined as an in-depth study of a limited topic within a subject. Its
purpose is to provide candidates with an opportunity to engage in independent research.
Emphasis is placed on the process of engaging in personal research, on the communication of ideas and information in a logical and coherent manner, and on the overall presentation of the extended essay in compliance with these guidelines. Many of these general issues, such as the way in which information is handled, the level of analysis and the quality of argument, are assessed through the general assessment criteria. This is reflected in the relative weighting of 2:1 between the general and subject assessment criteria.

The Choice of Topic
The topic of the extended essay is the particular area of study within the chosen subject.
Before a final decision is made about the choice of topic the relevant subject guidelines should be carefully considered.

Candidates should aim to choose a topic that is both interesting and challenging to them. The topic chosen should be limited in scope and sufficiently narrow to allow candidates to examine an issue or problem in depth. It should present the candidate with the opportunity to collect or generate information and/or data for analysis and evaluation. Candidates are not expected to make a contribution to knowledge within a subject.
A broad topic is unlikely to result in a successful extended essay. A topic which requires no personal research and/or requires an essentially narrative or descriptive approach is not suitable for an extended essay. Similarly, although a reliance on secondary sources is sometimes necessary, an extended essay which only provides a summary of such sources will not be successful. Writing a précis of a well-documented topic is unlikely to result in a successful extended essay.

When approached with enthusiasm and interest, the Extended Essay is a most valuable experience for students.

*Students must make substantial progress on the Extended Essay and meet progress deadlines in order to be registered for the IB Diploma their senior year.