International
Baccalaureate at Colonel By
Extended Essay Information
The extended essay is an in-depth study of
a focused topic chosen from the list of approved Diploma
Programme subjects—normally one of the student’s
six chosen subjects for the IB diploma. It is intended to
promote high-level research and writing skills, intellectual
discovery and creativity. It provides students with an opportunity
to engage in personal research in a topic of their own choice,
under the guidance of a supervisor (a teacher in the school).
This leads to a major piece of formally presented, structured
writing, in which ideas and findings are communicated in
a reasoned and coherent manner, appropriate to the subject
chosen. It is recommended that completion of the written
essay is followed by a short, concluding interview, or viva
voce, with the supervisor.
The extended essay is assessed against common criteria,
interpreted in ways appropriate to each subject.
The extended essay is:
• compulsory for all Diploma Programme students
• externally assessed and, in combination with the
grade for theory of knowledge, contributes up to three points
to the total score for the IB diploma
• a piece of independent research/investigation on
a topic chosen by the student in cooperation with a supervisor
in the school
• chosen from the list of approved Diploma Programme
subjects, published in the Vade Mecum
• presented as a formal piece of scholarship containing
no more than 4,000 words
• the result of approximately 40 hours of work by
the student
• concluded with a short interview, or viva voce,
with the supervising teacher (recommended).
In the Diploma Programme, the extended essay is the prime
example of a piece of work where the student has the opportunity
to show knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm about a
topic of his or her choice. In those countries where it
is the norm for interviews to be required prior to acceptance
for employment or for a place at university, the extended
essay has often proved to be a valuable stimulus for discussion.
The extended essay and the IB learner profile
The learning involved in researching and writing the extended
essay is closely aligned with the development of many of
the characteristics described in the IB learner profile.
Students are, to a large extent, responsible for their own
independent learning, through which they acquire and communicate
in-depth knowledge and understanding. The research process
necessarily involves intellectual risk-taking and extensive
reflection; open-mindedness, balance and fairness are key
prerequisites for a good extended essay.
Relationship to theory of knowledge
Whichever subject is chosen, the extended essay shares with
the theory of knowledge (TOK) course a concern with interpreting
and evaluating evidence, and constructing reasoned arguments.
Where the two differ is in the emphasis placed on the research
process and its formal outcomes. These aspects are of primary
importance in the extended essay but are given much less
weight in TOK: in the Theory of knowledge guide (March 2006)
the section describing the TOK assessment tasks states that
“neither the [TOK] essay nor the presentation is primarily
a research exercise”. At a more abstract level, both
TOK and the extended essay promote reflection on the nature
of knowledge and on how new knowledge is produced.
International dimensions
Some extended essay subjects include cross-cultural questions
within them. Others invite such an approach. Whatever the
subject, the extended essay student should strive to find
relevant information from a diverse range of sources.
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