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The Extended Essay is a great opportunity for pupils to develop research and writing skills and many universities, when asked to comment on the value of the IB, mention the Extended Essay as a key strength of the Diploma Programme. Pupils often choose a research topic in the subject they wish to study at degree level, which can enhance a UCAS application and equip pupils for future success.
The EE is an in-depth study of a topic from one of the six IB subjects that a pupil is studying, or a world studies topic, which takes an interdisciplinary approach to a topic of global significance. As a 4,000-word, primarily research-based essay with academic honesty at the forefront, pupils learn how to find sources, cite them and extract the necessary information to answer their research question. Not only does the EE, alongside Theory of Knowledge, count towards the overall mark of the Diploma, it is also excellent preparation for higher education.
The process at Bryanston
Introduction to the Extended Essay
Work on the essay runs in parallel to studying the six academic group subjects, starting in the February of A3 (year 12) with an introduction to the requirements, deadlines and assessment of the EE. Pupils begin exploring which subjects and which topics they would like to study in depth. Once pupils have decided which subject area they want to concentrate on, they are assigned a supervisor, in consultation with the relevant Head of Department, who supports and guides them through the whole process. However, pupils take responsibility for their time management and progress and, in collaboration with their supervisor, work towards meeting a series of internal deadlines for the different stages of the EE.
Literature research
From February until the end of the summer term, pupils carry out their literature research independently, which allows them to devise and refine their research question so that it is focused and can be answered within the word count. During this time, they should also be meeting regularly with their supervisors and utilising the Bryanston Library services to make sure they have access to appropriate resources and are suitably on track with their research. Towards the end of the summer term of the lower sixth, all IB pupils are off timetable for a week to concentrate on their EE, ToK and Group 4 projects - it is during this period of concentrated time, that they are expected to complete the bulk of their research and finalise their detailed plan.
First draft
Pupils write the first draft of their EE over the summer break. This is an important part of the process, as their supervisor is only able to comment in detail on this one occasion. The supervisor’s feedback provides direction for pupils as to how their EE can be amended to gain the best possible mark. Further discussions can take place during this period in preparation for the final EE to be submitted before the Autumn Half Term break and ahead of the viva voce (final interview) that completes the process in mid November.