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International Baccalaureate (IB)

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IB students around the globe fear writing the Extended Essay, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress! In this article, I'll get you excited about writing your Extended Essay and provide you with the resources you need to get an A on it.

If you're reading this article, I'm going to assume you're an IB student getting ready to write your Extended Essay. If you're looking at this as a potential future IB student, I recommend reading our introductory IB articles first, including our guide to what the IB program is and our full coverage of the IB curriculum .

IB Extended Essay: Why Should You Trust My Advice?

I myself am a recipient of an IB Diploma, and I happened to receive an A on my IB Extended Essay. Don't believe me? The proof is in the IBO pudding:

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If you're confused by what this report means, EE is short for Extended Essay , and English A1 is the subject that my Extended Essay topic coordinated with. In layman's terms, my IB Diploma was graded in May 2010, I wrote my Extended Essay in the English A1 category, and I received an A grade on it.

What Is the Extended Essay in the IB Diploma Programme?

The IB Extended Essay, or EE , is a mini-thesis you write under the supervision of an IB advisor (an IB teacher at your school), which counts toward your IB Diploma (learn more about the major IB Diploma requirements in our guide) . I will explain exactly how the EE affects your Diploma later in this article.

For the Extended Essay, you will choose a research question as a topic, conduct the research independently, then write an essay on your findings . The essay itself is a long one—although there's a cap of 4,000 words, most successful essays get very close to this limit.

Keep in mind that the IB requires this essay to be a "formal piece of academic writing," meaning you'll have to do outside research and cite additional sources.

The IB Extended Essay must include the following:

  • A title page
  • Contents page
  • Introduction
  • Body of the essay
  • References and bibliography

Additionally, your research topic must fall into one of the six approved DP categories , or IB subject groups, which are as follows:

  • Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
  • Group 2: Language Acquisition
  • Group 3: Individuals and Societies
  • Group 4: Sciences
  • Group 5: Mathematics
  • Group 6: The Arts

Once you figure out your category and have identified a potential research topic, it's time to pick your advisor, who is normally an IB teacher at your school (though you can also find one online ). This person will help direct your research, and they'll conduct the reflection sessions you'll have to do as part of your Extended Essay.

As of 2018, the IB requires a "reflection process" as part of your EE supervision process. To fulfill this requirement, you have to meet at least three times with your supervisor in what the IB calls "reflection sessions." These meetings are not only mandatory but are also part of the formal assessment of the EE and your research methods.

According to the IB, the purpose of these meetings is to "provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their engagement with the research process." Basically, these meetings give your supervisor the opportunity to offer feedback, push you to think differently, and encourage you to evaluate your research process.

The final reflection session is called the viva voce, and it's a short 10- to 15-minute interview between you and your advisor. This happens at the very end of the EE process, and it's designed to help your advisor write their report, which factors into your EE grade.

Here are the topics covered in your viva voce :

  • A check on plagiarism and malpractice
  • Your reflection on your project's successes and difficulties
  • Your reflection on what you've learned during the EE process

Your completed Extended Essay, along with your supervisor's report, will then be sent to the IB to be graded. We'll cover the assessment criteria in just a moment.

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We'll help you learn how to have those "lightbulb" moments...even on test day!  

What Should You Write About in Your IB Extended Essay?

You can technically write about anything, so long as it falls within one of the approved categories listed above.

It's best to choose a topic that matches one of the IB courses , (such as Theatre, Film, Spanish, French, Math, Biology, etc.), which shouldn't be difficult because there are so many class subjects.

Here is a range of sample topics with the attached extended essay:

  • Biology: The Effect of Age and Gender on the Photoreceptor Cells in the Human Retina
  • Chemistry: How Does Reflux Time Affect the Yield and Purity of Ethyl Aminobenzoate (Benzocaine), and How Effective is Recrystallisation as a Purification Technique for This Compound?
  • English: An Exploration of Jane Austen's Use of the Outdoors in Emma
  • Geography: The Effect of Location on the Educational Attainment of Indigenous Secondary Students in Queensland, Australia
  • Math: Alhazen's Billiard Problem
  • Visual Arts: Can Luc Tuymans Be Classified as a Political Painter?

You can see from how varied the topics are that you have a lot of freedom when it comes to picking a topic . So how do you pick when the options are limitless?

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How to Write a Stellar IB Extended Essay: 6 Essential Tips

Below are six key tips to keep in mind as you work on your Extended Essay for the IB DP. Follow these and you're sure to get an A!

#1: Write About Something You Enjoy

You can't expect to write a compelling essay if you're not a fan of the topic on which you're writing. For example, I just love British theatre and ended up writing my Extended Essay on a revolution in post-WWII British theatre. (Yes, I'm definitely a #TheatreNerd.)

I really encourage anyone who pursues an IB Diploma to take the Extended Essay seriously. I was fortunate enough to receive a full-tuition merit scholarship to USC's School of Dramatic Arts program. In my interview for the scholarship, I spoke passionately about my Extended Essay; thus, I genuinely think my Extended Essay helped me get my scholarship.

But how do you find a topic you're passionate about? Start by thinking about which classes you enjoy the most and why . Do you like math classes because you like to solve problems? Or do you enjoy English because you like to analyze literary texts?

Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing your Extended Essay topic. You're not more likely to get high marks because you're writing about science, just like you're not doomed to failure because you've chosen to tackle the social sciences. The quality of what you produce—not the field you choose to research within—will determine your grade.

Once you've figured out your category, you should brainstorm more specific topics by putting pen to paper . What was your favorite chapter you learned in that class? Was it astrophysics or mechanics? What did you like about that specific chapter? Is there something you want to learn more about? I recommend spending a few hours on this type of brainstorming.

One last note: if you're truly stumped on what to research, pick a topic that will help you in your future major or career . That way you can use your Extended Essay as a talking point in your college essays (and it will prepare you for your studies to come too!).

#2: Select a Topic That Is Neither Too Broad nor Too Narrow

There's a fine line between broad and narrow. You need to write about something specific, but not so specific that you can't write 4,000 words on it.

You can't write about WWII because that would be a book's worth of material. You also don't want to write about what type of soup prisoners of war received behind enemy lines, because you probably won’t be able to come up with 4,000 words of material about it. However, you could possibly write about how the conditions in German POW camps—and the rations provided—were directly affected by the Nazis' successes and failures on the front, including the use of captured factories and prison labor in Eastern Europe to increase production. WWII military history might be a little overdone, but you get my point.

If you're really stuck trying to pinpoint a not-too-broad-or-too-narrow topic, I suggest trying to brainstorm a topic that uses a comparison. Once you begin looking through the list of sample essays below, you'll notice that many use comparisons to formulate their main arguments.

I also used a comparison in my EE, contrasting Harold Pinter's Party Time with John Osborne's Look Back in Anger in order to show a transition in British theatre. Topics with comparisons of two to three plays, books, and so on tend to be the sweet spot. You can analyze each item and then compare them with one another after doing some in-depth analysis of each individually. The ways these items compare and contrast will end up forming the thesis of your essay!

When choosing a comparative topic, the key is that the comparison should be significant. I compared two plays to illustrate the transition in British theatre, but you could compare the ways different regional dialects affect people's job prospects or how different temperatures may or may not affect the mating patterns of lightning bugs. The point here is that comparisons not only help you limit your topic, but they also help you build your argument.

Comparisons are not the only way to get a grade-A EE, though. If after brainstorming, you pick a non-comparison-based topic and are still unsure whether your topic is too broad or narrow, spend about 30 minutes doing some basic research and see how much material is out there.

If there are more than 1,000 books, articles, or documentaries out there on that exact topic, it may be too broad. But if there are only two books that have any connection to your topic, it may be too narrow. If you're still unsure, ask your advisor—it's what they're there for! Speaking of advisors...

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Don't get stuck with a narrow topic!

#3: Choose an Advisor Who Is Familiar With Your Topic

If you're not certain of who you would like to be your advisor, create a list of your top three choices. Next, write down the pros and cons of each possibility (I know this sounds tedious, but it really helps!).

For example, Mr. Green is my favorite teacher and we get along really well, but he teaches English. For my EE, I want to conduct an experiment that compares the efficiency of American electric cars with foreign electric cars.

I had Ms. White a year ago. She teaches physics and enjoyed having me in her class. Unlike Mr. Green, Ms. White could help me design my experiment.

Based on my topic and what I need from my advisor, Ms. White would be a better fit for me than would Mr. Green (even though I like him a lot).

The moral of my story is this: do not just ask your favorite teacher to be your advisor . They might be a hindrance to you if they teach another subject. For example, I would not recommend asking your biology teacher to guide you in writing an English literature-based EE.

There can, of course, be exceptions to this rule. If you have a teacher who's passionate and knowledgeable about your topic (as my English teacher was about my theatre topic), you could ask that instructor. Consider all your options before you do this. There was no theatre teacher at my high school, so I couldn't find a theatre-specific advisor, but I chose the next best thing.

Before you approach a teacher to serve as your advisor, check with your high school to see what requirements they have for this process. Some IB high schools require your IB Extended Essay advisor to sign an Agreement Form , for instance.

Make sure that you ask your IB coordinator whether there is any required paperwork to fill out. If your school needs a specific form signed, bring it with you when you ask your teacher to be your EE advisor.

#4: Pick an Advisor Who Will Push You to Be Your Best

Some teachers might just take on students because they have to and aren't very passionate about reading drafts, only giving you minimal feedback. Choose a teacher who will take the time to read several drafts of your essay and give you extensive notes. I would not have gotten my A without being pushed to make my Extended Essay draft better.

Ask a teacher that you have experience with through class or an extracurricular activity. Do not ask a teacher that you have absolutely no connection to. If a teacher already knows you, that means they already know your strengths and weaknesses, so they know what to look for, where you need to improve, and how to encourage your best work.

Also, don't forget that your supervisor's assessment is part of your overall EE score . If you're meeting with someone who pushes you to do better—and you actually take their advice—they'll have more impressive things to say about you than a supervisor who doesn't know you well and isn't heavily involved in your research process.

Be aware that the IB only allows advisors to make suggestions and give constructive criticism. Your teacher cannot actually help you write your EE. The IB recommends that the supervisor spends approximately two to three hours in total with the candidate discussing the EE.

#5: Make Sure Your Essay Has a Clear Structure and Flow

The IB likes structure. Your EE needs a clear introduction (which should be one to two double-spaced pages), research question/focus (i.e., what you're investigating), a body, and a conclusion (about one double-spaced page). An essay with unclear organization will be graded poorly.

The body of your EE should make up the bulk of the essay. It should be about eight to 18 pages long (again, depending on your topic). Your body can be split into multiple parts. For example, if you were doing a comparison, you might have one third of your body as Novel A Analysis, another third as Novel B Analysis, and the final third as your comparison of Novels A and B.

If you're conducting an experiment or analyzing data, such as in this EE , your EE body should have a clear structure that aligns with the scientific method ; you should state the research question, discuss your method, present the data, analyze the data, explain any uncertainties, and draw a conclusion and/or evaluate the success of the experiment.

#6: Start Writing Sooner Rather Than Later!

You will not be able to crank out a 4,000-word essay in just a week and get an A on it. You'll be reading many, many articles (and, depending on your topic, possibly books and plays as well!). As such, it's imperative that you start your research as soon as possible.

Each school has a slightly different deadline for the Extended Essay. Some schools want them as soon as November of your senior year; others will take them as late as February. Your school will tell you what your deadline is. If they haven't mentioned it by February of your junior year, ask your IB coordinator about it.

Some high schools will provide you with a timeline of when you need to come up with a topic, when you need to meet with your advisor, and when certain drafts are due. Not all schools do this. Ask your IB coordinator if you are unsure whether you are on a specific timeline.

Below is my recommended EE timeline. While it's earlier than most schools, it'll save you a ton of heartache (trust me, I remember how hard this process was!):

  • January/February of Junior Year: Come up with your final research topic (or at least your top three options).
  • February of Junior Year: Approach a teacher about being your EE advisor. If they decline, keep asking others until you find one. See my notes above on how to pick an EE advisor.
  • April/May of Junior Year: Submit an outline of your EE and a bibliography of potential research sources (I recommend at least seven to 10) to your EE advisor. Meet with your EE advisor to discuss your outline.
  • Summer Between Junior and Senior Year: Complete your first full draft over the summer between your junior and senior year. I know, I know—no one wants to work during the summer, but trust me—this will save you so much stress come fall when you are busy with college applications and other internal assessments for your IB classes. You will want to have this first full draft done because you will want to complete a couple of draft cycles as you likely won't be able to get everything you want to say into 4,000 articulate words on the first attempt. Try to get this first draft into the best possible shape so you don't have to work on too many revisions during the school year on top of your homework, college applications, and extracurriculars.
  • August/September of Senior Year: Turn in your first draft of your EE to your advisor and receive feedback. Work on incorporating their feedback into your essay. If they have a lot of suggestions for improvement, ask if they will read one more draft before the final draft.
  • September/October of Senior Year: Submit the second draft of your EE to your advisor (if necessary) and look at their feedback. Work on creating the best possible final draft.
  • November-February of Senior Year: Schedule your viva voce. Submit two copies of your final draft to your school to be sent off to the IB. You likely will not get your grade until after you graduate.

Remember that in the middle of these milestones, you'll need to schedule two other reflection sessions with your advisor . (Your teachers will actually take notes on these sessions on a form like this one , which then gets submitted to the IB.)

I recommend doing them when you get feedback on your drafts, but these meetings will ultimately be up to your supervisor. Just don't forget to do them!

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The early bird DOES get the worm!

How Is the IB Extended Essay Graded?

Extended Essays are graded by examiners appointed by the IB on a scale of 0 to 34 . You'll be graded on five criteria, each with its own set of points. You can learn more about how EE scoring works by reading the IB guide to extended essays .

  • Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
  • Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
  • Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
  • Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
  • Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

How well you do on each of these criteria will determine the final letter grade you get for your EE. You must earn at least a D to be eligible to receive your IB Diploma.

Although each criterion has a point value, the IB explicitly states that graders are not converting point totals into grades; instead, they're using qualitative grade descriptors to determine the final grade of your Extended Essay . Grade descriptors are on pages 102-103 of this document .

Here's a rough estimate of how these different point values translate to letter grades based on previous scoring methods for the EE. This is just an estimate —you should read and understand the grade descriptors so you know exactly what the scorers are looking for.

Here is the breakdown of EE scores (from the May 2021 bulletin):

How Does the Extended Essay Grade Affect Your IB Diploma?

The Extended Essay grade is combined with your TOK (Theory of Knowledge) grade to determine how many points you get toward your IB Diploma.

To learn about Theory of Knowledge or how many points you need to receive an IB Diploma, read our complete guide to the IB program and our guide to the IB Diploma requirements .

This diagram shows how the two scores are combined to determine how many points you receive for your IB diploma (3 being the most, 0 being the least). In order to get your IB Diploma, you have to earn 24 points across both categories (the TOK and EE). The highest score anyone can earn is 45 points.

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Let's say you get an A on your EE and a B on TOK. You will get 3 points toward your Diploma. As of 2014, a student who scores an E on either the extended essay or TOK essay will not be eligible to receive an IB Diploma .

Prior to the class of 2010, a Diploma candidate could receive a failing grade in either the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge and still be awarded a Diploma, but this is no longer true.

Figuring out how you're assessed can be a little tricky. Luckily, the IB breaks everything down here in this document . (The assessment information begins on page 219.)

40+ Sample Extended Essays for the IB Diploma Programme

In case you want a little more guidance on how to get an A on your EE, here are over 40 excellent (grade A) sample extended essays for your reading pleasure. Essays are grouped by IB subject.

  • Business Management 1
  • Chemistry 1
  • Chemistry 2
  • Chemistry 3
  • Chemistry 4
  • Chemistry 5
  • Chemistry 6
  • Chemistry 7
  • Computer Science 1
  • Economics 1
  • Design Technology 1
  • Design Technology 2
  • Environmental Systems and Societies 1
  • Geography 1
  • Geography 2
  • Geography 3
  • Geography 4
  • Geography 5
  • Geography 6
  • Literature and Performance 1
  • Mathematics 1
  • Mathematics 2
  • Mathematics 3
  • Mathematics 4
  • Mathematics 5
  • Philosophy 1
  • Philosophy 2
  • Philosophy 3
  • Philosophy 4
  • Philosophy 5
  • Psychology 1
  • Psychology 2
  • Psychology 3
  • Psychology 4
  • Psychology 5
  • Social and Cultural Anthropology 1
  • Social and Cultural Anthropology 2
  • Social and Cultural Anthropology 3
  • Sports, Exercise and Health Science 1
  • Sports, Exercise and Health Science 2
  • Visual Arts 1
  • Visual Arts 2
  • Visual Arts 3
  • Visual Arts 4
  • Visual Arts 5
  • World Religion 1
  • World Religion 2
  • World Religion 3

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100 IB Extended Essay Topic Ideas!

extended essay literature ideas

One of the biggest keys to the Extended Essay is choosing which subject you want to write your work in and developing that crucial research question. Read on to find inspiration for topics across a wide range of subjects.

Extended Essay: The Love/Hate aspect of the IB

One of the biggest keys to the Extended Essay is choosing which subject you want to write your work in and developing that crucial research question. Annoyingly, coming up with that idea and research question can be the toughest part of the entire process. Writing 4,000 words about something you are interested in is a big ask and it often feels impossible to narrow down your thoughts. To make everything super clear, here are 100 Extended Essay Topics for you to draw inspiration from! Use these as a springboard to create your own research question !

Get Support from A Top Tutor Today

At Lanterna we have over 300 tutors who smashed their Extended Essay. They know exactly how to get an A in your EE and can give you tips and tricks on how you can do the same. What are you waiting for? Get your own tutor today !

How to Begin Your IB Extended Essay

To make everything super clear, here are 100 Extended Essay Topics for you to draw inspiration from! Use these as a springboard to  create your own research question !

Get Support from a Top Tutor Today

At Lanterna, we have over 300 tutors who smashed their Extended Essay. They know exactly how to get an A in your EE and can give you tips and tricks on how you can do the same. What are you waiting for? Get your own tutor today!

10 Steps to Writing an Extended Essay

Before we look at specific topics for your essay, let’s recap the 10-steps you’ll need to follow to complete your extended essay.

1. Define the Topic and Draft the Research Question

2. Create a Timeline

3. Identify and gather Sources

4. Set Deadlines

5. Plan the structure according to the total word count

6. Evaluate

7. independent Research

8. Write the extended essay draft

10. Present

By following the steps above, you should be able to produce a logical and coherent rationale to follow when writing the extended essay for your IB diploma programme.

By starting with a solid research question, you’ll be able to put an extended essay of global significance together, from the research and writing process all the way through to your final submission with a favourable extended essay grade.

Below, we’re sharing 10 topics across 10 subjects to inspire your next IB extended essay.

1. How the change of habitat affects an X organism?

2. How does climate affect the growth of X plant?

3. Can photosynthesis take place without sunlight?

4. What is the effect of age and gender on the photoreceptor cells in the human retina?

5. How is climate change impacting the appearance of coral reefs?

6. An evaluation of how  antioxidants  work in our bodies?

7. Does hand sanitizer, hand soap or antibacterial wipes have the greatest ability to inhibit the growth of E. Coli?

8. To what extent do live cultures in yogurts/milk/other dairy products reduce the concentration of lactose present over the course of a 2 hour incubation period at x°C?

9. What is the relationship between  population density  between X and population size of X?

10. What is the relationship between indoleacetic acid, a growth hormone, and the growth of X (a crop)?

11. How does human influence impact an aquatic ecosystem?

12. How can one organize a pollution check along a X canal in X?

13. What is the effect of the increased ecological footprint in the  Amazon ?

14. What are the forest and woodland restoration in Siberia, Russia and which one is most effective?

15. How does human interference cause ecological imbalances in an X city/country/continent?

16. What is the impact of urban development on the  bee population  in X city?

17. What are the differences in the conversation efforts in Yosemite National Park (California, USA) and the Lake District National Park (UK)?

18. To what extent have healthcare policies in X country influenced their human population curve?

19. How have changes in environmental systems influenced the value system of X country?

20. How has X landfill site affected the surrounding terrestrial ecosystem?

21. What is the profitability of  airline companies ?

22. How does unemployment affect the market?

23. Why did X recession occur?

24. How did the financial Policy affect the economy in X?

25. How effective are government policies in reducing overconsumption of alcohol (specifically hard liquor)?

26. To what extent are public buses and subways substitute goods in a country?

27. How did the tax reform in country x affect its growth and development? (many countries to choose from)

28. To what extent was weak government policy responsible for the Latin American financial crisis of 1997?

29. How effective is the  Big Mac Index  in measuring purchasing power parity?

30. To what extent would the UK suffer from leaving the European Customs Union if Brexit happens?

31. Is there an association between viewing violence on television and the display of violent acts?

32. What motivational climate should a coach employ in order to achieve optimal performance in athletes?

33. How does  X hormone affect human behavior ?

34. Compare theories explaining altruism in human behaviour

35. Discuss short-term and long-term consequences of exposure to violence

36. Why do relationships change or end?

37. Discuss how  social variables (poverty, parenting, educational environment) may the affect cognitive environment.

38. To what extent do mirror neurons play a role in empathy? (2014)

39. To what extent does Mindfulness help people cope with General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

40. To what extent is drug therapy effective in the treatment of bipolar disorder?

41. Does the British Parliamentary reforms act of 1832 deserve its title as the great reform act?

42. To what extent are there similarities in Hitler and Mussolini’s Rise to Power?

43. To what extent did Mao’s tackle the problems which he faced?

44. Was Tsar Alexander II of Russia reforms a success or failure?

45. To what extent was the bombing of Dresden in 1945 justifiable?

46. To what extent can  Sweden be considered neutral during WWII ?

47. The impact of structural economic weakness on the collapse of the Soviet Union.

48. How were women treated differently in 1920s and 1950s Great Britain?

49. Why did Israel win the  Six Day War  of 1967?

50. What role did economics play in the unification of Germany from 1834 to 1871?

English Literature

51. What are the Compare and Contrast Jane Austen Books?

52. How does Joseph Conrad’s portray Racism in A Heart of Darkness?

53. How does Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman critique today’s capitalist society? The American Dream?

54. To what extent does Chris McCandless in Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild escape familial influence?

55. What are the similarities and differences between J.K. Rowling’s characterization of Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows?

56. How does Yaa Gyasi use structure in her novel Homegoing to portray the evolution of time?

57. What is the impact of the social context on Holden Caufield and Huckleberry Finn?

58. How does Sylvia Path’s use of Inanimate objects in Bell Jar?

59. How is the empowerment of Feminine portrayed in the Lord of the Rings?

60. Compare the political rhetoric as used in the inaugural addresses of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.

61. The design, construction and calibration of an apparatus for measuring lipid concentration in milk.

62. What is the effect of a change in the optimal lift on the horizontal gliding distance of an aircraft?

63. How does the sugar concentration affect the refractive index of water?

64. How does temperature affect the viscosity of X juice/soda?

65. Is the relationship between temperature and conductivity and insulators and conductors?

66. What is the Oberth Effect?

67. What is the temperature dependence of work performed on an AA battery?

68. How can the rotational frequency of a fan driven by a flame measure distance?

69. Do wine bottles of different shapes behave as Helmholtz resonators?

70. How does the diameter of a wheel affect stability in different weather conditions?

71. What factors influence the location of industries in country/city X?

72. An investigation into the significance of preserving the quality of water in a continent/country/city?

73. An investigation into the degree to which City X can be considered a Sustainable City/Community.

74. To what extent is Biodiversity being managed successfully in city X?

75. To what extent does the education and employment of women affect Country x’s fertility rate?

76. To what extent do gender, educational attainment, and working parameters influence obesity risk?

77. To what extent has urban development affected human thermal comfort levels in Country/city x (a country/city that has developed in a rapid rate over the past decades)?

78. To what extent is the Company x corporate waste management program effective, demonstrating environmental sustainability?

79. To what extent is biodiversity being managed successfully at National Park X?

80. What types of urban design encourage high rates of vandalism in X neighbourhoods?

81. The kinetics of Enzymatic Reactions.

82. How do Iron Intake Diets differ in X country?

83. What are the different factors that affect the iodine values in cooking oils?

84. What is the effect of standing time and temperate on the acid content in X juice or soda?

85. Can caffeine in tea or coffee be reduced?

86. What is the effect of temperature on the souring of milk?

87. What are the sources of error in calorimetry?

88. Does brushing your teeth affect the pH in your mouth after eating?

89. How does changing the concentration of the reagents affect the formation and spacing between Liesehang rings in the reaction between X chloride and X when conducted in a test tube?

90. What effect does the coating of aspirin tablets have on the hydrolysis of aspirin?

Social and Cultural Anthropology

91. How clothing relates to the cultural anthropology of X culture.

92. The extent to which social media networks affect different societies.

93. The relationship between ritual, myths and faith in an X society.

94. The history of rituals in X culture.

95. How different marriage rituals inform the cultural anthropology of X culture.

96. Climate change and its impact on the evolution of different creatures on the planet.

97. Understanding the social and cultural anthropology of the supernatural in X culture.

98. An analysis of body modification in relation to social and cultural anthropology.

100. Chaste systems and social ranks in societies.

There are so many class subjects that can form the basis of your extended essay, including these popular six subjects:

– Information technology

– Computer science

– Health science

– World studies

– Visual arts

– Business management

Extended essays are a great way to improve your writing skills in academic writing. Essays of a high standard that demonstrate critical thinking and in depth analysis can be submitted to academic journals. These have the potential to reach the global society.

Start Writing Your Extended Essay Topic

We hope this gave you some great inspiration for the variation of topics available for your Extended Essay . The research question you select is what will carry you through the entire process, so be sure to choose wisely!

Remember, if you are looking for more help with your Extended Essay, make sure to check out our guide which will tell you exactly how to plan, structure, research and write your Extended Essay!

Grab Free Extended Essay Resources!

No matter the subject groups in your diploma program, we’re here to help all of our IB students. Whether you’re writing about social and cultural anthropology, business management, design technology, or scientific methods for your IB diploma, Lanterna has you covered.

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Extended Essay: Language and Literature

  • Step 1 - Choosing a Subject
  • Step 2 - Choosing a Topic
  • Step 3 - Draft a Research Question
  • Step 4 - Finding Sources
  • Step 5 - Evaluating Information
  • Step 6 - Bibliography & Citation
  • Step 7 - Organizing Information
  • The Arts: Visual Arts
  • Individuals & Societies: Business Management
  • Individuals & Societies: History
  • Individuals & Societies: Psychology
  • Language Acquisition

Language and Literature

  • Sciences: Biology
  • Sciences: Sports, Exercise, and Health Sciences
  • Interdisciplinary Papers: World Studies
  • Assessment Criteria

Extended Essays in Language and Literature

Choosing a topic.

  • Categories 1 & 2

Categories 1 & 2

***Category 2 essays are the same as category 1, but they analyze works not written in English***

Language and Literature papers in categories 1 and 2 are focused on one or more literary works and can focus on original literary analysis, a particular literary topic, and/or established literary criticism.  

NB: When investigating a film in category 2, the film must be analyzed for its literary value, not filmic. Filmic analysis is allowed in category 3.

Category 3 papers also analyze works, however they are not restricted to literary works! Topics in Category 3 emphasize the production and reception of texts in social, historical and/or cultural contexts. Essays that simply offer a general overview of a topic are not appropriate.

Approaches to Research

Categories 1 and 2

**Category 2 essays are the same as category 1, but analyze works not written in English**

Primary research in Language and Literature may require close reading of one or more texts. Secondary research may also be necessary for information like historical context, biographical information,  and established literary criticism. Students should consider things like the effect of the work, the devices it uses, or the way it is written.

Students should give a focused analysis of the texts being considered. The approach should be balanced, coherently argued, use relevant examples to illustrated the point.

Examples of language in a cultural context

Examples of language and mass communication

Language and Literature Sources

Even students doing primary research will still need to reference secondary sources. These may include established literary interpretations or criticisms, biographical and/or historical information.

Essay Types

An extended essay in language and literature gives students an opportunity to do independent research into a topic of special interest to them within the subject. It is intended to promote advanced research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity.

The essay is open to students who are writing in a language that they would be capable of offering as a language A

Studies in language and literature EEs are divided into three categories:

Assessed Student Work

  • An exploration of an aspect of the narrative voice in Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita
  • How did the World State government in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World impact the individuality of the citizens residing in it?
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extended essay literature ideas

IB Extended Essay: 300+ Ideas And Guide

What is the ib extended essay.

The IB Extended Essay (EE) stands as one of the cornerstones of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Acting as an independent research task, the EE challenges students to investigate a topic of personal interest within the confines of the IBDP subjects they're engaged in. This endeavor, while rigorous, serves multiple purposes. Not only does it enhance students' analytical, critical thinking, and research prowess, but it also equips them with skills sought after by tertiary institutions and employers alike.

Spanning up to 4,000 words, the Extended Essay might seem daunting initially. However, its essence is about in-depth exploration. Think of it as a scholarly work that provides you with a unique chance to delve deep into a subject, test hypotheses, and showcase your understanding. The final output isn't just the essay, but also a formal presentation or viva voce, which promotes reflective learning and celebrates the culmination of this academic journey.

Given its weightage, the EE often becomes a differentiator for students when applying to competitive university programs. It showcases dedication, commitment to academic rigor, and the ability to synthesize large amounts of information into a coherent, persuasive piece of scholarly writing. For a more comprehensive overview, refer to the official IB page that dives into the nuances of the Extended Essay.

How to Choose Your Extended Essay Research Question?

A pivotal step in the Extended Essay process is the formulation of a pertinent research question. This question becomes the anchor of your entire essay, influencing your research, analysis, and conclusions. Here's a structured approach to help you craft the perfect research question:

  • Passion and Interest: It's essential to select a topic you're genuinely curious about. Your engagement level will influence the depth of research and the overall quality of the essay.
  • Scope and Feasibility: While it's tempting to tackle a broad issue, the 4,000-word limit necessitates focus. Your topic should be specific enough to be covered comprehensively within the word count, but not so narrow that it lacks depth.
  • Relevance to Course Material: Ensure that your question aligns with the IBDP subject under which you're submitting. This not only ensures adherence to guidelines but also leverages the knowledge you've gained during your course.
  • Availability of Resources: Before finalizing a topic, conduct preliminary research to gauge the availability of primary and secondary resources. The depth of your essay depends heavily on the quality of your sources.
  • Originality: While you don't need to choose a never-before-explored topic, adding a unique perspective or angle to existing discussions can make your essay stand out.
  • Consultation with IBDP Tutors: Engage with your IBDP tutors or teachers. Their experience and insights can guide you in refining your research question.

Extended Essay Ideas for Each Subject

The IBDP offers a plethora of subjects, and the potential research questions within each are vast. While a comprehensive list would be exhaustive, here are 30 topic ideas spanning various IBDP subjects:

Extended Essay Ideas for Literature:

  • Exploring the motif of forbidden love in Shakespeare's works.
  • The representation of post-colonialism in Salman Rushdie's novels.
  • Comparing the portrayal of World War I in British and German literature.
  • The evolution of the tragic hero in Greek literature to modern novels.
  • Magical realism in Gabriel García Márquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude".
  • The portrayal of women in Victorian-era literature.
  • The influence of religion on F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby".
  • Dystopian elements in Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale".
  • The role of nature in the works of William Wordsworth.
  • Examining gender roles in Jane Austen's novels.
  • Exploring the concept of madness in Edgar Allan Poe's short stories.
  • The cultural and historical backdrop in Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart".
  • Themes of identity and belonging in Jhumpa Lahiri's writings.
  • Analysing the narrative structure of Mark Haddon's "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time".
  • Existential themes in Albert Camus's "The Stranger".
  • Examining the societal impact of the Beat Generation through Jack Kerouac's "On the Road".
  • Challenging norms: Satire in Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels".
  • The symbol of the green light in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby".
  • Understanding the post-apocalyptic themes in Cormac McCarthy's "The Road".
  • Exploring the intricate balance of love and power in Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights".
  • The notion of the American Dream in Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman".
  • Unraveling racial tensions in Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird".
  • The essence of childhood innocence in J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan".
  • The portrayal of societal collapse in William Golding's "Lord of the Flies".
  • Tracing the journey of self-discovery in Hermann Hesse's "Siddhartha".
  • Exploring themes of justice and morality in Franz Kafka's "The Trial".
  • Unearthing the depths of human psyche in Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment".
  • The role of setting in shaping characters in Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights".
  • Understanding loss and nostalgia in Marcel Proust's "In Search of Lost Time".
  • Exploring the complexities of human relationships in Leo Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina".

Extended Essay Ideas for Biology:

  • The impact of environmental changes on coral reef bleaching.
  • Exploring the genetics behind the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
  • Examining the effects of different diets on gut microbiota.
  • Investigating the role of telomeres in the aging process.
  • Effects of varying pH levels on plant growth.
  • The role of epigenetics in determining phenotype.
  • Studying the impact of light wavelengths on photosynthesis.
  • Investigating the biochemistry behind venom in snake species.
  • Effects of pollution on freshwater ecosystems.
  • The influence of climate change on migration patterns of birds.
  • Studying the neural mechanisms behind memory formation.
  • Exploring symbiotic relationships in marine environments.
  • The impact of invasive species on native ecosystems.
  • Effects of endocrine disruptors on amphibian populations.
  • Examining the biology of bioluminescence in deep-sea organisms.
  • Studying the impact of urbanization on pollinators like bees.
  • Exploring the regenerative abilities of planarians.
  • Investigating the causes and effects of algal blooms in freshwater lakes.
  • The role of mimicry as a survival strategy in insects.
  • Studying the effects of plastic pollution on marine life.
  • Investigating the impact of pesticides on soil microbiology.
  • Exploring the genetic basis of resistance against pests in crops.
  • Examining the mechanisms of drug resistance in cancer cells.
  • Studying the biological impacts of microplastics ingestion in marine species.
  • Exploring the role of CRISPR technology in genetic modifications.
  • The physiological adaptations of desert plants for water conservation.
  • Investigating the impact of radiation on cellular functions.
  • Studying the behavioral patterns of ants in various environments.
  • Examining the role of gut microbiota in human health and disease.
  • Exploring the biological implications of long-term space travel on the human body.

Extended Essay Ideas for Chemistry:

  • Exploring the effects of various catalysts on the rate of chemical reactions.
  • Investigating the chemistry behind different types of batteries.
  • Studying the solubility of salts in various solvents.
  • Examining the extraction processes of essential oils from plants.
  • Effects of different factors on the rate of enzyme-catalyzed reactions.
  • Chemistry behind the polymerization of plastics.
  • Studying the kinetics of the Maillard reaction in food chemistry.
  • Investigating the role of chiral compounds in pharmaceuticals.
  • Exploring the chemical properties of superconductors.
  • The impact of pH on the stability of vitamins in foods.
  • Investigating the chemistry of different sunscreen compounds.
  • Exploring the mechanism of rusting and corrosion prevention.
  • Chemical analysis of contaminants in drinking water.
  • Studying the effects of salting on the preservation of foods.
  • Exploring the synthesis and properties of biodegradable plastics.
  • Effects of different fermentation conditions on alcohol yield.
  • Chemistry of natural dyes and their extraction processes.
  • Studying the chemical changes during the roasting of coffee beans.
  • Investigating the chemistry of soap and detergents.
  • Exploring the chemistry and impact of food additives and preservatives.
  • Studying the properties and uses of nanomaterials.
  • Investigating the synthesis and properties of organic semiconductors.
  • Exploring the electrochemistry of fuel cells.
  • Chemical analysis of pollutants in urban air.
  • Exploring the chemistry of hair dyes and their effects on hair.
  • Studying the isolation and properties of natural antioxidants.
  • Investigating the chemistry of forensic ink analysis.
  • Examining the effects of metal ions on enzyme activity.
  • Exploring the chemistry of natural vs. synthetic fragrances.
  • Studying the chemical methods for water softening and purification.

Extended Essay Ideas for Physics:

  • Exploring the potential of renewable energy sources in the context of global warming.
  • The impact of quantum mechanics on modern electronic devices.
  • Analyzing the aerodynamics of sports cars using Bernoulli's principle.
  • The science behind superconductors and their potential applications.
  • Understanding the effects of gravitational waves on astronomical observations.
  • Exploring the principles and applications of magnetic levitation (MagLev) trains.
  • Optical illusions and their implications in understanding human perception.
  • The role of physics in developing energy-efficient buildings.
  • Understanding nuclear fusion: progress, challenges, and future prospects.
  • Assessing the physics behind electric propulsion in space exploration.
  • Exploring the phenomena and implications of sonoluminescence.
  • Analyzing the role of physics in medical imaging techniques.
  • Studying the physical principles of echolocation in bats.
  • Impact of materials science on improving battery technology.
  • Understanding black holes: From theory to observation.
  • Principles and applications of photonics in modern technology.
  • The role of thermodynamics in developing efficient engines.
  • Exploring the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy.
  • Applications and challenges of harnessing nuclear energy.
  • Understanding the dynamics of fluid flow in cardiovascular systems.
  • The physics behind climate modeling and predictions.
  • Analyzing the mechanics of bird flight.
  • Exploring the principles of acoustics in concert hall designs.
  • Investigating the effects of microwaves on molecular structures of food.
  • Role of physics in designing protective sports equipment.
  • Understanding the challenges of interstellar travel.
  • Studying the phenomena of Bose-Einstein condensates and its implications.
  • Impacts and applications of fiber optics in telecommunications.
  • Physics of tsunamis: generation, propagation, and impact.
  • Exploring the challenges and innovations in cryogenics.

Extended Essay Ideas for Economics:

  • Examining the economic impacts of immigration on host countries.
  • Exploring the role of microfinance in poverty alleviation in developing countries.
  • Investigating the effects of monopolies on consumer prices and choices.
  • Studying the relationship between income inequality and economic growth.
  • Exploring the economic implications of automation and artificial intelligence on employment.
  • The impact of trade wars on global economic stability.
  • Studying the factors affecting the housing market in major urban centers.
  • Investigating the effects of tourism on local economies.
  • Analyzing the economic consequences of climate change on agriculture.
  • Exploring the relationship between education and economic development.
  • Investigating the economic benefits and costs of hosting global sporting events.
  • Studying the effects of remittances on the economies of developing countries.
  • Examining the role of central banks in controlling inflation.
  • Exploring the impact of foreign direct investment on local industries.
  • Analyzing the relationship between consumer confidence and economic growth.
  • Studying the economic implications of aging populations in developed countries.
  • Exploring the role of e-commerce in shaping modern economies.
  • Investigating the effects of subsidies on the agricultural sector.
  • Examining the economic impacts of pandemics on global supply chains.
  • Analyzing the factors driving currency valuation and devaluation.
  • Studying the economic repercussions of political instability in a region.
  • Exploring the economic benefits of sustainable energy sources over non-renewable ones.
  • Investigating the impact of taxation policies on small businesses.
  • Examining the role of startups in driving economic growth.
  • Studying the effects of bank regulations on financial stability.
  • Exploring the economic challenges and opportunities of globalization.
  • Investigating the relationship between corporate social responsibility and profitability.
  • Examining the impact of social media on consumer behavior and market trends.
  • Analyzing the economic rationale behind protectionist trade policies.
  • Exploring the link between economic policies and environmental sustainability.

Extended Essay Ideas for Mathematics:

  • Exploring the practical applications of Fibonacci sequences in modern architecture.
  • The relevance of probability theory in stock market predictions.
  • Analyzing the evolution and impact of non-Euclidean geometry.
  • The mathematical beauty and patterns behind fractals.
  • Chaos theory and its implications in weather forecasting.
  • Game theory and its applications in economics and social sciences.
  • The history and development of the number zero.
  • Exploring the world of prime numbers and their mysteries.
  • Using statistics to analyze patterns in nature, such as animal spots or petal arrangements.
  • Mathematical principles behind encryption and cybersecurity.
  • Topology and its real-world implications, such as in DNA twisting.
  • The mathematics of music: understanding scales, rhythms, and harmonics.
  • Exploring patterns and sequences in ancient architecture and art.
  • Understanding the mathematics behind general relativity.
  • Golden ratio and its pervasive presence in art and nature.
  • Mathematical modeling of population dynamics and growth.
  • An exploration of graph theory in social networks.
  • The role of symmetry in mathematics and its applications.
  • Using calculus to understand and model the spread of diseases.
  • Mathematical principles behind juggling patterns.
  • Origami and the mathematical transformations involved.
  • The history and significance of Pi in various cultures.
  • Applications of trigonometry in real-world scenarios beyond angles and triangles.
  • Mathematical patterns in the stock market: Are they truly random?
  • Studying the dynamics of voting systems using mathematics.
  • An investigation into the four-color theorem.
  • Exploring Gödel's incompleteness theorems and its implications for mathematics.
  • A study on Benford's law and its surprising occurrence in nature and finance.
  • Understanding and visualizing multi-dimensional spaces.
  • The Monty Hall problem: A study in probability and decision making.

Extended Essay Ideas for Business Management:

  • Analyzing the impact of leadership styles on employee motivation and productivity.
  • Exploring the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in enhancing brand image.
  • Understanding the implications of digital transformation for traditional brick-and-mortar businesses.
  • Assessing the impact of cultural differences on international marketing strategies.
  • The role of innovation in the competitive advantage of tech startups.
  • Exploring the challenges and benefits of adopting a circular economy in the fashion industry.
  • Analyzing the effects of mergers and acquisitions on company performance and shareholder value.
  • Understanding the influence of e-commerce on consumer buying behavior.
  • Studying the strategic importance of supply chain management in the era of globalization.
  • The impact of corporate culture on organizational performance.
  • Exploring the effects of advertisement campaigns on consumer perception and brand loyalty.
  • Understanding the risks and opportunities of business expansion into emerging markets.
  • Assessing the implications of artificial intelligence and automation on human resource management.
  • Studying the relationship between customer service quality and customer retention.
  • Exploring the role of business ethics in decision-making processes.
  • Understanding the challenges of managing a diverse workforce in a multicultural environment.
  • Assessing the impact of governmental regulations on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
  • The role of branding in differentiating products in saturated markets.
  • Studying the influence of social media influencers on consumer purchase decisions.
  • Exploring the strategic importance of sustainability initiatives for modern businesses.
  • Understanding the dynamics of crisis management and its impact on company reputation.
  • Assessing the competitive advantage of businesses adopting green technology.
  • Analyzing the role of financial management in ensuring long-term business stability.
  • Exploring the implications of remote work on team dynamics and productivity.
  • Understanding the strategies adopted by businesses during economic recessions.
  • Assessing the impact of business incubators on the success of new startups.
  • Studying the dynamics of consumer behavior in luxury markets.
  • Exploring the challenges of maintaining product quality in mass production.
  • Understanding the importance of inter-departmental communication in large corporations.
  • Analyzing the role of data analytics in driving business decisions.

Extended Essay Ideas for Computer Science:

  • Exploring the implications of quantum computing for modern encryption methods.
  • Examining the role of artificial intelligence in predictive analytics.
  • Investigating the ethical concerns of facial recognition technology.
  • Studying the evolution of programming languages and their impact on software development.
  • The significance of cybersecurity in the era of Internet of Things (IoT).
  • Comparing traditional and cloud-based database management systems.
  • Analyzing the challenges and prospects of augmented reality in mobile app development.
  • Examining the role of machine learning in healthcare diagnostics.
  • Exploring the impact of open-source software on the tech industry.
  • Investigating the role of neural networks in natural language processing.
  • Studying the environmental implications of blockchain technology.
  • Exploring the role of automation in job displacement and creation.
  • Examining the challenges of data privacy in social media platforms.
  • How do edge computing and centralized computing differ in application scenarios?
  • Studying the applications of virtual reality in education.
  • Exploring the role of heuristic algorithms in optimization problems.
  • Investigating the implications of deepfake technology on digital media authenticity.
  • Studying the design principles behind user-friendly interfaces.
  • How does bioinformatics utilize computational algorithms in genome sequencing?
  • Exploring the potential of swarm intelligence in robotics.
  • Studying the pros and cons of different web development frameworks.
  • Examining the challenges of integrating legacy systems with modern technologies.
  • Exploring the growth and impact of e-sports in the gaming industry.
  • Investigating the role of big data in shaping business strategies.
  • How can computer simulations aid in climate modeling?
  • Exploring the role of digital forensics in cybercrime investigations.
  • Investigating the potential of progressive web apps in bridging the gap between web and mobile.
  • Examining the role of genetic algorithms in optimization problems.
  • Studying the significance of version control systems in software development.
  • Investigating the challenges and solutions of scaling applications for global users.

Extended Essay Ideas for Psychology:

  • Exploring the cognitive processes underlying decision-making biases.
  • Examining the impact of social media on adolescent self-esteem.
  • Investigating the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance.
  • Studying the psychological implications of childhood trauma on adult relationships.
  • Assessing the role of nature versus nurture in personality development.
  • Exploring the psychological mechanisms behind the placebo effect.
  • Analyzing the influence of cultural norms on gender identity development.
  • Studying the impact of mindfulness meditation on stress reduction.
  • Investigating the effects of music therapy on patients with Alzheimer's disease.
  • Examining the role of neurotransmitters in mood disorders.
  • Exploring the psychological underpinnings of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  • Assessing the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders.
  • Studying the impact of parental attachment styles on child development.
  • Exploring the cognitive basis of prejudice and stereotyping.
  • Investigating the role of emotional intelligence in leadership effectiveness.
  • Examining the psychological effects of long-term unemployment.
  • Studying the impact of virtual reality exposure therapy for phobias.
  • Exploring the correlation between physical exercise and mental health.
  • Investigating the effects of art therapy on patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • Examining the role of childhood experiences in the development of eating disorders.
  • Studying the influence of peer pressure on adolescent risk-taking behaviors.
  • Exploring the psychological effects of chronic pain on mental well-being.
  • Assessing the impact of positive reinforcement on classroom behavior.
  • Studying the role of resilience in overcoming adverse life events.
  • Investigating the effects of video game addiction on cognitive function.
  • Examining the correlation between body dysmorphic disorder and social media usage.
  • Exploring the effects of group dynamics on individual decision-making.
  • Studying the role of subconscious cues in influencing consumer behavior.
  • Investigating the correlation between creativity and mental health disorders.
  • Examining the psychological coping mechanisms adopted during pandemics.

Extended Essay Ideas for Social and Cultural Anthropology:

  • Exploring the role of rituals in preserving cultural identity.
  • Examining the impact of globalization on indigenous communities.
  • Investigating the cultural implications of arranged marriages in South Asia.
  • Studying the evolution of language and its role in shaping societal structures.
  • The significance of food and cuisine in expressing cultural identity.
  • Comparing matrilineal and patrilineal societies and their societal dynamics.
  • Analyzing the cultural perceptions of beauty standards across different societies.
  • Examining the role of folklore and mythology in preserving traditions.
  • Exploring the impact of colonialism on the cultures of colonized nations.
  • How does urbanization influence indigenous cultural practices?
  • Investigating the interplay between religion and culture in shaping societies.
  • Examining the role of music in traditional ceremonies across cultures.
  • Studying the cultural significance of tattoos in Polynesian societies.
  • How do cultural practices evolve in diaspora communities?
  • Exploring gender roles and dynamics in matriarchal societies.
  • Studying the societal impacts of technological advancements in remote communities.
  • Examining the role of festivals in fostering community bonds.
  • How does education influence cultural perceptions and values?
  • Investigating the cultural implications of bilingualism.
  • Exploring the anthropological perspective on migration and identity.
  • Studying the dynamics of caste systems in traditional societies.
  • Examining the role of art and craft in expressing cultural narratives.
  • Investigating the societal impact of medical advancements on traditional healing practices.
  • Exploring the cultural perceptions of mental health across different societies.
  • How do economic systems shape societal hierarchies and dynamics?
  • Investigating the influence of popular culture on traditional values.
  • Examining the role of family structures in shaping societal norms.
  • Exploring the significance of sacred spaces in various cultures.
  • Analyzing the cultural perspectives on death and afterlife across civilizations.
  • Investigating the impact of political regimes on cultural expressions and freedoms.

Extended Essay Ideas for Environmental Systems and Societies:

  • Evaluating the effectiveness of conservation efforts in the Amazon rainforest.
  • The impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems and potential mitigation strategies.
  • Exploring sustainable agriculture practices in arid regions and their socio-economic implications.
  • Analyzing the success of urban green spaces in combating the urban heat island effect.
  • Assessing the environmental and societal impact of fast fashion.
  • Exploring the correlation between industrial development and air quality in emerging economies.
  • Effectiveness of community-based wildlife conservation efforts in Africa.
  • Water scarcity: The socio-economic implications and potential solutions.
  • Assessing the environmental consequences of electronic waste and potential recycling strategies.
  • The global decline of bee populations: Causes, implications, and solutions.
  • Impact of ecotourism on biodiversity conservation and local communities.
  • Understanding the socio-economic implications of rising sea levels for coastal communities.
  • Exploring the challenges and potential of urban farming in densely populated cities.
  • Assessing the effects of deforestation on indigenous communities and local biodiversity.
  • The role of renewable energy solutions in reducing global carbon emissions.
  • Investigating the environmental and societal implications of the meat industry.
  • Exploring the relationship between traditional agricultural practices and biodiversity.
  • Impact of overfishing on marine ecosystems and its socio-economic implications.
  • Examining the consequences of chemical agriculture on soil health and local communities.
  • Exploring the role of green technology in promoting sustainable urban living.
  • Assessing the environmental impact of the bottled water industry.
  • Investigating the role of environmental education in shaping sustainable communities.
  • Understanding the implications of melting polar ice caps on global climate patterns.
  • Examining the socio-economic effects of natural disasters exacerbated by climate change.
  • Challenges and opportunities in waste management for rapidly urbanizing areas.
  • Assessing the effectiveness of international environmental agreements and treaties.
  • Exploring the environmental and cultural implications of palm oil cultivation.
  • Impact of urbanization on freshwater resources and potential conservation strategies.
  • Investigating the correlation between population growth and environmental degradation.
  • Exploring the role of women in promoting environmental sustainability in developing nations.

Extended Essay Ideas for World Studies:

  • The global impact of COVID-19 and how different cultures responded to the pandemic.
  • Exploring the socio-economic effects of climate change in vulnerable regions.
  • The implications of digital surveillance: Balancing national security and individual privacy on a global scale.
  • The role of international trade agreements in shaping developing economies.
  • A comparative study of healthcare systems across the world and their effectiveness.
  • Assessing global gender inequality: Exploring measures to empower women in developing countries.
  • The effects of globalization on indigenous cultures.
  • International responses to the refugee crisis: A comparative study.
  • Impact of social media on political movements and revolutions globally.
  • Exploring the worldwide shift towards renewable energy sources and its implications for geopolitics.
  • The legacy of colonialism: Evaluating its long-term effects on post-colonial societies.
  • A study of global food security and the challenges of sustainable agriculture.
  • Understanding the global implications of cyber warfare and its impact on international relations.
  • Examining the international response to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
  • Implications of artificial intelligence and automation on the global job market.
  • Child labor in the global supply chain: Causes, consequences, and solutions.
  • An investigation into worldwide trends in mental health and the challenges of addressing them.
  • The global impact of single-use plastics and initiatives to combat their proliferation.
  • Exploring the cultural and economic impact of global tourism.
  • International efforts to combat human trafficking and their effectiveness.
  • A comparative study of global responses to natural disasters and their aftermath.
  • Impact of the global financial system on income inequality.
  • Evaluating worldwide initiatives to promote education for all, especially in conflict zones.
  • Understanding global water scarcity and its implications for future conflicts.
  • Assessing the role of international organizations, such as the UN, in global peacekeeping.
  • The worldwide shift in urbanization trends and its implications for sustainable living.
  • A study of global wildlife conservation efforts and challenges.
  • Impact of international cultural exchanges on shaping global perceptions and relations.
  • Exploring the worldwide decline of bee populations and its implications for global food chains.
  • The global movement for LGBTQ+ rights and its reception in various cultures and societies.

Extended Essay Ideas for Visual Arts:

  • Exploring the influence of the Renaissance on modern-day art.
  • Examining the impact of technology on contemporary art practices.
  • Investigating the representation of women in Classical vs. Contemporary art.
  • Studying the significance of colors in different cultures' art traditions.
  • The evolution of street art and its influence on urban culture.
  • Comparing Impressionism and Post-Impressionism: Their influences and legacies.
  • Analyzing the role of propaganda in war art.
  • Examining the portrayal of nature in Romantic vs. Abstract art.
  • Exploring the relationship between music and visual art.
  • How political changes influenced art movements: A case study of the Soviet Union.
  • Investigating the commercialization of contemporary art.
  • Examining the impact of cultural exchange on art forms during the Silk Road era.
  • Studying the rise and influence of art collectives in the digital age.
  • How did colonialism influence the art of colonized regions?
  • The use of symbolism in religious art across different cultures.
  • Exploring the role of art in social activism and change.
  • Investigating the artistic representation of LGBTQ+ rights over the decades.
  • Comparing traditional and digital techniques in illustration.
  • How does architecture influence visual arts and vice versa?
  • Exploring the world of animated arts: From sketches to screens.
  • Examining the artistic dimensions of indigenous people's art.
  • Studying the influence of fashion on visual arts.
  • Exploring the role of censorship in art: A case study of China.
  • Examining the intersection of visual arts with virtual reality and augmented reality.
  • Studying the significance of art festivals in promoting global art cultures.
  • Exploring the journey of abstract expressionism in the 20th century.
  • Investigating the impact of global crises (like pandemics) on artistic expressions.
  • How does art therapy assist in mental well-being?
  • Analyzing the growth and challenges of digital art galleries.
  • Exploring the evolution of sculpture in the modern era.

How to Write a Great IB Extended Essay

Writing an extended essay requires meticulous planning and a structured approach. Here are some key steps to enhance the quality of your essay:

  • Start Early: Given the complexity and depth required, it's prudent to begin your research and planning months ahead of the submission deadline. This allows ample time for thorough research, drafting, and revisions.
  • Create a Detailed Outline: Before diving into the writing process, draft a detailed outline. This will serve as a roadmap, ensuring a logical flow of ideas and comprehensive coverage of all facets of your topic.
  • Use Varied and Credible Sources: Diversify your research by including books, academic journals, interviews, and reputable online sources. Always assess the credibility of your sources to ensure accurate and unbiased information.
  • Stay Objective and Analytical: While it's tempting to infuse personal opinions, the Extended Essay demands an objective stance. Your assertions should be backed by concrete evidence, and opposing viewpoints should be fairly represented and analyzed.
  • Seek Feedback: Periodically, share your drafts with peers, teachers, or IB tutors . External perspectives can offer invaluable insights, pointing out gaps or areas for improvement.

Finding Reliable Sources for Your Extended Essay

Quality research hinges on credible sources. Here's how to distinguish between reliable and dubious sources:

  • Evaluate the Author's Credentials: Check the author's qualifications and affiliations. Experts in the field are more likely to produce accurate and unbiased content.
  • Check Publication Date: Especially for subjects that evolve rapidly, like sciences or current events, recent publications ensure the most up-to-date information.
  • Assess Objectivity: Be wary of sources with evident biases. Objective, balanced presentations of facts are ideal.
  • Peer-reviewed Journals: Articles in peer-reviewed journals undergo rigorous scrutiny, ensuring high standards of academic integrity.
  • References and Citations: Reliable sources typically cite their information, allowing readers to trace the origin of facts and data.

Strategies for Conducting Primary and Secondary Research

Both primary and secondary research methods are pivotal in crafting a comprehensive Extended Essay. Here’s how to go about them:

  • Surveys and Questionnaires: If your topic involves gathering opinions or understanding behaviours, designing a comprehensive survey can be invaluable. Ensure your questions are unbiased and clearly worded.
  • Interviews: Direct conversations with experts in the field can offer profound insights. Prepare your questions in advance and be respectful of the interviewee’s time.
  • Experiments: For scientific subjects, conducting experiments can provide firsthand data. Ensure your methodology is sound, and always consider safety precautions.
  • Observations: In topics related to human behaviour or environmental changes, direct observations can be a treasure trove of information. Be as objective as possible and record your findings meticulously.
  • Academic Journals: These are a gold standard in research. Platforms like JSTOR or Google Scholar can provide a plethora of peer-reviewed articles relevant to almost any topic.
  • Books: Especially for historical or literary subjects, books offer in-depth insights. Don't restrict yourself to modern publications; sometimes, older texts can provide a rich context.
  • Reputable Websites: Websites affiliated with universities, research institutions, or recognized bodies in the field can be reliable. Always verify the information with other sources.
  • Documentaries and Archived Material: For topics rooted in history, culture, or specific events, these can be invaluable.

Formatting and Structure Guidelines for the IB Extended Essay

Adhering to a structured format is crucial for the Extended Essay. Here are the primary components and guidelines:

  • Title Page: This should include the essay title, your name, school, and other relevant details.
  • Abstract: A concise summary (around 300 words) presenting your research question, methods, and key findings.
  • Table of Contents: List all sections and subsections along with page numbers.
  • Introduction: Introduce your topic, provide context, and clearly state your research question.
  • Body: This is the heart of your essay. Organize it with clear subheadings and ensure a logical flow of ideas.
  • Conclusion: Summarize your findings, restate the importance of your research, and mention potential areas for further study.
  • References: List all sources cited in your essay. Adhere to a recognized citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.).
  • Appendices: If necessary, include any additional information, charts, or data sets that support your research but didn't fit smoothly into the essay's body.

The IB Extended Essay Assessment Criteria and Grading

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Extended Essay is not just about writing a long research paper; it's about meeting specific assessment criteria to achieve the best grade possible. To excel, understanding these criteria is paramount. Let’s delve deeper into how the IB evaluates and grades the Extended Essay:

1. Focus and Method (6 marks): This criterion assesses the topic's significance, how well the research question is formulated, and the methodology used. Clearly defining your topic and choosing an appropriate and effective method is crucial. For instance, an essay analyzing a literary theme would differ methodologically from one exploring a scientific hypothesis.

2. Knowledge and Understanding (6 marks): Demonstrating a comprehensive grasp of your chosen topic is vital. This involves showing that you understand the context, implications, and why your topic is significant. Remember, superficial knowledge won't cut it; depth is essential. Rely on primary sources and respected secondary sources to bolster your understanding.

3. Critical Thinking (12 marks): The highest marks are allocated here. You're evaluated on how well you analyze the information, the arguments you build, and the solutions or conclusions you derive. A well-thought-out essay isn't just descriptive; it evaluates, critiques, and synthesizes information.

4. Presentation (4 marks): While it might seem minor, presentation is crucial. This criterion involves the overall structure of the essay, the clarity of your writing, and adherence to recognized academic standards, including referencing.

5. Engagement (6 marks): This is about your journey. The IB wants to see that you've engaged deeply with your topic, overcome challenges, and reflected on the research process. Often, the reflections you submit alongside your essay play a role in this assessment.

Together, these criteria amount to a total of 34 marks. Essays are then graded on a scale from A (excellent) to E (elementary). An 'E' in the Extended Essay is a failing condition for the award of the IB Diploma. Ensure you understand each criterion and address it adequately. More details on the assessment criteria can be found here .

How Beyond Tutors can help you prepare for IB Extended Essay

The Extended Essay is a challenging component of the IB, but with the right guidance, it becomes manageable and rewarding. This is where Beyond Tutors comes in. Here's how we can assist:

1. Expert Guidance: Our IBDP tutors have a wealth of experience in guiding students through the Extended Essay process. They're well-versed in the expectations of the IB and can provide insights tailored to your topic.

2. Research Assistance: With a vast array of resources and tools at our disposal, Beyond Tutors can help students find reliable and relevant sources, ensuring a strong foundation for the essay.

3. Feedback and Review: Once you draft your essay, our IB Tutors can offer constructive feedback, ensuring your essay is coherent, compelling, and meets the IB's rigorous standards.

4. Practice and Preparation: Beyond Tutors also provides resources like sample essays and exercises to help students practice and refine their skills, paving the way for an excellent Extended Essay.

5. Continuous Support: The Extended Essay process can be daunting, but you're not alone. From topic selection to final submission, Beyond Tutors offers continuous support, ensuring students remain motivated and on track.

With personalized international baccalaureate tutoring , students have a partner in their Extended Essay journey, significantly boosting their chances of success.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Extended Essay is undoubtedly a challenging yet rewarding venture. By understanding its requirements and approaching it systematically, students can create a piece of work they're genuinely proud of. It's an opportunity to delve deep into a topic of interest, hone research skills, and demonstrate the depth of one's knowledge and understanding. With the right resources, guidance, and perseverance, the Extended Essay can become a highlight of the IB Diploma Programme experience. And with expert assistance from institutions like Beyond Tutors, students are well-equipped to navigate this academic journey with confidence and excellence.

  • IBO: Extended Essay Overview
  • IBO: What is the Extended Essay?
  • IBO: Extended Essay Submission Deadline
  • IBO: Example Essays
  • IBO: Extended Essay Useful Resources
  • IBO: World Studies Extended Essay

As you embark on your Extended Essay journey, remember that it's more than just an assignment; it's an opportunity. The skills you acquire, the knowledge you gain, and the challenges you overcome will shape you as a learner and a thinker. Embrace the process, seek guidance when needed, and take pride in the remarkable academic achievement your Extended Essay represents. All the best!

Guide to the IB Extended Essay in 2024

January 24, 2024

IB extended essay, topics, rubric

If you’re an International Baccalaureate student getting ready to write your IB Extended Essay, you might be experiencing some very understandable trepidation. But have no fear—we’re here to help you understand what’s required of you, how to plan ahead (IB extended essay topics), and how you’ll be graded (IB extended essay rubric). Keep reading for a good dose of preparation and confidence before you begin the journey. In this article, we’ll cover:

What is the IB Extended Essay?

The ib extended essay—required content, ib extended essay topics.

IB Extended Essay—Sample Essays

IB Extended Essay Tips

Ib extended essay rubric, ib extended essay—more resources.

The IB Extended Essay is a 4,000-word paper that asks you to immerse yourself in research and academic writing. A required part of the IB program, the Extended Essay is a chance to dig deep into a topic that fascinates you.

Although it’s no small task, the IB Extended Essay is an opportunity to gain practical research and writing skills that will come in handy again in college. As you write, you’ll learn how to:

  • Identify credible sources
  • Formulate a research question and limit your scope of research
  • Communicate ideas to an audience
  • Develop a well-supported argument

The IB Extended Essay is largely an independent, self-directed project, but don’t worry—the IB program doesn’t throw you into the deep end. You do get to select a mentor (usually a teacher at your school) to help guide you through the process. As you write, you’ll be required to meet with your mentor three times. As part of your final evaluation, your mentor will interview you in a final reflection section called a viva voce . During the viva voce, your mentor will check for plagiarism and malpractice, ask you to reflect on challenges and difficulties, and prompt you to discuss what you’ve learned through the research and writing process. Your mentor will then generate a report that factors into your final grade.

Your final essay must include the following:

  • Contents page
  • Introduction
  • Body of the essay
  • References and bibliography

For this essay, it will be up to you to generate a topic; the International Baccalaureate does not provide prompts. However, your essay will need to fit within one of six provided subject areas . You’ll choose from the following list of IB Extended Essay Topics:

  • Language and literature
  • Language acquisition
  • Individuals and societies
  • Mathematics

IB Extended Essay Topics (Continued)

At a glance, the subject areas might look limited, but the topics you can choose to write about are actually wide-ranging. The “Individuals and societies” category includes social science topics like economics, history, world religions, and philosophy. And, if you’re leaning toward “Science,” you can choose from classic subjects such as biology, chemistry, and physics, or related topics like environmental systems or health science, among others.

The IB also offers a special “World Studies” option for students interested in researching global issues. This subject would allow you to center your writing on global issues such as migration, global health, cultural exchange, or climate change.

Wondering what an outstanding IB Extended Essay looks like? The International Baccalaureate provides quite a few sample student essays online . Here are five essays that earned A grades.

Language and literature: An exploration of an aspect of the narrative voice in Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita

Environmental Systems and Societies: The economic impact of the 1995 reintroduction of grey wolves to Yellowstone National Park

Psychology: To what extent do social networking sites (SNS) usage lead to experience of anxiety in adolescents?

Music: Composition techniques in the 1st movement of Johannes Brahms’s Symphony No. 2, Op. 73

Business Management: Corporate Culture at Oracle

1) Pick something you’re passionate about

As you can see from the titles above, the IB Extended Essay is a great place to delve into a niche topic that fascinates you. Since you’ll be spending many months on this essay, you’ll want to pick a topic you genuinely enjoy spending time learning about. It’s also smart to choose something you’ve already learned about in your IB classes so that you have a strong foundation of knowledge to start with. In music class, do you love pondering why music makes us feel a certain way? Maybe an essay about music theory will keep your gears turning. Do you come alive trying to solve seemingly impossible problems in physics class? Now’s your chance to put those equations into action.

Since this essay is all about your academic interests, it’s also a good idea to pick a topic that’s relevant to what you plan to study in college. Selecting a relevant topic will provide you with significant exposure to the field and will also give you something meaningful to talk about in your college admissions essays.

2) Limit your scope

What’s the meaning of life? Why do wars happen? What is time? Some questions are just way too big to answer, and your IB Extended Essay is not a good place to tackle expansive, philosophical questions. Instead, think of this essay as a place to investigate one piece of a big question. If, let’s say, you’re generally interested in what helps women reach positions of leadership in business, this is a good place to examine how one or a few companies approach this issue. Or, if you’re interested in studying what inspires surrealist painters, you’ll want to pick one or a few painters to research, likely all from the same time period. For both these topics, you’d need a whole textbook to tackle the full question, but limiting your scope will make it much easier to write a clear and cohesive 4,000 words.

On the other hand, it’s possible to narrow your focus too much. It would be impossible, for example, to write 4,000 words about a single sentence in a novel. Make sure you talk about scope early and often with your mentor. Together, you can find the perfect Goldilocks scope for your project that’s not too big and not too small.

3) Choose a good mentor

Speaking of mentors, choosing wisely will help you enormously as you embark on your IB Extended Essay. You’ll want to make sure you choose someone with existing knowledge in your research topic. Your English teacher may be able to give you great writing advice, for example, but they won’t be able to guide your research and scope if you’re writing about marine animals or modern dance.

Before you approach a teacher, make sure you have at least one topic idea (or even a few ideas) in mind so that you can make sure they’ll be a good fit to supervise your project. When you meet with them, find out what their mentorship style is like. Make sure they’ll have time to read several drafts of your essays, meet with you a few times, and give you feedback. Some IB schools will require your IB Extended Essay mentor to sign an agreement form too, so make sure you find out what paperwork is required in advance.

4) Get organized, way organized

The IB Extended Essay is not something you can crank out the night before it’s due. The essay is meant to be a substantive, in-depth, thoughtful, and thoroughly researched analysis, and Rome simply isn’t built in a day. This might be the longest paper you’ve written to date, and this project might require more research than you’ve been asked to do before. Timelines vary by school, but you’ll likely spend between eight months and a year working on your IB Extended Essay. So, how will you pull it all off? For these 8-12 months, organization will be your guiding light. We recommend you:

  • Get started early. If your essay is due November of your senior year, start generating topic ideas during your junior year right after winter break.
  • Create a long-view schedule for yourself. What will you accomplish each month of your process?
  • Give yourself deadlines. Once you choose a mentor, suggest 2-3 draft deadline dates so that you will be held accountable throughout the writing process.
  • Find a note-taking system that works for you. You’ll be reading many articles and books and it’s hard to keep track of all your sources. Create a document or spreadsheet where you keep track of the sources you’ve found and check them off as you read. As you finish reading a text, type up important quotes and a few notes explaining how it connects to your topic and to your other texts.

5)Write a messy first draft

Writing never comes out perfect the first time, even for New York Times bestselling authors and the most experienced researchers. In your first draft, give yourself permission to get all your thoughts out, no matter how unstructured or rambling they are. Call this your brainstorming draft. When you’re ready to revisit it, see what patterns emerge, what common ideas you can group together, what beginning buds of ideas you can make bloom into full-fledged analysis.

6) Communicate for an audience

When you’re used to producing writing that only your teacher reads, it can be hard to remember to write for an audience. But at the end of the day, writing is communication , and the best writing is clear and thorough communication that anyone could pick up and read. For your IB Extended Essay, you’ll want to remember that many people will be reading your final essay, and not all of them will be experts in the niche topic you choose to study. Ask yourself: how can I explain my research to an audience who doesn’t already agree with my analysis?

To communicate to an audience, you’ll want to:

  • Provide lots of general background information on your topic.
  • Don’t assume your reader is familiar with your sources. Introduce them as if they’re guest speakers about to walk up to a podium and deliver a lecture.
  • After including quotes, facts, and figures, be sure to explain what those sources mean in your own words and how they connect to your bigger-picture argument.
  • Don’t assume your arguments are self-evident. In this essay, communicating for an audience means supplying ongoing interpretation and analysis, even if it feels like you’re explaining the obvious. Your reader isn’t on your research journey with you, so your points might not be so obvious to your reader.

Although your IB Extended Essay provides a report that factors into your grade, your essay will also be assessed by external examiners the IB. Per the IB Extended Essay Rubric , essays are graded on a scale from 0 to 34 based on 5 different criteria:

  • Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
  • Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
  • Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
  • Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
  • Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

As you can see, Critical Thinking is the most significant rubric category. This means that the IB wants to see you arrive at your own unique analysis of your topic, drawing connections between sources and data, and making well-supported arguments. This means they want a lot of you: your ideas, your interpretations, your thoughts. Make sure you emphasize that in your essay, but of course don’t forget the other categories.

The score a student receives corresponds to a letter grade scale that is slightly different than what we’re accustomed to in the U.S. Here’s the letter grade to numerical score breakdown:

You must earn a D or higher to receive your IB Diploma. To learn more about the different criteria included in the IB Extended Essay Rubric, you can explore the IB’s full guide to the Extended Essay .

We hope you found our look at the IB extended essay rubric and IB extended essay topics to be helpful. Ready to dive into research? You may want to read our 10 Expert Tips for Improving Reading Comprehension before you hit the books.

And if you’re a high school student in the process of mapping out your pathway to college, take a look at a few other useful guides:

  • IB vs AP—Which Classes are Best for College Admission?
  • How to Earn College Credit in High School
  • High School Course Requirements for College Admission
  • SAT Score Calculator
  • ACT Score Calculator 
  • High School Success

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Christina Wood

Christina Wood holds a BA in Literature & Writing from UC San Diego, an MFA in Creative Writing from Washington University in St. Louis, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in English at the University of Georgia, where she teaches creative writing and first-year composition courses. Christina has published fiction and nonfiction in numerous publications, including The Paris Review , McSweeney’s , Granta , Virginia Quarterly Review , The Sewanee Review , Mississippi Review , and Puerto del Sol , among others. Her story “The Astronaut” won the 2018 Shirley Jackson Award for short fiction and received a “Distinguished Stories” mention in the 2019 Best American Short Stories anthology.

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extended essay literature ideas

How To Write The Extended Essay (With Topics and Examples)

This comprehensive guide navigates through every aspect of the EE, from selecting a topic and developing a research question to conducting in-depth research and writing a compelling essay. It offers practical strategies, insights, and tips to help students craft a piece of work that not only meets the rigorous standards of the IB but also reflects their academic passion and curiosity. Join us as we explore the keys to success in the Extended Essay, preparing you for an intellectually rewarding experience.

Posted: 13th February 2024

Section jump links:

Section 1: Understanding the IB Extended Essay

Section 2: the importance of the extended essay, section 3: selecting a topic, section 4: developing your research question, section 5: research methodology and theoretical frameworks, section 6: evaluating sources and data, section 7: integrating evidence and analysis, section 8: writing and structuring the extended essay, section 9: reflection and the rppf, section 10: the significance of academic discipline in the ee, section 11: good practice in extended essay writing, section 12: managing the extended essay process, section 13: collaboration and feedback, section 14: avoiding plagiarism, section 15: emphasising original thought, section 16: final presentation and viva voce, section 17: beyond the extended essay, what is the ib extended essay.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Extended Essay (EE) is a cornerstone of the IB Diploma Programme . It’s an independent, self-directed piece of research, culminating in a 4,000-word paper. This project offers students an opportunity to investigate a topic of their own choice, bridging the gap between classwork and the kind of research required at the university level.

Key Objectives and the Role of the EE in the IB Curriculum

The Extended Essay has several key objectives:

  • To provide students with the chance to engage in an in-depth study of a question of interest within a chosen subject.
  • To develop research, thinking, self-management, and communication skills.
  • To introduce students to the excitement and challenges of academic research.

The EE plays a critical role in the IB curriculum by:

  • Encouraging intellectual discovery and creativity.
  • Facilitating academic growth and personal development through research and writing.
  • Preparing students for the rigours of higher education.

Extended Essay Word Count and Requirements

The EE has a maximum word count of 4,000 words. This does not include the abstract, contents page, bibliography, or footnotes (which must be used sparingly). Here are some essential requirements:

  • Research Question: Your essay must be focused on a clear, concise research question. You should aim to provide a comprehensive answer to this question through your research and writing.
  • Subject : The EE can be written in one of the student’s six chosen subjects for the IB diploma or in a subject recognized by the IB.
  • Supervision : Each student is assigned a supervisor (usually a teacher in their school) who provides guidance and support throughout the research and writing process.
  • Assessment: The essay is externally assessed by the IB, contributing up to three points towards the total score for the IB diploma, depending on the grade achieved and the performance in the Theory of Knowledge course.

The Extended Essay is not just an academic requirement but a unique opportunity to explore a topic of personal interest in depth. This can be an incredibly rewarding experience, providing valuable skills and insights that will serve you well in your future academic and professional endeavours.

extended essay literature ideas

The EE is more than just a requirement for the IB Diploma. It’s an essential part of the IB experience , offering profound benefits for students. Let’s explore why the EE holds such significance.

Academic and Personal Development Benefits

Skill enhancement:.

The EE fosters a range of academic skills crucial for success in higher education and beyond. It teaches students how to:

  • Conduct comprehensive research
  • Develop a coherent argument
  • Write extensively on a subject
  • Manage time effectively

Personal Growth:

Beyond academic prowess, the EE encourages personal development. Students learn to:

  • Pursue their interests deeply
  • Overcome challenges independently
  • Reflect on their learning process
  • Enhance their curiosity and creativity

Contribution to University Admissions

Standout applications:.

The EE can be a significant advantage in university applications . It demonstrates a student’s ability to undertake serious research projects and commit to an intensive academic task. Universities value this dedication, seeing it as indicative of a student’s readiness for undergraduate studies.

Showcase of Skills:

The EE allows students to showcase their research, writing, and analytical skills. It provides concrete evidence of their academic abilities and their capacity to engage deeply with a topic of interest.

Skill Development: Research, Writing, and Critical Thinking

Research Skills:

Students learn to navigate academic literature, evaluate sources, and gather relevant data. This process sharpens their research skills, laying a solid foundation for future academic endeavours.

Writing Skills:

Crafting a 4,000-word essay challenges students to express their ideas clearly and persuasively. It hones their writing skills, teaching them the art of structured and focused academic writing.

Critical Thinking:

The EE encourages students to analyse information critically, assess arguments, and develop their viewpoints. This critical engagement fosters a sophisticated level of thought, beneficial in both academic and real-world contexts.

In conclusion, the Extended Essay is a pivotal element of the IB Diploma Programme. It’s an invaluable opportunity for intellectual and personal growth, preparing students for the challenges of higher education and beyond. With its emphasis on independent research and writing, the EE equips students with the skills and confidence to navigate their future academic journeys successfully.

extended essay literature ideas

Choosing a topic for your Extended Essay is the first step in a journey towards developing a deep understanding of a specific area of interest. It’s crucial to select a topic that is not only academically viable but also personally engaging. Here’s how to navigate this critical phase.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your EE Topic

Interest and passion:.

Select a topic that fascinates you. Your interest will sustain motivation over the months of research and writing.

Availability of Resources:

Ensure there are enough resources available on your chosen topic. Access to libraries, databases, and experts in the field is essential for comprehensive research.

Scope and Focus:

The topic should be narrow enough to allow for in-depth study yet broad enough to find sufficient research material. Balancing specificity with resource availability is key.

IB Subject Areas:

Your topic must align with one of the subjects you are studying in the IB Diploma Programme or an approved subject area. Familiarity with the subject’s methodology and criteria is crucial for success.

How to Align Your Interests with the IB Subjects

Explore the syllabus:.

Review the syllabus of your IB subjects to identify topics that interest you. This can provide a framework for your EE.

Consult with Teachers:

Teachers can offer insights into feasible topics that align with the IB criteria and offer guidance on how to approach them.

Consider Interdisciplinary Topics:

Some of the most engaging EEs explore the intersection between different subjects. If this interests you, ensure your approach meets the criteria for an interdisciplinary essay under the IB’s World Studies EE option.

Extended Essay Topics: Examples Across Various Disciplines

  • Sciences: How does the introduction of non-native plant species affect biodiversity in your local ecosystem?
  • History : What was the impact of Winston Churchill’s leadership on Britain’s role in World War II?
  • English: How does the use of unreliable narrators influence the reader’s perception in Ian McEwan’s novels?
  • Mathematics: Investigating the application of the Fibonacci sequence in predicting stock market movements.
  • Visual Arts: Exploring the influence of Japanese art on Claude Monet’s painting style.

Selecting the right topic is foundational to your EE journey. It shapes your research direction, influences your engagement with the essay, and ultimately contributes to the satisfaction and success of your EE experience. Take your time, consult widely, and choose a topic that you are eager to explore in depth.

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Crafting a focused and clear research question is a pivotal element of your Extended Essay. This question not only guides your research but also frames your essay’s entire structure. It’s the question to which your essay will provide an answer, and as such, it requires thoughtful consideration and precision.

A well-developed research question should be specific, relevant, and challenging. It should invite analysis, discussion, and the exploration of significant academic literature. Here’s a deeper look into formulating a robust research question for your EE.

Characteristics of a Strong Research Question

The hallmark of a strong research question is its specificity. It shouldn’t be too broad, as this could lead to a superficial treatment of the topic. 

Conversely, a question that’s too narrow might not allow for comprehensive exploration or significant discussion. Finding a balance is key. The question should also be focused on a particular aspect of a subject area, enabling in-depth analysis within the word count limit.

Another important characteristic is the question’s alignment with available resources. Before finalising your question, ensure that you have access to sufficient data and scholarly research to support your investigation. This might involve preliminary searches in academic databases, libraries, or consultation with your supervisor.

Tips for Refining Your Research Question

Start by brainstorming broad topic areas that interest you. Once you’ve identified a general area of interest, begin narrowing down by asking yourself specific questions about the topic. What aspects of this topic are unexplored or underexplored? What specific angle can I take that will make my research unique?

It’s also beneficial to review past EEs or academic journals for inspiration. Seeing how others have structured their research questions can provide valuable insight into crafting your own. However, ensure your question remains original and tailored to your interests.

Examples of Effective Research Questions

To give you an idea of what a well-formulated research question looks like, here are a few examples:

  • Biology: How does the concentration of a specific nutrient affect the growth rate of plant species X in a hydroponic setup compared to soil-based growth?
  • History: To what extent did the public speeches of Martin Luther King Jr. influence the public’s perception of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States between 1963 and 1968?
  • Economics: How significant is the impact of recent economic policies on small businesses in [specific location] during the COVID-19 pandemic?
  • English Literature: How does the use of magical realism in Gabriel García Márquez’s ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ reflect the political and social issues of post-colonial Latin America?

Developing your research question is an iterative process. It may evolve as you delve deeper into your research. Be open to refining your question based on the information you discover and discussions with your supervisor. A well-crafted research question will not only guide your research effectively but also engage your interest throughout the writing process, leading to a more meaningful and insightful Extended Essay.

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A critical component of your Extended Essay is selecting an appropriate research methodology and theoretical framework. These elements are foundational to conducting your research and crafting your argument, influencing how you collect, analyse, and interpret data.

Understanding Research Methodologies

Research methodology refers to the systematic approach you take to investigate your research question. It encompasses the methods and procedures you use to collect and analyse data. Your chosen methodology should align with the nature of your research question and the objectives of your essay.

In the sciences, for example, your methodology might involve experiments, observations, or simulations to gather empirical data. In the humanities, you may lean towards content analysis, comparative analysis, or historical investigation, relying on textual or archival sources.

Selecting the right methodology is crucial. It should provide a clear path to answering your research question, considering the resources available and the scope of your essay. It’s also important to justify your choice of methodology in your essay, explaining why it’s appropriate for your research question and how it will help you achieve your objectives.

Applying Theoretical Frameworks

Theoretical frameworks provide a lens through which your research is conducted and interpreted. They offer a structured way to understand and analyse your findings, grounding your study in existing knowledge and theories.

Choosing a theoretical framework involves identifying relevant theories, models, or concepts that apply to your topic. For instance, if you’re exploring media representation of gender, you might utilise feminist theory as a framework to analyse your findings. In economics, you might apply game theory to understand competitive behaviours in a market.

The framework should guide your analysis, providing a coherent basis for interpreting your data. It helps to structure your argument, offering a deeper insight into the significance of your findings within the broader academic discourse.

Integrating Methodology and Frameworks into Your Research

Successfully integrating your chosen methodology and theoretical framework involves a few key steps:

  • Clarify the Scope: Ensure your research question, methodology, and theoretical framework align in scope and focus. They should work together seamlessly to guide your research.
  • Justify Your Choices: Explain the rationale behind your chosen methodology and framework. Discuss why they are suitable for your research question and how they will support your investigation.
  • Apply Consistently: Use your methodology and framework consistently throughout your research and analysis. This consistency strengthens the coherence and academic rigour of your essay.

Reflecting on these components during the planning stage can enhance the quality of your research and the clarity of your argument. Your methodology and theoretical framework are not just academic requirements; they’re tools that shape the direction and depth of your inquiry, enabling a more structured and insightful exploration of your topic.

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In the journey of crafting an Extended Essay (EE), the ability to critically evaluate sources and data stands as a fundamental skill. This evaluation is crucial in establishing the credibility and reliability of the information that forms the backbone of your research. Understanding how to discern the quality and relevance of your sources ensures that your EE is built on a solid foundation of trustworthy information.

Criteria for Selecting Credible and Relevant Sources

Authority: Consider the source’s authorship. Look for works by experts in the field, academic institutions, or reputable organisations. The author’s qualifications and affiliations can significantly impact the reliability of the information.

Accuracy: The information should be supported by evidence, referenced appropriately, and free from factual errors. Reliable sources often undergo a peer-review process, ensuring that the content is scrutinised and validated by other experts in the field.

Currency: The relevance of information can diminish over time, especially in fields that evolve rapidly, such as science and technology. Ensure that the sources you use are up-to-date, reflecting the latest research and developments.

Purpose: Understand the purpose behind the information. Is it to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell? Recognising the intent can help you assess potential biases, which is particularly important when dealing with controversial topics.

Techniques for Evaluating the Reliability and Validity of Data

Cross-Verification: Cross-check information across multiple sources to verify its accuracy and reliability. Consistency among various sources can be a good indicator of the information’s validity.

Statistical Analysis: When dealing with numerical data, consider its statistical significance and the methodology used in its collection. Reliable data should be gathered using sound scientific methods and accurately represent the population or phenomena studied.

Source Evaluation Tools: Utilise tools and checklists designed to evaluate the credibility of sources. These can provide a structured approach to assessing the quality of your research materials.

Incorporating Primary vs. Secondary Sources Effectively

Primary Sources: These are firsthand accounts or direct evidence concerning the topic you’re researching. They include interviews, surveys, experiments, and historical documents. Primary sources offer original insights and data, allowing for a deeper and more personal engagement with your subject.

Secondary Sources: These sources analyse, interpret, or summarise information from primary sources. They include textbooks, articles, and reviews. Secondary sources can provide context, background, and a broader perspective on your topic.

Balancing primary and secondary sources enriches your research, providing both the raw data and the interpretations that help frame your analysis. By rigorously evaluating sources and data, you ensure that your Extended Essay rests on a foundation of credible and relevant information, enhancing the depth and rigour of your investigation.

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The heart of a compelling Extended Essay (EE) lies in the seamless integration of evidence and analysis. This integration not only supports and substantiates your arguments but also demonstrates your ability to critically engage with your research topic. Here’s how to weave evidence and analysis together in a way that enhances the strength and persuasiveness of your EE.

Strategies for Integrating Evidence Seamlessly into Your Argument

Directly Link Evidence to Your Thesis: Every piece of evidence you include should directly support or relate to your thesis statement. This ensures that all the information contributes to building your argument coherently.

Use Evidence to Illustrate Points: Utilise examples, data, quotes, and case studies as concrete evidence to illustrate your points. This makes abstract concepts more tangible and convincing to the reader.

Analyse, Don’t Just Present: For every piece of evidence, provide analysis and interpretation. Explain how it supports your argument, what it demonstrates, and its implications for your research question.

Balancing Descriptive and Analytical Writing

Avoid Over-Description: While some description is necessary to set the context, avoid dedicating too much space to merely describing your evidence. The focus should be on analysis.

Develop a Critical Voice: Cultivate a critical approach to your evidence. This means evaluating its reliability, considering its limitations, and discussing its relevance to your argument.

Synthesise Information: Aim to synthesise evidence from multiple sources to support your points. This demonstrates comprehensive understanding and the ability to draw connections across your research.

How to Critically Analyse Sources and Data Within Your Essay

Question the Source: Consider the source’s origin, purpose, and potential bias. How might these factors influence the information presented?

Evaluate Methodology: If the evidence comes from a study or experiment, evaluate the methodology used. Is it sound and appropriate for the research question?

Consider the Broader Context: Place your evidence within the broader scholarly conversation on your topic. How does it fit with, challenge, or expand existing knowledge?

By thoughtfully integrating evidence and providing in-depth analysis, you can create a nuanced and compelling EE that goes beyond mere description to offer original insights into your topic. This approach not only strengthens your argument but also showcases your critical thinking and analytical skills, essential qualities for success in the IB Diploma Programme and beyond.

The Extended Essay presents an opportunity for IB students to engage deeply with a topic of their choice. However, to effectively communicate your research and insights, your essay must be well-structured and clearly written. 

This section provides guidance on how to write and structure your EE, ensuring your work is coherent, persuasive, and academically rigorous.

Outline of the Extended Essay Structure

A well-organised structure is crucial for the readability and coherence of your EE. Typically, an Extended Essay includes the following components:

  • Title Page: Displays the essay title, research question, subject the essay is registered in, and word count.
  • Abstract: A concise summary of the essay, including the research question, methodology, results, and conclusion (Note: For essays submitted in 2018 and forward, the IB no longer requires an abstract, so check the most current guidelines).
  • Contents Page: Lists the sections and subsections of your essay with page numbers.
  • Introduction: Introduces the research question and your essay’s purpose, outlining the scope of the investigation.
  • Body : The main section of your essay, divided into clearly titled subsections, each addressing specific aspects of the research question. It’s where you present your argument, supported by evidence.
  • Conclusion: Summarises the findings, discusses the implications, and reflects on the research’s limitations and potential areas for further study.
  • References/Bibliography: Lists all sources used in the essay in a consistent format, following the chosen citation style.
  • Appendices: (If necessary) Contains supplementary material that is relevant to the research but not essential to its explanation.

Detailed Breakdown of Each Section

Introduction:

The introduction sets the stage for your research. It should clearly state your research question and explain the significance of the topic. Briefly outline the theoretical framework and methodology, and provide an overview of the essay’s structure.

The body is the heart of your essay. It should be logically organised to build your argument step by step. Each paragraph should start with a clear topic sentence, followed by evidence and analysis. Use subheadings to divide the sections thematically or methodologically, ensuring each part contributes to answering the research question.

  • Developing Arguments: Present and critique different perspectives, systematically leading the reader through your analytical process.
  • Using Evidence: Incorporate relevant data, quotes, and examples to support your arguments. Ensure all sources are appropriately cited.
  • Analysis and Discussion: Go beyond describing your findings; analyse and interpret them in the context of your research question and theoretical framework.
  • Conclusion: The conclusion should not introduce new information. Instead, it should synthesise your findings, highlighting how they contribute to understanding the research question. Reflect on the research process, acknowledging any limitations and suggesting areas for further investigation.

Importance of Coherence and Logical Flow

Maintaining coherence and a logical flow throughout your EE is essential. Transition sentences between paragraphs and sections can help link ideas smoothly, guiding the reader through your argument. A coherent structure ensures that your essay is accessible and persuasive, making a strong impression on the reader.

A well-written and structured EE is a testament to your understanding of the research process and your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. By adhering to a clear structure and focusing on coherence and logical progression, you can craft an essay that is engaging, insightful, and academically rigorous.

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A unique and integral component of the IB Extended Essay (EE) process is the Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF). The RPPF serves as a personal and academic exploration tool, guiding students through the planning, research, and writing phases of their EE. It encourages students to reflect on their learning journey, documenting insights gained, challenges encountered, and the evolution of their thinking.

The Role of Reflection in the EE Process

Reflection is at the heart of the EE, enabling students to engage critically with their own learning processes. It helps in:

  • Self-Assessment: Encouraging students to consider their strengths and areas for improvement.
  • Skill Development: Facilitating a deeper understanding of the research and writing skills developed during the EE process.
  • Critical Thinking: Promoting an evaluative approach to the research process, allowing students to make informed decisions about their methodologies, sources, and arguments.

How to Effectively Complete the RPPF

Completing the RPPF involves three formal reflection sessions, which are crucial milestones in the EE journey:

  • Initial Reflection: Focuses on the selection of the topic and formulation of the research question. Students should discuss their motivations, initial ideas, and anticipated challenges.
  • Interim Reflection: Occurs midway through the process. Students reflect on the progress made, adjustments to their research plan, and any challenges they’ve faced. It’s an opportunity to reassess the direction of the EE and make necessary modifications.
  • Final Reflection: After completing the EE, students reflect on their overall experience, the skills they’ve developed, and the knowledge they’ve gained. This reflection should also consider the impact of the research process on their personal and academic growth.

In each reflection, students should be honest and critical, providing insights into their learning journey. The reflections are not just about documenting successes but also about understanding the learning process, including setbacks and how they were overcome.

Examples of Reflective Questions and Insightful Responses

Initial reflection:.

Question: “What excites me about my chosen topic?”

Insightful Response: Discuss the personal or academic interest in the topic, any prior knowledge, and what you hope to discover through your research.

Interim Reflection:

Question: “What challenges have I encountered in my research, and how have I addressed them?”

Insightful Response: Describe specific obstacles, such as difficulty accessing resources or refining the research question, and the strategies employed to overcome them.

Final Reflection:

Question: “How has my understanding of the topic evolved through the research process?”

Insightful Response: Reflect on how the research challenged or confirmed initial assumptions and what was learned about the topic and the research process itself.

The RPPF is not just a formal requirement but a valuable component of the EE that enriches the student’s learning experience. By fostering reflection, the RPPF helps students to articulate their journey, offering insights into the complexities of research and the personal growth that accompanies the creation of an extended academic work.

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The Extended Essay allows students to explore a topic of interest within the framework of an IB subject. The choice of academic discipline not only shapes the content and focus of the essay but also influences the methodologies and theoretical frameworks that students may employ. Understanding and adhering to the conventions and requirements of the chosen discipline is crucial for the success of the EE.

Adhering to Disciplinary Conventions and Guidelines

Each academic discipline has its own set of conventions regarding research methodologies, writing styles, and citation formats. For example, a science EE might require empirical research and quantitative analysis, whereas an essay in the humanities might focus on qualitative analysis and critical interpretation of texts.

Key considerations include:

  • Methodology: The choice of methodology should align with disciplinary norms. Science EEs might involve experiments, whereas essays in history might rely on primary source analysis.
  • Structure: While the basic structure of the EE remains consistent across subjects, the presentation of arguments and evidence might vary. Essays in the arts and humanities might follow a thematic structure, while those in the sciences might be organised around experimental findings.
  • Citation Style: Different disciplines prefer specific citation styles. For instance, APA might be favoured in psychology, while MLA is commonly used in literature essays. Adhering to the appropriate style is crucial for academic integrity.

How Different Disciplines Influence the Approach to Research and Writing

The academic discipline not only dictates the formal aspects of the EE but also influences the approach to research and writing. For instance, an EE in Visual Arts would require a different analytical lens compared to an EE in Economics. The former might analyse the impact of cultural contexts on artistic expressions, while the latter could evaluate economic theories through case studies.

Disciplinary perspectives also affect:

  • Argumentation : The way arguments are constructed and evidenced can differ. In the sciences, arguments are often built around data and logical reasoning, while in the humanities, they might be more interpretative, drawing on various theoretical perspectives.
  • Critical Engagement: The extent and nature of critical engagement with sources can vary. In subjects like History or English, a critical analysis of diverse interpretations is fundamental, whereas in the Sciences, the focus might be on empirical evidence and hypothesis testing.

Examples of Disciplinary Perspectives in Extended Essay Examples

  • Biology EE: An investigation into the effects of environmental changes on local biodiversity, employing scientific methods for data collection and analysis.
  • Economics EE: An analysis of the impact of a specific economic policy on a local economy, using economic theories and models to interpret data.
  • English Literature EE: A comparative study of the theme of alienation in two novels, using literary theories to explore the authors’ narrative techniques.

Understanding the significance of academic discipline in the EE ensures that students approach their research with the appropriate methodologies and analytical frameworks. It encourages respect for the depth and breadth of the subject area, contributing to a more nuanced and informed exploration of the chosen topic.

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Writing an Extended Essay involves more than just conducting research and presenting findings; it requires careful planning, effective engagement with your supervisor, and a critical approach to your sources. Here are some best practices to help you navigate the EE writing process successfully.

Time Management and Planning

Time management is crucial in the EE process. The project spans several months, so it’s essential to break down the work into manageable stages. Create a timeline early in the process, including key milestones such as completing the research, drafting sections, and finalising the essay. Allocate time for unexpected challenges and ensure you have buffer periods for revision and feedback.

Planning Tips:

  • Set Goals: Establish clear, achievable goals for each phase of your EE journey.
  • Use Tools: Leverage planning tools or software to organise your tasks and deadlines.
  • Regular Reviews: Periodically review your progress against your plan and adjust as necessary.

Engaging with Supervisors Effectively:Your supervisor is a valuable resource throughout the EE process. They can provide guidance on your research question, methodology, and essay structure, as well as feedback on your drafts.

Maximising Supervisor Engagement:

  • Prepare for Meetings: Come to each meeting with specific questions or sections of your essay you want feedback on.
  • Be Open to Feedback: Constructive criticism is essential for improvement. Listen to your supervisor’s suggestions and consider how to incorporate them into your work.
  • Communicate Regularly: Keep your supervisor informed of your progress and any challenges you encounter.

Critical Engagement with Sources

A critical approach to the sources you use is fundamental to a high-quality EE. Evaluate the reliability, relevance, and bias of your sources to ensure your essay is grounded in credible evidence.

Strategies for Source Evaluation:

  • Source Variety: Use a range of sources, including academic journals, books, and reputable online resources, to provide a balanced perspective on your topic.
  • Critical Analysis : Don’t just summarise sources. Analyse their arguments, identify limitations, and consider how they contribute to your research question.
  • Citation and Paraphrasing: Accurately cite all sources to avoid plagiarism. When paraphrasing, ensure you’re genuinely rephrasing ideas in your own words while still crediting the original author.

Good practice in EE writing is not just about adhering to academic standards; it’s about engaging deeply with your topic, embracing the research process, and developing skills that will serve you well in your academic and professional future. By managing your time effectively, leveraging the support of your supervisor, and critically engaging with sources, you can craft an EE that is not only academically rigorous but also personally rewarding.

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Successfully navigating the Extended Essay process requires more than just academic skill; it demands effective project management. This encompasses planning, organising, and executing your EE from initial conception to final submission. Here are strategies to help you manage the EE process, ensuring a smooth journey and a rewarding outcome.

Planning and Time Management Strategies Specific to the EE

Develop a Detailed Plan: Start by breaking down the EE process into stages: topic selection, research, drafting, and revising. Assign deadlines to each stage based on the final submission date, allowing extra time for unforeseen delays.

Use a Calendar or Planner: Keep track of deadlines, meetings with your supervisor, and other important dates. Digital tools can be particularly useful, offering reminders and helping you stay organised.

Set Regular Milestones: Milestones offer checkpoints to assess your progress. These could be completing the research phase, finishing a first draft, or finalising your citations. Celebrate these achievements to stay motivated.

Milestones and Checklists to Keep You on Track

Create Checklists: For each phase of the EE process, develop a checklist of tasks. This could include conducting initial research, writing specific sections of the essay, or completing rounds of revision.

Regular Progress Reviews: Schedule weekly or bi-weekly reviews of your progress against your plan. Adjust your plan as needed based on these reviews.

Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adapt your plan. Research might take longer than expected, or you might decide to change your focus slightly after discussing with your supervisor.

Dealing with Challenges and Setbacks During the EE Journey

Anticipate Potential Issues: Think ahead about what might go wrong and how you would address it. Having contingency plans can reduce stress and keep you on track.

Seek Support When Needed: Don’t hesitate to reach out to your supervisor, peers, or other mentors if you encounter obstacles. They can offer advice, support, and perspective.

Maintain a Positive Attitude: Challenges are part of the learning process. View setbacks as opportunities to improve your problem-solving and resilience skills.

Managing the EE process effectively is about more than just completing a requirement for the IB Diploma; it’s an exercise in self-management and personal growth. By carefully planning your work, setting and celebrating milestones, and being prepared to tackle challenges, you can navigate the EE process with confidence and achieve a result that reflects your hard work and dedication.

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Mastering the art of collaboration and effectively incorporating feedback are pivotal aspects of crafting a high-calibre Extended Essay (EE). These processes enrich your work, offering new perspectives and insights that can significantly enhance the depth and quality of your research and writing. Let’s delve into how to navigate these collaborative interactions and integrate feedback productively.

Effective Collaboration with Your Supervisor

Your supervisor is a key ally in your EE journey, providing guidance, support, and expert insight into your chosen topic. Building a productive relationship with your supervisor involves clear communication, active engagement, and receptiveness to their advice.

  • Prepare for Meetings: Maximise the value of your meetings by preparing questions and topics for discussion. This shows initiative and helps you focus on areas where you need the most guidance.
  • Be Open to Suggestions: Your supervisor brings a wealth of experience and knowledge. Being open to their suggestions can unlock new avenues of inquiry and refine your research focus.
  • Follow Up: After meetings, review the guidance provided and take action. Following up on suggestions and demonstrating progress is key to a fruitful collaboration.

Incorporating Feedback Constructively

Feedback is a gift, offering you fresh eyes on your work and highlighting areas for improvement. Whether it comes from your supervisor, peers, or other mentors, constructive feedback is instrumental in elevating the quality of your EE.

  • Critically Evaluate Feedback: Not all feedback will be equally applicable or helpful. Assess suggestions critically and decide which ones align with your research goals and vision for your EE.
  • Implement Changes Thoughtfully: When integrating feedback, do so thoughtfully and systematically. Consider how each piece of advice enhances your argument or strengthens your analysis.
  • Maintain Your Own Voice: While it’s important to consider feedback, your EE should ultimately reflect your ideas, analysis, and voice. Balance the input from others with your own scholarly insights.

Balancing Independent Research with Guidance

Navigating the balance between independent research and the guidance received is a delicate aspect of the EE process. While the EE is your project, drawing on the expertise and feedback of others can significantly enhance its depth and scope.

  • Value Independence: Embrace the opportunity to conduct independent research, making your EE a true reflection of your interests and intellectual curiosity.
  • Seek Guidance Wisely: Utilise your supervisor and other resources judiciously. They can provide clarity, offer new perspectives, and help you navigate complex aspects of your research.
  • Synthesise Input: Integrate the guidance and feedback you receive in a way that complements your research, ensuring that your EE remains a coherent and cohesive piece of scholarly work.

The interplay between collaboration, feedback, and independent research is central to the EE process. By engaging effectively with your supervisor, thoughtfully incorporating feedback, and maintaining a balance between guidance and your own scholarly pursuits, you can craft an EE that is not only academically rigorous but also a true testament to your growth as a learner.

Plagiarism is a critical concern in academic writing, including the Extended Essay. It involves using someone else’s work without proper acknowledgment, which can compromise the integrity of your essay and result in severe penalties. Understanding what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it is essential for maintaining academic honesty and ensuring the credibility of your research.

Understanding What Constitutes Plagiarism

Plagiarism can take many forms, from directly copying text without quotation marks to paraphrasing someone else’s ideas without proper citation. It also includes using images, charts, or data without acknowledging the source. Even unintentional plagiarism, where sources are not deliberately misrepresented but are inadequately cited, can have serious consequences.

How to Properly Cite Sources and Paraphrase

Citing Sources : Every time you use someone else’s words, ideas, or data, you must cite the source. This not only includes quotes and paraphrases but also data, images, and charts. Familiarise yourself with the citation style recommended for your subject area, whether it be APA, MLA, Chicago, or another, and apply it consistently throughout your essay.

Paraphrasing: Paraphrasing involves rewording someone else’s ideas in your own words. It’s essential to do more than just change a few words around; you need to completely rewrite the concept, ensuring you still cite the original source. Good paraphrasing demonstrates your understanding of the material and integrates it seamlessly into your argument.

Using Plagiarism Detection Tools

Many schools and students use plagiarism detection tools to check the originality of their work before submission. These tools compare your essay against a vast database of published material and other student submissions to identify any matches. Utilising these tools can help you identify areas of your essay that need better paraphrasing or citation.

Avoiding plagiarism in the EE involves diligent research, careful writing, and thorough citation. It’s about respecting the intellectual property of others while demonstrating your own understanding and analysis of the topic. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your EE is both original and academically honest, reflecting the hard work and integrity that define the IB learner profile.

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In the Extended Essay, showcasing original thought is not just encouraged; it’s a cornerstone of what makes an EE stand out. Originality in this context means more than just avoiding plagiarism; it involves presenting unique perspectives, developing novel arguments, or exploring new areas within a subject. Here’s how you can emphasise original thought in your EE.

The Value of Originality and Creativity

Originality and creativity in the EE demonstrate your ability to think independently and engage critically with your subject. It shows that you’re not just capable of summarising existing knowledge but also contributing to the conversation in your discipline. This level of engagement is what the IB looks for in assessing the EE, as it reflects a deeper understanding and application of the subject matter.

Balancing Academic Rigour with Personal Voice and Analysis

While it’s important to ground your EE in academic research and follow disciplinary conventions, finding a balance with your personal voice and analysis is key to originality. Here are ways to achieve this balance:

  • Personal Insight : Inject your essay with your insights, interpretations, and conclusions based on the research. This personal engagement with the topic distinguishes your EE from a mere literature review.
  • Critical Analysis: Go beyond describing what others have said. Critique the arguments, identify gaps in the research, and propose new ways of understanding the subject.
  • Innovative Approach: Consider addressing less explored aspects of your topic or applying theories and methodologies from other disciplines to bring fresh perspectives.

Strategies for Developing and Showcasing Original Thought

Question Assumptions: Start by questioning the prevailing assumptions or widely held beliefs in your subject area. This critical stance can open up avenues for original analysis.

Interdisciplinary Connections: Drawing connections between different disciplines can reveal new insights and approaches that enrich your essay.

Reflect on Your Learning: Use the insights gained from your coursework and personal interests to inform your approach. Often, your unique educational and life experiences can inspire original perspectives.

Emphasising original thought in your EE is about striking a balance between demonstrating your mastery of the subject and pushing beyond the boundaries of existing knowledge. It involves a blend of thorough research, critical thinking, and creative engagement with the topic. By fostering a unique perspective and injecting your personal voice into your analysis, you can create an EE that is not only academically rigorous but also distinctly yours, leaving a lasting impression on your readers.

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The culmination of the Extended Essay process includes the final presentation and the Viva Voce, a concluding interview between the student and their supervisor. These components serve not only as a summation of your EE journey but also as an opportunity to reflect on your learning and the skills you’ve developed. Understanding the significance and how to prepare for these elements is crucial for a successful EE completion.

Preparing for the Final Presentation

The final presentation is an opportunity to share the highlights of your EE journey, including your research question, methodology, key findings, and any challenges you overcame. It’s a moment to showcase the depth of your research and the personal growth you experienced throughout the process.

Key Elements to Include:

  • Overview of Your Research: Briefly summarise your research question and why you chose it, highlighting your methodology and the scope of your investigation.
  • Significant Findings: Share the key insights and discoveries you made during your research. This is a chance to underscore the original contributions of your EE.
  • Challenges and Solutions : Discuss any significant obstacles you faced and how you addressed them. Reflecting on these challenges shows your problem-solving skills and resilience.
  • Reflections on the Process: Share what you’ve learned about yourself as a learner, the skills you’ve developed, and how the EE has impacted your academic and personal growth.

Tips for a Successful Viva Voce

The Viva Voce is a short interview with your supervisor after you’ve submitted your EE. It’s an integral part of the reflection process, allowing you to discuss the successes and challenges of your research journey.

To Prepare for the Viva Voce:

  • Review Your EE: Be familiar with your essay’s content, as you’ll discuss your work in detail. Be ready to explain your research decisions and reflect on your learning process.
  • Anticipate Questions: Your supervisor might ask about how you selected your topic, the development of your research question, your approach to research and writing, and the skills you’ve developed.
  • Reflect on Your Learning: Think about the entire EE process, including what you learned, how you’ve grown, and how the experience might influence your future academic or career goals.

How the Viva Voce Contributes to Your Overall EE Assessment

While the Viva Voce doesn’t directly affect your EE grade, it plays a crucial role in the holistic assessment of your IB Diploma. It demonstrates the authenticity of your work and your engagement with the EE process, providing insights into your approach, dedication, and intellectual growth.

The final presentation and Viva Voce are essential milestones that mark the completion of your EE journey. They offer a platform to reflect on the challenges you’ve navigated, the knowledge you’ve gained, and the skills you’ve honed. Preparing thoroughly for these elements ensures you can confidently articulate your research journey, showcasing the depth of your inquiry and your development as an IB learner.

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The journey through the Extended Essay is more than an academic exercise; it’s a transformative experience that equips IB Diploma students with skills and insights that extend far beyond the programme.

Reflecting on how the EE prepares you for future academic and professional endeavours can highlight the lasting value of this rigorous project.

How the Skills Developed During the EE Can Benefit You in Future Academic and Professional Endeavours

Research and Analytical Skills: The EE demands a high level of research and analysis, teaching students how to gather, assess, and interpret data. These skills are invaluable in higher education and many professional fields, where evidence-based decision-making is crucial.

Critical Thinking: Crafting an EE requires students to evaluate sources critically, consider multiple perspectives, and develop well-reasoned arguments. This ability to think critically is highly sought after in both academia and the workplace.

Project Management: Completing an EE involves planning, organisation, time management, and problem-solving. Managing such a long-term project successfully can boost your confidence in handling complex tasks and projects in the future.

Communication: Writing the EE enhances your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively, a skill that is essential in any professional setting. Additionally, the final presentation and Viva Voce develop your verbal communication and presentation skills.

Examples of How the EE Has Helped Alumni in Their Post-IB Journeys

Many IB alumni attribute their success in university and their careers to the foundation laid by their EE experience. For instance, alumni often report that the EE made the transition to university-level research and writing much smoother. Others have found that the skills developed through the EE, such as critical thinking and project management, have set them apart in job interviews and workplace projects.

Encouragement to View the EE as a Stepping Stone to Lifelong Learning

The EE is not just a requirement for the IB Diploma; it’s an introduction to a lifelong journey of inquiry and discovery. It encourages a mindset of curiosity and a habit of continuous learning that can enrich both your personal and professional life. Viewing the EE through this lens can transform it from a daunting task into an exciting opportunity to explore your passions and develop essential skills for the future.

The Extended Essay is a hallmark of the IB Diploma Programme, embodying the essence of inquiry, critical thinking, and scholarly engagement. From selecting a topic and formulating a research question to conducting in-depth research and presenting findings, the EE challenges students to transcend the boundaries of traditional learning, fostering skills and insights that extend far beyond the confines of the classroom.

This comprehensive guide has navigated the critical aspects of the EE process, offering strategies for managing time, engaging with supervisors, and ensuring academic integrity. It has underscored the importance of original thought, the role of academic discipline, and the value of reflection, aiming to equip students with the tools they need to succeed in this rigorous academic endeavour.

The Extended Essay is a testament to your dedication, intellectual curiosity, and academic prowess. Embrace this opportunity to shine, to explore, and to make your mark on the world of knowledge.

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Literature Extended Essay Topics

What is an extended essay, what will this guide cover.

Literature Extended Essay Topics

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  • The Influence of Historical Context on the Themes of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”.
  • Exploring the Use of Magic Realism in Gabriel García Márquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude”.
  • The Depiction of War and its Aftermath in Erich Maria Remarque’s “All Quiet on the Western Front”.
  • Examining Gender Roles and Feminism in Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre”.
  • Religious Allegory in John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress”: A Deep Dive.
  • Post-colonial Analysis of Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”.
  • Tragedy and Fatalism in Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the d’Urbervilles”.
  • Exploring the Theme of Isolation in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”.
  • A Study of Stream of Consciousness Narrative in James Joyce’s “Ulysses”.
  • The Representation of American Society in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”.
  • Understanding Nature and Industrialization Through William Wordsworth’s Poetry.
  • The Influence of Russian History on the Characters in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov”.
  • Depictions of Masculinity and Heroism in Ernest Hemingway’s Works.
  • Shakespeare’s Use of Supernatural Elements in “Macbeth”: An Analysis.
  • Examining the Nuances of Race and Culture in Zadie Smith’s “White Teeth”.
  • The Role of Nature and Wilderness in Jack London’s “Call of the Wild”.
  • Dystopia and Social Critique in George Orwell’s “1984”.
  • Comparing the Gothic Elements in Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” and Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”.
  • Symbolism and Allegory in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter”.
  • Understanding Human Behavior Through the Lens of William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”.

Brainstorming Prompts to Help You Choose an Extended Essay Topic

An extended essay is a long piece of academic writing that explores a specific research topic . Writing an extended essay can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! To help you get started, consider the following five sample topics. Each includes four to five questions to help determine if that topic is right for your essay and two to three sentence description of the topic.

1. Exploring the Role of Gender in 19th Century Literature

  • What aspects of gender roles and/or relations are relevant to my research?
  • What specific literary works and/or authors should I investigate?
  • Can I find enough evidence to write an extended essay on this topic ?
  • What challenges might I face when researching and writing about this topic?

This topic explores the role of gender within 19th century literature, including how gender is portrayed, represented and discussed within various literary works.

2. Examining the Impact of War on Modern Literature

  • How has war affected modern literature?
  • Which authors, works and movements should I investigate?
  • Are there any ethical considerations I should take into account?
  • How will I use evidence to support my argument?

This topic examines the impact of war on modern literature, from how it influences the themes and characters portrayed within certain works to how it shapes literary movements.

3. Understanding the Use of Symbolism in British Romanticism

  • How have symbols been used in British Romantic literature?
  • Which symbols are most significant?
  • How can I analyze symbolism within specific works?
  • What new insight could I gain by studying this topic ?

This topic looks at the use of symbols in British Romanticism, from exploring what different symbols mean to analyzing how they are used within various works.

4. Analyzing the Representation of Nature in Gothic Fiction

  • What does the representation of nature tell us about Gothic fiction?
  • Can I draw connections between representations of nature and the plot?
  • What aspects of nature should I focus on in my research?
  • How can I evaluate the significance of the representation of nature ?

This topic examines the representation of nature in Gothic fiction, from how it contributes to the atmosphere of the story to how it reflects the themes and ideas explored within the work.

5. Investigating the Development of Postcolonial Writing

  • What themes and trends should I consider when researching postcolonial writing?
  • What authors and works are relevant to the subject?
  • Are there any cultural differences I should be aware of during my research?
  • What evidence can I use to support my argument?

This topic looks at the development of postcolonial writing, focusing on how it reflects the experiences of individuals living in colonial societies as well as how it has evolved over time.

Researching Extended Essay Topics

Researching an extended essay topic can seem like an intimidating task. After all, the quality of your research and the accuracy of your facts can make or break your essay. Fortunately, there are two simple and straightforward methods to help you gather the information you need to write an excellent paper.

Primary Sources

The first approach is primary sources. Primary sources such as academic papers, government documents, and interviews are essential for getting accurate facts about a topic. When researching with primary sources, it’s important to look for reliable sources and cross-reference them with other credible sources. Additionally, be careful to use your own words when summarizing the content from your primary sources to avoid plagiarism.

Secondary Sources

In some cases, secondary sources may be easier to access than primary sources. Secondary sources include books, magazine articles, and newspaper articles that have been written about a topic. While these sources can provide useful background information on a subject, it is important to use caution when relying on secondary sources. Be sure to double-check facts and information against primary sources before including them in your paper.

Even with these two methods, researching extended essay topics can be challenging. Start by gathering as many resources as possible and then narrow down your focus. Referencing information from reliable primary and secondary sources can help you create an accurate and well-rounded essay.

Outlining Your Extended Essay

Creating an effective outline is an important step towards writing a successful extended essay . With an outline, you can determine the structure of your essay and ensure that all arguments and evidence are presented in a logical order. Here are some tips to help you create a thorough and effective outline for your extended essay:

Step 1: Decide On Your Position

The first step when outlining your extended essay is to decide on your position or argument. This will be the main point of your essay, so spend some time thinking about how you want to present your topic and what evidence you will use to support it.

Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas and Evidence

Once you have determined your position, begin brainstorming your ideas and evidence. Consider which examples would be relevant to your argument and make a list of any facts, quotes, or other pieces of information that could be used to back up your argument.

Step 3: Structure Your Outline

Once you have gathered all of your ideas and evidence, it’s time to structure your outline. Start by forming your main points/arguments and then break each point down into smaller, more specific ideas and evidence. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that your essay flows logically.

Step 4: Add Supporting Details

When outlining your essay, don’t forget to include supporting details. Be sure to include facts, quotes, and other evidence to support each point. This will make your essay more persuasive and provide readers with a better understanding of your argument.

Step 5: Review Your Outline

Once you have completed your outline, take some time to review it. Make sure all of your points and evidence are coherent and relevant to your position. Also, check for any spelling or grammar errors and make any necessary changes.

By following these steps, you should be able to create an effective outline for your extended essay. Remember, an outline is an important tool for creating a more organized and thorough essay. Taking the time to create one will help ensure that your extended essay is both well-written and successful.

Writing Your Extended Essay

Writing an extended essay can be a tricky process, but once you know where to start, it’s easy! Here are the steps you should take when drafting your extended essay:

1. Introduce Your Topic

The first step to writing your extended essay is to introduce your main topic. Think about your chosen research area and come up with a few sentences that will capture your reader’s attention. This should form the basis of your essay and will act as a reference point throughout your research.

2. Developing Research

Once you have finished introducing your topic, it is time to develop your research. You need to ensure that your insights are supported by evidence. Search for authoritative sources such as academic journals and textbooks, primary documents, and interviews, amongst other methods. It is important to consider multiple perspectives on your topic and synthesize them into your paper.

3. Creating a Checklist

It’s important to have a checklist when writing your extended essay. Make sure you have done your research thoroughly and have consistently referred to it throughout your essay to prove your claims. Check off each point on your list as your essay progresses and make sure you have included all the points and evidence you identified at the beginning.

4. Common Mistakes To Avoid

When writing your extended essay, there are some common mistakes you should be aware of. These include plagiarism, submitting an essay without proofreading and editing, not following your outline, and relying solely on your opinion rather than evidence-based facts. If you keep these in mind when drafting your essay, you’re one step ahead!

Writing an extended essay is a complex process, but can be made easy if you follow the right steps. Start by introducing your topic, then move on to developing your research. Make sure you have a checklist of what to include and double check for common mistakes. With this guide, you’ll be well on your way to writing your perfect extended essay !

Editing and Proofreading Your Extended Essay

Editing and proofreading are important steps in the extended essay writing process. Editing your essay helps you to refine your arguments and make sure they’re clear and coherent. Proofreading is the final step before submitting your paper, and involves carefully checking your work for any errors. Here are some tips to help you edit and proofread your essay effectively:

  • Make sure your argument is clear: Read your essay carefully to check that your argument is easy to understand. If not, try restructuring it to make it more clear.
  • Check for grammar and spelling mistakes: Check for any spelling or grammar mistakes and if necessary, use a grammar or spell checker.
  • Update format and citations: Make sure all citations are in the correct style and format – typically either Harvard or MLA.
  • Look out for redundancy: Remove any redundant or unnecessary words in your essay. This will help to strengthen your argument.
  • Get a second opinion: Ask someone else to read your essay and provide feedback. Getting an outside opinion can help clarify any confusion or mistakes you may have missed.

By ensuring you edit and proofread your extended essay thoroughly, you can ensure you submit a high-quality paper that meets all of the criteria. Remember to take your time when proofreading, and don’t forget to check for formatting and citation errors.

Presenting Your Extended Essay Ideas

Presenting your extended essay ideas can be a challenging task. To ensure that your essay stands out and has maximum impact, you need to follow certain strategies when presenting it. Here we will focus on strategies for writing an introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion, and appendix.

Introduction

The introduction of your essay is the first paragraph that readers will read, and it should capture their attention. It should provide a brief overview of the content of the essay, and give your readers an understanding of what they can expect to read and why it’s important. Be sure to include a strong thesis statement that outlines the main point of your essay.

Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs should provide supporting evidence for your thesis statement. Present facts and data that is relevant to your topic. Make sure to link each paragraph to your thesis statement. This will ensure that your readers understand how the information provided supports your argument.

Your conclusion should sum up your essay by highlighting the main points discussed in the body paragraphs. Make sure to provide a clear call to action or suggest future topics for exploration. You can also provide an open-ended question or something that encourages further thought and discussion.

The appendix of your essay should include additional information such as tables, figures, graphs, and other supporting documents. Be sure to include a description of each item in order to help the reader understand its relevance to the essay.

By following these strategies when presenting your extended essay ideas, you can ensure that your essay stands out and has maximum impact.

The extended essay can be a daunting task for any high school student, especially when it comes to finding the right topic. But with the right planning and preparation, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This guide has provided you with information on how to brainstorm your extended essay topics , research them and outline them. It has also provided you with tips on writing, editing and proofreading your extended essay as well as some tips on presenting your ideas. We hope this guide has been helpful in getting your extended essay off the ground.

If you need further help or advice there are plenty of online resources available. Many schools offer writing workshops that can help you refine your skills. There are also plenty of websites and books devoted to the art of extended essay writing. Do not hesitate to reach out for help.

We wish you the best of luck in your extended essay journey!

Nick Radlinsky

Nick Radlinsky

Nick Radlinsky is a devoted educator, marketing specialist, and management expert with more than 15 years of experience in the education sector. After obtaining his business degree in 2016, Nick embarked on a quest to achieve his PhD, driven by his commitment to enhancing education for students worldwide. His vast experience, starting in 2008, has established him as a reputable authority in the field.

Nick's article, featured in Routledge's " Entrepreneurship in Central and Eastern Europe: Development through Internationalization ," highlights his sharp insights and unwavering dedication to advancing the educational landscape. Inspired by his personal motto, "Make education better," Nick's mission is to streamline students' lives and foster efficient learning. His inventive ideas and leadership have contributed to the transformation of numerous educational experiences, distinguishing him as a true innovator in his field.

IB TOK Essay Rubric and Grading criteria

IB TOK Essay Rubric. Grading Criteria

This article provides essential insights and strategies for understanding the assessment process and helping you write essays that meet and exceed the rigorous standards of the IB curriculum. Whether you’re striving for clarity of argument, effective integration of knowledge, or personal engagement, our tips will help you achieve a higher score.

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IB Internal Assessment Rubric and Grading Criteria

The IB IA rubric is carefully structured to assess students’ understanding, skills and application of subject matter in a nuanced and comprehensive manner. Each subject rubric, whether for sciences such as Biology and Chemistry, humanities such as History and Psychology, or Mathematics, emphasizes a unique set of criteria tailored to assess specific competencies and skills.

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Visual Arts IA Topics: The Best Topic Ideas

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extended essay literature ideas

Theatre IA Topics: SL and HL Topic Ideas

Choosing the right topic for IA in the IB Theatre course is a crucial step that significantly influences your research process and overall learning experience. Whether in the Standard Level or Higher Level track, selecting your topic requires careful thought and consideration, aiming to balance personal interest with academic rigor. This guide offers a rich array of topic ideas and research questions to spark your creativity and intellectual curiosity in the vast world of theatre.

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Music IA Topics for SL and HL Students

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Film IA Topics: SL and HL Topic Ideas

Choosing a topic for your IB Film Internal Assessment (IA) can be exciting and daunting. Whether you’re enrolled in the Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL), the key is to select an option that not only intrigues you but also meets the criteria of the IB Film course. In this article, we dig into a variety of creative and thought-provoking ideas for both SL and HL Film IA topics.

extended essay literature ideas

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The Complete Extended Essay Guide | 100 Topics & Examples

Published by Ellie Cross at November 3rd, 2021 , Revised On July 10, 2023

One of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme’s mandatory requirements is to produce a 4,000 words long extended essay, which should be submitted as an independent piece of research.

All IB students must complete the extended essay assignment regardless of the subjects they are taking because, together with CAS and TOK, it is a core module of the IB programme.

An extended essay allows students to choose any suitable topic of their choice and demonstrate their knowledge and capability beyond what they learn in the classroom. This assignment sets the stage for students to hone their research and writing skills for Bachelor’s and Master’s level coursework.

Students write an extended essay in the second term of the IB program’s first year. All students are expected to work closely with their supervisor to finalise the essay topic and the research questions.

The project involves submitting one extended essay draft to get the supervisor’s feedback before submitting the second and final version. A short viva voce must be included at the end of the essay.

Extended Essay Facts

  • The length of the essay should not be more than 4,000 words.
  • The project is expected to be completed over a period of one year.
  • Significance of the extended essay
  • In 2019 – approximately 200,000 students took the IB Programme exam
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is for students in the age group of 16 to 19 years.

Significance of Extended Essay

So how significantly does the extended essay assignment contribute towards the overall grade?

The extended essay is of critical importance for the following reasons:

  • It allows students to polish their skills for undergraduate and Masters’s level essay assignments.
  • They can independently explore the topic of their interest, which relates to one of the six modules of the IB Programme.
  • Students learn to conduct desk-based research to find appropriate and manageable topics.
  • They learn the basics of how to formulate research questions
  • They learn to develop an argument.
  • Successful completion of this assignment enhances their ability to analyse and assess information critically.

If you choose to undertake the extended essay in world studies, you will be required to conduct extensive interdisciplinary research on an issue of global significance.

Extended Essay Assessment Criteria

Extended essays are marked on a scale from 0 to 34 by external examines chosen by the IB itself. The score you will achieve in the assignment will relate to one of the following bands:

  • 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.

Please click here to check how your grade in the extended essay assignment affects the overall diploma score. Here is the breakdown of EE scores (from the May 2019 bulletin)

How to Select a Topic for the Extended Essay?

Selecting an enjoyable and manageable topic for the extended essay is perhaps the most exciting yet challenging part of the whole process. In a nutshell, you will be required to research a topic in one of the six subjects you are undertaking for the IB Programme. The selection criteria are based on the analysis of an issue of global significance in a specific context. For example, you can investigate technological, environmental, medical, or cultural trends from the local perspective. Here are some tips for choosing the best extended essay topic:

  • It should neither be too broad nor too narrow.
  • Choose a topic you are passionate about.
  • Are there any global trends you are curious to explore and understand?

Choosing the topic can often be overwhelming. Think about the issues you enjoy the most, and more specifically, why you want to learn about them. This will help you develop many ideas that you can review, compare, and pick from. Note: The IBO approves the proposed topic.

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How to Formulate Research Questions for the Extended Essay?

Once the topic has been approved, you can proceed to formulate the research questions (s). A poorly planned research question can cause complications at a later stage, so make sure to take your time to develop a question that would genuinely add value to the existing literature.

The answer to the formulated research question should not be a simple yes or no. It should instead provide valuable information in a larger context. The research question should be focused and relevant to the title. If the research question includes a hypothesis, then there is no obligation on your part to provide it right or wrong. Your job is to test the hypothesis and reveal the facts only.

The question should not necessarily start with words like “Is”, “Will”, “Should”, “Why”, “How”, or “Does”. Merely asserting that “yes, this is correct”, or “no, this is not correct” is inappropriate.

The highest-scoring essays usually address a research question that starts with broader phrases such as, “An investigation of”, “Exploring the idea”, “An analysis of”, “To what extent”, “A review of”, or “Examining the role”. Or it could simply be a hypothesis statement that you aim to test.

If you set out to answer a research question without contemplating the resources required to address it, then you are making a fatal mistake. Whether the essay research is primary or secondary, we cannot understate the importance of a well-thought-out plan to gather relevant supporting academic sources.

However, in most cases, it is only possible to base your essay on secondary data because conducting primary research can involve time and money. But make sure to state your reasons for choosing one research method over another.

Finally, if you cannot find a sufficient number of sources for your research question, you can alter it with your supervisor’s help.

Also read: Mental health essay topics

Choosing the Supervisor

Here are some suggestions on how to choose an advisor

  • If you are unsure about who you would like to work with, create a list of potential advisors.
  • The supervisor should be familiar with your topic.
  • Pick an advisor who would get the best out of you.
  • An advisor who is patient with you would not mind reviewing several drafts of your essay and providing feedback.
  • It would be best if you were comfortable discussing ideas with them.
  • The supervisor should know you well personally because their assessment will contribute towards your final EE score. A teacher who does not know you well may not assess you fairly.
  • Simply having your favourite teacher as an advisor may not be a good idea because they may not be familiar with the topic.
  • Check whether your school requires the advisor to sign a consent form and make the necessary arrangements.

Structure of an Extended Essay

The extended essay follows the standard essay structure , including the introduction , main body , and conclusion. However, always check with your supervisor about the structure you must follow to avoid complications later.

Your supervisor will provide the necessary guidance and advice to support you throughout the research and writing process.

The project includes up to three reflection rounds with the assigned supervisor, with the final round consisting of an interview, also known as the viva voce.

The extended essay and the reflection meetings provide a much-needed impetus, especially to those required to pass an interview assessment for a place at university and before acceptance for employment.

There are six required components of an extended essay structure:

The title page is where you state the research question you set out to address, the subject you are studying, your school name, your name, total word count of the essay, and category (for language essays).

Contents Page

This is where you must list the heading and the subheadings with corresponding page numbers. All pages should be numbered using the Microsoft page numbering feature.

Introduction

The extended essay’s introduction should provide a brief background to the research question, thesis statement , and the central argument presented in the essay.

This is where you present your arguments, evaluation, comparison, discussion, and analysis of the subject matter. This section’s structure varies according to the subject of the essay, but the supporting evidence should accompany every piece of information.

The conclusion section should relate to the thesis statement, the overall scope of the research, and the line of argument taken. It should also reflect any open questions, research limitations, and unexplained problems.

References and Bibliography

A list of academic sources used is provided in the required citation style at the end of the essay. The citation style you need to follow varies subject to subject, but make sure you consistently use it throughout the essay.

The deadline you Need to Meet

Your school will let you know the deadline for the extended essay assignment. Each school has a different official IB deadline. You will have a year to complete the essay, but unfortunately, most students leave their essay to the last week before the deadline.

Careful planning can help you complete the task promptly and avoid a last-minute crunch. Many students make the fatal mistake of giving too much time to research and reading and with very little time to write an essay .

Most schools set their deadlines for different project milestones to help students stay on schedule. Keep in regular contact with your advisor and management to ensure each section is completed in due time.

The viva voce Interview

The viva voice interview allows students to demonstrate the significance of the research results. More specifically, students can provide details of the challenges and the successes of their research during the interview.

For example, you could tell your supervisor about the problem you faced during the data collection process, the strategies you used to overcome them, and how the exercise helped improve your writing skills.

Free Extended Essay Topics

Here are some amazing topic ideas in various subjects that you can consider for your extended essay.

Biology Extended Essay Topics

  • Investigate the relationship between indole acetic acid, a growth hormone, and the growth of X (a crop).
  • To examine the relationship between the population size of X and population density between X.
  • How significantly do live cultures in dairy products such as milk, yoghurt, and cheese reduce the concentration of lactose present for a 2 hour incubation period at x °C?
  • Discuss the relationship between the production process of plants and the climate.
  • To examine the possibility of manufacturing flowers.
  • An investigation into the idea of planting healing a disease.
  • The impact of various drugs on the functioning of the human brain
  • Does the change of habitat affect the life of an organism?
  • Investigate the process of storing cow’s milk safely.
  • The relationship between the photoreceptor cells in the human retina and “the age and gender”.
  • Examining the growth of an X plant when the climate changes
  • Neadderthalian DNA in people who have European ancestors

Psychology Extended Essay Topics

Discuss the relationship between violent acts and viewing the violence shown on social media platforms.

  • Can drug therapy heal bipolar disorder?
  • Can General Anxiety Disorder be healed through meditation?
  • Examining the relationship between cognitive environment and social variables such as educational setting, poverty, culture, parenting, and more
  • How do our relationships evolve? Why causes a relationship to an end?
  • Investigate the effects of domestic violence on the human brain.
  • Discuss the causes of depression from a psychological perspective.
  • Different between female and male schizophrenia.
  • The relationship between General Anxiety Disorder and stress
  • The relationship between stress and bulimia medical condition
  • The relationship between obesity and our social media-oriented lifestyle
  • What causes suicide? How do suicidal behaviours develop over time?

English Extended Essay Topics

  • The importance of learning English literature in the modern world
  • Examine the importance of the literary function of the English language.
  • Explore the relationship between politics and social Darwinism.
  • Sexual and ethnic identity in the twenty-first century
  • The impact of the English language on any other language of your choice
  • Comparing English learning bend with other languages
  • The distinct patterns of the United States English phonetics.
  • Identifying the use of the Sanskrit language in English
  • Tracing the differences between British English and American English in a systematic way
  • Identify the English phrases and words embraced by other Hindi and Urdu languages during the British Raj
  • The influence of the French language on the evolution of the English language.

Literature Extended Essay Topics

  • Examine the significance of different Noble prize winners in the literature on the stylistic evolution.
  • An analysis of the controversy surrounding Bob Dylan’s Noble prize award
  • The Role of Emile Zola’s “J’accuse” in the Dreyfus Affair.
  • Analysing Jane Austen
  • Jame’s Baldwin’s illustration of Racism.
  • The evolution of an ideal woman in English literature
  • The traits of the Islamic religious text
  • Emma by Jane Austen and the importance of Dance
  • An investigation of Severus Snape’s character in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Harry Potter and the Chambers of Secret. What are the similarities and differences between J.K Rowling’s characterization of Severus in the two novels?
  • The evolution of the character of Bilbo Baggins from Lord of the Rings to the Hobbit Sequel

Economics extended essay topics

  • The impact of Covid-19 on the global airline industry
  • How Covid-19 has forced car manufacturers around the work to redesign its economic model
  • The growing importance of the role of India in the world economy
  • China’s plans to take over the world economy by 2050 – How valid is this statement?
  • The role of the road infrastructure in the development of a growing country such as Afghanistan
  • The relationship between an increase in exports and empowerment of the local farmers in an agricultural country like India
  • Tax handling in a world dominated by multinationals.
  • The impact of an ageing population on Japan’s economy
  • Offshore tax havens and the corruption of politicians. How can this trend be stopped?
  • The impact of Brexit on the UK’s economy. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages from the UK’s perspective.

Movie and Film Extended Essay Topics

  • The elements of social protest in Charlie Chaplin’s films
  • How modern have computer capabilities revolutionized conventional cinematography?
  • Avoiding the “soap opera” effect – why movies stay at 24 frames per second (including future predictions)
  • Moving camera – revolutionary ideas (for example, as depicted in the Matrix and the Tenet)
  • Correlation between IMDB marks and differing nationwide and film that is international
  • Metamorphosis of masculinity in our contemporary world as depicted in battle club
  • Kinds of timeline manipulation approach to paper writing service cinematography
  • Massively distorted scientist or systematic technique depiction in Sci-Fi films

History Extended Essay Topics

  • The rise of the Ottoman Empire – An analysis of the role of King Salman-II
  • How significant was the battle of Vienna in European history?
  • The implications of the British Raj on the Indian Subcontinent
  • Discuss the reasons that caused the Arabs to lose in six days against resurging Israel?
  • The treatment of women in India of the 1950s vs India of 2000s
  • The history behind the animosity between two nuclear-armed neighbours – India and Pakistan
  • An investigation of the events led to Hitler’s rise to power in Germany.
  • The simultaneous invasion of Poland by the USSR and Nazi Germany in the second world war
  • An examination of the pearl harbour attack from the Japanese perspective
  • What caused the abnormal expansion of the Islamic empire between the 8 th century and the 10 th

Geography Extended Essay Topics

  • The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) significance for Chinese economic domination
  • An analysis of the current climate change trends and their impact on our oceans
  • Discuss and evaluate the various strategies used to prevent power outages caused by solar storms.
  • India’s improving fertility rate’s relationship with women empowerment and improved women education environment
  • To what extent is biodiversity being managed in Regent’s Park in London.
  • The relationship between obesity risk and parameters such as educational environment, gender, genes, and social settings
  • Examine the affectivity of the environmental sustainability programme initiated by company X.
  • Compare a country with no access to the sea with the one that has access to it.
  • An analysis of the agricultural revolution impact on the world’s environment
  • Does geography influence the social relationships between people?

Mathematics and Physics Extended Essay Topics

  • General functions of the theory of partitions
  • General relativity and cosmology
  • Symmetries of plane tessellations
  • Egyptian forces in arithmetic
  • A review of the various methodological approaches employed by academic researchers
  • Why do planets move the way they do? What causes their circular motion?
  • An investigation into the string theory
  • How quantum physics has the potential to change the rules of science?
  • The basics of dynamics – forces and motion
  • Discuss the different types of forces, including magnetic force, quantum force, and physical
  • The quantum movement of particles
  • How much of an influence does the quantum slit experiment have on traditional Newtonian physics?
  • The nature and behaviour of light
  • The cosmic patterns of stars and planets
  • Gravitational waves – generation, propagation rules, detection on Earth?
  • Is there scientific proof of the existence of another intelligent species in the universe like humans?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an extended essay.

The Extended Essay is a research-based academic project undertaken by International Baccalaureate (IB) students. It allows them to investigate a topic of interest in depth, develop critical thinking skills, and produce a 4000-word essay.

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IB Extended Essay Ideas

What’s covered:, what is the ib extended essay, extended essay examples, how is the ee scored, how does the extended essay affect my admission chances.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP or IB) is a rigorous high school program considered to be equivalent to the AP system, if not harder. Along with coursework and examinations in this two-year long program, there are expectations to write an in-depth essay on one subject of your selection, called the Extended Essay (EE). The following article is about the EE and presents ideas for topics to write about. 

The EE is an essay required to gain the IBDP and pass the course. It’s not like any regular essay, as it gives the student a chance to write a college-level research paper at an earlier point of their lives, giving them useful exposure for their future endeavors in further education. The essay is written in a single subject of your choosing, giving you six options to choose from. The EE is usually done in one of your HL classes, as it could have more scope to produce a more in-depth paper based on the increased amounts of coursework available in HL. 

The essay is expected to be around 4,000 words long, making it not only lengthy to read but time-intensive to produce. This means students must usually figure out which subject they’re writing for early, to give them time to start earlier. The process of planning a draft, along with your appointed EE supervisor, can take up most of your time in the first year of IB (11th grade). It’s common to not start the actual writing until our 2nd year, where you not only have learned enough coursework for the subject, but have also drafted enough to create a well-written essay. 

Choosing a topic for the EE can be difficult, but hopefully the ideas and examples in this article can give you some inspiration to create your own. 

Given there are 6 subject groups in IB, each with numerous options for those groups it would be nearly impossible to suggest examples for each subject, instead we will show examples for popular subjects. These examples can serve as blueprints for crafting your own ideas! 

Example EE Topic 1 – Math HL

Example Topic: Practical Applications and Implementations of the Golden Ratio

extended essay literature ideas

This irrational number is often represented visually as such: 

extended essay literature ideas

This image contains fibonacci vectors, a visual representation of the golden ratio. It’s an interesting concept because it’s a shape/ratio that our brains are seemingly wired to prefer things to take form in, a subconscious level of attraction. Many architects and artists today use this ratio to produce visually appealing works of art, but what other practical applications have risen from this mathematical concept? An EE would be a great way to learn more about this and present it in an interesting manner! 

Example EE Topic 2 – Physics SL

Topic: Build Your Own Radio

This topic requires some fundamental understanding of circuitry and electronics, a big component of physics SL and HL. Building a radio requires thorough understanding of currents, resistances and circuit design aspects that are usually best understood through practical, hands-on learning. 

This project could also demonstrate your knowledge in waves, specifically radio and microwaves required to operate the radio. If documented right throughout the whole process, this could make for not only a very extensive and interesting EE, but fun as well! 

Example EE Topic 3 – English SL/HL

Topic: The Effects Of Shakespearean Literature On Modern English

English EE topics are a bit more difficult than other subjects because it may be the least objective class to write about. That being said, it can also be the most creative EE to write for, with this topic being an ideal example. 

Shakespeare contributed lots to literature and writing, especially in the form of plays and dramas, but how can these be observed in modern day literature? Focus on how forms of comedy from Shakespeare’s plays are implemented in modern comedy, or how some forms of artistic expression from that era could be considered problematic today. 

To make this better suited for HL, try going more in depth about other forms of literature that draw from Shakespearean influence, and more specific implementations of humor, such as slapstick (just an example of many). 

Talk about how literature personally influences you, because this EE is an opportunity to not only present information through research, but to also indulge the reader about yourself and your personality! 

IB scores the EE out of 34 points, with 5 letter grades being assigned as boundaries:

EE and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) are graded together along with CAS, to form the “core” of IB which is worth a total of 3 out of 45 points. The following table details this:

The EE doesn’t have much direct influence on your chances of admission, but learning how to write a great essay through the EE can. The admissions process requires writing a great quality essay to showcase yourself to the office of admissions as best as you can. The EE not only teaches you how to write an informative essay, but a high quality one as well! More factors are also responsible for your chances of admission, and for more info on this check out CollegeVine’s admissions calculator ! This intuitive tool uses your standardized test scores, GPA and more to calculate your chances of admission into a university of your choosing!

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English Extended Essay Topics: 30+ Examples for Inspiration

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by  Antony W

July 30, 2022

extended essay literature ideas

You learned quite a lot about English extended essays so far. You know about the English EE categories as well as how to write a comprehensive essay for the subject. In the following section, we put together a list of some of the best English extended essay topics that you can focus on if you choose to write an extended essay on an English subject.

English Extended Essay Writing Help

Do you have a hard time finding a topic for your English extended essay? Maybe you’re running out of time already and have no idea where to start? Click here to take advantage of your extended essay writing help and we’ll have our expert IB writers help you get the work done fast.

Best English Extended Essay Topics

The following are examples of the best English EE topics:

English Extended Essay Topics on American Literature

  • When we read Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, we can observe the opposition to the abolition of slavery in America via the slaves.
  • How can the American aspirations, as depicted in numerous American novels and other literary works, out to be a complete failure?
  • How can death and a love of the outdoors manifest themselves in American literature?
  • What are the key works of American literature that illuminate the failure of the American dream, absurdity, and environmental destruction?
  • How does the American author Cormac McCarthy’s novel The Road show the destruction of nature caused by weaponry, which alludes indirectly to the American armaments industry?
  • How can we witness the resistance of slaves to slavery in America via numerous literary works?

English Extended Essay Topics on the Age of Romanticism

  • How did people go from urbanization back to the villages and countryside during the romantic period?
  • Why are there hints of modernism in the age’s literary masterwork, Kubla Khan, authored by Samuel Taylor Coleridge?
  • How does the English romantic period of literature vary from the American romantic period?
  • How does S.T. Coleridge defend nature during the Romantic Era through the poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner?
  • Which poetry embodies the romantic period’s themes, such as nostalgia, escapism, and naturalism?
  • Which circumstances led to romanticism’s rebellion against classical literature?

English Literature Extended Essay Topics

  • What does Samuel Johnson’s poem about the futility of human desires from the classical age of literature convey?
  • Why did classical poetry during the neoclassical period contain heroic couplets and rhyme schemes?
  • Can we regard The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope to be the quintessential epic of the neoclassical period?
  • Why did novels and plays suddenly become prominent in post-classical literature with the development of the European middle class?
  • How does the American classic literature vary from the European classic literature? Justify the modern works of literature that are significant.
  • Can we argue that modernism and romantic poetry were written in straightforward language and do not reflect the upper class?
  • How poetry used to be a marker of class in the classic era of literature, and why lower-class individuals had no relationship to poetry.
  • Why do individuals begin to adhere to defined norms of poetry and prose when the neoclassical period begins in English literature?

English Extended Essay Topics on Renaissance

  • How does the renaissance bring about a radical shift in people’s attitudes toward literature?
  • Why William Shakespeare is regarded one of the best dramatists, poets, and playwrights of all time.  
  • Is the notion of universality in William Shakespeare’s work the cause for his international popularity?
  • What role did the printing press play in the huge growth of literature during that era?
  • What were the sociopolitical and economic conditions of the Renaissance era? Which writings best portray them?
  • Why the Renaissance is the ideal time for the flourishing of literature, and how did contemporaneous queens and monarchs support literary figures and their art.
  • What indications can be found in the literature of the Renaissance that demonstrate the growth in commerce following the invention of the printing press?
  • How is the Renaissance period linked to both metaphysical poetry and contemporary man? Can we comprehend it through the poetry of John Donne and the drama Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlow?

Poetry Extended Essay Topics

  • How poetry was the text of the higher classes in English literature during the Renaissance and Classical periods.
  • Why did the form of English poetry change significantly from Shakespearean sonnets to Alexander Pope’s The Rape of the Lock and John Milton’s Paradise Lost?
  • How the heroic couplets of the neoclassical period differed from those of the romantic period, and why classical poetry had so many rules.
  • At the conclusion of the romantic period, when there was a fad for prose like novels among the general populace, what caused the dramatic decline in the significance of poetry?
  • Can we claim that novae rich was the reason for this dynamic movement in poetry that is reflected in literature?
  • Why does modernist poetry have fragmentation and no interconnection between the distinct stanzas?
  • From the English Renaissance through modernism and postmodernism, how many different styles of poetry can we observe?
  • Does colonialism have an effect on modern poetry and the manner in which it evolves during the many eras of colonial rule?

Extended Essay Topics on Language Development

  • Why has euphemism been so prominent in the English language for so long and how does this affect the lexicon and structure of the language?
  • Can we argue that, unlike other languages of the globe, English is a language of conventions and traditions with no hard and fast rules?
  • What function does slang play in the English language, and how are slang terms now preserved in official and academic dictionaries?
  • What are the primary causes of the gradual shift in the spelling of English words through time?
  • Impact of globalization on the evolution of the English language as it becomes the universal language.

Writing an English extended essay doesn’t have to be difficult after all. From our experience, English is an easy subject on which an extended essay is easy write. As long as you start working on the assignment early and attend all the reflection sessions, you should score top marks if not a 34.

If you feel like writing the extended essay is a difficult task, especially because it’s a long, 4,000-word document with a strict structure, consider hiring our extended essay writing help to get experts to work on the subject on your behalf.

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

Example essays

The International Baccalaureate® (IB)  programme resource centre,  a key resource for educators at IB World Schools, includes several examples of  extended essay titles .

These highlight the diverse range of topics covered by International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) students during their extended essays.

Some examples are:

  • “An analysis of costume as a source for understanding the inner life of the character”
  • “A study of malnourished children in Indonesia and the extent of their recovery after a period of supervised improved nutrition.”
  • “Doing  versus  being: language and reality in the Mimamsa school of Indian philosophy.” 
  • “The effects of sugar-free chewing gum on the pH of saliva in the mouth after a meal.”
  • “To what extent has the fall in the exchange rate of the US dollar affected the tourist industry in Carmel, California?”
  •  “What level of data compression in music files is acceptable to the human ear?”

Also available in the programma resource centre , the Diploma Programme Assessment Procedures has guidance on choosing a subject for the extended essay.

The PRC is only available to existing IB World Schools.

You can also purchase examples of essays in the IB Store . These essays fulfil the requirements for an ‘A’ grade in the extended essay.

If your school is not one already, learn how to become an IB World School  in order to implement the DP.

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90+ SEHS Extended Essay Topic Ideas for IB

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You’re in the right place if you’re passionate about sports, exercise, and health science. We’ve compiled a fantastic selection of SEHS extended essay topics to inspire your research. From exploring the science behind athletic performance to tackling social and ethical issues in sports, we’ve got you covered. 

I’ll break this list of IB SEHS EE topics into ten various categories. Therefore, it will be easier for you to navigate this article.

Here are the categories we will be covering:

Exercise Physiology

  • Cardiovascular System : Investigating the effects of exercise on heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output.
  • Respiratory System : Examining the impact of different types of exercise on lung capacity, ventilation rate, and oxygen uptake.
  • Muscular System : Analyzing the physiological responses of muscles to various training regimens and their impact on strength, endurance, and recovery.

Sports Psychology

  • Motivation : Exploring the factors that influence motivation in athletes and their impact on performance.
  • Anxiety and Stress Management : Investigating the strategies used by athletes to manage anxiety and stress before and during competitions.
  • Team Dynamics : Examining the role of team cohesion, communication, and leadership in sports performance.

Biomechanics

  • Movement Analysis : Studying the biomechanics of specific movements in sports, such as running, jumping, or throwing.
  • Injury Prevention : Investigating the biomechanical factors that contribute to sports injuries and the effectiveness of preventive measures.
  • Equipment Design : Analyzing the impact of equipment design, such as footwear or protective gear, on athletic performance and safety.

Nutrition and Sports Performance

  • Dietary Supplements : Evaluating the effects of dietary supplements, such as protein powders or creatine, on athletic performance.
  • Hydration : Investigating the importance of hydration in sports performance and the best strategies for maintaining fluid balance.
  • Energy Systems : Exploring the role of different energy systems (aerobic, anaerobic) in sports performance and the impact of nutrition on their efficiency.

Training and Conditioning

  • Periodization : Examining the effectiveness of periodization training programs in enhancing sports performance.
  • Strength and Conditioning : Investigating the impact of strength and conditioning programs on athletic performance and injury prevention.
  • Flexibility Training : Analyzing the role of flexibility training in sports performance and injury prevention.

Sports Injury and Rehabilitation

  • Concussions : Studying the prevalence, diagnosis, and management of concussions in contact sports.
  • Overuse Injuries : Investigating the causes and prevention of overuse injuries in athletes.
  • Rehabilitation Techniques : Evaluating the effectiveness of various rehabilitation techniques in the recovery of sports injuries.

Ethical and Social Issues in Sports

  • Doping : Examining the ethical implications and health risks of doping in sports.
  • Gender Equality : Investigating the challenges and progress in achieving gender equality in sports.
  • Youth Sports : Exploring the impact of early specialization and competitive pressure on young athletes.

Sports Technology and Innovation

  • Wearable Technology : Investigating the impact of wearable technology, such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, on athletes’ training and performance.
  • Video Analysis : Examining the role of video analysis in improving technique and strategy in sports.
  • Biometric Monitoring : Analyzing the use of biometric monitoring systems in assessing athlete health and performance.

Environmental Factors in Sports

  • Altitude Training : Exploring the physiological effects of altitude training on athletes’ endurance and performance.
  • Temperature and Climate : Investigating the impact of temperature and climate conditions on sports performance and safety.
  • Air Pollution : Examining the effects of air pollution on athletes’ respiratory health and performance.

Psychological Well-being in Sports

  • Mindfulness and Meditation : Investigating the effects of mindfulness and meditation practices on athletes’ mental health and performance.
  • Body Image and Self-esteem : Exploring the relationship between body image, self-esteem, and performance in athletes.
  • Coping with Retirement : Analyzing the psychological challenges faced by athletes during the transition to retirement and effective coping strategies.

So, whether you’re into biomechanics, nutrition, or sports psychology, get ready to dive into some exciting research that could take your understanding of SEHS to the next level! And if you need academic writing assistance – Writing Metier is here to help you.

IB SEHS EE Topic Ideas

sport extended essay topics

Finally! Here are three topics and research questions for each subcategory in IB Sports, Exercise, and Health Science. They are designed to meet the IB Extended Essay criteria and are still quite researchable and “data-friendly” if you know what I mean 😉

Let’s kick things off with Exercise Physiology, where we’ll explore how our bodies respond to physical activity. From understanding how our muscles and cardiovascular system adapt to exercise, this section is all about the science behind fitness and performance.

Cardiovascular System

  • Research Question: How does HIIT influence cardiovascular health markers, such as heart rate variability and blood pressure, in adolescents?
  • Research Question: How does a 12-week endurance training program affect the resting heart rate of amateur athletes?
  • Research Question: What cardiovascular adaptations occur in female athletes as a result of long-distance running training?

Respiratory System

  • Research Question: How do different breathing techniques impact respiratory efficiency and performance in competitive swimmers?
  • Research Question: How does exposure to urban air pollution affect respiratory function and exercise capacity in cyclists?
  • Research Question: How does respiratory muscle training influence VO2 max and endurance performance in competitive rowers?

Muscular System

  • Research Question: How does muscle fiber type distribution differ between elite powerlifters and marathon runners?
  • Research Question: How does creatine supplementation affect muscle strength and recovery time in resistance-trained athletes?
  • Research Question: How does eccentric resistance training influence muscle hypertrophy and strength compared to concentric training?

Here, we’ll dive into the mental aspects of sports . We’ll look at what motivates athletes, how they handle stress, and the dynamics of teamwork. It’s all about getting into the right mindset for peak performance.

  • Research Question: How does goal setting influence motivation levels and performance outcomes in young athletes?
  • Research Question: How do intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors affect the performance of collegiate basketball players?
  • Research Question: How do coach-athlete relationships influence the motivation and performance of high school athletes?

Anxiety and Stress Management

  • Research Question: How effective are mindfulness-based interventions in reducing competitive anxiety in elite athletes?
  • Research Question: How do different stress management techniques affect the performance and anxiety levels of competitive tennis players?
  • Research Question: How do pre-competition routines influence anxiety levels and performance in competitive gymnasts?

Team Dynamics

  • Research Question: How does team cohesion affect the performance and success of youth soccer teams?
  • Research Question: How do different leadership styles of coaches affect team dynamics and performance in collegiate volleyball teams?
  • Research Question: How do communication patterns and conflict resolution strategies impact team effectiveness in professional sports teams?

In Biomechanics, we’re going to investigate the mechanics of movement in sports. We’ll analyze how athletes move, how they can prevent injuries, and how equipment design plays a role in their performance. Get ready to see sports from a whole new angle!

Movement Analysis

  • Research Question: How do high-bar and low-bar squat techniques differ in terms of biomechanical variables and muscle activation?
  • Research Question: What are the key kinematic differences in the tennis serve between players with and without shoulder injuries?
  • Research Question: How does different types of footwear affect the gait patterns and injury risk in long-distance runners?

Injury Prevention

  • Research Question: How do core stability exercises influence the incidence of lower back injuries in competitive gymnasts?
  • Research Question: How effective are neuromuscular training programs in reducing the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in female athletes?
  • Topic: The Impact of Hamstring Stretching on Injury Prevention in Sprinters
  • Research Question: How does a regular hamstring stretching regimen affect the injury rates in competitive sprinters?

Equipment Design

  • Research Question: How does running shoe design, including cushioning and heel-to-toe drop, impact injury rates and running performance?
  • Research Question: How do custom orthotics influence the biomechanical parameters and injury risk in athletes with flat feet?
  • Research Question: How do different helmet designs affect the risk of concussions in American football players?

Next up is Nutrition and Sports Performance. We’ll be looking at how what we eat impacts our energy, recovery, and overall athletic performance. From supplements to hydration, this section covers the fuel behind the athletes.

Dietary Supplements

  • Research Question: How does beta-alanine supplementation impact endurance performance and fatigue resistance in cyclists?
  • Research Question: How does whey protein supplementation affect muscle recovery and hypertrophy in strength-trained individuals?
  • Research Question: How does omega-3 fatty acid supplementation influence inflammation, recovery, and performance in endurance athletes?
  • Research Question: How do different hydration strategies during a marathon affect performance and physiological markers of hydration?
  • Research Question: How does pre-exercise hydration status influence thermoregulation and performance in athletes exercising in hot conditions?
  • Research Question: What are the optimal electrolyte replacement strategies for maintaining performance and preventing hyponatremia in long-distance endurance events?

Energy Systems

  • Research Question: How does HIIT impact mitochondrial density and efficiency in skeletal muscle of trained athletes?
  • Research Question: How does carbohydrate periodization influence glycogen storage and utilization during endurance exercise?
  • Research Question: How does the phosphagen system contribute to energy production during short-duration, high-intensity exercise, and what factors influence its efficiency?

This is where we get into the nitty-gritty of how athletes train to improve their strength, flexibility, and endurance. We’ll explore different training methods and how they translate into better performance.

Periodization

  • Research Question: How does block periodization compare to traditional periodization models in improving performance in elite swimmers?
  • Research Question: How can periodization strategies be implemented to reduce the risk of overuse injuries in youth athletes?
  • Research Question: How does undulating periodization affect strength gains and performance in competitive powerlifters?

Strength and Conditioning

  • Research Question: How does a plyometric training program influence sprint performance and agility in elite soccer players?
  • Research Question: How does isometric training contribute to maximal strength development in comparison to dynamic resistance training?
  • Research Question: How does functional movement training affect the incidence of lower limb injuries in collegiate basketball players?

Flexibility Training

  • Research Question: How does dynamic stretching prior to competition affect performance outcomes in track and field athletes?
  • Research Question: How does a regular yoga practice influence flexibility, balance, and fall risk in individuals over the age of 65?
  • Research Question: How does PNF stretching compare to static stretching in improving hamstring flexibility and range of motion?

In Sports Injury and Rehabilitation, we’ll examine common injuries athletes face and how they recover from them. We’ll look at everything from concussions to overuse injuries and the latest techniques in rehabilitation.

Concussions

  • Research Question: How effective are current concussion protocols in preventing and managing concussions in high school athletes?
  • Research Question: How does neck strength training impact the risk of concussions in rugby players?
  • Research Question: What are the long-term cognitive effects of concussions on former professional football players, and how are they being addressed?

Overuse Injuries

  • Research Question: How does overtraining contribute to the incidence of stress fractures in competitive distance runners?
  • Research Question: How can biomechanical analysis be used to identify and prevent overuse injuries in tennis players?
  • Research Question: What are the most effective prevention strategies for reducing overuse injuries in youth baseball pitchers?

Rehabilitation Techniques

  • Research Question: How effective is aquatic therapy in accelerating the rehabilitation process after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction?
  • Research Question: How does blood flow restriction training impact muscle strength and recovery in post-operative knee rehabilitation?
  • Research Question: How does the use of virtual reality technology in rehabilitation programs influence recovery outcomes for sports-related injuries?

In this part, we’ll tackle the tough questions around doping, gender equality, the pressures faced by young athletes, and other similar social aspects and ethical dilemmas related to sport. In other words – t’s all about understanding the broader impact of sports on society.

  • Research Question: What are the psychological motivations behind doping among professional cyclists, and how can they be addressed?
  • Research Question: How effective are current anti-doping policies in detecting and deterring doping practices in track and field athletics?
  • Research Question: How do doping scandals affect public perception and trust in professional sports?

Gender Equality

  • Research Question: How has Title IX impacted gender equality in college sports programs in the United States?
  • Research Question: What are the gender disparities in sports sponsorship and media coverage, and how do they affect female athletes?
  • Research Question: How do policies regarding transgender athletes impact competitive equity and inclusion in sports?

Youth Sports

  • Research Question: How does early specialization in a single sport affect injury rates in youth athletes?
  • Research Question: What is the role of parents in youth sports, and how can they balance support and pressure to ensure a positive experience for their children?
  • Research Question: How does competitive stress impact the mental health and well-being of adolescent athletes, and what coping strategies can be employed?

In Sports Technology and Innovation, we’re going to explore how advancements in technology are changing the game. From wearable tech to video analysis, we’ll see how innovation is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sports.

Wearable Technology

  • Research Question: How does the use of wearable technology affect training efficiency and performance outcomes in amateur runners?
  • Research Question: How does wearable technology contribute to injury prevention and monitoring in professional soccer players?
  • Research Question: How effective are fitness trackers in encouraging physical activity and healthy habits among adolescents?

Video Analysis

  • Research Question: How does video analysis influence technique improvement and performance in competitive swimmers?
  • Research Question: How does video analysis impact decision-making and strategy development in basketball coaching?
  • Research Question: How is video analysis utilized in identifying injury patterns and developing prevention strategies in rugby?

Biometric Monitoring

  • Research Question: How does biometric monitoring contribute to performance optimization and personalized training in elite cyclists?
  • Research Question: How does biometric monitoring assist in stress management and performance enhancement in competitive e-sports players?
  • Research Question: How effective is biometric data in predicting fatigue and preventing overtraining in endurance athletes?

This section is all about how external conditions like altitude, temperature, and air quality affect athletic performance. We’ll delve into how athletes adapt and thrive in different environments .

Altitude Training

  • Research Question: How does altitude training influence hemoglobin levels and athletic performance in long-distance runners?
  • Research Question: How does natural altitude training compare to simulated altitude training in terms of physiological adaptations and performance outcomes?
  • Research Question: How does altitude training affect recovery times and subsequent performance in professional cyclists?

Temperature and Climate

  • Research Question: How does training in hot vs. cold climates affect endurance, thermoregulation, and performance outcomes in athletes?
  • Research Question: How is climate change affecting the scheduling, safety, and performance of athletes in outdoor sports events?
  • Research Question: What are the most effective temperature acclimatization strategies for athletes competing in extreme hot or cold conditions?

Air Pollution

  • Research Question: How does exposure to air pollution in urban environments affect respiratory function and running performance?
  • Research Question: What strategies can athletes and coaches employ to minimize the impact of air pollution on outdoor training sessions?
  • Research Question: What are the long-term effects of air pollution exposure on the respiratory health and performance of marathon runners?

Finally, we have Psychological Well-being in Sports.

Here, we’ll focus on the mental health of athletes, covering topics like mindfulness, body image, and coping with the end of a sports career. It’s all about nurturing the mind as well as the body.

Mindfulness and Meditation

  • Research Question: How does mindfulness meditation affect focus, anxiety management, and performance in competitive archers?
  • Research Question: How does the implementation of mindfulness programs impact team cohesion, stress levels, and performance in high school sports teams?
  • Research Question: How does meditation contribute to the development of mental toughness and resilience in elite athletes?

Body Image and Self-esteem

  • Research Question: How do body image perceptions affect self-esteem, confidence, and performance in female gymnasts?
  • Research Question: How does athletic identity influence body image and self-esteem in collegiate athletes, and what are the implications for their performance?
  • Research Question: How does exposure to social media influence body image and self-esteem in young athletes, and what are the consequences for their mental health and performance?

Coping with Retirement

  • Research Question: What are the psychological adjustment processes and coping strategies used by Olympic athletes during their transition to retirement?
  • Research Question: How do career transition programs impact the psychological well-being and life satisfaction of retired professional football players?
  • Research Question: How do athletes cope with identity crises and psychological challenges following forced retirement due to injury, and what support mechanisms are most effective?

All of these topics and research questions are designed to inspire IB Sports, Exercise, and Health Science students to engage in meaningful and manageable research projects that contribute to their understanding of various aspects of sports science while meeting the IB Extended Essay criteria, format and grading rubric.

Final Words

That wraps up our list of awesome IB SEHS topic ideas for your extended essay! Ready to be in the list of famous IB diploma graduates ? I hope you found some inspiration and are now buzzing with ideas for your research. 

Always remember, the key to a great extended essay is choosing a topic you’re genuinely interested in and passionate about; yes, it might sound easy, but in reality, it’s a much more complex task. 

Moreover, keep in mind that if you need expert assistance with IB SEHS EE topic suggestions or writing/editing your final draft, Writing Metier extended essay writing service is always ready to help you out!

extended essay literature ideas

So, take your time , pick a topic that resonates with you, and get ready to explore the fascinating world of sports, exercise, and health science. 

Free topic suggestions

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Vasyl Kafidoff is a co-founder and CEO at WritingMetier. He is interested in education and how modern technology makes it more accessible. He wants to bring awareness about new learning possibilities as an educational specialist. When Vasy is not working, he’s found behind a drum kit.

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IB English A (Lang & Lit) EE examples

Filter exemplars, how does carol ann duffy construct the female voice in “mrs. quasimodo”, “pilate’s wife”, and “medusa” in her anthology “the world’s wife”, how do martin luther king jr’s eulogy for the martyred children and queen elizabeth i’s speech at tilbury compare in the methods used to achieve their respective purposes, want to get full marks for your ee allow us to review it for you 🎯, how are the revolutionaries and aristocracy of the french revolution characterised through shared symbolism in charles dickens’ a tale of two cities and baroness orzcy’s the scarlet pimpernel, to represent their differing social perceptions, how is visual imagery used to portray the black women experience in the poetry of audre lorde and maya angelou, how does george r.r. martin use the characters sansa and arya stark to represent the outcomes of challenging or aligning with gender-based societal norms in westerosi society, fast track your coursework with mark schemes moderated by ib examiners. upgrade now 🚀, how does jeffrey eugenides explore the theme of decay in the virgin suicides, how do symbolism and dystopian atmosphere communicate john wyndham’s fear in ‘the day of the triffids, how does lewis carroll portray the theme of growing up through the perspective of the child protagonist, alice, in through the looking-glass, how does everything everywhere all at once explore the impact of generational trauma on the expression of individuality using stylistic devices, to what extent do the contrasting themes of feminism and power intersect throughout the literary texts of macbeth and the handmaid’s tale, how and why do albert camus in the outsider and john barth in lost in the funhouse explore absurdist themes through characterization and narrative perspective to comment upon humans’ reactions to societal turning points, how does the recurring motif of absence in integral traditional customs of society impact the treatment of morality in “oryx and crake”, to what extent does the author’s perception of reality affect the portrayal of the american dream’s futility in death of a salesman and of mice and men, how is art portrayed as a coping mechanism in emily st. john mandel’s station eleven, how and to what effect do patterns in speech and behavior demonstrate internalized misogyny in season 4 of bravo’s reality tv show the real housewives of beverly hills, gender: the skinning of identity how is the characterization of clarice and buffalo bill in “silence of the lambs” used to critique societal perspectives and expectations of gender identity, in what ways do heathcliff from wuthering heights conform or differ from the aristotelian depiction of a tragic hero, to what extent are the remains of middle english present in the english we speak today based on the analysis of vocabulary, pronunciation and spelling in geoffrey chaucer’s the canterbury tales: the general prologue, how does khaled hosseini’s characterization of women in his novel ‘a thousand splendid suns’ challenge the stereotypical notion of afghan women as being ‘weak & oppressed’, how effective is the language and the visuals in the documentary the game changers in persuading viewers about the benefits of veganism, how does maya angelou portray feminism in her famous poems, ‘still i rise’, ‘phenomenal woman’ and ‘i know why the caged bird sings’, to what extent has the godfather portrayed the idea of the great american dream, and how does the movie challenge the myths related to this american ideal, to what extent does disney propagate heteronormativity in their g-rated movie the princess and the frog, to what extent can friends portrayal of gender and sexuality be considered problematic for modern viewers, how does kendrick lamar depict racial discrimination against african americans in his album to pimp a butterfly (tpab) through both the album cover photo and a song titled alright, how can the idolization of technology alter human behavior according to jungian theories, as portrayed through the use of film techniques and language in the episodes “nosedive” and “men against fire” from the netflix series black mirror, exploring the theme of covid-19 in advertising campaigns, how and to what effect were the connotations to the pandemic transformed in the #socialiseresponsibly campaign into representing values, how do female characters in kate chopin’s the awakening utilize music to constitute rebellion against nineteenth century patriarchal social expectations, how is the theme of female friendship portrayed in khaled hosseini's a thousand splendid suns in regard to a patriarchal society, how does f. scott fitzgerald explore man’s downfall in pursuit of the american dream in the novel 'tender is the night', how does george saunders’ the brief and frightening reign of phil utilize satire to portray the corruption and power imbalances present within us society during the 2001-2005 administration of george w. bush, how is suicide presented in the tragic plays 'hamlet' and ajax', how do dreams characterize winston smith in george orwell’s 1984 and rodion raskolnikov in fyodor dostoevsky’s crime and punishment, what role do odours and tastes play in the evaluation of core memories in "10 minutes 38 seconds in this strange world" by elif shafak, to what extent does madeline miller challenge the traditional gender roles of males through the representations in the song of achilles, in her novel banana heart summer, how does merlinda bobis explore the nature of personal belief through the character of nenita and her participation in systems of belief, in what ways are themes of feminism portrayed in the play, “hedda gabler” by henrik ibsen and the poem “the drunken husband” by marilyn chin, how are the black female characters in the novel the color purple used by alice walker to resist the narratives forced upon black women, effects of parallels and divergence in mythological retellings.

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Extended Essay (IB): Choosing a subject and topic

  • The Inquiry Process
  • EE Seminar 1
  • EE Seminar 2
  • IT Workshop 1
  • EE Investigation Days
  • EE Writing Days
  • Choosing a subject and topic
  • Developing a line of inquiry
  • Finding and selecting sources
  • Working with ideas
  • Expressing your ideas
  • Using ManageBac
  • Supervisor resources
  • Who can help?

extended essay literature ideas

For your EE you have the freedom to focus on almost any topic and you will write your own question to answer.  However, your topic must fit into a single DP subject (unless you choose to write an interdisciplinary essay, such as a World Studies EE that covers a topic “of contemporary global significance” and is likely to encompass two subject areas).

Given the academic challenge and level expected of an EE, you are strongly advised to choose a subject that you are currently studying, preferably at Higher Level.

Introduction to the Extended Essay

extended essay literature ideas

What is the Extended Essay?

  • Compulsory element of the core, along with TOK and CAS
  • Inquiry-based research project resulting in an essay of up to 4,000 words
  • Topic of your choice, but must be based in a DP subject * and meet subject-specific requirements
  • You are strongly encouraged to do your essay in one of your HL subjects

*It is possible, under certain circumstances, to combine two subjects and do a World Studies essay but we do not currently recommend this.

What do I need to do?

extended essay literature ideas

This guide is just to get your thinking started.

You are going to be spending nine months on your Extended Essay - it is very important to choose a topic that actually interests you, or it is going to be a very long nine months...

Good preparation is much more effective for finding inspiration than last minute panic!

CALVIN AND HOBBES © Watterson. Reprinted with permission of ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION.  All rights reserved.

How do I choose a subject?

Thought bubble image

  • Think about your interests outside the classroom then check whether they might fit into any IB subject areas.
  • Think about your IB subjects, particularly your HL subjects. Which would (and wouldn't) you enjoy exploring in more depth?
  • Make a list of the topics (for one or more different subject areas) that you have enjoyed in that subject area and a list of topics you haven’t covered but wish you had. You might want to chat to your teachers or have a look in your textbooks.
  • Think about any career aspirations you might have, or any ideas for further study, and they could point you in a direction.

Now have a look at the Subject Group Overviews , below, to see what an EE in that group might involve. It is worth comparing a couple of different subject groups.

Subject Group Overviews

  • Group 1: Studies in language and literature
  • Group 2: Language acquisition (incl. Classical Languages)
  • Group 3: Individuals and societies
  • Group 4: Experimental sciences
  • Group 5: Mathematics
  • Group 6: The Arts
  • Interdisciplinary essays

extended essay literature ideas

  • Category 1 Studies of one or more literary works originally written in the language in which the essay is presented.
  • Category 2 Studies of a literary work or works originally written in the language of the essay compared with one or more literary works originally written in another language. (The work originally written in another language may be studied in translation.)
  • Category 3 Studies in language based on one or more texts originally produced in the language in which the essay is presented.

Students and teachers must indicate at the point of upload which category of essay they are submitting."

From: IBO (2020) Extended Essay: Studies in language and literature

MFL Books

Students working on a language acquisition EE must demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the language, culture and society or literature studied. This understanding must be shown in the form of:

  • an analysis of a cultural context or a specific text OR
  • an analysis of trends in the culture studied and the impact of a cultural change on the form or use of the language OR
  • an analysis and comparison of literary texts.

For those undertaking a classical Greek or Latin EE, the focus is on demonstrating an understanding of a relevant or significant aspect of the language, literature and civilization of ancient Greece or Rome."

From: IBO (2020) Extended Essay: Language acquisition including classical languages

Note that you may not do your EE in a language you are studying at ab initio level .

extended essay literature ideas

The individuals and societies EE is intended to encourage the systematic and critical study of:

  • human experience and behaviour
  • physical, economic and social environments
  • the history and development of social and cultural institutions.

Students’ choice of topic should enable them to recognize that the content and methodologies of the subjects are contestable and that their study requires critical thinking.

Students must have sufficient grounding in the subject under which they submit their essay: reading a textbook or consulting an encyclopedia while writing the EE will not compensate for a lack of proper background knowledge."

From: IBO (2020) Extended Essay: Individuals and societies

Note: The IB considers Environmental Systems and Societies EEs to be interdisciplinary, so materials for these can be found under the Interdisciplinary essays tab, above.

extended essay literature ideas

"An extended essay (EE) in the sciences gives students an opportunity to apply a range of skills while researching a topic of personal interest in the field. Students working on a science EE must demonstrate an in-depth analysis of the subject matter studied, be it biology, chemistry, computer science, design technology, physics or sports, exercise and health science. This understanding must be shown in the form of a research paper involving a wellformulated research question. Students should be advised that while there is overlap between the subjects, their study should reflect one specific science area. For example:

  • biology—dealing with living organisms and life processes
  • chemistry—dealing with the composition, characterization and transformation of substances

...The nature of the topic under investigation should be different for each subject area and students should be careful if they undertake essays that may blur the boundaries between two science subjects. For example, when studying the pH of a body of water, students may investigate the chemicals responsible for the observed pH (chemistry), or the effect of the pH on the biota (biology)."

From: IBO (2020) The Sciences: an introduction from Extended Essay: The sciences

extended essay literature ideas

  • the applicability of mathematics to solve both real and abstract problems
  • the beauty of mathematics, as in, for instance, geometry or fractal theory
  • the elegance of mathematics in the proving of theorems as in, for example, number theory
  • the origin and subsequent development of a branch of mathematics over a period of time, measured in tens, hundreds or thousands of years
  • the links between different branches of mathematics, or the way that branch of mathematics has been born, or has flourished, as a result of technology.

Students should be advised on the importance of formulating logical and coherent reasons for selecting a particular topic for the EE, the need to identify a well-thought-out research question and the requirement to search for the mathematical problems that require a solution. Students must be advised that mathematical research is a long-term and open-ended exploration of a set of related mathematical problems that are based on personal observations. The answers to these problems connect to and build upon each other over time."

From: IBO (2020) Extended Essay: Mathematics

extended essay literature ideas

  • a coherent analysis and interpretation of their chosen area in relation to a posed research question
  • the testing and validation of the research and consideration of its effect on the practice of the investigated area of the arts
  • development and exploration in a disciplined and imaginative way of an area of study specifically appropriate to the curriculum area chosen
  • a link to a practical dimension.

Each subject area poses its own unique set of challenges. Therefore, the approach to the topic of investigation should reflect the particular methodology most appropriate to the arts subject being studied. Students should have logical and coherent reasons for selecting a particular topic for their essay, a well-thought out research question and an approach that allows them to develop a reasoned argument.

...While there may be overlap between the subjects in the arts and common approaches, the research topic must clearly relate to one specific arts area. If a student chooses a research area that blurs the boundaries between two arts subjects, they must ensure that their essay’s emphasis clearly lies within the arts subject for which they are submitting it. Crucially, the topic selected should reflect each student’s particular interest and enthusiasm within that subject area."

From: IBO (2020) Extended Essay: The arts

extended essay literature ideas

For example, in literature and performance, students focus on the nature of the relationships that occur between a chosen text and its adaptation for performance; in world studies an issue of contemporary global significance is explored through the lenses of two subjects ; and in environmental systems and societies the interaction and integration of natural environmental systems and human societies are explored

Students undertaking one of these options must demonstrate a solid understanding of their area of research, taking a fully integrated approach. This examination must be shown in the form of:

  • a coherently written and structured essay that effectively addresses an area of research, taking an interdisciplinary approach
  • bringing together concepts, methods and approaches from across different subjects
  • the development and exploration of an area of study specifically appropriate to the interdisciplinary choice

The most critical stage in preparing for the EE is the formulation of a logical and coherent rationale for selecting a particular topic for the extended essay, a topic that offers enough scope to provide material for a substantial essay , and the development of ideas around the topic and research question that examine existing views and argue against them."

From: IBO (2020) Interdisciplinary essays: an introduction from Extended Essay: Interdisciplinary essays

We do not recommend undertaking an EE in World Studies. If you choose to do so anyway, make sure that you consider very carefully whether your topic would fit the requirements of a single subject discipline instead. It can be challenging to juggle the requirements of two different subjects while undertaking a piece of academic research like this for the first time, particularly if you do not currently study one or both of the subjects.

Note that the Treatment of the Topic section of the Subject Guide for World Studies says that:

"It is expected that students will have a good grounding in at least one of the Diploma Programme subjects used in the EE.

If they are unfamiliar with a discipline used, they must access its syllabus so that they can identify the concepts, terminology and modes of thinking required for their EE. (Many IB syllabuses contain lists of key concepts.)"

This means that whether or not you are currently studying either or both of the subject areas your World Studies EE is based in  you will need to use DP Level concepts, terminology and modes of thinking appropriate to both subject areas.

Subject Specific Guidance

Use the links below to explore the Subject-Specific Guidance for your chosen subject. Note that it is very important to use the side navigation menu to make sure you have read ALL the relevant guidance (see example for Biology, below).

extended essay literature ideas

You MUST read the subject-specific guidance before completing your Supervisor Application Form, and reread it before completing your Research Proposal Log. You might find it helpful to take notes using the Using the Subject-Specific Guidelines table.

Electronic versions of these can be found at the top right hand side of this page (follow links). If you wish to submit your handwritten version to ManageBac, you may upload a (legible!) photograph.

Ethical guidelines

You must address the IB ethical guidelines in your Research Proposal and follow them throughout the EE process. Some Subject Guides will contain specific ethical guidelines for that subject, but here are some general guides you might need to refer to:

Extended essays from previous years

Past essays

It can be really useful at this stage to look at essays from previous Oakham students, to see what kinds of topics they investigated and what their final essays looked like. These are upstairs in the library and can be looked at while you are here.

Please remember:

  • These are all the essays from past Oakhamians and they were awarded a range of grades (which are recorded on the contents pages). They are not a set of examples of 'good' essays or even 'good' titles.
  • There have been several rule changes in the past, most notably in 2018, so make sure you are aware of the current rules.

You may take photographs of individual pages (such as the contents pages). You may not photograph or photocopy whole essays.

How do I choose a topic?

Go back to your brainstormed list of topics from the first session:

  • Eliminate any that you don’t really want to write about and focus on the rest.
  • Use the ideas on the mind map below to examine these topics and decide which might be worth further exploration. You might choose to make a mind map like this for some of your topics.

extended essay literature ideas

Before deciding on a topic you should do some preliminary research to see what information is out there. Make a few brief notes as you go.

  • General internet browsing: You could begin with some freestyle internet searching on a broad topic that interests you. Search for your topic online, give yourself an hour to follow links and see where they take you – keeping an EE focus, of course!
  • Subscription Databases : While you will almost certainly search the databases extensively for your research once you have chosen a topic, you can also browse them to help you to chose one. See the ' Browsing our subscription databases ' box below for advice on the best ones to choose for this. Using the subscription databases to help you to choose a topic also means that you are guaranteed to be able to find high quality information on that topic.
  • Talk to your teachers, friends and family

Put your notes away, forget about what you have read for a few days, then see what you remember.  This time and distance is important as it is likely that you will remember what is of most interest to you, and so the angle you should develop.

Aim to have three suggestions for topic areas you might like to explore for your EE to explore further before making a decision .

Browsing our subscription databases

You are likely to have used our databases in the past to search for information on specific topics, but many of them are also excellent when browsing for ideas. I have made some suggestions below. You will need to access them from the list on our Subscription Databases page (using the log in information given if you are not on the school network).

extended essay literature ideas

An excellent series of ebooks providing a short, academic introduction to a wide range of topics. Choose 'Browse by subject' from the menu bar to explore them (or use the excellent search facility if you know which topic you are interested in).

extended essay literature ideas

An online encyclopaedia that you can trust and cite! Choose 'Advanced' then 'Explore: Articles' to browse Britannica in a range of different subject areas.

extended essay literature ideas

Hodder Education Magazines

Although aimed at A-level students, browsing these Review magazines may be a good way to identify a broad topic of interest. After you log-in, you can choose to search the whole database or choose a specific subject and browse/search within it.

extended essay literature ideas

Other, subject-specific resources

  • Art: Oxford Art
  • Drama: Drama Online
  • Economics: Financial Times and Gale Newspaper Collection
  • English literature: Connell Guides, EBSCO Literary Reference Centre, emagazine and MASSOLIT (a video-based resource)
  • Music: Naxos Music Library, Oxford Music
  • Politics: Financial Times and Gale Newspaper Collection 

Using the Subject Specific Guidelines

extended essay literature ideas

This table will help you work with the Subject-Specific Guidelines as you choose your topic. You are not required to submit this form to your supervisor, but you might find it helpful when filling in your Supervisor Application Form and Research Proposal.

AI Prompt Catcher

extended essay literature ideas

  • AI Prompt Catcher Example

This Prompt Catcher  must  be completed if you are using AI tools as part of your initial research.  Since examiners cannot access the exact AI-generated content subsequently, you must cite and reference the tool in your essay and include a copy of the Prompt Catcher containing the generated content and the prompt you used to generate it in an appendix.

Annotated bibliography

extended essay literature ideas

This resource will help you to keep track of all the different sources you find. Once you start working with each source in more detail, you will also need a tool like the Investigative Journal to organise your notes.

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Extended Essay

Extended Essay Topics

Nova A.

Get Inspired: 110 Unique Extended Essay Topics and Ideas

14 min read

Published on: May 7, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 30, 2024

extended essay topics

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Are you struggling to choose an interesting topic for your extended essay? Do you feel overwhelmed by the vast array of options and the pressure to excel in your research?

Students often struggle with finding a good, researchable topic for their extended essays. But don't worry!

This blog offers 110 best extended essay topics and ideas, along with expert tips for success. With this read, you can easily get started on your extended essay. 

So, read on and discover a wide range of topics!

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IB Extended Essay Topics

IB extended essay topics are diverse, interdisciplinary, and self-directed. They can be chosen from a wide range of subjects and must be grounded in academic research. 

The topics are broad but feasible for in-depth research and writing. Writing an extended essay develops students' skills in critical thinking, and research, and prepares them for the future.

Here are extended essay topics categorized by subjects.

Biology Extended Essay Topics 

Here is a list of extended essay topics biology:

  • Investigating the effectiveness of different types of natural insecticides on pest control.
  • Analyzing the effect of X diet on gut microbiome composition and health.
  • Examining the role of gut microbiota in human health and disease.
  • Studying the genetic basis of addiction and its implications for treatment.
  • Exploring the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing for disease prevention and treatment.
  • Analyzing the effects of different types of stress on the human body and mind.
  • Examining the impact of X medication on the functioning of the Y organ system.
  • Investigating the potential of stem cells in regenerative medicine.
  • The effects of X substance on the behavior of Y cell type.
  • Analyzing the ecological impact of invasive species on native ecosystems.

English Extended Essay Topics

Here are some extended essay topics English literature:

  • Analyzing the use of symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter.
  • Investigating the role of gender in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
  • How does Shakespeare use the theme of fate in Romeo and Juliet?
  • Examining the impact of colonialism in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.
  • Analyzing the Theme of Power in J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
  • How does F. Scott Fitzgerald critique the American Dream in The Great Gatsby?
  • Investigating the representation of race in Toni Morrison’s Beloved.
  • Analyzing the use of narrative structure in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude.
  • How does George Orwell use satire to critique totalitarianism in Animal Farm?
  • Examining the use of magical realism in Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits.

Psychology Extended Essay Topics 

Check out this list of extended essay topics psychology:

  • Investigating the impact of childhood trauma on adult mental health.
  • Analyzing the relationship between personality traits and career success.
  • Investigating the effects of social media on adolescent self-esteem and body image.
  • Analyzing the impact of X drug on brain chemistry and behavior.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating anxiety disorders.
  • Examining the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating anxiety disorders.
  • Investigating the relationship between X personality trait and addiction.
  • Investigating the role of nature vs. nurture in the development of sexual orientation.
  • Examining the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance and mood.
  • Investigating the impact of X's environmental factor on the development of Y's mental health condition.

Economics Extended Essay Topics 

Here is a list of extended essay topics in economics:

  • Exploring the relationship between government policies and income inequality in a particular country.
  • Investigating the relationship between X income inequality and economic growth.
  • Evaluating the effects of trade protectionism on domestic industries and consumers.
  • The impact of X technology on employment and labor markets.
  • Investigating the relationship between taxation and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices.
  • Examining the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in driving economic growth.
  • The effectiveness of X price discrimination strategy in increasing firm revenue.
  • Exploring the role of corporate mergers and acquisitions in industry consolidation and market power.
  • Investigating the relationship between X tax policy and small business growth.
  • Assessing the impact of government regulation on the growth and development of emerging technologies.

Chemistry Extended Essay Topics

  • Investigating the effects of different types of sunscreen on UV radiation protection.
  • Analyzing the efficiency of different types of water filtration systems in removing contaminants.
  • Exploring the chemistry behind the flavors and aromas of different types of wine.
  • What are the chemical reactions involved in food preservation techniques?
  • Assessing the impact of different types of fertilizers on soil pH and plant growth.
  • Examining the chemistry of fermentation and its applications in the production of different types of alcoholic beverages.
  • What is the impact of air pollution on atmospheric chemistry and climate change?
  • Analyzing the chemical properties of different types of plastics and their environmental impact.
  • What is the chemistry behind the synthesis and properties of superconductors?
  • Studying the chemistry of batteries and their applications in energy storage.

Physics Extended Essay Topics

Here are some extended essay topics for physics:

  • Investigating the physics of fluid dynamics and its applications in aerodynamics.
  • Exploring the properties and applications of different types of superconductors
  • The effect of X wavelength on the speed of light in a medium.
  • The physics of magnetic levitation and its applications in transportation.
  • Investigating the relationship between X surface area and the rate of evaporation.
  • Exploring the properties and applications of different types of lasers.
  • Investigating the physics of nuclear fusion and its potential as a clean energy source.
  • Studying the relationship between the X spring constant and the period of oscillation of a mass-spring system.
  • Exploring the physics of quantum computing and its potential applications in computing and cryptography.
  • Analyzing the efficiency of heat engine technology.

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Extended Essay Topics Business

Here is a list of business management extended essay topics:

  • Examining the Relationship Between Corporate Culture and Employee Motivation
  • Assessing the Effects of Social Media Marketing on Consumer Behavior and Brand Awareness
  • Investigating the Factors that Contribute to Successful International Joint Ventures
  • Evaluating the Effectiveness of Talent Management Strategies in Recruiting and Retaining Top Employees
  • Analyzing the Impact of E-Commerce on Traditional Retail Business Models
  • Studying the Role of Emotional Intelligence in Effective Leadership and Team Management
  • Exploring Strategies for Managing Workplace Diversity and Inclusion
  • Investigating the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Job Displacement and Workforce Development
  • Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of Strategic Partnerships for Business Growth and Innovation
  • Analyzing the Effects of Government Regulations on Business Operations and Profitability.

History Extended Essay Topics 

Here is some extended essay topics history:

  • Analyzing the Impact of the Opium Wars on China's Relationship with the West
  • Studying the Factors that Contributed to the Fall of the Roman Empire
  • Examining the Legacy of the Haitian Revolution and its Influence on Global Anti-Colonial Movements
  • Evaluating the Role of Women in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States
  • What Were the Causes and Consequences of the Spanish Civil War
  • Investigating the Factors that Led to the Rise of Fascism in Italy
  • The Impact of the American Indian Movement on Indigenous Rights in the United States
  • Evaluating the Success and Failures of the United Nations in Promoting International Peace and Security
  • What Became The Causes and Consequences of the Partition of India in 1947
  • Investigating the Role of Propaganda in Shaping Public Opinion during World War II.

Extended Essay Topics Computer Science

  • Enhancing Cybersecurity with Artificial Intelligence: An Investigation
  • Social Media Algorithms and User Behavior: An Analysis of Political Polarization
  • Ethical Implications of Facial Recognition Technology: An Examination
  • Detecting Financial Fraud with Machine Learning Algorithms: An Evaluation
  • Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain Management: A Study
  • Quantum Computing and Cryptography: An Investigation into Data Security
  • Computer Science and Sustainable Energy Technologies: A Review
  • Predictive Analytics for Healthcare: A Comparative Study of Data Mining Techniques
  • Autonomous Vehicles: An Exploration of Ethical and Social Implications
  • Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities: A Critical Assessment of Computer Science Contributions.

Extended Essay Topics Global Politics

  • Assessing the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping missions in resolving conflicts
  • The impact of social media on political activism and social movements in the digital age
  • The role of international organizations in promoting human rights and humanitarian aid
  • The influence of neoliberalism on global economic policies and its impact on developing countries
  • Investigating the root causes of terrorism and strategies for combating it in the modern world
  • The impact of climate change on global politics and the role of international cooperation in addressing it
  • An Evaluation of China's Belt and Road Initiative and its impact on global economic and political power dynamics
  • The Role of soft power in shaping international relations and Diplomacy
  • Analyzing the ethical implications of drone warfare and targeted killings in contemporary warfare
  • The challenges and opportunities of refugee resettlement policies in developed countries.

Extended Essay Topics Geography

  • The relationship between tourism and environmental conservation in a specific region or national park.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of different methods for managing and reducing plastic waste in coastal cities.
  • The impact of sea level rise on coastal communities and infrastructure in a particular location.
  • Comparing the effectiveness of different renewable energy sources for powering a specific region or country.
  • Assessing the impact of deforestation on the water cycle and water availability in a particular region.
  • Examining the impact of urbanization on the microclimate of a specific city or urban area.
  • Studying the potential impact of a future earthquake or volcanic eruption on a particular region or city.
  • What is the effectiveness of various adaptation strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture in a particular region or country?
  • Investigating the relationship between air pollution and respiratory health in a specific urban area or region.
  • Assessing the impact of mining on the environment and local communities in a particular region or country.

Research Questions for Extended Essay 

Here is a list of research questions for extended essays:

  • To what extent has social media impacted political participation and activism among young people?
  • How does the representation of mental illness in literature reflect changing societal attitudes toward mental health over time?
  • What is the impact of the use of technology in the classroom on student learning outcomes?
  • To what extent do cultural factors shape perceptions of beauty and body image, and what are the potential negative effects of these perceptions on individuals and society?
  • How has the #MeToo movement impacted the legal and social responses to sexual harassment and assault?
  • What are the ethical implications of using artificial intelligence to make decisions in fields such as medicine or finance?
  • How has globalization impacted economic inequality both within and between countries?
  • To what extent do historical events such as colonization continue to shape contemporary social and economic disparities in certain regions or countries?
  • What is the psychological impact of exposure to violent or graphic media on children and adolescents?
  • How do cultural attitudes towards mental health differ across different regions or countries, and what are the implications of these differences for the treatment of mental illness?

Good Vs. Bad Research Questions

When creating research questions, it's important to know that they're not the same as essay topics. Good research questions have certain qualities that make them effective, while bad ones can lead to unsuccessful research. 

Let's talk about how to tell the difference!

Characteristics of a Good Extended Essay Topic

Choosing a good extended essay topic is crucial to the success of your project. Here are some characteristics to keep in mind:

  • Personal interest: Select a topic that you find interesting and fascinating. This will make the research and writing process much more enjoyable.
  • Feasibility: Choose a topic that is feasible within the given time and resource constraints. Consider factors such as access to information and availability of sources.
  • Originality: Aim for a topic that is original and unique. Avoid choosing a topic that is too broad or generic.
  • Significance: Select a topic that is significant and relevant to the subject area. The topic should have relevance beyond the extended essay itself.
  • Research potential: Choose a topic that has ample scope for research and analysis. This will ensure that you have enough material to write a comprehensive essay.

By considering these characteristics, you can select an extended essay topic that will result in a rewarding project.

How to Choose an Extended Essay Topic?

The extended essay is an opportunity to explore a topic of personal interest and develop research skills while demonstrating its understanding.

Here are some things IB students should consider when choosing an EE topic:

Understand the EE Guidelines

To choose an appropriate topic for your extended essay, you must first familiarize yourself with the requirements set by the IB program. 

You can refer to an extended essay guide for this. This will ensure that your chosen topic is within the scope of the program and meets the necessary academic standards.

Brainstorm and Narrow Down Options

Brainstorming is a crucial step in selecting an extended essay topic. Start by generating a list of ideas based on your interests and passions. 

Narrow down options by considering feasibility, resources, and research questions.

Consider Personal Interests

Selecting a topic that matches your interests can enhance your extended essay research and writing process.

Consider your strengths and weaknesses when choosing a topic to ensure successful completion of the project.

Evaluate the Feasibility and Scope of Topic

It is essential to evaluate the feasibility and scope of your chosen topic before committing to it fully. 

Consider factors such as the availability of resources, potential research questions, and the time and effort required to complete the project. Make sure that your chosen topic is manageable and realistic within the given timeframe.

By carefully picking the right topic, you can take the first step towards ensuring a good extended essay grade.

With the list of topics provided and the tips on how to choose, you are well-equipped to begin your extended essay journey. 

However, if the process still seems overwhelming, don't hesitate to reach out to our college essay-writing service for help. 

Our AI essay writer can write your extended essay on any topic you need.

Also, our writers can guide you in choosing a topic, conducting research, and crafting a well-structured essay that meets the requirements. 

With our extended essay writing service , you’ll get a top-quality essay that earns you the grade you deserve. 

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

What is a good extended essay topic.

A good extended essay topic is one that aligns with your personal interests and passions, and allows for in-depth research and analysis.

What is the easiest extended essay topic?

There is no one "easiest" extended essay topic, as the level of difficulty can vary based on individual strengths and weaknesses. However, selecting a topic that you have a strong background knowledge in can make the process easier.

Is it easy to get an A in an extended essay?

It is possible to get an A in an extended essay, but it requires a strong understanding of the chosen topic, thorough research, and well-structured writing that meets all the requirements.

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IB Extended Essay Topics: Physics

extended essay topics physics

Stepping into the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program is a significant milestone, and choosing the right Extended Essay topic in Physics can be exciting and daunting. From my years of experience as an IB educator and essay advisor, I’ve seen firsthand how the choice of topic can affect a student’s research. Therefore, in this article, I aim to share insights and ideas on topics for the IB DP Physics Extended Essay.

Understanding the IB Physics Extended Essay

The IB Physics Extended Essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research that culminates in a 4,000-word paper required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

According to the IB criteria, this significant academic task involves students independently researching a topic that sparks their interest in IB DP Physics. It’s an excellent opportunity to investigate a question that captivates you and apply theoretical concepts to practical situations.

The primary aim is not merely to produce an essay but to engage in an exhaustive study showcasing your grasp of physics and enthusiasm for the subject. Now, let’s consider the following aspects of the IB Physics Extended Essay:

  • Scope of Research . It’s essential to select a topic that allows for an in-depth investigation within the constraints of the available resources and the word limit.
  • Application of Theory . The essay should demonstrate how physics theories and concepts can be applied to analyze a specific problem or question.
  • Methodology . A clear and systematic approach to conducting your research is critical. It involves choosing appropriate methods for data collection and analysis.
  • Critical Thinking . Throughout your essay, you should critically evaluate the information, data, and methodologies used.
  • Creativity and Originality . Finding innovative ways to approach your topic can set your essay apart. It’s about posing new questions, exploring novel perspectives, or applying theories in unique contexts.
  • Structured Argument . Your essay should present a coherent argument supported by evidence, leading the reader through your findings to a logical conclusion.
  • Reflection . Reflecting on what you have learned from the research process and how it has affected your understanding of the subject area is a valuable component of the essay.

Remember, the goal is not just to write an essay but to engage in a thorough investigation demonstrating your understanding and passion for the Physics course.

Topics to Read:

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  • Stress Management and Well-Being for IB Students
  • How to Manage Time Effectively as an IB Student
  • The Benefits of Pursuing the IB Diploma Programme
  • IB vs. National Curriculum. The Benefits of an International Perspective
  • What Are the Average IB Acceptance Rates? Insights from an IB Expert
  • What Are the IB Internal Assessment Deadlines for 2024?
  • Does an IB Diploma Help with College Admissions?
  • How to Make Awesome IB Notes?
  • How to Get Into the IB Program? IB Preparation
  • What to Wear for IB Exams? IB Dress Code

Physics Extended Essay Topics and Research Questions

Let’s talk about some potential extended essay topics in Зhysics. Quantum mechanics, with its paradoxes and mysteries, offers a rich vein of questions to explore. Additionally, investigating the principles of relativity in everyday phenomena can provide a relatable yet profound topic. Renewable energy projects are increasingly relevant and offer a plethora of research opportunities. Lastly, the vastness of astrophysics allows for endless curiosity and exploration, from black holes to the cosmic microwave background.

IB DP Physics

The best topics for an IB Physics Extended Essay allow you to explore areas where you can apply physical principles, theories, and experimental investigations to answer complex questions. Here are some ideas:

  • The Effect of Winglet Angles on Aircraft Efficiency . How do variations in winglet angles on a model aircraft wing affect its lift-to-drag ratio during flight?
  • Investigating Solar Panel Orientation for Optimal Power Generation . How do different solar panel orientations and angles impact power output in a specific geographic location?
  • Analyzing the Efficiency of Magnetic Levitation in Reducing Friction . How does the use of magnetic levitation affect the frictional forces on a miniaturized model of a maglev train?
  • The Physics of Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change . How do different carbon dioxide concentrations affect infrared radiation absorption in a controlled environment?
  • Exploring the Properties of Non-Newtonian Fluids under Stress . How does the application of varying stress levels affect the viscosity of a non-Newtonian fluid, such as a cornstarch and water mixture?
  • The Role of Antenna Design in Enhancing Wireless Communication . How does the design of a DIY antenna affect the strength and range of wireless signals it receives?
  • The Impact of Crater Size on Meteorite Impact Simulations . What relationship exists between the size of a projectile and the crater it creates in sand, simulating meteorite impacts?
  • Studying the Effects of Temperature on the Elasticity of Rubber Bands . How does changing the temperature affect rubber bands’ elasticity and tensile strength?
  • Investigation into the Optimal Conditions for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Efficiency . Under what conditions does a homemade hydrogen fuel cell operate most efficiently in terms of voltage output?
  • Analyzing the Effectiveness of Different Types of Insulators in Minimizing Heat Loss . How do various household materials compare to thermal insulators in preventing heat loss from a container?
  • The Physics Behind Efficient Bicycle Gear Ratios . How do different gear ratios affect cyclists’ efficiency and energy expenditure under various conditions?
  • Exploring the Influence of Mirror Shape on the Focal Point of Solar Collectors . How does altering the shape of reflective mirrors affect the concentration and temperature at the focal point of a solar collector?
  • Investigating the Relationship Between Electric Motor Speed and Load . What is the relationship between the load applied to an electric motor and its rotation speed?
  • The Effect of Blade Design on Wind Turbine Efficiency . How does the blade design of a model wind turbine affect its power output under controlled wind conditions?
  • Studying the Propagation of Sound Waves in Different Mediums . How do sound waves propagate in various mediums, and how does the medium affect the speed and attenuation of sound?
  • The Dynamics of Pendulum Motion in Non-Uniform Gravitational Fields . How does the length of a pendulum affect its period in regions with varying gravitational strengths?
  • Investigating the Effects of Surface Roughness on Solar Panel Efficiency . How does the surface roughness of photovoltaic solar panels impact their efficiency in converting sunlight to electricity?
  • The Physics of Ice Skating: Friction and Temperature . What is the relationship between the ice’s temperature and the friction coefficient encountered by an ice skate?
  • Evaluating the Impact of Air Resistance on Projectile Range . How do the shape and size of projectiles affect their range in the presence of air resistance?
  • The Efficiency of Piezoelectric Materials in Energy Harvesting . How effective are different piezoelectric materials in generating electricity from mechanical stress?
  • Thermal Conductivity and Building Materials: A Comparative Study . How do different building materials compare in terms of thermal conductivity and energy efficiency in a model house?
  • The Effect of Altitude on the Boiling Point of Water . How does changing altitude affect the boiling point of water, and what implications does this have for cooking at high elevations?
  • Optimizing the Design of a Parabolic Solar Heater . What is the most efficient design for a parabolic solar heater when considering the focal point and surface area?
  • The Role of Resonance in Bridge Oscillations: A Historical Analysis . How have instances of resonance-induced oscillations in bridges influenced modern bridge design?
  • Investigating the Photoelectric Effect in Different Metals . How does the photoelectric effect vary across different metals, and what does this reveal about their electronic structure?
  • The Physics of Musical Instruments: String Tension and Pitch . How does the tension of strings on different musical instruments affect the pitch and quality of the sound produced?
  • Exploring the Efficiency of Vertical vs. Horizontal Wind Turbines . Which vertical or horizontal orientation is more efficient for wind turbines in urban settings?
  • The Impact of Battery Temperature on Electric Vehicle Performance . How does the operating temperature of batteries affect the performance and range of electric vehicles?
  • Studying the Refractive Index of Various Liquids Under Temperature Changes . How does changing the temperature of different liquids affect their refractive index?
  • The Physics of Archery: Arrow Dynamics and Material Science . How do an arrow’s material properties and design affect its flight dynamics and accuracy?
  • Analyzing the Radiation Shielding Properties of Martian Regolith . Could Martian regolith be effectively used to shield habitats on Mars from radiation?
  • The Influence of Magnetic Fields on Plant Growth . How do varying magnetic field strengths affect certain plants’ growth rate and health?
  • The Acoustic Properties of Concert Halls . What architectural features contribute most significantly to the acoustic quality of concert halls?
  • The Effectiveness of Heat Sinks in Electronic Devices . How do different materials and designs of heat sinks affect the thermal management of electronic devices?
  • The Correlation Between Solar Flare Activity and Earth’s Climate . Is there a significant correlation between periods of increased solar flare activity and changes in Earth’s climate patterns?
  • The Impact of Wind Turbine Design on Bird Populations . How does the design of wind turbines affect bird mortality rates, and what design modifications can reduce these impacts?
  • The Physics of Long-Distance Space Travel: Propulsion Systems . What are the most promising propulsion systems for long-distance space travel, and how do they compare in terms of efficiency and feasibility?

These topics and questions provide a starting point for an in-depth exploration of physical concepts, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the context of real-world applications.

Don’t let the stress of the IB curriculum hold you back.

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Our experienced writers can help you choose the perfect topic and assist you with any assignment.

You can order an Extended Essay tailored to your specific subject and requirements.

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A female student standing still and smiling while holding a pen and a notebook, presumably contemplating IB IA topic suggestions.

Writing an IB Physics extended essay is both challenging and enjoyable. Choosing a good topic, completing comprehensive research, and writing a well-structured paper may greatly influence your IB Diploma experience. Remember, this is your chance to demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge of Physics.

By the way, our dedicated team of IB experts can guide students who need help with Extended Essay writing. Contact us for personalized essay assistance.

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Nora Spinster is a multi-talented individual who is an educator, lawyer, youth, expert IB tutor, education activist, and language and writing enthusiast. Nora has a wealth of experience in copywriting, having worked with various organizations and businesses to craft compelling and effective copy. Nora has published articles on young learners and teenage students in the International House Journal and occasionally posts on ibwritingservice.com educational blog

  • Nora Spinster https://ibwritingservice.com/blog/author/noraspinster/ IB Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics
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[Extended Deadline] Space and Time in Literature and the Arts

THE 25th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT,

UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST

LITERATURE AND CULTURAL STUDIES SECTION

14-16 June 2024

CALL FOR PAPERS

The English Department of the University of Bucharest invites proposals for

the Literature and Cultural Studies section of its 25th Annual International Conference:

Space and Time in Literature and the Arts

University of Bucharest, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures

7-13 Pitar Moș St., Bucharest, Romania

Plenary Keynote Speakers:

Christopher Herzog, Paris Lodron Universität Salzburg

Dragoș Ivana, University of Bucharest

John Thieme, University of East Anglia

Panel Stream Keynote Speakers:

Letitia Guran, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Nicolas Tredell,  University of Sussex

The subject matter of inexhaustible debates and, most importantly, disputes between philosophers and scholars from diverse backgrounds, space and time have been perceived, despite their infinite or limited dimension, as inextricably connected categories underlying the existence of matter and various processes unfolding in the universe, on the one hand, and the human existence in all its aspects, on the other. Whether normatively or symbolically represented by disciplines such as physics and mathematics or employed as (visual) narrative modes by literature and the arts, space and time have been scrutinized not only as conventional abstractions, but also as concepts that can be expanded or reconfigured. From Einstein’s theory of relativity, which stands solid proof of the latter perspective, to Paul Ricoeur’s view of the narrative set in a temporal frame, it has become evident today that both categories can no longer be interpreted separately, a perspective also endorsed by Mikhail Bakhtin’s “chronotope”, a concept referring to both spatial  and  temporal relationships that are expressed in literature.

Now more than ever, in a world in which science and technology have shrunk spatial distances and bridged temporal gaps, this topic could not come at a more timely moment. Our conference seeks to explore questions related, but not limited, to:

-      the history of human life in space and time, with particular emphasis on the impact of past, present and future events upon individuals;

-      space and time in relation to memory, trauma, personal and collective identity;

-      space and time as visible or hidden layers of meaning, belonging, dis-/re-location, exilic/nomadic/(post)colonial identities, etc.

-      philosophical interpretations of space and time – ontological and epistemological approaches;

-      the relationship between space/time and literature and the arts in various cultural and historical periods;

-      the relationship between science and literature: time machine and time travel tropes;

-      unshackling time-honoured dichotomies: the literary discourse/narrative as temporal vs. the visual narrative as spatial;

-      space and time as producers of meaning and identity;

-      allegorizing space and time (utopias, dystopias, eutopias, si-fi fiction and movies, painting, etc.)

-      heterotopias in literature;

-      urban humanities: new policies and practices for configuring the urban/rural dyad (post-metropolitan identity, gender, race, etc.);

-      the reenactment of sacred time (rituals, holy days, processions, etc.);

-      historical monuments and their role in preserving temporal and spatial identity; 

-      deconstructing linear time and normative space; or, alternative temporalities: the impact of the Anthropocene, climate change, exploitation of resources, eco-critical activism, inclusion of marginal groups, queering the space, etc.;

-      alternative cultural geographies and temporalities;

-      reconfigurations of space in architecture and their evolution in time;

-      recapturing and retrieving lost time and space;

-      reinventing the past in literature, cinematography or psychology;

-      resurrecting past cultures, civilisations and customs through archaeological and anthropological endeavours;

-      stage space and time: stage direction, scenography, light design, costume design and choreography;

-      time and space in the process of adaptation;

-      spatiality, trompe-l'oeil, and mirage in visual arts;

-      the global village - a shortcut in time and space;

-      private space vs. public space and their perception in time.

As of this year, our conference will also offer a number of thematic panel streams that will allow participants to group around their main fields of research and for which potential participants are asked to send their proposals  both  to the conference email address (listed below)  and  to the panel stream organizer:

Expectation, Nostalgia and Regret in Literary and Artistic Space/Time  (panel stream keynote speaker and organiser: Nicolas Tredell, University of Sussex,  [email protected] ).

Fluid Temporalities and Identities in Indian Ocean Spaces  (panel stream organiser: Maria-Sabina Draga Alexandru, University of Bucharest,  [email protected] ).

Space and Time in Romanian / Romanian American Culture,  sponsored by the Romanian Studies Association of America (panel stream keynote speaker and organiser: Letiția Guran, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,  [email protected] ).

Time and Space in Early Modern Culture  (panel stream organiser:Alina Bottez, University of Bucharest,  [email protected] ).

Panel proposals on any other topics connected to the conference theme are welcome. Potential panel organizers are welcome to submit full panel proposals to the conference email listed below.

A round table organized by Alina Bottez, University of Bucharest ( [email protected] ) will be held  in memoriam  Professor emeritus Adrian Nicolescu. People who are interested in contributing are welcome to contact her directly.

Conference presentations should be in English and will be allocated 20 minutes each, plus 10 minutes for discussion. Prospective participants are invited to submit abstracts of up to 200 words. Proposals should be in .doc or .docx format and should also include ( within the same document ): name and institutional affiliation, a short bio note (no more than 100 words), 5 keywords and the participant’s e-mail address. Proposals for full panels and round tables (to be organised by the participants) will also be considered. Please submit all proposals to our email address:  [email protected] .

Deadline for proposals:  20 April 2024 .

Conference fee:

Early bird: 100 Euro  (by 1 May)

Regular: 120 Euro  (after 1 May)

MA students and PhD Candidates: 50 Euro

Payment details will be communicated to the participants upon acceptance.

A selection of papers from the conference will be published in the  University of Bucharest Review  (ISSN 2069–8658) – listed on SCOPUS, EBSCO, ERIH PLUS and DOAJ. See the guidelines for contributors at  https://ubr.rev.unibuc.ro/ .

For further details and updates, see:  https://engleza.lls.unibuc.ro/conferinte/ . Enquiries regarding the Theoretical and Applied Linguistics section of the conference, which will be running at the same time, should be sent to  [email protected] .

We look forward to receiving proposals.

Organising and Selection Committee:

Dr Maria-Sabina Draga Alexandru (coordinator)

Dr Alexandra Bacalu

Dr Alina Bottez

Dr Eliana Ionoaia

Dr Dragoș Manea

Dr Andrei Nae

Dr Andreea Paris-Popa

Dr Oana-Alis Zaharia

Advisory Board:

Dr Nazmi Ağıl (Koç University, Istanbul)

Prof Bart Eeckhout (University of Antwerp)

Prof José Manuel Estévez-Saá (University of A Coruña)

Dr Felicity Hand (Autonomous University of Barcelona)

Prof Carl Lavery (University of Glasgow)

Prof Thomas Leitch (University of Delaware)

Dr Chris Louttit (Radboud University, Nijmegen)

Prof Domnica Rădulescu (Washington and Lee University, Lexington)

Prof Kerstin Shands (Södertörn University)

Prof Nicolas Tredell (University of Sussex)

COMMENTS

  1. The Complete IB Extended Essay Guide: Examples, Topics, and Ideas

    References and bibliography. Additionally, your research topic must fall into one of the six approved DP categories, or IB subject groups, which are as follows: Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature. Group 2: Language Acquisition. Group 3: Individuals and Societies. Group 4: Sciences. Group 5: Mathematics.

  2. 100 IB Extended Essay Topic Ideas!

    10 Steps to Writing an Extended Essay. Before we look at specific topics for your essay, let's recap the 10-steps you'll need to follow to complete your extended essay. 1. Define the Topic and Draft the Research Question. 2. Create a Timeline. 3. Identify and gather Sources. 4. Set Deadlines. 5. Plan the structure according to the total ...

  3. Literature Extended Essay Topics: Guide for IB Students

    Tips for Choosing Literature Extended Essay Topics. Here are some tips from years of guiding students and my experiences to help you choose the best possible topic. 1. Start with Your Passions. Firstly, reflect on the works of literature that have moved you, intrigued you, or left you with questions. Your enthusiasm for a topic will make the ...

  4. 50+ IB ESS Extended Essay Topic Ideas

    English B Extended Essay Topic Ideas. Discover the perfect English B Extended Essay topic with our curated list, designed to spark your creativity and intellectual curiosity. And if you're looking for a bit of expert assistance in crafting your masterpiece, Writing Metier is just a message away. Let's turn your Extended Essay into a standout ...

  5. IB Extended Essay: 250+ Ideas and Guide

    What is the IB Extended Essay? The Extended Essay, along with the Creativity, Activity, Service component and Theory of Knowledge, forms an integral part of the IB Diploma Programme.It offers IB high school students an opportunity to explore a topic of personal interest in-depth, develop research and writing skills, and experience the rigours of academic investigation.

  6. LibGuides: Extended Essay: Language and Literature

    Students should aim include existing literary criticism and their original ideas. An essay that simply repeats the views of established literary critics will not receive a high mark. Example: Category 1 ... An extended essay in language and literature gives students an opportunity to do independent research into a topic of special interest to ...

  7. 300+ Ideas for the IB Extended Essay

    Extended Essay Ideas for Each Subject. The IBDP offers a plethora of subjects, and the potential research questions within each are vast. While a comprehensive list would be exhaustive, here are 30 topic ideas spanning various IBDP subjects: Extended Essay Ideas for Literature: Exploring the motif of forbidden love in Shakespeare's works.

  8. Guide to the IB Extended Essay in 2024

    Her story "The Astronaut" won the 2018 Shirley Jackson Award for short fiction and received a "Distinguished Stories" mention in the 2019 Best American Short Stories anthology. IB Extended Essay Guide - We look at the rubric, essay topics, and offer advice for penning a stellar composition in 2024.

  9. How To Write The Extended Essay (With Topics and Examples)

    Section 1: Understanding the IB Extended Essay. Section 2: The Importance of the Extended Essay. Section 3: Selecting a Topic. Section 4: Developing Your Research Question. Section 5: Research Methodology and Theoretical Frameworks. Section 6: Evaluating Sources and Data. Section 7: Integrating Evidence and Analysis.

  10. Literature Extended Essay Topics

    Literature Extended Essay Topics. What is an Extended Essay? An extended essay is an in-depth academic research paper, typically written by a student as part of a college or university degree. This type of essay requires you to research and analyze a topic and reach a conclusion supported by evidence. It is usually assigned by professors and ...

  11. English A Extended Essay Topics: Ideas & Inspiration

    Today, I'm excited to share my insights into writing an outstanding English A extended essay. This assignment, a cornerstone of the IB diploma, requires creativity, critical thinking, and a strategic approach. Today, I will give you some ideas for English A extended essay topics. Understanding the English A Extended Essay

  12. The Complete Extended Essay Guide

    Literature Extended Essay Topics. Examine the significance of different Noble prize winners in the literature on the stylistic evolution. An analysis of the controversy surrounding Bob Dylan's Noble prize award; The Role of Emile Zola's "J'accuse" in the Dreyfus Affair. Analysing Jane Austen; Jame's Baldwin's illustration of Racism.

  13. IB Extended Essay Ideas

    The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP or IB) is a rigorous high school program considered to be equivalent to the AP system, if not harder. Along with coursework and examinations in this two-year long program, there are expectations to write an in-depth essay on one subject of your selection, called the Extended Essay (EE ...

  14. Extended essay

    The extended essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper. One component of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) core, the extended essay is mandatory for all students. Read about the extended essay in greater detail. You can also read about how the IB sets deadlines for ...

  15. English Extended Essay Topics: 30+ Examples for Inspiration

    English Extended Essay Topics on American Literature. When we read Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, we can observe the opposition to the abolition of slavery in America via the slaves. How can the American aspirations, as depicted in numerous American novels and other literary works, out to be a complete failure? ...

  16. Examples

    These highlight the diverse range of topics covered by International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) students during their extended essays. Some examples are: "An analysis of costume as a source for understanding the inner life of the character". "A study of malnourished children in Indonesia and the extent of their recovery ...

  17. 90+ SEHS Extended Essay Topic Ideas for IB

    100+ IB extended essay topic ideas for your ease. One of the very important requirements of an IB diploma is the extended essay. This really helps bring up the total score. And one problem students face here is gathering ideas for their IB extended essay. Here is some guiding information that can help with extended essay topics.

  18. IB English A (Lang & Lit) EE examples

    EE English A (Lang & Lit) B. Effects of Parallels and Divergence in Mythological Retellings. EE English A (Lang & Lit) B. High scoring IB English A (Lang & Lit) Extended Essay examples. See what past students did and make your English A (Lang & Lit) EE perfect by learning from examiner commented examples!

  19. 200 Extended Essay Topics for Students

    IB extended essay topics are normally chosen so that they are related to subjects picked by the student but they must fall into a course belonging to any of the following six subject groups (categories): Group 1: Studies in language and literature - this includes subjects like student's native language, Language and Literature, Literature and ...

  20. Extended Essay (IB): Choosing a subject and topic

    "An extended essay (EE) in studies in language and literature gives students an opportunity to undertake independent research into a topic of special interest to them within the subject. It is intended to promote advanced research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity.

  21. 110 Inspiring Extended Essay Topics for Research

    The topics are broad but feasible for in-depth research and writing. Writing an extended essay develops students' skills in critical thinking, and research, and prepares them for the future. Here are extended essay topics categorized by subjects. Biology Extended Essay Topics Here is a list of extended essay topics biology:

  22. Tanglin LibGuides: IB Extended Essay (EE): English

    Excellent Extended Essay - English. Examination of how the domestic symbols of the house and food establish the themes of dislocation, miscommunication and loneliness in Jhumpa Lahiri's 'Interpreter of Maladies' (2014) How does Cormac McCarthy portray common thematic elements in No Country for Old Men and The Road? (2009)

  23. IB DP Physics Extended Essay Topics: The Best Ideas

    The IB Physics Extended Essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research that culminates in a 4,000-word paper required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. According to the IB criteria, this significant academic task involves students independently researching a topic that sparks their interest in IB DP Physics.

  24. cfp

    - the relationship between space/time and literature and the arts in various cultural and historical periods;- the relationship between science and literature: time machine and time travel tropes;- unshackling time-honoured dichotomies: the literary discourse/narrative as temporal vs. the visual narrative as spatial;