I've started planning for my IB Extended Essay and it's a bit overwhelming. Can anyone give me advice on how to go about it? What strategies did you use while planning, writing, and finishing your EE?
Sure thing! I understand that the IB Extended Essay (EE) can certainly feel overwhelming given its breadth and depth requirements, but approaching it methodically can alleviate your stress. Here are a few steps you might find helpful:
1. Identify your topic: This is arguably the most critical step. Your topic needs to be something you're genuinely interested in, as you'll be spending a considerable amount of time researching and writing about it. It also needs to be suitable for deep, analytical research. Remember, the EE isn’t about coverage but rather about a critical analysis of a subject.
2. Formulate a sharp research question: Your research question should be specific, focused, and answerable within the scope of your essay. An effective question places a clear focus on your argument and gives your essay a sense of direction.
3. Create a work plan: Prioritize your time according to the different stages of the EE process. This includes time spent on preliminary reading and research, developing an outline, a first draft, revision, and finalizing the essay.
4. Start with broad research, then narrow down: Start by reading widely on your topic to get a good understanding of its context. Use this research to identify an aspect of your topic that you find particularly interesting and worthy of further analysis. This will be what your research question focuses on.
5. Write as you research: This strategy can save you a lot of time. Rather than leaving all the writing until the end, jot down thoughts, observations, and potential arguments as you go. This doesn't mean you have to write the essay from start to finish immediately, but creating a loose framework can help put your thoughts in order.
6. Cite as you go: Your EE must contain appropriate academic referencing. Therefore, always make a note of where your information is coming from as you research. This will save you from having to retrace your steps to find sources later.
7. Routinely revise: Seek feedback frequently—your supervisors are there to help! Also, revising section by section can lower the workload and stress of editing.
8. Don’t disregard the reflection!: It might sound daunting, but reflection is an integral part of the IB EE process. Ensure that you engage with it throughout the process at the three formal reflection sessions, because it constitutes 6 out of 34 marks.
Believe in your capacity to write a solid essay and remember: the Extended Essay is a journey, not a race. With good planning and organization, it can even be an enjoyable experience. Good luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.