Core Part of Diploma Programme Relationship to TOK Definition Requirements Required Elements Subjects Timeline Summer Enrichment

Topics to be discussed

Extended Essay is one of the 3 core requirements of the Diploma Programme

“The extended essay shares with the theory of knowledge (TOK) course a concern with interpreting and evaluating evidence, and constructing reasoned arguments.” (IBO 2012)

Relationship to TOK

The Extended Essay grade

The Extended Essay is “a substantial piece of writing of up to 4,000 words, enables students to investigate a topic of interest” (normally one of the student’s six chosen subjects) “that they have chosen themselves. It also encourages them to develop the skills of Independent research that will be expected at university.” (IBO 2012)

Definition

Chosen from approved DP list Involves higher level research Opportunity for personal research Required for all DP candidates Aligned with Learner Profile 40 hour commitment for student Externally Assessed 4000 word maximum 300 word abstract Concludes with short interview, viva voce,

with supervising teacher

Extended Essay Requirements

Title Page Abstract Contents Page Introduction Body (development/methods/results) Conclusion Bibliography and In-Text Citations Appendices

Required Elements in Final Paper

Extended Essay Subjects English Spanish French Biology Chemistry History Mathematics

Theatre Visual Arts World Studies

Example topics Group 1: Literature

Topic: Dance in Jane Austen’s novels Research question: “What are the role and the

significance of dance in Pride and Prejudice and Emma?”

Topic: Death in Emily Bronte’s and Emily Dickinson’s poetry

Research question: “How is the subject of death treated in selected poems by Emily Bronte and Emily Dickinson?”

Example topics Biology

Topic: Altitude and physical fitness Research question: Can a program of training at high

altitude have an impact on the fitness of an athlete? Approach: Using a digital heart-rate monitor, pre- and

post-exercise heart rates and recovery times are measured for four athletes. These athletes then carry out a program of training at 2,500 meters above sea level, after which heart-rate and recovery time data is once again collected. The pre- and post-training data is analyzed and compared to published data.

Example topics Chemistry

Topic: The caffeine content of a cup of tea Research question: Does the time it takes to

brew a cup of tea using a specific commercial brand of tea leaves significantly alter the amount of caffeine that is dissolved in the drink?

Example topics History

Topic: Varying interpretations of the Salem witch trials

Research question: Which theory best explains the Salem witch trials?

Approach: Background reading is undertaken to enable identification and explanation of two dominant theories as to why the trials took place. The merits of the two theories are appraised using data obtained about the accused and the accusers.

Example topics Math

Topic: The geometry of navigation Research question: What was the role

mathematics, and geometry in particular, in navigation when we relied on the stars? Does it still play a part now we have man-made satellites?

Approach: Using one of the two geometric representations of the earth, describe how maps and charts were produced to assist navigators in the past.

Example topics Visual Arts Topic: Cultural influences on Pablo Picasso’s work Research question: Picasso: individual genius or cultural

thief? Approach: An investigation of the extent to which selected

images in Picasso’s work may have been appropriated from other cultural sources.

Topic: The impact of immigration on an artist’s work Research question: What is the impact of transcultural

experience on the art of Gu Xiong? Approach: An investigation into the effects of migration on a

selected artist’s work.

Example topics Drama

Title: A study of the effects of the use of fabrics and lighting in The Tempest.

Research question: How can fabrics and lighting contribute to the creation of magical effects in a production of Shakespeare’s last play?

Approach: In-depth research is carried out into the use of fabrics and lighting in previous productions of The Tempest. There is a discussion, based on these examples, of how fabrics and lighting work with other production elements, how they can contribute to the creation of magical effects and how these affect the readings of the play.

Sept. – Summer Enrichment work due Oct. – VCU Library field trip Oct. - Research Proposal Due Nov. – Select Extended Essay Supervisor

(Tucker Faculty) Dec. – VCU Library field trip #2 Jan. - Outline & Annotated Bibliography Due March – Completed EE Due End of May – Final EE Due

Timeline

• Print & Read IBO’s Extended Essay Guidelines (http://huskieibpo.com/Documents/Guide_and_Rubric_to_EE.pdf) ◦ Introduction◦ Outline (approximately the first 20 pages)◦ Details – All Essays◦ At least 1 Subject Specific Detail (begins on page 21 with English…

Biology page 34…)

• Choose 1 subject area• Brainstorm & Reflect on 2 possible topics• Read 6 (3 for each topic) scholarly journal articles

(use online databases: OneSearch) on possible topics

• Obtain a 2” three ring binder for EE• Due Thursday, September 12, 2013 in Seminar

Summer Enrichment

International Baccalaureate Organization. Diploma Programme Extended Essay Guide: First Examinations 2013. Cardiff, Wales: Peterson House, 2010. Print.

Bibliography