❋✐rst �①❛✁s ✂✵✶✸

Prior learning

The extended essay and the IB learner profile

Relationship to theory of knowledge

International dimensions

Internal and external deadlines

The supervisor’s role in commenting on one completed draft of theessay

Authentication

Recommended: things to do

Recommended: things to avoid

The research process

Writing the extended essay

The length of the extended essay

Title

Abstract

Contents page

Illustrations

Bibliographies, references and citations

What is a bibliography?

Major documentation styles

What is a reference?

What is a citation?

Appendices, footnotes and endnotes

Computers

CDs, DVDs and audio-visual materials

Specimen materials

Using the assessment criteria

Award of diploma points

A: research question

(Objectives 1 and 2)

Achievement

level

Descriptor

B: introduction

(Objectives 1 and 5)

Achievement

level

Descriptor

Achievement

level

Descriptor

C: investigation

(Objectives 1 and 3)

Achievement

level

Descriptor

D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

(Objectives 3 and 7)

Achievement

level

Descriptor

E: reasoned argument

(Objectives 1 and 4)

Achievement

level

Descriptor

Achievement

level

Descriptor

F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to thesubject

(Objective 7)

Achievement

level

Descriptor

G: use of language appropriate to the subject

(Objective 6)

Achievement

level

Descriptor

Achievement

level

Descriptor

H: conclusion

(Objectives 1, 4 and 5)

Achievement

level

Descriptor

I: formal presentation

(Objective 5)

Achievement

level

Descriptor

Achievement

level

Descriptor

J: abstract

(Objective 5)

Achievement

level

Descriptor

K: holistic judgment

(Objective 1)

Achievement level Descriptor

Overview

Choice of topic

Categories 1 and 2: Literature

Category 1: Studies of a literary work(s) originally written in the language in which the essay ispresented

Category 2: Studies of a literary work(s) originally written in the language of the essay comparedwith a literary work(s) originally written in another language

Category 3: Studies in language

Examples 1, 2 and 3: Language in a cultural context

Examples 4, 5, 6 and 7: Language and mass communication

Treatment of the topic

Texts

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Category 1: language

Category 2: culture and society

A: essays of a sociocultural nature with an impact on the language

B: essays of a general cultural nature based on specific cultural artifacts

Category 3: literature

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Illustrations and maps

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Introduction to the essay

Presentation

Academic level

Abstract

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: Research question

Criterion B: Introduction

Criterion C: Investigation

Criterion D: Knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: Reasoned argument

Criterion F: Application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: Use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: Conclusion

Criterion I: Formal presentation

Criterion J: Abstract

Criterion K: Holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Overview

Choice of topic

Treatment of the topic

A weak essay in this category would be one that:

Researcher’s reflection space

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Criterion B: introduction

Criterion C: investigation

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subjects

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Criterion H: conclusion

Criterion I: formal presentation

Criterion J: abstract

Criterion K: holistic judgment