CORE SUBJECTS

Extended Essay

The extended essay is a piece of independent research on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a supervisor in the school. It is a 4000-word academic research paper, compulsory for all students taking the Diploma Programme and is an option for course students. The extended essay is externally assessed and, in combination with the grade for theory of knowledge, contributes up to three points to the total score for the IB Diploma. In Raha, we start the EE process in October of Grade 11, and complete in one calendar year, ending in November of Grade 12. Since it is a largely independent task, the key to success is time management. We always encourage students to choose a subject and a topic that they have personal interest in, that way, the research process is much more rewarding, enjoyable and beneficial for the students in the long run. Here are words of wisdom from some DP graduates, and some examples of EE research questions from the class of 2022, for various subjects.

Adrian Harwood, United World College Maasricht, 2014

Reflecting on my time as a Diploma student, I cannot overstate the value of completing the Extended Essay. Not only did this project allow me to explore an area outside interest (Canada’s involvement in World War II), but provided a unique opportunity for me to develop my research, writing, critical thinking skills in a substantial manner. This ultimately prepared me to tackle university-level assignments with enthusiasm and confidence. More importantly, though, the Extended Essay offered itself as a foundation from which I was able to develop a passion for writing and effective communication.

Barkin Sarigol, RIS 2020

Three years after finishing the extended essay, it is still very vivid in my mind as my journey through extended essay was a rather tough one. I tried various topics and by the time I had picked my final topic (parachute drag), it was already April because the experiments for my other chosen topics were too complicated and did not work. Also, some of the mathematics were beyond my reach and took me a long time to figure out. My advice is to start early because you will fail along the way. You need the time to get back on your feet. Also, don't try to over-reach with complicated mathematics and experiment designs. Pick something simple. If you have more time at the end, you can always delve deeper but that should be optional. And lastly, for all you perfectionists out there, this paper will not get published in a journal so don't try to do original research. Look at topics that have been done in the past and try to do the same topic well. The valuable part that I still use as an active academic researcher is learning to deal with failure and the experince of doing research from start to end. That's whats valuable, not the knowledge you put into this paper. The same differential equation that took me 3 weeks to solve back then was a 20 minute question in one of my university courses so if you care about the topic and study it later down the line, you will learn it anyway. You don't (yet!!!) have the tools and background to do original research so set realistic expectations, don't try to change the world.

Paez Gonzales, RIS 2016

By the time I reached my last year of university, writing Extended Essay level papers was considered a given for almost all of my classes. I was asked far too many times to go from nothing to a fully developed 3000+ word essay, so I was thankful to have gone through that experience while in the safety net of high school, with a mentor. Before I give my biggest tip, I need you to understand that my work ethic in high school was not the best, I was one of the 5-6 people who had to stay after school to finish off my extended essay because I missed all the deadlines. This tip is something I learned far too late: A poor draft is better than no draft. Even if your feedback hurts, you’ll have something to work with, and just sit down and write. That is when you’ll actually be able to start deeper work.

Fayyaad Amod, RIS 2018

From my experience I found the EE to be a great introduction to technical writing and long essays which made it easier to transition to university. My biggest piece of advice for the EE is don’t choose what you think will be easier to get a good grade but a topic you genuinely interested in. You spend a lot of time on this essay rather it be something you enjoy makes it easier.

Andrei Stefanidi, RIS 2017

If I were to give some advice to current students, I would encourage them to choose a topic that they like, plan it out and then step by step carry it out. This is a challenging project so planning and keeping up with deadlines is important if you want to succeed and limit the amount of stress you may face. Regarding the choice of a topic, some people tend to know exactly what they want to do and what their interests are from relatively early on, but some may not. If this is your case, don’t worry, I was there myself and it is perfectly fine. More often than not, choosing a topic that you are remotely interested in will help you either develop a deeper appreciation of it, or stumble across another area of interest throughout your work. After my graduation, I did end up pursuing and completing a Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, a Master’s in aerospace structures and materials, and currently pursuing a PhD in the field as well, so I can definitely say that the extended essay helped me, and it served as a great start to my journey.

Mario Gonzales Pineiro, RIS 2022

Personally, I believe that the Extended Essay (EE) is a great preparation for tertiary (university) education for a few key reasons:

- Independent learning – since the EE explorations usually require concepts that are either not taught or taught at a more elementary level in the subject class.

- Organization of ideas – the decisions that are taken choosing the subject as well as in discussing the subject are just as important as the discussion.

I would recommend putting in-text citations as you write the essay, and creating a separate document where the full citations are recorded as they are used in the essay (and even page number the information was in

Sami Dabbous, RIS 2020

Personally, the EE process was my initial glimpse into the realm of academic research. It was extremely memorable as it gave me my first visit to a university library. Although the research/citation process may seem rigorious and tedious, it gave a headstart to understanding how the post secondary research process is conducted.

Ahmed Almansoori, RIS 2015

I still recall the first writing assignment in college. At that moment, you could really tell the difference between those who have taken the IB and those who have not. Us IB students were the only ones who were required to write 4,000-word essays, while students from other curricula were underprepared for such a feat. I saw many of my peers’ struggle, stress, and difficulty to execute this monumental task without spending hours at the university’s writing center, desperately seeking advice wherever they could get it. Though university was more demanding (I was required to write 3 4,000-word essays at the end of my first semester), I was well prepared to succeed in academic writing and attain higher grades than my other peers from the very beginning.

The Extended Essay seemed like an overwhelming task, but I believe it teaches you the skills to succeed in higher education. To this day, I notice many people in my Master’s degree program who are unfamiliar with the skills and format required to write a decent, thoughtprovoking essay. The extensive reading required can help you nurture lifelong habits and shape you as a legitimate researcher. Most tragically of all, I have seen many people lose their seats in university on grounds of violating the policies on plagiarism and academic integrity: when you take a closer look at their works, most of them face disciplinary consequences for incorrect citations or inadequate referencing! Such violations carry a hefty weight in the academic world; I have seen people lose their scholarships and others suffer a significant drop in their grade point average after receiving a failing grade on their essays. The Extended Essay is great practice in the long run, since most universities expect you to familiarize yourself with these matters before you even attempt any of your assignments.

Most importantly of all, it is a task that helps you nurture your intellectual curiosity and explore a topic of interest in depth. It does not have to be a stress-inducing, monumental task: so pick a topic you are passionate about and make the most out of it!

Some examples of EE research questions from the class 2022

Subject Research question

To what extent does the rise in temperature due to climate change impact the efficiency of an electricity generating process?

English How does Edgar Allan Poe utilize the conventions of Gothic literature to present the mourning of female lovers by male speakers in his poems?

To what extent is the Quick Sort sorting algorithm more efficient and optimal in comparison to the Heap Sort and Merge Sort algorithms, which are regarded as its main competitors?

To what extend can antimony recovery from PET plastics Boost sustainability and waste management within a circular economy?

Philosophy Is morality vested within us through divinity, or is it a byproduct of human rationality?

To what extent was Stalin's direct intervention in military operations responsible for the Red army's victory at Stalingrad from 1942 to 1943?

To what extent has the global coronavirus pandemic impacted the e-commerce sector and its profitability?

Which is the best formulation between vertical plane formulation and spherical surface formulation, given two specific locations and the centre of the earth, to find a specific position?

To what extent has the configuration, implementation, and energy supply of solar glass been influenced by the need for green designs within large-scale cities such as Abu Dhabi?

To what extent can the implementation of the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy reduce the issue of labour market inefficiency in the accommodation and food industry?

To what extent is interpersonal violence in postdisaster settings a result of social and cultural factors?

Film To what extent are characteristics of Italian Neorealism present in contemporary films and do these have an effect on the audience’s perception on the film?

To what extent has the architectural features in the Arabian Peninsula evolve for the purpose of providing natural cooling?

To what extent have the architectural designs St. Mark Basilica (1094), San Francisco Acatepac (1730) and the Louvre Abu Dhabi (2017) been influenced by traditional Islamic Architecture?

Through an examination of Shakespeare's Globe productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, to what extent has gender evolved through role casting?

To what extent can Neuromuscular training help prevent ACL injuries in female athletes?

To what extent does the inclusion of dimples on a golf ball reduce its aerodynamic drag as opposed to a non-dimpled smooth ball in a theoretical flow simulation scenario when compared to an existing experimental study?

To what extent does injecting the two different forms of stem cells, such as bone morrow derived stem cells (BMSCs) and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs)in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of Stargardt’s disease improve log MAR figures?

To what extent can electrolyte composition (type of electrolyte and acid concentration) be altered to optimize copper electroplating efficiency while also considering the environmental impacts of industrial waste products?

To what extent is the legacy of Japan's WW2 crimes against Korean civilians significant in deteriorating economic relations between Japan and South Korea in the last 10 years?

Top tips on how to be successful, from your teachers!

1. Start early! You'll be surprised how quickly the deadline creeps up on you, so don't procrastinate.

2. Choose a topic that you are passionate about. Writing about something you love will make the process so much easier and enjoyable.

3. Research, research, research! Make sure you have a solid understanding of your topic before you start writing.

4. Create an outline. This will help you organize your thoughts and make sure you don't forget anything important.

5. Get feedback from your supervisor. They can help you identify areas for improvement and give you guidance on how to make your essay stronger.

6. Don't be afraid to be quirky. Your essay should be a reflection of you, so let your personality shine through!

7. Use quotes sparingly. Too many quotes can make your essay feel disjointed and detract from your own voice.

8. Be mindful of word count. You don't want to ramble on, but you also don't want to leave anything important out.

9. Proofread, proofread, proofread! No one is perfect, but the more you proofread, the fewer mistakes you'll have.

10. Have fun! Writing the extended essay can be a challenging experience, but it can also be a lot of fun. Embrace the process and enjoy the journey!