The document provides an overview of the requirements and process for completing the Extended Essay, which is a mandatory research paper for IB Diploma students. It outlines the word count, assessment criteria, roles of supervisors and coordinators, and timelines. Students are advised to choose focused research questions, utilize academic sources, and meet deadlines. The viva voce interview serves as a conclusion and reflection on the student's experience with the Extended Essay.

1. The Extended Essay
Senior 6 Introductory Session
BRITISH SCHOOL OF COSTA RICA
2013 Session

2. BEFORE WE START
 Make a list of the most pressing questions you have at
the moment about Extended Essays. At the end of this
session we will try to answer all of your questions
 You may also bring up myths and comments you have
heard around to clarify.
 Make notes during the whole presentation. You will find
them useful later on.

3. The Diploma Programme

4. EE Brief Description
 A requirement to obtain the IB Diploma
 Externally assessed by IBO evaluators (not supervisor)
 Total assessment points 0-36, of which a grade between an
A to E is awarded
 Represents 40 hours of work
 Point relationship between TOK and EE (maximum 3
diploma points altogether) (E grade in both is automatic
fail. E in one and less than 28 points is also a fail)
 Opportunity for personal exploration/independent learning
 Great preparation for university-style research papers
 Topic chosen by YOU, but agreed upon with supervisor
 Topic chosen within IB subjects taught in school

5. EE General Requirements
 Between 3,500-4,000 words
 Involves academic, critical research
 Supervisor can spend a maximum of 5 hours helping you
 Apply analytical and evaluative skills, and terminology
appropriate to subject matter
 Supervisor submits a predicted grade and a supervisor’s
report to the IBO. Not revealed to student.
 Concludes with the viva voce interview
 EE demands a “diverse range of sources” in most subjects

6. EE Assessment Objectives
As an Extended Essay student you are required to:
Plan carefully, leading up to proposed topic
Develop a precise research question
Learn where to find and interpret research materials
Structure a reasoned argument to answer research question
(based on research)
Apply the correct vocabulary, format and argumentative style
according to the subject

7. EE Coordinator Role
 Train all supervisors and students
 Provide students with a qualified supervisor
 Make Extended Essay information and guidelines accessible
 Provide and manage deadlines to all supervisors and students
 Provide learning and researching opportunities
 Resolve all pending EE issues and questions
 Ship all EEs out for external assessing
Contact information: anarojas@bscr.ed.cr
Always in the English office during first break
Mrs. Wolff, IB Coordinator: twolff@gmail.com

8. Subject-Specific Areas
Which are my options?
Group 1 (English/Spanish) Group 4 Experimental Sciences
Literature Biology / Biología
Language and Literature Chemistry
Physics / Física
Group 2 (French B) Environmental systems and
societies
Group 3 (Individuals and Societies) Group 5 Mathematics and Computer
Science
Geography
Mathematics
History / Historia
Computer Science
Information technology in a global
society (ITGS) Group 6 The arts
Economics Visual Arts/Artes visuales
Philosophy / Filosofía
Music
Note: To obtain a bilingual diploma you want to do your Extended Essay in a
language other than your Group 1 Language

9. IB clarifies:
 To qualify as a history EE, all events discussed must take
place ten years ago or more
 Group 2 EEs must be written in the target language and on
matters related to the target language (not Costa Rican
media)
 No strong links between internal assessment topics and
Extended Essay
 No similar topics between current students or former
students

10. Responsibilities of the Student
 Choose a topic of personal interest and invest the time
defining carefully your research question
 Observe and follow all EE regulations, both general and
specific (“Extended Essay Guide 2013” printed copy from
supervisor or in the office)
 Never plagiarize, acknowledge ALL sources cited
 Meet BSCR/Supervisor deadlines
 Communicate with your supervisor!
 Actively request appointments and attend meetings
 Ask for help immediately when struggling
 Address emerging issues

11. IB recommends
 Start work early
 Draft research question carefully and precisely
 Plan when, where and how to obtain material for
research
 Plan schedule for researching and writing, including
extra time for unforeseen problems
 Record sources in bibliography and quotes as you read
them. Do not wait until essay writing time!
 Have a clear structure before writing
 Check and edit essay carefully
 Check and meet all basic requirements

12. EE Examiners recommend
 Read assessment criteria and EE Guide 2013 (subject)
 Read previous Extended Essays (Library)
 Maintain a good working relationship with supervisor
 Use the library and consult supervisor for further sources
 Change research question as soon as serious problems
appear for a more answerable question
 Use language appropriate for the field
 Show your enthusiasm for the topic in your writing

13. Off the Record from the IBO
 Quality is important, but so is quantity. Getting as close to
the 4,000 word-count is important…
 …except in Math. A great paper can be 3,300 words. But
usually, 3,300 words will earn very low marks.
 Experimental designs are frequently a must-have for a
decent grade in a science essay.
 Do not choose a subject that you are just beginning to have
background in. This is not the time for beginner’s
exploration. This is a time for further exploration.

14. Things to Avoid
 Choosing a question that is too broad or vague, narrow,
difficult or inappropriate
 Forgetting to analyze/answer the question
 Ignoring the EE Assessment Criteria
 Wasting time collecting data irrelevant to your question
 Surfing the Internet aimlessly and uncritically
 Limiting yourself to internet sources only
 Plagiarizing
 Simply describing or reporting other information
 Repeat introduction in the conclusion
 Citing sources that aren’t used

15. Supervisor’s Role
 Use knowledge in subject area to provide advice and
guidance to students
 Helps define research question
 Aids in the research process
 Reads and comments on first draft
 Submits a predicted grade to the IBO
 Conducts the viva voce with student
 Reports plagiarism, if suspected
 Your supervisor does NOT have to:
 Offer/choose a topic for you
 Chase you around school for meetings or deadlines
 Edit/proofread your paper, only advice on ideas
 Read endless numbers of drafts for you

16. Supervisor Selection
 Students request a meeting with at least 2 potential
supervisors to discuss possible topics (already proposed by
you). If feasible, supervisor signs proposal form and you
hand it in to the Extended Essay coordinator.
 Think about at least 2 different subjects, since some
subjects seem to be too popular and supervisors get
booked/full very early.
 Choose a teacher you will feel comfortable working with.
 Ask your supervisor if they will be in school next year, to
avoid any future issues regarding supervision.
 Changes in subject choice need to occur very early in the
process, and only when both supervisors, Extended Essay
coordinator and IB coordinator agree.

17. The Research Process (Phase A)
 Read the subject-specific guide for your subject area
(starting on p. 26 of the 2013 Extended Essay Guide)
 Check out past student essays in the Library (As and Bs)
 Brainstorm general ideas or attempts at research
questions, explaining why the topic is of interest to you
 Work with your supervisor to develop a research
question that is:
 Answerable within 3,500-4,000 words
 Focused to the subject matter
 Correctly worded and unambiguous
 Relevant/Important enough to be asked

18. The Research Process (Phase B)
 Discuss with your supervisor:
 The location of materials for your topic (Internet, Google
books, school library, university libraries, institutional
libraries, books purchased internationally, specialized
journals or magazines, research databases, interviews with
experts, experiments, surveys, etc.)
 A proper academic referencing/citing system (APA, MLA,
etc.)
 A general list of sub-headings for your paper
 A developing list of EE reading for background and
information-gathering
 Internal BSCR deadlines
 Best times to meet or discuss the EE

19. The Research Process (Phase C)
 Undertake some preparatory reading (is there
enough research material, has this been done
before?). If too difficult, start again with a new topic
 Make sure you use scholarly sources (essays,
articles, books written by professionals with
advanced degrees in the field of study)
 Carry out the investigation
 Organize material gathered logically according to
outline
 Prepare for things to go wrong. You may find
material that contradicts what you started with,
so be ready to revise and change research
question

20. Writing the Extended Essay
Parts of an Extended Essay
 Title page
 Abstract
 Acknowledgements (of desired)
 Contents page
 Introduction
 Body (development/methods/results)
 Conclusion
 References and bibliography
 Appendices

21. Word limit
Maximum 4000 words, minimum 3500 (20 p)
Introduction
Body (including quotes)
Conclusion
What is not included in these 4000 words
Abstract
Acknowledgements
Content page
Maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations, tables, image
captions
Equations, formulas and calculations
Citations and references (whether parenthetical or footnotes)
Bibliography
Appendices

22. Writing the Extended Essay
 Extremely precise structure
 Introduction should be written after you have already
developed the body of the essay (general overview)
 Abstract written absolutely last (after first draft
conference)
 Main focus of essay is the body
 Sub-headings helpful in most subjects
 Include only relevant sources, citations all present and
consistent
 Evaluator not required to read references, bibliography,
or footnotes

23. Planning your time
7/8 = Research Phase (Apr-Nov 2012)
Student & supervisor work together to:
S
E Explore and discuss ideas
N Locate appropriate resources
I Discuss readings and ideas
O Develop a suitable research question
R Supervisor monitors research progress
1/8 = Writing Phase (Dec-May 2013)
6
S
Student works independently over summer to:
E
N
I
O
Organize research material
R Carry out experiments
7 Write EE first full draft
Revision conference to discuss draft
Revise and have ready the final EE
Interview with supervisor about the whole
experience (viva voce)

24. Contacting your parents
 Students are required to be proactive in attending
meetings, completing assignments, and communicating
struggles
 Parents will be kept updated of your progress on grade
reports and progress reports sent home
 First phone call to parents may occur after missed
meetings, due dates, or failing to be in school on
deadline days
 This will result in after school detentions to make up for
the time wasted

25. What is the Viva Voce?
 Verbal interview
 Lasts 10-15 minutes
 Serves as conclusion to EE process
 Opportunity for reflection
 Can serve as plagiarism/malpractice check
 Used to bolster holistic assessment
 Should end on a positive note

27. Extended Essay Grade Boundaries
A 29 – 36
B 23 – 28
C 16 – 22
D 8 – 15
E0–7