IB EXTENDED ESSAYIB EXTENDED ESSAY

Gresham High SchoolGresham High School

THE EXTENDED ESSAYTHE EXTENDED ESSAY

RELAXRELAX

THE EXTENDED ESSAYTHE EXTENDED ESSAY

It’s just a paperIt’s just a paper

The myth is worse than the realityThe myth is worse than the reality

You will spend more time worrying and whining You will spend more time worrying and whining than workingthan working

You will do it all in 1 or 2 weekends, so why not You will do it all in 1 or 2 weekends, so why not tackle it THIS semestertackle it THIS semester

It’s like baking a cake – follow the recipeIt’s like baking a cake – follow the recipe

THE EXTENDED ESSAYTHE EXTENDED ESSAY“A study in depth of a limited topic”“A study in depth of a limited topic”

• Independent research supervised by Independent research supervised by a teachera teacher

• In a topic YOU choose from one of In a topic YOU choose from one of the IB subject areasthe IB subject areas

• On a question YOU develop On a question YOU develop • Presented in 4000 wordsPresented in 4000 words• In accordance with IB requirementsIn accordance with IB requirements

WHAT IS IT?WHAT IS IT?

Prepares you for independent Prepares you for independent research expected by universitiesresearch expected by universities

Format is a formal research paper – Format is a formal research paper – scholarly journalscholarly journal

Written in a scholarly voiceWritten in a scholarly voice Essay is an Essay is an analyticalanalytical answer to a answer to a

question YOU develop question YOU develop

WHAT IS IT NOT?WHAT IS IT NOT?

It is NOT a review of the literatureIt is NOT a review of the literature It is NOT a book report or plot It is NOT a book report or plot

summarysummary It is NOT everything you ever learned It is NOT everything you ever learned

about your subjectabout your subject It is NOT your opinion, your thoughts, It is NOT your opinion, your thoughts,

or your beliefs or your beliefs

THE EE IS……..THE EE IS……..

A carefully constructed analytical A carefully constructed analytical answer to a very precise questionanswer to a very precise question

Based on DATA and EVIDENCE from Based on DATA and EVIDENCE from your researchyour research

Data cited as to sourceData cited as to source

General Time LineGeneral Time Line

Due Date: End of first semester your Due Date: End of first semester your senior yearsenior year

This semester: researchThis semester: research Summer: research and rough draftSummer: research and rough draft Next semester: writing the essayNext semester: writing the essay Next fall: College Aps!Next fall: College Aps!

REQUIRED DELIVERABLESREQUIRED DELIVERABLES

IB Advisor: April 1IB Advisor: April 1 Research question: May 11Research question: May 11 Annotated Bibliography: June 1Annotated Bibliography: June 1 Summer progress report: ~Sept 19*Summer progress report: ~Sept 19* Detailed outline: ~Oct 1*Detailed outline: ~Oct 1* 11stst Complete Draft: ~Dec 1* Complete Draft: ~Dec 1* FINAL:FINAL: February 1 February 1 + Monthly notebook checks w/ homework+ Monthly notebook checks w/ homework

* Depends on final school calendar* Depends on final school calendar

How do we support you?How do we support you?

Provide you with an EE supervisor Provide you with an EE supervisor based on your research questionbased on your research question

Make appointments – don’t do drive Make appointments – don’t do drive by drop insby drop ins

Use email. Schedule summer contactUse email. Schedule summer contact

The EE AdvisorThe EE Advisor

Must be a Gresham teacherMust be a Gresham teacher YOU are responsible for making YOU are responsible for making

appointmentsappointments Will advise and guide you through Will advise and guide you through

the researchthe research Will complete a Supervisor’s Report Will complete a Supervisor’s Report

at the completion of the essayat the completion of the essay IB will not accept an essay w/o an IB will not accept an essay w/o an

Advisor.Advisor.

The EE Advisor WILL NOTThe EE Advisor WILL NOT

Tell you what to doTell you what to do Give you a RQGive you a RQ Give you research resourcesGive you research resources Edit your workEdit your work Remind you of the deadlinesRemind you of the deadlines Chase you downChase you down

Getting to the Research QuestionGetting to the Research Question

S-T-QS-T-Q

Subject….Subject….

Topic….Topic….

Question….Question….

Getting to the Research QuestionGetting to the Research Question

Choose a SUBJECTChoose a SUBJECT

Choose a TOPIC within that subjectChoose a TOPIC within that subject

Choose a narrow RESEARCH Choose a narrow RESEARCH QUESTION that will focus your QUESTION that will focus your research and argument.research and argument.

Choosing a SubjectChoosing a Subject

Step 1: READ THE GUIDELINESStep 1: READ THE GUIDELINES Must be one of IB subjectsMust be one of IB subjects Choose a subject that is interesting Choose a subject that is interesting

and challenging to you and that you and challenging to you and that you have taken an IB class inhave taken an IB class in

Do background readingDo background reading Essays submitted in Group 2 must be Essays submitted in Group 2 must be

written in that languagewritten in that language

Choosing a SubjectChoosing a Subject

Your essay must use scholarly Your essay must use scholarly language of the field so it must language of the field so it must reflect your study of the field. It is reflect your study of the field. It is not recommended that you do an not recommended that you do an essay in a subject you have not essay in a subject you have not studiedstudied

Choosing a TopicChoosing a Topic

Limited in scope and sufficiently Limited in scope and sufficiently narrow to allow you to examine an narrow to allow you to examine an issue in depthissue in depth

But big enough so you may collect But big enough so you may collect and/or generate data for analysisand/or generate data for analysis

Science topics are most successful Science topics are most successful when you conduct an experimentwhen you conduct an experiment

Consult your advisor and LibrarianConsult your advisor and Librarian

Choosing a TopicChoosing a Topic

If you’re not confused, you haven’t If you’re not confused, you haven’t spent enough time on it yet.spent enough time on it yet.

Keep reading. Keep reading. If you haven’t changed your mind, If you haven’t changed your mind,

you haven’t spent enough time on it you haven’t spent enough time on it yet.yet.

Read some more.Read some more.

The Research QuestionThe Research Question

The MOST important part of the The MOST important part of the essay. There are NO good essays essay. There are NO good essays with BAD research questions.with BAD research questions.

Think of the RQ as the map for the Think of the RQ as the map for the essay – don’t create a map to essay – don’t create a map to nowhere.nowhere.

Questions have “question marks”Questions have “question marks” No ??, no research question.No ??, no research question.

The Research QuestionThe Research QuestionIt must be:It must be:

NarrowNarrow SpecificSpecific Non-trivialNon-trivial Answerable in 4000 wordsAnswerable in 4000 words Researchable, not speculativeResearchable, not speculative

BAD Research QuestionsBAD Research Questions

ECONOMICS:ECONOMICS:

Does globalization affect Turkey?Does globalization affect Turkey?

ENGLISH, Group 1:ENGLISH, Group 1:

What symbols are employed by F. What symbols are employed by F. Scott Fitzgerald?Scott Fitzgerald?

BAD Research QuestionsBAD Research Questions BIOLOGY:BIOLOGY:

What causes cancer?What causes cancer?

HISTORY:HISTORY:

What was the impact of the civil rights What was the impact of the civil rights movement?movement?

The History of _______________The History of _______________

GOOD Research QuestionsGOOD Research Questions

ENGLISH:ENGLISH:

How does the portrayal of Joan of Arc How does the portrayal of Joan of Arc by Shaw, Anouilh, and Schiller differ?by Shaw, Anouilh, and Schiller differ?

BIOLOGY: An experimental study to BIOLOGY: An experimental study to determine if Vitamin C levels in determine if Vitamin C levels in orange differ in supermarket vs orange differ in supermarket vs restaurantsrestaurants

GOOD Research QuestionsGOOD Research Questions

ECONOMICS:ECONOMICS:

What is the impact of international What is the impact of international coffee prices on the standard of coffee prices on the standard of living in Guatemalaliving in Guatemala

IB ProhibitionsIB Prohibitions

Cannot recycle topics/papers you Cannot recycle topics/papers you have written for IB classes.have written for IB classes.

Ethical considerations in design of Ethical considerations in design of experiments – no experiments that experiments – no experiments that cause pain or stress to living cause pain or stress to living organisms.organisms.

IB ProhibitionsIB Prohibitions

The RQ MUST be yours. Beware of The RQ MUST be yours. Beware of off-campus interning projects.off-campus interning projects.

One student per Research Question – One student per Research Question – this YOUR questionthis YOUR question

Know the Criteria!Know the Criteria!

A. Research Question (0-2)A. Research Question (0-2) B. Introduction (0-2)B. Introduction (0-2) C. Investigation (0-4)C. Investigation (0-4) D. Knowledge of topic (0-4)D. Knowledge of topic (0-4) E. Reason argument (0-4)E. Reason argument (0-4) F. Application of Analytical skills (0-4)F. Application of Analytical skills (0-4) G. Use of appropriate language (0-4)G. Use of appropriate language (0-4)

Know the Criteria (con’t)!Know the Criteria (con’t)!

H. Conclusion (0-2)H. Conclusion (0-2) I. Formal presentation (0-4)I. Formal presentation (0-4) J. Abstract (0-2)J. Abstract (0-2) K Holistic Judgment (0-4)K Holistic Judgment (0-4)

TOTAL possible points: 36TOTAL possible points: 36

See pages 25-31, Blue BookSee pages 25-31, Blue Book

Mark BandsMark Bands

29 – 3629 – 36 ExcellentExcellent AA 23-2823-28 GoodGood BB 16-2216-22 SatisfactorySatisfactory CC 8-158-15 MediocreMediocre

DD 0-70-7 ElementaryElementary EE

Diploma Points MatrixDiploma Points Matrix

TOK/ATOK/A TOK/BTOK/B TOK/CTOK/C TOK/DTOK/D TOK/ETOK/E

EE/AEE/A 33 33 22 22 1*1*

EE/BEE/B 33 22 11 11 0*0*

EE/CEE/C 22 1 1

11 0 0 0*0*

EE/DEE/D 22 11 0 0 0 0

0*0*

EE/EEE/E 1*1* 0*0* 0*0* 0*0* FailingFailing

Failing Condition for the DiplomaFailing Condition for the Diploma

If you fail to submit an EEIf you fail to submit an EE If you write an EE but fail to meet If you write an EE but fail to meet

with your advisorwith your advisor If you fail BOTH the TOK paper AND If you fail BOTH the TOK paper AND

the EEthe EE If you fail the EE or TOK, you must If you fail the EE or TOK, you must

earn at least 28 points on the exams earn at least 28 points on the exams to earn the Diploma (instead of 24)*to earn the Diploma (instead of 24)*

It’s all about analysisIt’s all about analysis

Use EVIDENCE, DATA not description, Use EVIDENCE, DATA not description, chronological lists.chronological lists.

This is not a ‘report.”This is not a ‘report.” It’s an argument with supporting It’s an argument with supporting

information.information. This is NOT a review of the literatureThis is NOT a review of the literature

—your voice must come through loud —your voice must come through loud and clear.and clear.

It’s about being a scholarIt’s about being a scholar

Use a scholarly, professional styleUse a scholarly, professional style No “I” statements (“I think”)No “I” statements (“I think”) Use the language and vocabulary of Use the language and vocabulary of

your fieldyour field Keep a Research Diary/PortfolioKeep a Research Diary/Portfolio

It’s about the rules!It’s about the rules!

Read the Guidelines (“The Blue Book”)Read the Guidelines (“The Blue Book”) Make sure your RQ is in the right Make sure your RQ is in the right

Subject – your essay will be submitted Subject – your essay will be submitted to an examiner in YOUR subjectto an examiner in YOUR subject

This is NOT the place for This is NOT the place for interdisciplinary topicsinterdisciplinary topics

Did we mention: Read the Guidelines Did we mention: Read the Guidelines (“The Blue Book”)(“The Blue Book”)

It’s about the sources!It’s about the sources!

Do not rely uncritically on Internet sourcesDo not rely uncritically on Internet sources Analyze your sources IN your essayAnalyze your sources IN your essay Primary sources over secondary sourcesPrimary sources over secondary sources No encyclopedia-like sourcesNo encyclopedia-like sources No Gresham textbooksNo Gresham textbooks No Wikipedia!!No Wikipedia!! Range and balance of sourcesRange and balance of sources

Let’s talk plagiarismLet’s talk plagiarism

EACHEACH fact, idea, quote, chart, graph, fact, idea, quote, chart, graph, picture, number not your own must be picture, number not your own must be sourced (sourced (with page numberwith page number))

The direct or The direct or indirectindirect use of the words of use of the words of another person MUST be sourced.another person MUST be sourced.

Restating someone’s Restating someone’s ideasideas EVEN IF not EVEN IF not copied is plagiarism!copied is plagiarism!

The solution: CITATIONSThe solution: CITATIONS Be consistent in citation styleBe consistent in citation style Manage sources as you do your research: Manage sources as you do your research:

research notebookresearch notebook

What do you do now?What do you do now?

Review this with family and sign the Review this with family and sign the Extended Essay contractExtended Essay contract

Get into the IB Guidelines (The Blue Get into the IB Guidelines (The Blue Book)Book)

Read some Extended Essays – Read some Extended Essays – available in RM 240available in RM 240

Toy with ideas, talk to teachersToy with ideas, talk to teachers Explore!Explore!

Pitfalls: The ResearchPitfalls: The Research

Plan for science experiments to go Plan for science experiments to go awry – they always doawry – they always do

Data may be unavailable for your Data may be unavailable for your topictopic

RQ may be too broadRQ may be too broad You may not have enough You may not have enough

background to complete the researchbackground to complete the research Be flexible and willing to change Be flexible and willing to change

directions in the beginningdirections in the beginning

APPENDIX: The PresentationAPPENDIX: The PresentationHow to put it all togetherHow to put it all together

Title page (Title is NOT the RQ)Title page (Title is NOT the RQ) Abstract of 300 wordsAbstract of 300 words Table of contents with subheadsTable of contents with subheads Body of essay with subheadsBody of essay with subheads Bibliography (ONLY works cited and Bibliography (ONLY works cited and

in alphabetical order)in alphabetical order) Page numbersPage numbers Candidate number on every pageCandidate number on every page

Pitfalls: Word CountPitfalls: Word Count

Word count must be on title pageWord count must be on title page 4000 words max for paper4000 words max for paper This does not include This does not include

acknowledgements, table of contents acknowledgements, table of contents charts and tables, annotated charts and tables, annotated illustrations, bibliography or any illustrations, bibliography or any appendices.appendices.

Pitfalls: Word CountPitfalls: Word Count

Word count must be on title pageWord count must be on title page 4000 words max for paper4000 words max for paper This does not include This does not include

acknowledgements, table of contents acknowledgements, table of contents charts and tables, annotated charts and tables, annotated illustrations, bibliography or any illustrations, bibliography or any appendices.appendices.

PRESENTATION: TITLE PAGEPRESENTATION: TITLE PAGE

The Impact of Bicycle Paths on The Impact of Bicycle Paths on

Land Use in Portland, OregonLand Use in Portland, Oregon

Susie Q. StudentSusie Q. Student

Candidate 0517-123Candidate 0517-123

Environmental Systems and SocietiesEnvironmental Systems and Societies

Word Count: 3922Word Count: 3922

December 16, 2010December 16, 2010

ABSTRACTABSTRACT

Abstract of 300 words. Abstract is Abstract of 300 words. Abstract is NOT an introduction.NOT an introduction.

Write this LAST.Write this LAST. Abstract should state:Abstract should state:

• Research question being investigatedResearch question being investigated• The scope of the investigationThe scope of the investigation• The conclusion/s of the essayThe conclusion/s of the essay

TABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTS

Place AFTER the abstractPlace AFTER the abstract All pages must be numberedAll pages must be numbered Body of essay must have Body of essay must have

subheadings that are reflected in the subheadings that are reflected in the TOCTOC

Index is not requiredIndex is not required

BIBLIOGRAPHYBIBLIOGRAPHY

Each work cited in the essay must be Each work cited in the essay must be listed in the bibliographylisted in the bibliography

Examiners match the citations to the Examiners match the citations to the bibliographybibliography

Over reliance on limited sources will Over reliance on limited sources will lose pointslose points

APPENDICESAPPENDICES

Not viewed as essential and Not viewed as essential and examiners are not required to readexaminers are not required to read

Unless considered essential, Unless considered essential, complete lists of raw data should not complete lists of raw data should not be includedbe included