2015 Extended Essay GuideThe EE promotes:

High level research and writing skills Intellectual discovery Creativity

The EE is: An opportunity to engage in personal research in a topic of your

choice A formal piece of scholarship

o No more than 4,000 words in lengtho A result of approximately 40 hours of work by the student

EE Assessment Objectives are to: Plan and pursue a research project with intellectual initiative and

insight Formulate a precise research question Gather and interpret material from sources appropriate to the

research question Structure a reasoned argument Present the EE in an appropriate format Use appropriate terminology and language with skill and

understanding Apply analytical and evaluative skills with an understanding of the

implications and context of research

With your Supervisor: Spend 3-5 hours throughout process Obtain subject specific details Receive support, advice and guidance Receive examples of essays Receive help in formulating a well-focused research question Discuss and track progress Receive advice on:

o Access to appropriate resourceso Information/evidence/data gathering techniques and

analysiso Writing an abstract

o Documenting sources

Research Process:1. Choose Subject (from provided list)

- See the subject teacher or Mrs. Blanchard to view the specific

assessment criteria and subject guidance

2. Choose Topic

- Use Google search , Encyclopedia Britannica, JStor and

ProQuest

- This is the ONLY time when it is acceptable to use Wikipedia

to obtain background information and quick reference for

a subject (DO NOT cite wiki in your EE)

3. Formulate a well-focused Research Question

Examples of Research Questions:

SUBJECT: Literature (Group 1 Category 1)

TOPIC: Dance in Jane Austen's novels

QUESTION: What are the role and significance of dance in

Pride and Prejudice and Emma?

SUBJECT: French (Group 2 Category 2)

TOPIC: Language and Feminism

QUESTION: Should feminine forms of more job titles be

created in French to reflect shifting

gender roles?

SUBJECT: Biology

TOPIC: Altitude and Physical Fitness

QUESTION: Can a training program at high altitude have

an impact on the fitness of an athlete?

SUBJECT: Mathematics

TOPIC: The Geometry of Navigation

QUESTION: What was the role of mathematics, geometry

in particular, in navigation when we relied

on the stars? Does it still play a part now

that we have man-made satellites?

4. Plan investigation and research process

- How and where you will gather materials

- Choose citation style (MLA, APA, etc.) and remain consistent!

5. Create annotated bibliography- Refer to:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/02/

6. Carry out investigation

**Note: Be prepared for obstacles. Be flexible and willing to change or adjust your topic and/or research question

7. Outline

- Based on the subject and what your supervisor needs to see

THEN...write the paper!

EE Formal Presentation

Clear, correct and formal academic style Upper limit = 4,000 words

o **Essays more than 4,000 words are subject to penalty and examiners are not required to read more than 4,000 words**

o Includes: Introduction, body and conclusion

Required Elements:o Title Pageo Abstracto Contents Pageo Introductiono Body (development/method/results)o Conclusiono References and Bibliography*o Appendices*

*Examiner is not required to read notes or appendices, so anything important to the argument should not be included in these sections

Important Clarifications on Specific Elements: Title

o Gives a clear indication of the focus of the essayo Should be precise, not necessarily in the form of a

question

Abstracto Should not exceed 300 wordso NOT an introduction, but an overviewo Encourages the student to examine the development of

their argumento Should state clearly:

The research question The scope of investigation (how the research was

conducted and what you did to form conclusions) The conclusion

Assessment Criteria Criterion:

o Research Question 0-2 pointso Introduction 0-2 pointso Investigation 0-4 pointso Knowledge and Understanding of the Topic 0-4 pointso Reasoned Argument 0-4 pointso Application of Analytical and Evaluative Skills 0-4 pointso Use of Language 0-4pointso Conclusion 0-2 pointso Formal Presentation 0-4 pointso Abstract 0-2 pointso Holistic Judgment 0-4 points

Managebac Where all communication regarding the EE will take place Acts as the repository for all segments of the EE Provides a platform for both student and supervisor to manage

and track progress Post every element of your EE! Link: https://stt.managebac.com/login

o Email address and self created passwordo DP Manager

Class of 2015 (Grade 11)o EE

Adapted from International Baccalaureates Extended essay guide: First examinations 2013