Extended Essay Guide: Criteria, Format, Sample EEs

  • Criteria, Format, Sample EEs
  • Annotated Bibliographies
  • DP Research Process
  • Databases & Academic Journals
  • Evaluate Sources
  • Academic Integrity
  • MLA Citation Format
  • CSE Citation Format (Science & Math)
  • Video Tutorials 2024

The Assessment Crtiteria in Detail!

  • Criterion A: Focus and method
  • Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding
  • Criterion C: Critical Thinking
  • Criterion D: Presentation
  • Criterion E: Engagement
  • EE_How to maximize marks for different subjects?

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  • Criterion C: Critical thinking

Notes from the IB

RE: Research Question and Title of Extended Essay

Please note the statement below from the EE curriculum manager regarding the need to have both a title and a RQ for all subjects. Previous versions of the EE Guide indicated that the title and the RQ should be the same for History, Business Management and Mathematics. This is no longer the case.  All essays, regardless of the subject, need to have both a RQ and a title.

Hi Kathy, 

To answer your question, I am going to quote directly from a response John Royce provided, on this forum, in October in response to a very similar question: (it was a question about using Spanish sources - hence the mention of Spanish)

It is certainly  permissible to use sources which are not in the language of the essay, but translation into the target language is required , one cannot assume that the reader understands the original language.

It is usual to quote the original as well as presenting the translation.  [Do not put quotation marks around your translation, just around the original]

Umberto Eco argues ("in Mouse or rat?") that direct translation may lose meaning, paraphrase or use of different idioms may be required to get the ideas across. Paul Bellos ("Is that a fish in your ear?") makes a similar argument - direct translation may confound meaning... Direct translation may not be ideal - meaning and understanding are preferred - so, not to worry that your student with her good Spanish cannot present a direct translation.

What  must be made clear is that the translations are those of the student;  these are her understandings. Readers can make of that what they will - and if unsure, are presented with the original - they can seek another translation.  A note in the acknowledgements and/or in the introduction to the effect that all translations are those of the writer is ... essential.

In response to the question about the  Bibliography/Works cited, my preference would be to list the source in its original Thai version, but perhaps with the English in brackets, to help the examiner.

Your bibliography will have the entries in Thai characters first in the document. Any in-text citation to Thai sources will be in (Thai characters [English translation]).

Citation in Thai [English translation]

Works Cited Example:

วงษ์ปัญญา, ธนกร [Wongpunya, Thanakorn]. “โรงงานยาสูบรวยแค่ไหน และเอาเงินไปทำอะไรบ้าง.”  [How rich is the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly and where does the money go?] (candidate translation). The Standard, The Standard, 30 Aug. 2018, thestandard.co/thailand-tobacco-monopoly/.

Format of the Extended Essay

Required Formatting

The extended essay should be written in a clear, correct and formal academic style, appropriate to the subject from which the topic is drawn. Given that the extended essay is a formally written research paper, it should strive to maintain a professional, academic look. 

To help achieve this, the following formatting is  required:

  • 12-point, readable font (Calibri or Times New Roman);
  • double spacing throughout entire Essay;
  • page numbering - top right corner;
  • no candidate or school name or supervisor name on the title page or page headers.

Submitting the extended essay in the required format will help set the tone of the essay and will aid readability for on-screen assessment by examiners.

Required S tructure

The structure of the essay is very important. It helps students to organize the argument, making the best use of the evidence collected. 

There are six required elements of the final work to be submitted. More details about each element are given in the  “Presentation”  section. Please note that the order in which these elements are presented here is not necessarily the order in which they should be written. 

Six required elements of the extended essay:

  • Contents page
  • Introduction
  • Body of the essay
  • References and bibliography -- if MLA "Works Cited" if CSE "References"

1. Required Title Page  

The title page should include  only  the following information: 

  • the title of the essay
  • the research question
  • the subject the essay is registered in (if it is a language essay also state which category it falls into; if a world studies essay also state the theme and the two subjects utilized) 

The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays. 

extended essay font size

2. Required Contents Page

A contents page must be provided at the beginning of the extended essay and all pages should be numbered. Please note that an index page is not required and if included will be treated as if it is not present.

3. Required Introduction

The introduction should tell the reader what to expect in the essay. The introduction should make clear to the reader the focus of the essay, the scope of the research, in particular an indication of the sources to be used, and an insight into the line of argument to be taken. 

While students should have a sense of the direction and key focus of their essay, it is sometimes advisable to finalize the introduction once the body of the essay is complete.

4. Required Body of the Essay  (research, analysis, discussion, and evaluation)

The main task is writing the body of the essay, which should be presented in the form of a reasoned argument. The form of this varies with the subject of the essay but as the argument develops it should be clear to the reader what relevant evidence has been discovered, where/how it has been discovered and how it supports the argument. In some subjects, for example, the sciences, sub-headings within the main body of the essay will help the reader to understand the argument (and will also help the student to keep on track). In structuring their extended essay, students must take into consideration the expected conventions of the subject in which their extended essay is registered. 

Once the main body of the essay is complete, it is possible to finalize the introduction (which tells the reader what to expect) and the conclusion (which says what has been achieved, including notes of any limitations and any questions that have not been resolved). 

Any information that is important to the argument  must not  be included in appendices or footnotes/endnotes. The examiner  will not  read notes or appendices, so an essay that is not complete in itself will be compromised across the assessment criteria.

5. Required Conclusion

The conclusion says what has been achieved, including notes of any limitations and any questions that have not been resolved. While students might draw conclusions throughout the essay based on their findings, it is important that there is a final, summative conclusion at the end. This conclusion(s) must relate to the research question posed.

6.  Required References & Bibliography

Students should use their chosen style of academic referencing as soon as they start writing. That way they are less likely to forget to include a citation. It is also easier than trying to add references at a later stage. For more information on this, refer to the guidelines in the IB document  Effective citing and referencing.

Writing the essay takes time but if students have used their Researcher's reflection space and reflection sessions in a meaningful way they should be well prepared to develop their arguments.

Extended Essay - Examples & Exemplars

  • Essays from May 2018 with IB marks and commentaries
  • Assessed Student Work & Commentary IB-provided. "Student sample extended essays, corresponding marks and comments from senior examiners are available for the following Diploma Programme disciplines. Please note that in light of not having authentic RPPFs to accompany these essays, they are marked against criteria A – D only, for a total of 28 possible marks. Following the first assessment session in 2018, exemplars will be refreshed with authentic sample material." more... less... Biology English Economics History Studies in language and literature Language acquisition Mathematics Psychology Visual arts World studies extended essay (WSEE)
  • Excellenet Extended Essays Concordian GoogleDoc
  • EngA1_Othello EE Othello 2018 From inThinking.net Click the link to see the score and evaluation.
  • Fifty (50) More Excellent Extended Essays DVD by International Baccalaureate Call Number: HS DVD 808.4 ISBN: 9781906345600 Publication Date: 2011 1 DVD-ROM (1:33 min.)

Past CIS Extended Essays

Available in the library behind the desk are file folders of past Extended Essays by Concordian students and IB EE Exemplars. Feel free to browse the papers which must be kept in the library.

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Extended Essay Resources: Paper Formatting

  • Research Video Tutorials
  • In-text Citations
  • Plagiarism VS. Documentation
  • Primary Sources
  • Subject Resources
  • Cite Your Sources This link opens in a new window
  • Evaluate Your Sources This link opens in a new window
  • Supervisor Resources
  • Note Taking Templates
  • Paper Formatting
  • October EE orientation presentation
  • Extended Essay calendar
  • Submit your topic selection

How to format the EE

The extended essay should be written in a clear, correct and formal academic style, appropriate to the subject from which the topic is drawn. Given that the extended essay is a formally written research paper, it should strive to maintain a professional, academic look.

To help achieve this, the following formatting is suggested.

  • Arial 12 or Times New Roman 12
  • Double-spaced
  • page numbering
  • no candidate, supervisor, or school name on the title page, page headers, appendices or acknowledgment pages
  • the file size must not be more than 10 MB. (Note that the RPPF is uploaded separately and is not part of the overall file size of the essay.)

What's on the Title Page?

The title page should include the:

  • title of the essay
  • research question
  • if it is a language essay also state which category it falls into;
  • if a world studies essay also state the theme and the two subjects utilized)
  • word count.

DO NOT include any personal information like your name, the name of the school, or your candidate number. The IB wants each EE to be anonymous and assessed without bias. 

Images and Illustrations

From the mla style guide at purdue, labels, captions, and source information.

Illustrations appear directly embedded in the document. Each illustration must include a label, a number, a caption and/or source information.

  • The illustration label and number should always appear in two places:  the document main text (e.g.  see fig. 1 ) and near the illustration itself ( Fig. 1 ).
  • Captions  provide titles or explanatory notes (e.g.,  Van Gogh’s The Starry Night)
  • Source information  documentation will always depend upon the medium of the source illustration. If you provide source information with all of your illustrations, you do not need to provide this information on the Works Cited page.
  • All visuals/illustrations that are not tables or musical score examples (e.g. maps, diagrams, charts, videos, podcasts, etc.) are labeled Figure or Fig.
  • Refer to the figure in-text and provide an Arabic numeral that corresponds to the figure. Do not capitalize figure or fig .
  • MLA does not specify alignment requirements for figures; thus, these images may be embedded as the reader sees fit. However, continue to follow basic MLA Style formatting (e.g. one-inch margins).
  • Below the figure, provide a label name and its corresponding arabic numeral (no bold or italics), followed by a period (e.g. Fig. 1.). Here, Figure and Fig .  are capitalized.
  • Beginning with the same line as the label and number, provide a title and/or caption as well as relevant source information in note form (see instructions and examples above). If you provide source information with your illustrations, you do not need to provide this information on the Works Cited page.
  • If full citation information is provided in the caption, use the same formatting as you would for your Works Cited page. However, names should be listed in  first name last name  format.

Figure Example

In-text reference:

Some readers found Harry’s final battle with Voldemort a disappointment, and recently, the podcast,  MuggleCast  debated the subject (see fig. 2).

Figure caption (below an embedded podcast file for a document to be viewed electronically):

Fig. 2. Harry Potter and Voldemort final battle debate from Andrew Sims et al.; “Show 166”;  MuggleCast ; MuggleNet.com, 19 Dec. 2008, www.mugglenet.com/2015/11/the-snape-debate-rowling-speaks-out.

Appendices are not an essential part of the extended essay and examiners will not read them, or use any information contained within them, in the assessment of the essay. Students must take care to ensure that all information with direct relevance to the analysis, discussion and evaluation of their essay is contained in the main body of it. Appendices should therefore be avoided except in the following instances:

  • an exemplar of a questionnaire or interview questions
  • an exemplar of permission letters
  • group 1, category 1 essays: copies of poems or short stories (of less than three pages)
  • group 1, category 3 essays: excerpts from newspapers, advertisements and transcripts of speeches
  • language acquisition, category 1 and 2: excerpts from newspapers, advertisements, transcripts of speeches, etc
  • language acquisition, category 3: excerpts or copies of poems or short stories (less than 3 pages)
  • an external mentor letter, where one has been used
  • raw data or statistical tables for experimental sciences (this should not include any analysis or conclusions).

Students should not continually refer to material presented in an appendix as this may disrupt the continuity of the essay and examiners are not required to refer to them.

The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays.

Please note:  Examiners are instructed not to read or assess any material in excess of the word limit. This means that essays containing more than 4,000 words will be compromised across all assessment criteria. 

Please refer to the following guidance on what content should be included in the word count.

The introduction The contents page
The main body Maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations
The conclusion Tables
Quotations Equations, formulas and calculations
Footnotes and/or endnotes that are not references Citations/references (whether parenthetical, numbered, footnotes or endnotes)
The bibliography
The 
Headers

Please refer to the document entitled  Assessment principles and practices—Quality assessments in a digital age  for further clarification of word count requirements.

A note for students writing in Chinese, Korean and Japanese:

Students writing their extended essay in Japanese, Korean or Chinese should use the following conversions.

  • Japanese: 1 word = approximately 2 Japanese characters (upper limit 8,000 characters)
  • Korean: 1 word = 1 Korean character (upper limit 4,000 characters)
  • Chinese: 1 word = approximately 1.2 Chinese characters (upper limit 4,800 characters)

When typing in Chinese, Korean or Japanese word processing software is likely to include the number of characters  and  punctuation in the word count. Students are asked to  not  include punctuation in the word count for assessed work. The word count should only take into account the number of characters typed.

A note about acknowledgments and dedications:

An acknowledgment/dedications page may be included in the EE if this is important to the student, but it must contain no “identifiers”, for example, people should not be detailed in any way that makes the student’s school identifiable. An acknowledgment/dedications page is not a formal requirement of the EE, so it does not contribute to either the word count or assessment.

Header and Footnotes

Students may wish to use the header function for their research question, so that it appears on each page. This may help retain focus.

Footnotes and endnotes

Footnotes and endnotes may be used for referencing purposes and if this is the case will not be included in the word count of the essay. If information is contained in a footnote or endnote and is not a reference, this  must  be included in the word count. In order to avoid confusion and unwittingly exceed the word limit, students are advised to avoid using footnotes or endnotes other than for referencing purposes unless it is appropriate.

One appropriate use of footnotes is for the placement of the original quotation (where the original quotation is in a language other than the language of registration). This use of footnotes would not need to be included in the word count.

As footnotes and endnotes are not an essential part of the extended essay students must take care to ensure that all information with direct relevance to the analysis, discussion and evaluation of their essay is contained in the main body of it.

An essay that attempts to evade the word limit by including important material in footnotes or endnotes will be compromised across the assessment criteria. Please note that footnotes and endnotes are added to the word count as they are encountered.

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Extended Essay: Formatting your EE

Introduction.

  • Subject Guidance & Proposal Forms
  • 8 Simple Steps to writing an Academic Essay... and Outlines!
  • Finding a Topic
  • Academic Sources of Information
  • Researcher's Spaces
  • Reflections
  • In-Text Citations (MLA9 & APA7)
  • In-Text Citations (Chicago)
  • Images and Screenshots
  • Graphs and Tables
  • Citations and Referencing - IB REQUIREMENTS
  • Formatting your EE
  • IB Resources for Students
  • Ms Sally's Presentations

PLEASE NOTE

All final submissions must be made in pdf format to these 4 places:, google classroom, emailed to your supervisor, formal presentation basics.

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All essays must follow this format:

  • Standard Margins (1-inch or 2.5 cm margins)
  • 12-point, readable font (Arial is recommended)
  • Double-spaced
  • Page Numbers start on the Table of Contents 
  • No Candidate or School name  is to appear anywhere in the document
  • Title of the Essay
  • Research Question
  • Subject for which the Essay is registered
  • Category - If a Language A or B Essay
  • Theme & 2 Subjects utilized - If a World Studies Essay
  • Contents Page
  • annotated illustrations and tables
  • formulas and calculations
  • parenthetical or numbered
  • footnotes or endnotes
  • Bibliography
  • The RPPF Form
  • The Research and Writing Process: Word Counts
  • The Research and Writing Process: Footnotes and Endnotes

Table of Contents

  • Labelled "Table of Contents" in 12-point, readable font (Arial is recommended)
  • Headings and subheadings within the body of the essay may be included

References and Bibliography

  • Topic, purpose and focus of the research clearly identified and explained
  • Research Question bolded within the introduction and phrased as on the title page
  • Methodology of research and insight into the line of argument

Body of the Essay

The body of the essay must:

  • Examiners will not read appendices, endnotes or footnotes, so all essential elements to your argument must be included in the body of the essay
  • Include headings and sub-headings as appropriate to the subject 

Your conclusion must be:

  • A Summative conclusion based on the information presented in the body of the essay
  • A Conclusion linked directly to the research question
  • Notes of limitations and unresolved questions (as appropriate) can be included

Your References and Bibliography must follow this format:

  • Cross-referenced: each reference in the essay is ticked off in the bibliography to ensure all references are included and no extraneous references exist
  • All tables, charts, diagrams, illustrations etc. must be clearly labelled and referenced in the body of the essay
  • References are presented alphabetically 
  • Use hanging indents for all entries
  • Include Date Accessed or Retrieved for websites (as outlined on the IB Requirements page)
  • Remove all hyperlinks
  • The Research and Writing Process: Tables
  • The Research and Writing Process: Illustrations

Appendices should only be used if required by the subject discipline:

  • Appendices titled
  • Headings labeled
  • Included in the Table of Contents
  • Reliance on external resources such as DVDs, music, specimen materials etc. is not permitted
  • The Research and Writing Process: Reliance on External Materials
  • The Research and Writing Process: Specimen Materials
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Extended Essay: Presentation Requirements

  • Extended Essay- The Basics
  • Step 1. Choose a Subject
  • Step 2. Educate yourself!
  • Using Brainstorming and Mind Maps
  • Identify Keywords
  • Do Background Reading
  • Define Your Topic
  • Conduct Research in a Specific Discipline
  • Step 5. Draft a Research Question
  • Step 6. Create a Timeline
  • Find Articles
  • Find Primary Sources
  • Get Help from Experts
  • Search Engines, Repositories, & Directories
  • Databases and Websites by Subject Area
  • Create an Annotated Bibliography
  • Advice (and Warnings) from the IB
  • Chicago Citation Syle
  • MLA Works Cited & In-Text Citations
  • Step 9. Set Deadlines for Yourself
  • Step 10. Plan a structure for your essay
  • Evaluate & Select: the CRAAP Test
  • Conducting Secondary Research
  • Conducting Primary Research
  • Formal vs. Informal Writing
  • Presentation Requirements
  • Evaluating Your Work

How to Format the Extended Essay

Dollar sign in snake font - Britannica ImageQuest

Font and spacing

Use a readable 12-point font and double spacing. You will be helping your examiners read and assess your essay on-screen.

Referencing and citations

The IB does not specify what referencing/citation format you should use. Whichever system you choose, make sure that you follow it consistently. Check, too, that it meets the minimum requirements for acknowledging both written and electronic sources expected by the IB. See the IB publication:

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What Should Be on the Title Page?

St. Louis, Missouri; November, 1948, President Harry Truman - Britannica ImageQuest

The title page should include only the following information:

  • the title of the essay (optional)
  • the research question (required)
  • the word count (required)
  • if it is a language essay it should also state which category it falls into
  • if it is a world studies essay  it should also state the theme and the two subjects utilized

​ Distinguishing Between the Title and the Research Question

Your extended essay can have a title  and  a research question.  The research question is required on the cover page, while the title is optional. 

  • The  title  is a clear, focused summative statement of the research which gives the reader an indication of the research topic. It should  not  be phrased as a research question.
  • The  research question  indicates the specific topic of research and must be phrased as a question.

What should NOT be on the  first page/title page of your EE?

The title page should NOT include only the following information:

  • the  school's name
  • your  IB candidate number
  • any identifying pieces of information (on the title page, or any other section of the essay, such as headers or footers)

Question mark - Britannica ImageQuest

When work is uploaded, the IB tags each document with the student's digital profiles so personal details like your name, your school, and your candidate number are not required.   Very important:  to make sure that IB assessment is unbiased and fair, IB does not give your name to examiners, so there should be nothing that could identify you in the essay itself.

Which Would Be Better to Send to IB?

Compare and contrast:  which would be better to send to IB?

Submitting a paper in the recommended format will set a serious tone. Take a look at the example text below formatted in two drastically different fonts. Notice the difference in tone and mood—which format would be easier for the examiner to read, assess and comment on?

 Example A (12 point, Arial, double-spaced)

The revenue received by the government will increase with the increasing prices if there is no significant change in demand.  As it does not,

the revenue will rise but not at a steady pace.  The sales of used cars will increase the scope of the revenue of the government, as its

demand will rise as a result of the rise in COE prices of relatively new cars.  However, its full impact cannot be determined as its supply

fluctuates in different time periods as the government predefines the number of quotas released every six months in a year.

Example B (9 point, Comic Sans, single-spaced)

The revenue received by the government will increase with the increasing prices if there is no significant change in demand.  As it does not, the revenue will rise but not at a steady pace.  The sales of used cars will increase the scope of the revenue of the government, as its demand will rise as a result of the rise in COE prices of relatively new cars.  However, its full impact cannot be determined as its supply fluctuates in different time periods as the government predefines the number of quotas released every six months in a year.

Presentation Requirements of the EE

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Required Elements of the Extended Essay

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

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Gr. 11-12 Extended Essay

  • Reflections
  • Choose a Subject
  • Choose a Topic
  • Draft a Research Question
  • Develop Your Search Strategy
  • Computer Science
  • Visual Arts
  • World Studies
  • Introduction

Formatting Your Essay

Example: title page, table of contents, page numbers, font use & spacing.

  • Academic Integrity
  • Common Questions
  • For Supervisors
  • EE Examples

Remember that the Extended Essay is a formal piece of academic writing. This means that you need to present your essay using the agreed-upon conventions of independently written research papers.

The IB discusses a set of aspects that must be included as part of your Extended Essay:

  • Table of contents
  • Page numbers
  • Font use & spacing
  • Referencing (citations and bibliography)
  • Title (optional)
  • Research question
  • DO NOT INCLUDE

You can include a brief heading that provides a clear, focused summative statement of your research, but this is  optional .

For example:

Research question : In what ways does Jane Austen express her attitudes to the themes of love and marriage inherent in her work  Pride and Prejudice ?

Title : Austen's Attitudes to Marriage in Pride and Prejudice

You must  include your research question on the title page.

Ensure that your RQ is the same question that appears in other sections of your essay (i.e., the introduction and conclusion). Double check that the spelling is correct and grammatically accurate (and that it ends with a question mark).

Specify the subject to which your essay belongs, as well as the category (if necessary).

If it is a language essay it should also state which category it falls into.

SUBJECT:  English A, Category 3

If it is a world studies essay it should also state the theme and the two subjects utilized.

SUBJECT:  World Studies, Equality and Inequality, History and Economics

Include the  exact number  of words in your essay on the title page.

Remember that the upper word count limit is 4,000 words . Examiners are instructed not to read or assess any material in excess of the word limit, so essays over 4,000 words will be compromised across all assessment criteria.

Included in the word count Not Included in the word count
as part of the word count)

Use this site to estimate word count:

Do not include the following items on your title page, or any other section of the essay (like headers and footers).

  • Your school's name
  • Your candidate number
  • Any other information that could identify you

Example of a properly formatted EE title page.

All Extended Essays must contain a table of contents placed  after  the cover page and before the introductory section of your essay.

The table of contents should include:

  • indented and numbered sub-chapters (or sub-sections) , if you have them
  • page numbers  next to each section or chapter heading (placed on the far right of the page)

Example: Table of Contents

Ex. of a properly formatted EE table of contents.

Page numbers should be included on all pages of the Extended Essay.

  • You can write your page numbers in whichever format you choose (e.g., 1, 2, 3... or Page 1, Page 2, Page 3).
  • Put your page numbers at the bottom of your page (e.g., at the bottom right or centre)
  • Make sure that the page numbers referred to in your table of contents match those on the actual page.

The font size of your essay must be  12 pt  and  readable , and your essay should be  double spaced . 

  • Don't use cursive, floral, or cartoon fonts that would make the script difficult to read.
  • If you want to emphasize a word or heading, use  bold  (or capitalize your headings).
  • Times New Roman
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Extended Essay: Structure of the Extended Essay

  • Before You Start
  • Business Management
  • Language and Literature
  • Visual Arts
  • World Studies
  • Developing a Research Question
  • Structure of the Extended Essay
  • Writing the Essay
  • Citations/Sources/Academic Honesty
  • Timelines and Materials
  • Example Research Questions
  • Supervisors

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Elements To Be Included

  • Table of Contents
  • Introduction
  • Body of the essay
  • References/Bibliography

Not sure yet but something should be here

The Extended Essay Step by Step Guide 5: Structure and Planning When it comes to writing a brilliant first draft of your Extended Essay, or any essay, I fully believe that a solid structure is one of the surest guarantees of success there is. It's the skeleton of the essay that makes it into a fully formed being instead of a pile of jelly.

What's the Difference Between the Topic, Title, and Research Question?

extended essay font size

  • The  topic  of the extended essay is the subject, issue or theme that you are investigating within a specific DP subject or world studies area of study. The topic, which develops during the initial thinking about the EE, should later be reflected in the wording of the title.
  • be short, descriptive and succinct
  • not be phrased as a question
  • use key words that connect with the topic and the DP subject or world studies area of study
  • attract the interest of the reader.
  • be clear and focused
  • provide a path through which you can undertake achievable research
  • use key words that connect with the topic, the title, and the DP subject or world studies area of study
  • support the development of an argument.

Presentation Requirements

Title Page (i tems that should be included in the title page):

  • Title of the essay
  • Research question
  • Subject for which the essay is registered (and category if necessary)

Times New Roman 12 pt. font 

Double spaced

Pages numbered after the title page

Bibliography/work cited

Table of contents

No more than 4000 words

Assessment of the EE - Advice for Students

Use this list to help you think about the assessment criteria and whether you have addressed the expectations within your essay. You do not need to address all of the questions posed, but they do provide some guidance in terms of what to consider.

Criterion A:  Focus and Method

What It Means: This criterion focuses on the topic, the research question and the methodology. It assesses the explanation of the focus of the research (this includes the topic and the research question), how the research will be undertaken, and how the focus is maintained throughout the essay.

Questions to ask:

• Does this essay meet the requirements for the subject for which you are registering it? • Is your research question stated as a question?

• Have you explained how your research question relates to the subject that you selected for the extended essay?

• Have you given an insight into why your area of study is important?

• Is your research question feasible within the scope of the task? Could your research question be “answered” or it is too vague?

• Did you refer to your research question throughout the essay (not only in the introduction and conclusion)? • Did you explain why you selected your methodology?

• Are there other possible methods that could be used or applied to answer your research question? How might this change the direction of your research?

• If you stated a particular methodology in the introduction of your essay, or specific sources, have you used them?

• Are there any references listed in the bibliography that were not directly cited in the text?

Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding

What It Means: This criterion assesses the extent to which the research relates to the subject area/discipline used to explore the research question; or in the case of the world studies extended essay, the issue addressed and the two disciplinary perspectives applied; and additionally, the way in which this knowledge and understanding is demonstrated through the use of appropriate terminology and concepts.

• Have you explained how your research question relates to a specific subject you selected for the extended essay?

• Have you used relevant terminology and concepts throughout your essay as they relate to your particular area of research?

• Is it clear that the sources you are using are relevant and appropriate to your research question?

• Do you have a range of sources, or have you only relied on one particular type, for example internet sources?

• Is there a reason why you might not have a range? Is this justified?

Criterion C: Critical Thinking

What It Means: This criterion assesses the extent to which critical thinking skills have been used to analyze and evaluate the research undertaken.

• Have you made links between your results and data collected and your research question?

• If you included data or information that is not directly related to your research question have you explained its importance?

• Are your conclusions supported by your data?

• If you found unexpected information or data have you discussed its importance?

• Have you provided a critical evaluation of the methods you selected?

• Have you considered the reliability of your sources (peer-reviewed journals, internet, and so on)?

• Have you mentioned and evaluated the significance of possible errors that may have occurred in your research?

• Are all your suggestions of errors or improvements relevant?

• Have you evaluated your research question?

• Have you compared your results or findings with any other sources?

• Is there an argument that is clear and easy to follow and directly linked to answering your research question, and which is supported by evidence? Are there other possible methods that could be used or applied to answer your research question? How might this change the direction of your research?

Criterion D: Presentation

What It Means: This criterion assesses the extent to which the presentation follows the standard format expected for academic writing and the extent to which this aids effective communication.

• Have you read and understood the presentation requirements of the extended essay?

• Have you chosen a font that will be easy for examiners to read onscreen?

• Is your essay double-spaced and size 12 font? • Are the title and research question mentioned on the cover page?

• Are all pages numbered?

• Have you prepared a correct table of contents?

• Do the page numbers in the table of contents match the page numbers in the text?

• Is your essay subdivided into correct sub-sections, if this is applicable to the subject?

• Are all figures and tables properly numbered and labelled?

• Does your bibliography contain only the sources cited in the text?

• Did you use the same reference system throughout the essay?

• Does the essay have less than 4,000 words?

• Is all the material presented in the appendices relevant and necessary?

• Have you proofread the text for spelling or grammar errors?

Criterion E: Engagement

What It Means:  This criterion assesses the student’s engagement with their research focus and the research process. It will be applied by the examiner at the end of the assessment of the essay, after considering the student’s RPPF (Reflections on planning and progress form).

• Have you demonstrated your engagement with your research topic and the research process?

• Have you highlighted challenges you faced and how you overcame them?

• Will the examiner get a sense of your intellectual and skills development?

• Will the examiner get a sense of your creativity and intellectual initiative?

• Will the examiner get a sense of how you responded to actions and ideas in the research process?

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Extended Essay : Presentation

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  • Presentation
  • Assessment Criteria
  • Reflection RPPF
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Important, check with your subject supervisors as different subjects may have a content specific format , formatting your extended essay                                 what should be on the title page, which format should i use to send to the ib                ee presentation requirements, ee required elements                                                  extended essay formatting, sample title page                                                        sample works cited, ee draft checklist, formatting your extended essay.

Your extended essay is a formally written research paper and you should strive to present it as professionally as you can.  See the boxes on the right for IB documents giving detailed requirements for presentation, required elements, and suggestions on formatting. See the box below for guidance on  what should be on the title page.

Font and spacing

Use a readable 12-point font such as Arial and double spacing. You will be  helping your examiners  read and assess your essay on-screen.

Referencing and citations

The IB does not specify what referencing/citation format you should use. Whichever system you choose, make sure that you follow it consistently. Check, too, that it meets the minimum requirements for acknowledging both written and electronic sources expected by the IB. See the IB publication:

extended essay font size

What should be on the Title Page?

extended essay font size

The title page should include only the following information:

  • the  title  of the essay (required)
  • the  research question  (required)
  • the  word count  (required)
  • if it is a  language essay  it should also state which  category  it falls into
  • if it is a  world studies essay  it should also state the  theme  and the  two subjects utilized

​ Distinguishing Between the Title and the Research Question

Your extended essay can have a title  and  a research question.   

  • The  title  is a clear, focused summative statement of the research which gives the reader an indication of the research topic. It should  not  be phrased as a research question.
  • The  research question  indicates the specific topic of research and must be phrased as a question.

What should  NOT  be on the  first page/title page of your EE?

The title page should  NOT  include only the following information:

  • your  name
  • the school's name
  • your IB candidate number
  • any identifying pieces of information (on the title page, or any other section of the essay, such as headers or footers)

extended essay font size

When work is uploaded, the IB tags each document with the student's digital profiles so personal details like your name, your school, and your candidate number are not required.   Very important:   to make sure that IB assessment is unbiased and fair, IB does not give your name to examiners, so there should be nothing that could identify you in the essay itself.

Source: Susan Trower - West Sound Academy and documents from the IBO

Which one would be better to send to the IB?

Compare and contrast:  which would be better to send to IB?

Submitting a paper in the recommended format will set a serious tone. Take a look at the example text below formatted in two different fonts. Notice the difference in tone and mood—which format would be easier for the examiner to read, assess and comment on?

 Example A (12 point, Arial, double-spaced)

The revenue received by the government will increase with the increasing prices if there is no significant change in demand.  As it does not, the revenue will rise but not at a steady pace.  The sales of used cars will increase the scope of the revenue of the government, as its demand will rise as a result of the rise in COE prices of relatively new cars. However, its full impact cannot be determined as its supply fluctuates in different time periods as the government predefines the number of quotas released every six months in a year.

Example B (9 point, Comic Sans, single-spaced)

The revenue received by the government will increase with the increasing prices if there is no significant change in demand.  As it does not, the revenue will rise but not at a steady pace.  The sales of used cars will increase the scope of the revenue of the government, as its demand will rise as a result of the rise in COE prices of relatively new cars.  However, its full impact cannot be determined as its supply fluctuates in different time periods as the government predefines the number of quotas released every six months in a year.

extended essay font size

EE Presentation Requirements

Ee required elements.

 Six required elements of the extended essay (IB Guide 2018):

Contents page

Body of the essay

References and bibliography

Formal Elements

Do NOT put your name / candidate number / or school anywhere on EE

Cover page should have these four items centered: 

-Subject and Category (where applicable)

- Research Question

- Word count at bottom

See example below on this page. 

Other required formatting guidelines: - Times New Roman font size 12

- Page number top right-hand corner (Do NOT write "p." or "page" or "pp" - just the number)

- 1" margins (2.54 centimeters)

- Double-spaced (no additional spacing between paragraphs)

- When labeling tables and figures, simply write "Table 1" or "Figure 2", capital letter, no abbreviations, no bold

- 10MB max upload size

- File type: Word or PDF

Source: International School of Manila Libguides

Extended Essay Formatting Tips

Sample title page.

Subject (& Category)

English, Category 3

Research Question

How has the language used in sea shanties shaped the way we think about British pirates from the 1700s?

Sample Works Cited MLA Format

Works Cited

The Depression Project. "How To Prevent An Anxiety Attack!" Facebook , www.facebook.com/RealDepressionProject/videos/how-to-prevent-an-anxiety-attack/2290216994535513/.

Elliot, Walter. "Walter Elliot Quotes." Brainy Quotes , www.brainyquote.com/quotes/walter_elliot_190719. Accessed 11 Oct. 2022.

Holiday, Ryan. "Enchiridion (Epictetus): Book Summary, Key Lessons and Best Quotes." The Daily Stoic , 2021, dailystoic.com/enchiridion-epictetus/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2022.

The Week Staff. "Our Plastic Ocean." The Week , 23 July 2018, theweek.com/articles/785709/plastic-oceans. Accessed 13 Oct. 2022.

"What is Common Knowledge?" Academic integrity at MIT: A student handbook , integrity.mit.edu/handbook/citing-your-sources/what-common-knowledge#:~:text=This%20includes%3A,race%20to%20be%20elected%20president. Accessed 13 Oct. 2022.

EE Final Checklist

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Attribution

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COMMENTS

  1. Criteria, Format, Sample EEs - Extended Essay Guide ...

    Given that the extended essay is a formally written research paper, it should strive to maintain a professional, academic look. To help achieve this, the following formatting is required: 12-point, readable font (Calibri or Times New Roman); double spacing throughout entire Essay; page numbering - top right corner;

  2. Paper Formatting - Extended Essay Resources - LibGuides at ...

    Given that the extended essay is a formally written research paper, it should strive to maintain a professional, academic look. To help achieve this, the following formatting is suggested. font, font size and spacing conducive to on-screen marking . Arial 12 or Times New Roman 12; Double-spaced; page numbering

  3. Formatting your EE - Extended Essay - LibGuides at NIST ...

    All essays must follow this format: Standard Margins (1-inch or 2.5 cm margins) 12-point, readable font (Arial is recommended) Double-spaced. Page Numbers start on the Table of Contents. No Candidate or School name is to appear anywhere in the document.

  4. Extended Essay: Presentation Requirements - West Sound Academy

    Tips from the IB on presenting your Extended Essay in a professional manner, with suggestions on font type and size, citations, and referencing. Includes examples showing how choices on font size and type can change the mood and tone of the text being presented.

  5. Guidance on the Presentation and Format of Theses and ...

    The main text should be in 12 point, double-spaced, and footnotes in 10 point, single-spaced. See the guidance on pagination, order of contents, quotations, referencing and illustrations.

  6. Formatting - Gr. 11-12 Extended Essay - The York School ...

    The font size of your essay must be 12 pt and readable, and your essay should be double spaced. Don't use cursive, floral, or cartoon fonts that would make the script difficult to read. If you want to emphasize a word or heading, use bold (or capitalize your headings).

  7. Final Checklist for the Overall Presentation of the Extended ...

    1. Have you used a readable serif font (Times New Roman or Tahoma are examples) rather than a san-serif font? 2. Is your text 12-font? 3. Is your paper double-spaced (Exception: Follow your style manual for specific directions on block quotations, tables and charts, and bibliographic citations.) 4. Are your paragraphs all indented? 5.

  8. LibGuides: Extended Essay: Structure of the Extended Essay

    • Have you read and understood the presentation requirements of the extended essay? • Have you chosen a font that will be easy for examiners to read onscreen? • Is your essay double-spaced and size 12 font?

  9. Presentation - Extended Essay - LibGuides at I-Shou ...

    Tips from the IB on presenting your Extended Essay in a professional manner, with suggestions on font type and size, citations, and referencing. Includes examples showing how choices on font size and type can change the mood and tone of the text being presented.

  10. IB EXTENDED ESSAY FORMAT / FORMAL PRESENTATION GUIDELINES

    Learn how to follow a standard format for your IB extended essay, including font size, margins, spacing, page numbers, title page, abstract, table of contents, headings, quotations, documentation and appendices. Formal presentation counts for 4 points and could affect your final grade.