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International Baccalaureate (IB)

IB students around the globe fear writing the Extended Essay, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress! In this article, I'll get you excited about writing your Extended Essay and provide you with the resources you need to get an A on it.

If you're reading this article, I'm going to assume you're an IB student getting ready to write your Extended Essay. If you're looking at this as a potential future IB student, I recommend reading our introductory IB articles first, including our guide to what the IB program is and our full coverage of the IB curriculum .

IB Extended Essay: Why Should You Trust My Advice?

I myself am a recipient of an IB Diploma, and I happened to receive an A on my IB Extended Essay. Don't believe me? The proof is in the IBO pudding:

If you're confused by what this report means, EE is short for Extended Essay , and English A1 is the subject that my Extended Essay topic coordinated with. In layman's terms, my IB Diploma was graded in May 2010, I wrote my Extended Essay in the English A1 category, and I received an A grade on it.

What Is the Extended Essay in the IB Diploma Programme?

The IB Extended Essay, or EE , is a mini-thesis you write under the supervision of an IB advisor (an IB teacher at your school), which counts toward your IB Diploma (learn more about the major IB Diploma requirements in our guide) . I will explain exactly how the EE affects your Diploma later in this article.

For the Extended Essay, you will choose a research question as a topic, conduct the research independently, then write an essay on your findings . The essay itself is a long one—although there's a cap of 4,000 words, most successful essays get very close to this limit.

Keep in mind that the IB requires this essay to be a "formal piece of academic writing," meaning you'll have to do outside research and cite additional sources.

The IB Extended Essay must include the following:

• A title page
• Contents page
• Introduction
• Body of the essay
• References and bibliography

Additionally, your research topic must fall into one of the six approved DP categories , or IB subject groups, which are as follows:

• Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
• Group 2: Language Acquisition
• Group 3: Individuals and Societies
• Group 4: Sciences
• Group 5: Mathematics
• Group 6: The Arts

Once you figure out your category and have identified a potential research topic, it's time to pick your advisor, who is normally an IB teacher at your school (though you can also find one online ). This person will help direct your research, and they'll conduct the reflection sessions you'll have to do as part of your Extended Essay.

As of 2018, the IB requires a "reflection process" as part of your EE supervision process. To fulfill this requirement, you have to meet at least three times with your supervisor in what the IB calls "reflection sessions." These meetings are not only mandatory but are also part of the formal assessment of the EE and your research methods.

According to the IB, the purpose of these meetings is to "provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their engagement with the research process." Basically, these meetings give your supervisor the opportunity to offer feedback, push you to think differently, and encourage you to evaluate your research process.

The final reflection session is called the viva voce, and it's a short 10- to 15-minute interview between you and your advisor. This happens at the very end of the EE process, and it's designed to help your advisor write their report, which factors into your EE grade.

Here are the topics covered in your viva voce :

• A check on plagiarism and malpractice
• Your reflection on your project's successes and difficulties
• Your reflection on what you've learned during the EE process

Your completed Extended Essay, along with your supervisor's report, will then be sent to the IB to be graded. We'll cover the assessment criteria in just a moment.

We'll help you learn how to have those "lightbulb" moments...even on test day!  

What Should You Write About in Your IB Extended Essay?

You can technically write about anything, so long as it falls within one of the approved categories listed above.

It's best to choose a topic that matches one of the IB courses , (such as Theatre, Film, Spanish, French, Math, Biology, etc.), which shouldn't be difficult because there are so many class subjects.

Here is a range of sample topics with the attached extended essay:

• Biology: The Effect of Age and Gender on the Photoreceptor Cells in the Human Retina
• Chemistry: How Does Reflux Time Affect the Yield and Purity of Ethyl Aminobenzoate (Benzocaine), and How Effective is Recrystallisation as a Purification Technique for This Compound?
• English: An Exploration of Jane Austen's Use of the Outdoors in Emma
• Geography: The Effect of Location on the Educational Attainment of Indigenous Secondary Students in Queensland, Australia
• Math: Alhazen's Billiard Problem
• Visual Arts: Can Luc Tuymans Be Classified as a Political Painter?

You can see from how varied the topics are that you have a lot of freedom when it comes to picking a topic . So how do you pick when the options are limitless?

How to Write a Stellar IB Extended Essay: 6 Essential Tips

Below are six key tips to keep in mind as you work on your Extended Essay for the IB DP. Follow these and you're sure to get an A!

#1: Write About Something You Enjoy

You can't expect to write a compelling essay if you're not a fan of the topic on which you're writing. For example, I just love British theatre and ended up writing my Extended Essay on a revolution in post-WWII British theatre. (Yes, I'm definitely a #TheatreNerd.)

I really encourage anyone who pursues an IB Diploma to take the Extended Essay seriously. I was fortunate enough to receive a full-tuition merit scholarship to USC's School of Dramatic Arts program. In my interview for the scholarship, I spoke passionately about my Extended Essay; thus, I genuinely think my Extended Essay helped me get my scholarship.

But how do you find a topic you're passionate about? Start by thinking about which classes you enjoy the most and why . Do you like math classes because you like to solve problems? Or do you enjoy English because you like to analyze literary texts?

Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing your Extended Essay topic. You're not more likely to get high marks because you're writing about science, just like you're not doomed to failure because you've chosen to tackle the social sciences. The quality of what you produce—not the field you choose to research within—will determine your grade.

Once you've figured out your category, you should brainstorm more specific topics by putting pen to paper . What was your favorite chapter you learned in that class? Was it astrophysics or mechanics? What did you like about that specific chapter? Is there something you want to learn more about? I recommend spending a few hours on this type of brainstorming.

One last note: if you're truly stumped on what to research, pick a topic that will help you in your future major or career . That way you can use your Extended Essay as a talking point in your college essays (and it will prepare you for your studies to come too!).

#2: Select a Topic That Is Neither Too Broad nor Too Narrow

There's a fine line between broad and narrow. You need to write about something specific, but not so specific that you can't write 4,000 words on it.

You can't write about WWII because that would be a book's worth of material. You also don't want to write about what type of soup prisoners of war received behind enemy lines, because you probably won’t be able to come up with 4,000 words of material about it. However, you could possibly write about how the conditions in German POW camps—and the rations provided—were directly affected by the Nazis' successes and failures on the front, including the use of captured factories and prison labor in Eastern Europe to increase production. WWII military history might be a little overdone, but you get my point.

If you're really stuck trying to pinpoint a not-too-broad-or-too-narrow topic, I suggest trying to brainstorm a topic that uses a comparison. Once you begin looking through the list of sample essays below, you'll notice that many use comparisons to formulate their main arguments.

I also used a comparison in my EE, contrasting Harold Pinter's Party Time with John Osborne's Look Back in Anger in order to show a transition in British theatre. Topics with comparisons of two to three plays, books, and so on tend to be the sweet spot. You can analyze each item and then compare them with one another after doing some in-depth analysis of each individually. The ways these items compare and contrast will end up forming the thesis of your essay!

When choosing a comparative topic, the key is that the comparison should be significant. I compared two plays to illustrate the transition in British theatre, but you could compare the ways different regional dialects affect people's job prospects or how different temperatures may or may not affect the mating patterns of lightning bugs. The point here is that comparisons not only help you limit your topic, but they also help you build your argument.

Comparisons are not the only way to get a grade-A EE, though. If after brainstorming, you pick a non-comparison-based topic and are still unsure whether your topic is too broad or narrow, spend about 30 minutes doing some basic research and see how much material is out there.

If there are more than 1,000 books, articles, or documentaries out there on that exact topic, it may be too broad. But if there are only two books that have any connection to your topic, it may be too narrow. If you're still unsure, ask your advisor—it's what they're there for! Speaking of advisors...

Don't get stuck with a narrow topic!

#3: Choose an Advisor Who Is Familiar With Your Topic

If you're not certain of who you would like to be your advisor, create a list of your top three choices. Next, write down the pros and cons of each possibility (I know this sounds tedious, but it really helps!).

For example, Mr. Green is my favorite teacher and we get along really well, but he teaches English. For my EE, I want to conduct an experiment that compares the efficiency of American electric cars with foreign electric cars.

I had Ms. White a year ago. She teaches physics and enjoyed having me in her class. Unlike Mr. Green, Ms. White could help me design my experiment.

Based on my topic and what I need from my advisor, Ms. White would be a better fit for me than would Mr. Green (even though I like him a lot).

The moral of my story is this: do not just ask your favorite teacher to be your advisor . They might be a hindrance to you if they teach another subject. For example, I would not recommend asking your biology teacher to guide you in writing an English literature-based EE.

There can, of course, be exceptions to this rule. If you have a teacher who's passionate and knowledgeable about your topic (as my English teacher was about my theatre topic), you could ask that instructor. Consider all your options before you do this. There was no theatre teacher at my high school, so I couldn't find a theatre-specific advisor, but I chose the next best thing.

Before you approach a teacher to serve as your advisor, check with your high school to see what requirements they have for this process. Some IB high schools require your IB Extended Essay advisor to sign an Agreement Form , for instance.

Make sure that you ask your IB coordinator whether there is any required paperwork to fill out. If your school needs a specific form signed, bring it with you when you ask your teacher to be your EE advisor.

#4: Pick an Advisor Who Will Push You to Be Your Best

Some teachers might just take on students because they have to and aren't very passionate about reading drafts, only giving you minimal feedback. Choose a teacher who will take the time to read several drafts of your essay and give you extensive notes. I would not have gotten my A without being pushed to make my Extended Essay draft better.

Ask a teacher that you have experience with through class or an extracurricular activity. Do not ask a teacher that you have absolutely no connection to. If a teacher already knows you, that means they already know your strengths and weaknesses, so they know what to look for, where you need to improve, and how to encourage your best work.

Also, don't forget that your supervisor's assessment is part of your overall EE score . If you're meeting with someone who pushes you to do better—and you actually take their advice—they'll have more impressive things to say about you than a supervisor who doesn't know you well and isn't heavily involved in your research process.

Be aware that the IB only allows advisors to make suggestions and give constructive criticism. Your teacher cannot actually help you write your EE. The IB recommends that the supervisor spends approximately two to three hours in total with the candidate discussing the EE.

#5: Make Sure Your Essay Has a Clear Structure and Flow

The IB likes structure. Your EE needs a clear introduction (which should be one to two double-spaced pages), research question/focus (i.e., what you're investigating), a body, and a conclusion (about one double-spaced page). An essay with unclear organization will be graded poorly.

The body of your EE should make up the bulk of the essay. It should be about eight to 18 pages long (again, depending on your topic). Your body can be split into multiple parts. For example, if you were doing a comparison, you might have one third of your body as Novel A Analysis, another third as Novel B Analysis, and the final third as your comparison of Novels A and B.

If you're conducting an experiment or analyzing data, such as in this EE , your EE body should have a clear structure that aligns with the scientific method ; you should state the research question, discuss your method, present the data, analyze the data, explain any uncertainties, and draw a conclusion and/or evaluate the success of the experiment.

#6: Start Writing Sooner Rather Than Later!

You will not be able to crank out a 4,000-word essay in just a week and get an A on it. You'll be reading many, many articles (and, depending on your topic, possibly books and plays as well!). As such, it's imperative that you start your research as soon as possible.

Each school has a slightly different deadline for the Extended Essay. Some schools want them as soon as November of your senior year; others will take them as late as February. Your school will tell you what your deadline is. If they haven't mentioned it by February of your junior year, ask your IB coordinator about it.

Some high schools will provide you with a timeline of when you need to come up with a topic, when you need to meet with your advisor, and when certain drafts are due. Not all schools do this. Ask your IB coordinator if you are unsure whether you are on a specific timeline.

Below is my recommended EE timeline. While it's earlier than most schools, it'll save you a ton of heartache (trust me, I remember how hard this process was!):

• January/February of Junior Year: Come up with your final research topic (or at least your top three options).
• February of Junior Year: Approach a teacher about being your EE advisor. If they decline, keep asking others until you find one. See my notes above on how to pick an EE advisor.
• April/May of Junior Year: Submit an outline of your EE and a bibliography of potential research sources (I recommend at least seven to 10) to your EE advisor. Meet with your EE advisor to discuss your outline.
• Summer Between Junior and Senior Year: Complete your first full draft over the summer between your junior and senior year. I know, I know—no one wants to work during the summer, but trust me—this will save you so much stress come fall when you are busy with college applications and other internal assessments for your IB classes. You will want to have this first full draft done because you will want to complete a couple of draft cycles as you likely won't be able to get everything you want to say into 4,000 articulate words on the first attempt. Try to get this first draft into the best possible shape so you don't have to work on too many revisions during the school year on top of your homework, college applications, and extracurriculars.
• August/September of Senior Year: Turn in your first draft of your EE to your advisor and receive feedback. Work on incorporating their feedback into your essay. If they have a lot of suggestions for improvement, ask if they will read one more draft before the final draft.
• September/October of Senior Year: Submit the second draft of your EE to your advisor (if necessary) and look at their feedback. Work on creating the best possible final draft.
• November-February of Senior Year: Schedule your viva voce. Submit two copies of your final draft to your school to be sent off to the IB. You likely will not get your grade until after you graduate.

Remember that in the middle of these milestones, you'll need to schedule two other reflection sessions with your advisor . (Your teachers will actually take notes on these sessions on a form like this one , which then gets submitted to the IB.)

I recommend doing them when you get feedback on your drafts, but these meetings will ultimately be up to your supervisor. Just don't forget to do them!

The early bird DOES get the worm!

How Is the IB Extended Essay Graded?

Extended Essays are graded by examiners appointed by the IB on a scale of 0 to 34 . You'll be graded on five criteria, each with its own set of points. You can learn more about how EE scoring works by reading the IB guide to extended essays .

• Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
• Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
• Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
• Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
• Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

How well you do on each of these criteria will determine the final letter grade you get for your EE. You must earn at least a D to be eligible to receive your IB Diploma.

Although each criterion has a point value, the IB explicitly states that graders are not converting point totals into grades; instead, they're using qualitative grade descriptors to determine the final grade of your Extended Essay . Grade descriptors are on pages 102-103 of this document .

Here's a rough estimate of how these different point values translate to letter grades based on previous scoring methods for the EE. This is just an estimate —you should read and understand the grade descriptors so you know exactly what the scorers are looking for.

Here is the breakdown of EE scores (from the May 2021 bulletin):

How Does the Extended Essay Grade Affect Your IB Diploma?

The Extended Essay grade is combined with your TOK (Theory of Knowledge) grade to determine how many points you get toward your IB Diploma.

To learn about Theory of Knowledge or how many points you need to receive an IB Diploma, read our complete guide to the IB program and our guide to the IB Diploma requirements .

This diagram shows how the two scores are combined to determine how many points you receive for your IB diploma (3 being the most, 0 being the least). In order to get your IB Diploma, you have to earn 24 points across both categories (the TOK and EE). The highest score anyone can earn is 45 points.

Let's say you get an A on your EE and a B on TOK. You will get 3 points toward your Diploma. As of 2014, a student who scores an E on either the extended essay or TOK essay will not be eligible to receive an IB Diploma .

Prior to the class of 2010, a Diploma candidate could receive a failing grade in either the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge and still be awarded a Diploma, but this is no longer true.

Figuring out how you're assessed can be a little tricky. Luckily, the IB breaks everything down here in this document . (The assessment information begins on page 219.)

40+ Sample Extended Essays for the IB Diploma Programme

In case you want a little more guidance on how to get an A on your EE, here are over 40 excellent (grade A) sample extended essays for your reading pleasure. Essays are grouped by IB subject.

• Business Management 1
• Chemistry 1
• Chemistry 2
• Chemistry 3
• Chemistry 4
• Chemistry 5
• Chemistry 6
• Chemistry 7
• Computer Science 1
• Economics 1
• Design Technology 1
• Design Technology 2
• Environmental Systems and Societies 1
• Geography 1
• Geography 2
• Geography 3
• Geography 4
• Geography 5
• Geography 6
• Literature and Performance 1
• Mathematics 1
• Mathematics 2
• Mathematics 3
• Mathematics 4
• Mathematics 5
• Philosophy 1
• Philosophy 2
• Philosophy 3
• Philosophy 4
• Philosophy 5
• Psychology 1
• Psychology 2
• Psychology 3
• Psychology 4
• Psychology 5
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 1
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 2
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 3
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 1
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 2
• Visual Arts 1
• Visual Arts 2
• Visual Arts 3
• Visual Arts 4
• Visual Arts 5
• World Religion 1
• World Religion 2
• World Religion 3

What's Next?

Trying to figure out what extracurriculars you should do? Learn more about participating in the Science Olympiad , starting a club , doing volunteer work , and joining Student Government .

Studying for the SAT? Check out our expert study guide to the SAT . Taking the SAT in a month or so? Learn how to cram effectively for this important test .

Not sure where you want to go to college? Read our guide to finding your target school . Also, determine your target SAT score or target ACT score .

As an SAT/ACT tutor, Dora has guided many students to test prep success. She loves watching students succeed and is committed to helping you get there. Dora received a full-tuition merit based scholarship to University of Southern California. She graduated magna cum laude and scored in the 99th percentile on the ACT. She is also passionate about acting, writing, and photography.

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How Long Is IB EE? Minimum and Maximum Word Count

As a seasoned IB writer, I’ve seen my fair share of extended essays ranging from the succinctly brilliant to the lengthy and sprawling. So, let’s cut to the chase: What exactly is an IB extended essay, and why is its word count crucial? This essay, a cornerstone of the International Baccalaureate diploma , challenges students to focus on a topic they choose. Managing the minimum and maximum word count is crucial, setting the stage for well-structured research of your chosen subject.

What Is the Word Count Requirement for the Extended Essay?

From my extensive experience guiding students through the intricacies of IB extended essay writing, I can confidently say that understanding word count is crucial to your success. Firstly, the absolute upper limit for an extended essay is 4,000 words. This is a strict threshold. According to general IB criteria, essays exceeding this count risk being penalized, affecting your overall score. This cap is in place to encourage precision and conciseness in your argumentation and analysis.

While the IB mandates no official minimum word count, aiming for at least 3,500 words is widely recommended. Writing fewer than 3,500 words may signal that you have not researched your topic thoroughly. In my opinion, adhering to this suggested minimum helps ensure that you’ve adequately developed and substantiated your essay’s argument with sufficient evidence. From my experience, students who meet or come close to the recommended minimum tend to produce essays that feel complete and robust, reflecting well on their overall investigative and analytical skills.

Balancing between these word counts — not too brief, yet not verbose — is an art form. As you plan and draft your essay, consider these numbers as guides, not just limits. The goal is to build a compelling argument within this range, using each word effectively to strengthen your case.

Extended Essay Word Count for Each Section

Understanding how to allocate your word count across different sections is essential for maintaining a well-structured and balanced argument. In my experience, a clear plan for distributing words helps ensure that each section of your essay receives adequate attention and contributes effectively to your thesis.

Introduction (300-400 words)

The introduction sets the stage for your essay. It should clearly state your research question, provide some background on the topic, and outline the scope of your investigation. This section should capture the reader’s interest and explain why the topic is worth attention. Around 300 to 400 words are generally sufficient to lay a solid foundation without preempting the detailed analysis that will follow.

Body (2800-3200 words)

The body is where you will develop your argument, analyze data, and discuss evidence. This section should be the heart of your essay and use most of your word count. Here’s a breakdown of how you might structure the body:

• Literature Review (500-600 words) . Discuss existing research and different perspectives on your topic.
• Methodology (300-400 words) . Explain the methods used to gather and analyze data.
• Analysis (1400-1600 words) . The bulk of your word count should go here, where you critically analyze your findings.
• Discussion (600-700 words) . Interpret the implications of your findings in light of your research question and existing literature.

Managing the word count across these sections effectively ensures that your essay is balanced and provides a detailed investigation within the constraints set by the IB. From my experience, essays that adhere to these guidelines are more coherent and received better by examiners.

Conclusion (300-400 words)

In the conclusion, you wrap up the essay by summarizing your findings and restating how they answer the research question. This section should also reflect on the implications of your findings and suggest areas for further research. Keeping it concise and focused is critical, so aim for 300 to 400 words.

Appendices and Bibliography

While the appendices and bibliography are essential components of your essay, remember that words here do not count towards your overall word count. Use appendices for supporting documents and data, and ensure your bibliography is comprehensive and formatted correctly.

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📚🔍 Explore a Wide Range of IB Extended Essay Topics! 🔍📚

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How Many Pages and Paragraphs Are in a 4000-Word EE?

In my opinion, the formatting of your Extended Essay is as crucial as the content itself. According to general IB criteria, your essay should be typed in a clear, readable font like Times New Roman or Arial, at a size of 12 points. These options are standard across most academic writing, ensuring your work is accessible and professionally presented.

When double-spaced, the typical requirement for the extended essay, a 4000-word document will usually span about 15 to 16 pages. This estimate includes a title page and often a table of contents, which, while they do not contribute to the word count, are essential parts of your essay’s structure.

As for the structure within those pages, from my experience, it’s prudent to aim for about 100 to 150 words per paragraph. This guideline helps maintain clarity and coherence in your argumentation. With this approach, you would expect to have approximately 27 to 40 paragraphs. Each paragraph should ideally present a distinct idea or piece of evidence, systematically building your case and supporting your thesis.

This structure not only aids in the logical flow of your essay but also makes it easier for your examiners to follow and appreciate your analysis. Remember, a well-organized essay reflects your ability to think critically and organize knowledge, which is at the heart of the IB philosophy.

Tips for Managing Your IB Extended Essay Word Count

Managing the word count in your extended essay can be a daunting task. As a seasoned IB writer, I’ve guided many students through this process, helping them meet and effectively use their word limit to produce compelling and thorough research essays. In my experience, efficiently managing your word count is as crucial as the research and analysis. Here are some tips I’ve found invaluable, and I believe they can help you write a well-balanced essay.

Plan Your Essay Structure

In my opinion, the best way to manage your word count begins before you even start writing. Creating a detailed outline of your essay is crucial. It should include a breakdown of how many words you allocate to each section. As I know from guiding IB students, an outline keeps your writing on track. It ensures that each part of your essay contributes effectively to the argument without one section disproportionately consuming the word count.

Write Concisely

According to general IB criteria, clarity and precision are highly valued in an Extended Essay. From my experience, students often struggle with being verbose in their writing. My advice is to prioritize clarity and conciseness. Avoid convoluted sentences and overcomplicated vocabulary that inflate your word count unnecessarily and obscure your points. Instead, focus on being direct. A well-chosen word can often do the job of five.

Use the Iterative Editing Process

As I often tell my students, writing is only the first step. The real magic happens during editing. It’s essential to check for grammatical errors and consistency and refine and reduce your word count. From my experience, always aim to write your first draft slightly over the word limit. This strategy allows you more creative freedom initially, and later, you can trim down excess without the pressure of adding more content.

Focus on the Analysis, Not Just Description

A common pitfall for many IB students is spending too many words describing their topic or recounting their research without adequately analyzing it. As I know, and as general IB criteria suggest, the Extended Essay is an analytical research paper, not just a report. Make sure you dedicate a significant portion of your word count to interpreting your findings, discussing implications, and reflecting on the significance of your results concerning your research question.

Regularly Check Your Word Count

Throughout the writing process, keeping an eye on your word count is vital. As I advise, check your word count after completing each section to ensure you’re within the expected range. This strategy helps prevent a last-minute realization that you need significant cuts or additions, which can be disruptive and stressful.

Seek Feedback

Finally, don’t underestimate the value of external feedback. Sharing your draft with peers, teachers, or even former IB students like myself can provide new perspectives on effectively managing your word count. Often, they can identify areas where the writing is unclear or overly verbose, which you might have missed.

So, effectively managing the word count in your IB extended essay isn’t just a formal requirement — it improves the quality and clarity of your argument and makes your insights stand out. Every word in your essay should serve a purpose, whether building an argument, providing evidence, or analyzing data.

Remember that the word count is not just a number but a framework to create a clear, focused, and insightful argument. With careful planning, a disciplined approach to writing, and thorough editing, you can master the art of precision. And if you need help or simply want to buy an extended essay from the best IB writers, simply contact our experts and place an order.

Nick Radlinsky

Nick Radlinsky is a devoted educator, marketing specialist, and management expert with more than 15 years of experience in the education sector. After obtaining his business degree in 2016, Nick embarked on a quest to achieve his PhD, driven by his commitment to enhancing education for students worldwide. His vast experience, starting in 2008, has established him as a reputable authority in the field.

Nick's article, featured in Routledge's " Entrepreneurship in Central and Eastern Europe: Development through Internationalization ," highlights his sharp insights and unwavering dedication to advancing the educational landscape. Inspired by his personal motto, "Make education better," Nick's mission is to streamline students' lives and foster efficient learning. His inventive ideas and leadership have contributed to the transformation of numerous educational experiences, distinguishing him as a true innovator in his field.

When to Submit Extended Essay? IB EE Deadlines

Managing the deadlines for your IB extended essay can seem daunting, but with the right guidance, it’s completely manageable. This article breaks down the critical deadlines you need to know in order to successfully plan and execute your extended essay.

When to Submit TOK Essay? Deadlines

Understanding when to submit your TOK essay is crucial for success, as meeting these deadlines ensures you have ample time for revisions and reduces last-minute stress. This article offers a comprehensive guide on TOK essay deadlines, providing key insights from a seasoned IB writer.

What Are the IB IA Deadlines?

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Balancing word count limits requires careful planning and consideration of every word you write. In this guide, I’ll share strategies and insights from years of mentoring IB students to help you master the art of word count management in your extended essay.

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What Is a Word Count for Extended Essay?

As someone who has cut through the complexities of the International Baccalaureate or IB program, I feel it is necessary first to clarify what an Extended Essay (EE) entails. The Extended Essay is a cornerstone of the IB diploma, a task that challenges students to conduct independent research on a topic of their choice. In my experience, understanding the Extended Essay word count is not just about meeting a requirement but mastering the art of concise, focused academic writing.

Understanding the Basics of IB EE Wordcount

In my years of guiding students through the IB curriculum , one frequently asked question is why the Extended Essay word count is so critical. According to general IB criteria, adhering to this strict requirement is not merely a formal requirement but a crucial element of the academic discipline. From my experience, the word count of the Extended Essay has several essential functions.

The limit allows you to research a topic thoroughly but within a concise framework. It encourages you to discuss the topic comprehensively yet succinctly enough to maintain focus and coherence.

Moreover, managing the word count requires careful planning of your essay structure and content. You learn to evaluate what is essential to your argument and what can be omitted, enhancing your critical thinking skills. Adhering to the word count also demonstrates your ability to follow academic conventions, a skill highly valued in higher education. Here’s why maintaining the proper word count can make or break your Extended Essay:

• Precision in Argumentation . Staying within the word limit forces you to articulate your arguments precisely, avoiding unnecessary digressions. This precision makes your essay easier to follow.
• Skillful Resource Management . You learn to use your sources and evidence strategically, choosing only the most relevant information to support your argument. 
• Balanced Research . A strict word count helps ensure that no single area of your essay is disproportionately long or short, contributing to a balanced and well-rounded argument.

As I know from tutoring many students, the discipline of adhering to a word count dramatically improves the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. No matter whether you are just beginning your Extended Essay or are in the final stages of editing, remember that every word should have a purpose in your narrative.

What Is the Minimum Word Count for Extended Essay?

In my years of involvement with the IB program, a common question I’ve encountered from students is the minimum word count for the Extended Essay. According to general IB criteria, the Extended Essay has no officially specified minimum word count. However, any essay significantly shorter than 3,500 – 3,600 words might struggle to fulfill the comprehensive requirements expected of this significant research project.

So, how many words is Extended Essay? I’ve observed that while the IB does not enforce a strict minimum, aiming for a word count close to the 4,000-word maximum is advisable. This approach ensures you have sufficient space to develop your arguments thoroughly and incorporate critical analyses and complex reasoning that the Extended Essay demands. In my opinion, writing an essay much shorter than this can sometimes indicate that the topic has not been investigated in the depth and breadth necessary for an upper-level research paper.

Moreover, as I know from guiding students, essays that are too brief may fail to engage deeply with the subject matter, potentially leading to a superficial treatment of the topic. Using the Extended Essay to demonstrate your ability to conduct detailed research and present a well-structured, persuasive argument is essential. This depth is often hard to achieve in fewer words.

Therefore, while there’s no formal minimum, I advise students to use the word count as a guideline to ensure comprehensive coverage of their chosen topic. This way, you will be better positioned to meet the expectations of the IB examiners looking for rigorous analysis and a demonstration of your research skills.

Remember, the 4,000-word count is the maximum allowed, and it does not include the acknowledgments, contents page, maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations, tables, bibliography, appendices, or footnotes as long as they are not substantive explanatory text.

How to Effectively Manage Your Word Count?

Managing your word count in an Extended Essay can seem daunting at first. Still, with the right approach, it becomes an opportunity to sharpen your writing skills and ensure your research is clear and concise. Below are some strategies I’ve found helpful over the years.

1. Plan Your Essay Structure

Before you start writing, plan your essay’s structure. As I know from guiding many students, a detailed outline helps you distribute your word count effectively across different sections of the essay. This strategy ensures that each part (introduction, body, conclusion) receives adequate attention and word allocation. According to general IB criteria, a well-planned essay facilitates a clear and logical presentation of your research.

2. Be Concise and Direct

In my opinion, one of the critical skills in essay writing is learning how to express ideas succinctly. Avoid filler words and redundant phrases that do not add value to your argument. Instead, focus on strong, active verbs and clear, precise language. This approach helps manage your word count, making your essay more compelling and easier to read.

3. Regularly Check Your Word Count

As you write, keep a close eye on your word count. Modern word processors make this easy, and regularly checking can prevent you from drastically exceeding or not meeting your word limit. From my experience, frequent checks allow you to adjust on the fly, ensuring each section stays within its targeted word range without last-minute, drastic cuts.

4. Refine and Condense

Once your first draft is complete, the editing phase begins. Here, be ruthless in cutting or rewriting overly verbose or tangential parts. As I know from revising countless student essays, this step is critical in enhancing your argument’s clarity and impact. Effective editing often involves tightening up your prose, removing repetitive points, and ensuring every word counts.

5. Get an External Perspective

Finally, don’t underestimate the value of feedback. Having another set of eyes on your work can help identify areas where the word count could be better managed. Feedback is invaluable, whether it’s a teacher, a peer, or an experienced IB writer like myself. From my experience, this external perspective provides insights you might have missed, especially in areas where your argument could be more concise or clear.

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Word Count Distribution Across Your Extended Essay

As an experienced IB writer, I’ve seen many students grapple with how to allocate their words across the different sections of an Extended Essay. It’s essential to balance the essay so that each part has enough space to effectively contribute to the overall argument without any single section dominating. Here’s how, in my experience, you can distribute your word count effectively across the various parts of the Extended Essay:

• Introduction (10-15% of total words) . Typically, this would range from 400 to 600 words. This section introduces your research question and provides the necessary background information. According to general IB criteria, the introduction should set the stage for what follows, clearly outlining the scope and direction of your essay.
• Body (70-80% of total words) . This section should use approximately 2,800 to 3,200 words. The body is where you develop your argument, analyze your research, and discuss your findings. As I know from guiding students, dividing this word count among various points or sections is crucial to maintaining a coherent and logically structured argument.
• Conclusion (10-15% of total words) . Aim for about 400 to 600 words. In the conclusion, you combine your research insights and reaffirm how they answer the research question. From my experience, it’s essential to briefly summarize the argument without introducing new information.

Balancing these sections ensures that each part of your essay contributes to a coherent and persuasive argument. From what I’ve seen, students who follow this guideline tend not only to meet the required word count but also to produce well-structured and compelling essays. Remember, each section should transition smoothly to the next, maintaining the flow and reinforcing the central thesis. Adhering to these proportions ensures that your Extended Essay demonstrates depth and precision, hallmarks of outstanding scholarly work.

Mastering the word count in your Extended Essay is about more than meeting a numerical requirement. It’s about concisely communicating complex ideas. Remember, this essay is your chance to focus in-depth on a topic that fascinates you, so make every word count.

Please view the word count not as a barrier but as a framework within which you can craft a clear, detailed, and persuasive argument. With proper planning and a little creativity, you will produce an exceptional Extended Essay that proudly presents your research skills and intellectual rigor. Also, if you are having trouble writing an Extended Essay within 4,000 words, our experts at IBWritingService.com are always happy to help. We are available 24/7!

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International Baccalaureate/Extended Essay Tips

• 1.1 Recommendations
• 1.2.1.1 Essay Competitions
• 1.3.1 Citing Sources
• 1.3.2 Organization
• 1.3.3 IBO Official Guide

Introduction and Getting Started!

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The Extended Essay (EE) is one of the requirements of the IB Diploma Programme. It provides students with an opportunity to conduct independent research on a topic of interest to them. It is written on a freely-chosen topic as long as there is a subject teacher in school, as the candidate must have a subject supervisor.

Recommendations

The IBO recommends that candidates spend approximately 40 hours in total on their extended essays, and if you put it off until that last weekend, your work won't be nearly as good as it can be. Talk to your IB school supervisor, as it is his or her job to set internal school deadlines (i.e. choosing a topic, formulating an outline, rough draft, final draft, etc).

Getting Started

• Firstly, find a topic you're actually interested in, or you'll never work on it.
• Don't stress. After doing all your research 4,000 words is nothing (your first draft could be 6,000-8,000 words). While the Extended Essay has the potential to make you hate your own topic (as many academic assignments do), an interest in the topic can motivate you to pull through in the end.
• Many students are appalled at the sheer number of words that this task requires. But by following the guidelines set out for you, you'll quickly realize how hard pressed you will be to contain your work to the limit.
• Make sure that your focus is somewhat specific, or that you have a specific topic in mind (instead of just a general subject area).
• Example : Your final essay title should be somewhat similar to the style used in the Internal Assessments for the 20th Century World Issues course - specific and focused with some form of cause and effect. Check the official Extended Essay guidelines for more on this - it offers sample essay titles (along with title choosing advice and essay titles to avoid) for each subject area.
• If the above example does not apply to you, perhaps ask your IB Coordinator for examples from students past. Many of them keep a record of every essay, mainly to ensure there is no plagiarism.
• Make sure you stay on top of the work.
• Look over the guidelines and the explanations.

To get a diploma, you need to complete the TOK Essay and the Extended Essay. At best, you can achieve 3 bonus points towards your IB diploma, so don't ignore your schoolwork, as your courses are worth much more. The point matrix is outlined in the "Diploma Points Matrix for the Extended Essay and TOK" grid in the IBO form. You can still get your diploma if you get a "Mediocre" on one and an "Elementary" on another. NOTE: As of May 2010, an 'Elementary' on both TOK and Extended essay is an automatic fail, but you may still pass with an 'Elementary' on either one, just not both. An 'Elementary' on either is a so called 'failing condition' which requires a minimum 28 points rather than the usual 24 to obtain your diploma.

However, you can make a very good essay, provided you allot yourself enough time to write about something you are interested in. The IBO knows that you are between 16 and 18 years old and thus does not require a perfect essay or a groundbreaking new discovery. They just want to see that you can work on and complete a big project.

Picking a Topic

You'll want to write about a topic or subject you're fairly familiar with. For instance, if you've nailed the process of writing labs, do a science investigation. It'll be just like a big lab write-up, and writing the method, materials, qualitative/quantitative observations are all part of the word count, and take up a significant amount of words.

Essay Competitions

Find out if there are competitions or scholarship opportunities in which you can enter your essay. Why not kill two birds with one stone and head off to university with a scholarship? If you don't win, at least you'll get feedback, something the IBO neglects to give.

Writing a Good Extended Essay

Everyone wants to write a good Extended Essay, but just remember that it's really not as overwhelming as it sounds. Some candidates will find their first drafts are in the 6,000 to 8,000 range, while others will reach about 2800-3500. In fact, keep in mind that 4,000 words is the maximum word count and not where you must get to. While most essays have a word count in the 3,900 range, it is perfectly acceptable to submit an essay that is 3,500 words. While there is no actual minimum word count, you would probably want to write over 3,000 words, since a short essay might imply that the topic was not investigated thoroughly enough. However, some topics - mathematics among them - may require only 2,000 words to fully investigate them.

Citing Sources

Keep legible, consistent and accurate notes that include bibliographic information. There's nothing more annoying than browsing through a 1200 page book looking for where that key quotation came from. Cite your sources in a consistent manner (either in MLA or APA format, or some other recognized format). IBO is very strict with plagiarism, so remember that the text has to be your own and do not forget to make references. You will have to sign an IBO form certifying that your EE is your own, and has no unsourced material in it, before they will even read your essay. Failure to submit an Extended Essay will result in no diploma being awarded.

Use the internet to find information but do include books in your research especially if your essay is not on the Sciences. Be skeptical in your use of the internet. Anyone can post anything, so read with a critical eye. Generally, university and academic websites are good sources to refer to. News sources are generally reliable, but be sure to stay away from "gossip" media which often contorts the truth.

Keep in mind that a general guide line used in many schools is 5 sources minimum for the IA in History, so if you are doing a History paper aim to have as close to ten sources as possible if not more for the EE.

Organization

Once you have researched your topic, you should spend a lot of time structuring and organizing your essay. Make sure your essay has a clear introduction, research question/focus (i.e. what you will be investigating), body, and conclusion. A poorly organized or unclear essay will hurt the assessment of your essay. You should also spend some time making sure that your 300-word abstract is clear and succinct in summarizing your essay. An unclear abstract will make your essay difficult to understand and will also hurt the assessment of your essay.

Although this is stated in the "General Requirements" for the Extended Essay, I feel it is necessary to repeat: if you are doing a paper in a subject not offered at your school, be very careful , especially if doing your paper in World Religions. You might want to either reconsider your choice of topic, or make sure you have several people with good credibility in that topic reading your paper. If you don't, especially in World Religions, you could end up offending your reader, and I promise you, you do not want to do that.

You can do your extended essay on any topic for which an IB class exists - i.e. something like Islamic History, which only about 100 candidates a year write about. However, you cannot do your extended essay in Theory of Knowledge, most pilot subjects and school-based syllabus subjects (check with your IB coordinator). Bear in mind that getting a good score in your extended essay, combined with your score for your Theory of Knowledge essay, may reward you with up to 3 bonus points. So aim high!

IBO Official Guide

The IBO's official guide to writing the Extended Essay can be found here: http://xmltwo.ibo.org/publications/DP/Group0/d_0_eeyyy_gui_1012_1/html/production-app3.ibo.org/publication/258/part/1/chapter/1.html

The above site is quite useful in perusing tips and hints for writing the essay, in addition to viewing the IBO standards for the essay. Note that the above link is for consideration purposes only.

"three: The Ultimate Student's Guide to Acing the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge" by Alexander Zouev - a book full of tips and time savers for IB EE.

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Table of contents

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The IB extended essay is a paper of up to 4,000 words that is required for students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program. The extended essay allows students to engage in independent research on a topic within one of the available subject areas.

The extended essay should be an original piece of academic writing that demonstrates the following student's abilities:

• Formulating a research question
• Conductig independent investigation
• Presenting key findings in a scholarly format.

Check out this article by StudyCrumb to discover how to write an IB extendend essay properly. We will give you a complete writing guide and critical tips you need for this essay type.

IB Extended Essay: What Is It?

An extended essay is independent research. Usually students choose a topic in consultation with a mentor. It is an integral part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) degree program. This means that you won't receive a degree without a successfully written paper. It requires 4,000-word study on a chosen narrow topic. To get a high score, you should meet all required structure and formatting standards. This is the result of approximately 40 working hours. Its purpose is giving you the opportunity to try independent research writing. It's approved that these skills are critical for student success at university. The following sections explain how to write an extended article with examples. So keep reading!  

Choosing a Mentor for Extended Essay

IB extended essay guidelines require supervisor meetings, totaling 3-5 hours. They include three critical reflections. A mentor won't write a paper instead of you but can help adjust it. So it is important to consult with them, but no one will proofread or correct actual research for you. In general, initially treat an essay as an exclusively individual work. So your role and contribution are maximal.

Extended Essay Outline

Let's take a look at how to write an extended essay outline. In this part, you organize yourself so that your work develops your idea. So we especially recommend you work out this step with your teacher. You can also find any outline example for essay . In your short sketch, plan a roadmap for your thoughts. Think through and prepare a summary of each paragraph. Then, expand annotation of each section with a couple more supporting evidence. Explain how specific examples illustrate key points. Make it more significant by using different opinions on general issues.  

Extended Essay: Getting Started

After you chose an extended essay topic and made an outline, it's time to start your research. Start with a complete Table of Contents and make a choice of a research question. Select the subject in which you feel most confident and which is most interesting for you. For example, if at school you are interested in natural science, focus on that. If you have difficulties choosing a research question, rely on our essay topic generator .

Extended Essay Introduction

In the introduction of an extended essay, present a thesis statement. But do it in such a way that your readers understand the importance of your research. State research question clearly. That is the central question that you are trying to answer while writing. Even your score depends on how you develop your particular research question. Therefore, it is essential to draw it up correctly. Gather all relevant information from relevant sources. Explain why this is worth exploring. Then provide a research plan, which you will disclose further.  

Extended Essay Methodology

In accordance with extended essay guidelines, it's mandatory to choose and clearly state a methodological approach. So, it will be apparent to your examiner how you answered your research question. Include your collection methods and tools you use for collection and analysis. Your strategies can be experimental or descriptive, quantitative or qualitative. Research collection tools include observations, questionnaires, interviews, or background knowledge.

Extended Essay Main Body

Well, here we come to the most voluminous part of the extended essay for IB! In every essay body paragraph , you reveal your research question and discuss your topic. Provide all details of your academic study. But stay focused and do it without dubious ideas. Use different sources of information to provide supporting arguments and substantial evidence. This will impress professors. For this section, 3 main paragraphs are enough. Discuss each idea or argument in a separate paragraph. You can even use supporting quotes where appropriate. But don't overcomplicate. Make your extended essay easy to read and logical. It's critical to stay concise, so if you aren't sure how to make your text readable, use our tool to get a readbility test . Following the plan you outlined earlier is very important. Analyze each fact before including it in your writing. And don't write unnecessary information.

Extended Essay Conclusion

Now let's move on to the final part of IB extended essay guidelines. In conclusion, focus on summarizing the main points you have made. No new ideas or information can be introduced in this part. Use conclusion as your last chance to impress your readers. Reframe your own strong thesis. Here you must show all key points. Do not repeat absolutely every argument. Better try to make this part unique. This will show that you have a clear understanding of the topic you have chosen. And even more professional will be recommendations of new areas for future research. One good paragraph may be enough here. Although in some cases, two or three paragraphs may be required.

Extended Essay Bibliography & Appendices

To write an impressive extended essay, you should focus on appropriate information. You must create a separate page for bibliography with all sources you used. Tip from us: start writing this page with the first quote you use. Don't write this part last or postpone. In turn, appendices are not an essential section. Examiners will not pay much attention to this part. Therefore, include all information directly related to analysis and argumentation in the main body. Include raw data in the appendix only if it is really urgently needed. Moreover, it is better not to refer to appendices in text itself. This can disrupt the narrative of the essay.  

Extended Essay Examples

We have prepared a good example of an extended essay. You can check it by downloading it for free. You can use it as a template. However, pay attention that your paper is required to be unique. Don't be afraid to present all the skills you gained during your IB.

Final Thoughts on IB Extended Essay

In this article, we presented detailed IB extended essay guidelines. An extended essay is a daunting academic challenge to write. It is a research paper with a deep thematic analysis of information. But we have described several practical and straightforward tips. Therefore, we are sure that you will succeed!

If topics seem too complex, turn to our top essay writers. They will accomplish any IB assignment in the best way your professor can evaluate it!  

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

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Ib Extended Essay Word Count Rules: Everything You Need to Know

Unraveling the mysteries of ib extended essay word count rules contract.

Writing an IB extended essay can be a daunting task, as students are required to delve deep into a topic of their choice and produce a comprehensive piece of research. One key of extended essay word count, often leaves puzzled rules guidelines.

As a former IB student myself, I understand the challenges and frustrations that can come with navigating the word count regulations. In blog post, aim provide thorough insightful of IB Extended Essay Word Count Rules Contract, clarity guidance current future students.

the Word Count Requirements

According to the official IB Extended Essay Guide, the word count for the extended essay must be between 3,000 and 4,000 words. This word limit includes the main body of the essay, as well as any quotations, footnotes, and in-text citations. The title page, abstract, table of contents, bibliography, and appendices are not included in the word count.

It is crucial for students to adhere to these word count regulations, as exceeding or falling short of the specified range can result in penalties and potential loss of marks. It essential students carefully plan structure essays ensure meet word count requirements.

Case Studies and Practical Examples

To provide a practical understanding of the word count rules, let`s consider a case study of two hypothetical extended essays:

In the first case study, the essay falls within the permissible word count range, demonstrating compliance with the regulations. However, in the second case study, the essay exceeds the upper limit of 4,000 words, potentially resulting in penalties for the student.

Strategies for Meeting the Word Count

As students to meet word count requirements, essential adopt strategies managing length essays. May include:

• Conducting research selecting focused to ensure depth analysis within word limit.
• Being and in language, avoiding repetition verbosity.
• Carefully quotations citations within text contribute word count without padding.

By implementing these strategies, students can navigate the word count regulations while producing high-quality, substantive essays that fulfill the requirements of the extended essay assessment.

The word count rules for the IB extended essay play a significant role in shaping the structure and content of students` research projects. By gaining a clear understanding of these rules and employing effective strategies, students can confidently navigate the word count requirements while producing compelling and well-researched essays.

IB Extended Essay Word Count Rules Contract

In accordance with the rules and regulations set forth by the International Baccalaureate organization, this contract outlines the word count rules for the extended essay.

This contract is entered into on the date of submission of the extended essay.

Top 10 Legal Questions About IB Extended Essay Word Count Rules Contract

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How long is the IB Extended Essay? 🤔

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• Writing Metier

The IB extended essay is designed to ensure that students learn critical learning skills and can organize their thoughts correctly. The idea is to help students build their skills and empower them to solve more complex real-life problems. However, most students tend to wonder how long the extended essay should be and what is the actual minimum word count. SO! let’s figure out how many words is an extended essay.

Does the extended essay have to be exactly 4000 words?

An extended essay needs to be a maximum of 4000 words. While there is no prescribed minimum word count for the extended essay, it is ideally recommended that you write at least 3000 words. Anything short of that gives the impression that you didn’t examine the topic in as much detail as you should have, which comes off as negative. So you need to explore the IB EE topic thoroughly and focus on delving as deep as you can into the details following the essay length.

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For your ease, one page is approximately 250-275 words, so for 4000 words, IB EE’s page limit will be around 14-15 pages of content. If you want to write a good IB extended essay , make sure to follow the main parts as we will explain in the next section.

Section-wise breakdown a.k.a Structure

Here is a section-wise breakdown of the extended essay word count per section according to the IB EE guidelines and best-scored papers. This will help you structure the academic essay well. SPOILER alert, we will not count the title page and references page.

Introduction

This is where you set the tone for the entire essay making the examiner aware about what exactly they are going to know about in the essay. Not just that, but you also spike their interest here. So you need to make sure that this is very well planned because it is surely the first impression. The introduction part of an extended essay should be around 250 words approximately. You need to use this extended essay word count to ensure that you add value to what you are writing and make it as interesting as possible. Another hint from our IB writers is that you need to make sure that it is as intriguing as possible. IB loves it.

Methodology

This is the section where you write about how and where you got all the information that you used for this essay. Not only do you need to highlight what these sources are, but you also need to talk about why you are using them. Alongside that, you need to hint to their limitations and weaknesses as well. These sources need to be authentic for your research to add much value as possible to the research.

Furthermore, it would be best if you also highlighted the tools that you will be using in this research for purposes of analysis. The approximate word count for the methodology section of IB EE needs to be around 350 words.

This is the main body part of the research where you analyze everything and discuss it too. You also use all the tools in this section . In this part, you analyze most of the parts and shed light on all the extra research you have done. The idea is to answer the research question as clearly as you can in this part. It sets the context for the work you are doing. If you are doing some financial analysis too, then this is the part where you need to highlight all of that.

In case you do not want to fail the extended essay , make sure to work on this part as it will be under the main focus of a supervisor and IBO.

Remember that this is the section that helps you get the major chunk of the marks, so make sure to make this the most well-researched and well-written part of the essay. The approximate word count for the main body section of the extended essay needs to be around 2800 words. With this kind of expansive word limit, you can go into as much detail as you want and can expand too.

This is the part where you close the essay and coherently analyze your thoughts, putting them all in flow. The idea is to summarize the main points and answer the research question concisely. Give several useful insights in this part. Also, highlight the shortcomings of your research. Finally, show what our research is and what you tried to answer here. This section should add a lot of value to your research. The approximate word count for the conclusion section of the International Baccalaureate extended essay is 600 words.

Bibliography and Appendices

The bibliography section can be around three to four pages; the same goes for the appendices section. However, these sections don’t add to the word count. The same goes for the title page. So that is not something you should be worried about.

How many paragraphs is 4000 words?

It is common for such essays to have between 20 and 40 paragraphs. Keep in mind that it is essential to maintain a clear structure and logical flow, and to divide the content into manageable sections, as this can impact the assessment of your essay’s coherence and organization.

Also, considering that Extended Essays require in-depth exploration of a subject, you should focus not just on the quantity but also on the quality of the content in your paragraphs. Each paragraph should ideally deal with one main idea or argument and provide sufficient evidence and analysis. Make sure that your paragraphs are balanced, and not too long or too short. This will help you in ensuring that your essay is engaging, meets extended essay guidelines, and the criteria set by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

Now you know how many pages is each part of an extended essay

Now that you know all about the IB extended essay minimum and maximum word count, according to the latest IB extended essay criteria . Therefore, you can start with your planning. Given that you have ample words to play around with, you need to make sure you use them in the best way possible following the IB Diploma Programme assessment criteria.

Try to make your extended essay as expansive and as analytical as possible. Moreover, be prepared to leave enough time to write your IB EE , as it will give you time to complete your research accordingly. This will help you secure a good grade, as you know, it’s a crucial part of the whole IB diploma score.

Good luck with your extended essay writing. My main suggestion is not to go over the upper limit word count, and all will be cool 😉

If you need assistance writing your IB extended essay, feel free to contact our team or press the link below. Our IB experts are ready to assist you with your extended essay or any other type of IB assignment.

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Vasyl Kafidoff is a co-founder and CEO at WritingMetier. He is interested in education and how modern technology makes it more accessible. He wants to bring awareness about new learning possibilities as an educational specialist. When Vasy is not working, he’s found behind a drum kit.

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Extended Essay Writers

IB Extended Essay Word Count: How to Succeed and Exceed Expectations?

Luke MacQuoid

The IB Extended Essay is the pinnacle of academic writing for students pursuing the IB Diploma Progeame. This research-based essay requires students to dive deep into a topic of their choice and present a well-developed argument. However, there is one essential aspect of the essay that students must master: meeting the IB EE word count requirement.

So, Extended essay word count is what I will focus on in this read.

How Many Words is the Extended Essay?

The IB Extended Essay word count requirement is 4000 words, including the abstract, main body, footnotes, and quotations. It is a vital aspect of the essay because it is a testament to a student’s research, analytical, and writing skills. 

As stated previously, the extended essay maximum word count of 4000 words is typically divided into several sections, each with a recommended number of words. 

The approximate word limit for each section of IB extended essay may vary depending on the subject area , research question, and approach taken by the student. However, the following is a general breakdown of the recommended word count for each section:

• Title page and abstract – 300 words
• Introduction – 300-500 words
• Main body – 2,500-3,000 words
• Conclusion – 200-400 words
• References and bibliography – 100-300 words

It is important to note that the word count for each section is not set in stone, and students should use their own judgment to determine how much space each part of their essay requires. 

What counts towards your word count in IB extended essay is explained in the video above:

What is the Minimum Word Count for Extended essay?

Extended essay minimum word count is 3,500 words. This includes the main body of the essay but does not include the abstract, contents page, bibliography, or any appendices. 

However, it is important to note that meeting the minimum word count is not necessarily sufficient to produce a high-quality Extended Essay. Therefore, students should strive to meet the full 4,000-word requirement in order to fully develop their research and analysis and write a comprehensive essay .

The most critical aspect of the essay is to produce a well-researched, well-argued, and well-written piece that addresses the research question in a thoughtful and meaningful way.

What if I Fail IB Extended Essay Word Limit?

Crafting an IB Extended Essay is like building a house – every brick counts towards the final result. However, failing to meet the minimum word count requirement of 3,500 words can act like a wrecking ball to your efforts. It can lead to a heartbreaking disqualification, leaving your essay collecting dust on the shelf instead of being awarded a well-deserved grade .

On the other hand, exceeding the 4,000-word limit can have consequences as well. Like a gatekeeper standing at the word limit threshold, the examiner may stop reading your essay at 4,000 words and not consider any content that spills over the limit. This can be a crushing blow if critical information is tucked away in that portion, rendering it invisible in the grading process.

Therefore, it’s crucial to find a balance and use the right amount of words to paint a clear and concise picture of your research, analysis, and ideas. Remember, the goal of the Extended essay is not to write as many words as possible, but to demonstrate your research and writing skills and present a compelling argument. 

So, take care to plan your essay carefully, express your thoughts effectively, and adhere to the word count guidelines to ensure your essay is a strong and successful one.

How Can IB Students Meet the Extended Essay Word Count?

Students need to plan and organize their essay to meet the word count requirement. Therefore, starting early is essential to give oneself enough time to research, draft, and revise the essay. 

Creating an outline is another important step, ensuring that the essay covers all relevant aspects of the topic. 

Using concise and relevant writing is also crucial to keep the essay focused and on track. This will help students avoid using unnecessary jargon or repetitive phrases that can bloat the essay and cause it to exceed the word count limit. 

Lastly, peer review and editing are essential to help students identify areas that need improvement and ensure that the essay meets the word count.

Common Mistakes Leading to Failure

While meeting the word count is critical, students need to avoid common mistakes that can lead to falling short or exceeding the word limit. Repetitive writing is one of these mistakes that students make when they use the same phrases or expressions multiple times. 

Irrelevant information is another mistake to avoid because it does not add value to the essay and can cause it to exceed the word count. Strike a balance between depth and breadth of analysis and ensure that the essay provides enough detail to support your arguments without going off-topic .

The Extended Essay can be a daunting task for any IB student. With so many criteria to meet and a strict word count limit, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and lost in the process. But lucky you! ExtendedEssayWriters.com is here to guide you through and help you craft an essay that shines bright like a diamond.

Our team of writers is not only knowledgeable in the IB curriculum, but also passionate about helping students achieve their academic goals. We understand that every student is unique, and we work closely with you to tailor our services to fit your individual needs. So whether you need help brainstorming ideas, researching, or simply adhering to the word count guidelines, we’ve got you covered.

Need help with your IB EE?

You can also use our extended essay writers team’s services if you need assistance selecting a topic. Furthermore, we can also help you write your IB extended essay from scratch or edit your draft following the IB criteria.

We take pride in providing high-quality and well-researched extended essays that meet all the necessary criteria, while still showcasing your own unique style and voice. 

With our help from ExtendedcEssaycWriters, you can submit an essay that not only meets the word limit and criteria but also stands out from the rest. Let’s help you take the stress out of the Extended essay and make the journey a truly enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Now You Are Ready to Follow the IB EE Word Count

Hence, the IB Extended Essay word count requirement is an essential aspect of the essay that students must master. Effective planning and organization, using concise and relevant writing, and avoiding common mistakes are the keys to meeting the word limit requirement. 

By mastering the word count, students can produce an essay that demonstrates their research and analytical skills, making it a valuable contribution to their academic studies.

Luke MacQuoid has extensive experience teaching English as a foreign language in Japan, having worked with students of all ages for over 12 years. Currently, he is teaching at the tertiary level. Luke holds a BA from the University of Sussex and an MA in TESOL from Lancaster University, both located in England. As well to his work as an IB Examiner and Master Tutor, Luke also enjoys sharing his experiences and insights with others through writing articles for various websites, including extendedessaywriters.com blog

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Extended Essay Requirements: Everything to Cover This Year

by  Antony W

October 28, 2023

Have you read the Extended Essay assessment criteria but find them somewhat confusing? You’ve come to the right place.

In this guide, we’ll explore the extended essay requirements and give you some tips that you can use to make the writing process less stressful from start to finish.

The extended essay assignment gives you a taste of academic freedom by allowing you to decide what to write and how to write it.

By choosing a topic that interests you, or an area you find interesting to explore, you’ll find the process of writing an extended essay not only easy but also enjoyable.

Because writing the essay helps you to develop the writing skills necessary to write academic assignments when you join college or university, it’s important to understand the EE requirement first before you start writing.

Key Takeaways

• Your essay must not exceed the intended word count. 
• IB requires you to do your project based on a strict format. 
• Your EE's topic should fall within one of the subjects approved by IB. 
• Ensure you attend all the reflection sessions, as they contribute to your final grades. 

So you don't have enough time left to complete your EE project? You can hire the writing service of the team at Help for Assessment to get the task completed in good time. 

Extended Essay Requirements: 4 Most Important Rules to Observe

Every student wishes to score high marks for their extended essays, but only a few ever manage to score 34.

It’s not that IB EE is difficult to write. It’s only that they don’t pay close attention to the requirements of the essay.

Our goal at Help for Assessment is to help you succeed in IB by guiding you as much as we can so you can score top marks for your EE. If you can’t do your best to score a 34, aim for a 25 or a 29.

To make sure you’re on the right track from start to finish, here are some extended essay requirements that you need to take seriously:

1. Pay Attention to the Set EE Word Count

The IB program gives you the liberty to write an Extended Essay on the topic of your choosing. However, it does put a cap on how much you can, even if you find the topic a lot more interesting than you initially did.

As an assignment that requires independent research and compilation of your findings, the Extended Essay should be at most 4,000 words long . Keep in mind that 4,000 is the set maximum and any additional word can cost you some marks.

You might find yourself with more words as you write your first draft, and that’s completely fine. You should come back to your work later and edit to bring the length down to 4,000 words at least.

Some students think that their extended essays have to hit the exact word limit set by IB. That’s not often the case. It’s important to understand that 4,000 is the maximum number of words you can write in an EE, not the exact target.

That means you can write an EE that’s 2,500 words long and do just fine. However, for clarity and comprehensiveness’s safe, we do suggest that you make your essay at least 3,500 words long.

2. Make Sure Your EE Reflects the Right Format

You can have the best ideas for your extended essay assignment, but you will fail if you don’t use the proper format recommended by IB.

Take your time to prepare your outline, and make sure you include all the relevant sections before you start writing.

Your extended essay should have:

• A title page
• Contents page
• An introduction
• The body section
• A conclusion
• References and bibliography

You will notice that we haven’t included an abstract in the outline. That’s because IB no longer requires you to write a 300 words summary of the essay anymore.

You can read more about EE abstract here to learn why it’s no longer necessary and what you should do instead.

3. Your EE Must Be On Topics That Fall into IB Approved Categories

Just because you can write an EE on any topic doesn’t mean you have the freedom to write on anything really. IB does put limitation on the extent to which you can go when it comes to choosing a topic to write.

In other words, your EE can be on any topic provided it falls into one of the six subject groups approved by the IB. The subject groups we’re talking about are as follows:

• Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
• Group 2: Language Acquisition
• Group 3: Individuals and Societies
• Group 4: Sciences
• Group 5: Mathematics
• Group 6: The Arts

As you can see, you do have quite some options when it comes to topic selection. All you have to do is to identify a subject category and then explore as many topics as possible to choose one that you can easily work on.

4. You Must Attend Reflection Sessions

In 2018, IB added a reflection process as part of the extended essay assignment with the intention to ensure every student do the best possible to score high grades. It’s important to note that reflection process is mandatory and will reflect in your final grades.

The rule of the reflection process is simple. You have to meet with your supervisor three times to discuss your extended essay.

During these meetings, you and your supervisor will discuss your engagement with your research process.

By helping to reflect on the elements that matter the most, your supervisor can give you feedback that not only help you to think differently but also encourage you to reevaluate your research process.

The final meeting with your supervisor is the viva voice. It’s usually 10 to 15 minutes long and takes place in the final state of the extended essay.

During the viva voice, your supervisor will focus on plagiarism and malpractice, reflect on your success and failures, and stress on what you’ve learned throughout the process. Also, it’s here that your supervisor writes a report about your essay, which will reflect in your grade.

Final Thoughts on Extended Essay Requirements

As you can see, these extended essay requirements are so simple that’s easy to overlook them.

However, we do suggest that you pay close attention to these so that you have an easy time working on your assignment right from the first day all the way to the end.

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

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.

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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How to Write an Extended Essay: from Outline to Conclusion

write an extended essay

As a student, especially those pursuing International Baccalaureate (IB), you will be faced with the challenge of coming up with an extended essay. But few students do not know how to write long essays like an extended essay. That is where we come in.

In this comprehensive guide, I will guide you on the 8 steps to follow when writing a good extended essay and provide you with examples of topics you can use.

As noted by one of our top essay writers for hire , extended essays are not like your ordinary essays. As the name suggests, they are extended versions of essays and it may take longer and a unique approach to writing them.

However, before delving into such details, it is important to first understand what extended essays are.

Need Help with your Homework or Essays?

What is an extended essay.

An extended essay (EE) is a form of writing that provides learners with a chance to carry out independent research concerning a topic of their interest.

It is part of the requirements for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and its content is based on a freely-selected topic provided that there is an instructor for the subject in school since candidates should have a supervisor for the subjects.

To be more precise, an extended essay can be regarded as a 4000-word structured piece of writing centered on an International Baccalaureate student’s topic and it may take various forms.

What is meant by “it may take various forms” is that the way it looks depends on the topic selected. The next section will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to write an extended essay. 

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How to Write an Extended Essay

When writing an extended essay, there 8 steps that should be taken to effectively complete it on time. Carefully read through the 8 steps to fully understand how to write an extended essay.

Step 1: Selecting a Topic and Researching on it

This is the first step that you should take before writing your extended essay.

As noted, extended essays will allow you to write on the topic of your interest.

However, various topics are provided by your instructor and it is upon you to select the topic that interests you.

You should keep in mind that the topic selected should have enough material and resources to support your topic and the position of your arguments concerning the topic.

Some topics may have limited resources.

At the same time, select a topic that is neither too broad nor too narrow. A narrow topic may lack enough material to have a 4000-word extended essay while a broad topic may require a lot of supporting material that may exceed the 4000-word limit.  

If you find the first step confusing or you find it difficult to tackle it on your own, it is advisable to seek a mentor/advisor. You should select an advisor or mentor with whom you will connect well and the one who understands the topic and what is required when writing extended essays.

Such a mentor will help you select the topic that fits your interest. While helping you select a topic that is not too narrow or broad, they should push you to deliver your best. Mentors/advisors can be your instructors or friends who have completed extended essays. 

Once this is done, research extensively concerning your topic and ensure that the sources of your information are peer-reviewed and credible. They should provide the most recent research or information concerning your topic.

Note the sources of your information so that you can cite and reference them in your extended essay. 

Step 2: Coming up With a Research Question

This is an important step because selecting a research question will provide you with a focused and clear summative statement to be used during your research.

It will act as a roadmap or a guideline that will help you during the writing process. It will also help you formulate a clear and concise thesis statement that will summarize your arguments and the position you will take in your extended essay. 

Step 3: Structuring Your Extended Essay

As aforementioned, extended essays should always take an academic format. This means that it should have an acceptable academic structure.

At the same time, since International Baccalaureate (IB) guidelines are constantly updated, you should follow the latest guidelines so that you can utilize the latest format. 

The acceptable format for your extended essay will include an introduction, methodology, main body, conclusion, bibliography, and appendices.

This will be the general structure for your extended essay.

It should be noted that this structure is not an outline.

What this means is that the structure should be considered when coming up with an outline.

Once you have decided the structure of your extended essay, come up with an outline based on your topic, thesis, and arguments.

An outline will act as a guide during the drafting process and it will save a lot of time.

This is because you will have already outlined your extended essay and what you will be doing is to add content to the points you have highlighted. Ensure that individual points translate to a single paragraph. 

You should also note that the extended essay will have a table of contents. Therefore, the outline will be very important when coming up with your table of contents that is located after the cover page of your extended essay. 

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Step 4: Writing the Introduction

Once you have completed the above steps and you have come up with an outline based on the extended essay’s structure, the next step is to introduce your topic and elaborate it to your target readers.

There are various things you should consider when coming up with an introduction.

First of all, the introduction should be catchy and interesting.

This is because your readers will read it before deciding on whether to continue with the rest of the paper.

The best way to do this is to begin your introduction with something catchy or attention-grabbing sentence.

This will arouse the reader’s curiosity to know more about the topic.

The second thing you should know about the introduction is that it should offer a crisp and clear description of what you are going to talk about and the various strategies you will use to explore the topic. It all depends on the topic.

You can decide to highlight the issues that will be explored and the ways of addressing such issues. It is all about proving some brief background of what you will be exploring in the rest of the paper.

Do you remember that you formulated a research question after researching your topic? While introducing the topic of your extended essay, you should provide the context of your research question where you address the situation or the background from which the question comes.

While doing so, you should state the research question and elaborate on why answering the question is important for the paper’s findings. 

The introduction should also tell the readers why the research you present in your extended essay is important, interesting, and/or valuable to the discipline and the audience.

Finally, you should conclude your introduction by writing your thesis statement. This should be the last sentence of your introduction paragraph(s). 

Step 5: Methodology

This is also a very important step when writing an extended essay. To make sure that all the important aspects of the methodology are covered, you should divide this section into two.

The first section of the methodology explains your sources of information and the second section explores the related theories, topics, and arguments that will be used to explore your topic. 

In the first section, you should describe every primary and/or secondary source used, why the sources are important, and their limitations.

Sources of secondary research can include news articles, annual reports for companies, business textbooks, magazine articles, and encyclopedias. The final thing you should do while in section 1 is to state the adjustments made in your research. 

For the second section, you should provide a brief explanation of the theories that are going to be applied and the reason why they are the most appropriate in explaining your arguments.

Also, give the limitations of each theory, topic, or argument applied. Finally, state the changes made during the research and writing process.

Step 6: Drafting the Main Body

This should be the most elaborate part of your extended essay because you will concentrate on the research, analysis of the research, discussion, and evaluation.

You should try to retain the flow of step 5 that has steps 1 and 2. This will demonstrate that you understand the concepts of the International Baccalaureate while still addressing your topic using the relevant sources. 

In the first section, for each of the theories, arguments, and topics used to address your topic, include about 4 examples of each to help you answer the research question effectively. Also, address the qualitative tools applied before the quantitative tools.

The second section goes beyond the course to educate your evaluator and/or readers concerning your topic. Explore the related concepts and theories deeply while providing different perspectives on the topic.

Remember that you should be evaluating the findings here. Use analytical insight to further explain your arguments and points of view. Graphs and other forms of data presentation can be used. However, they should apply to the research.

Step 7: Writing the Conclusion

In this step, you should sum up your arguments from all your sections. It is important to stipulate what has been researched and how it has helped answer the research question.

It should be noted that no new information should be added in the conclusion. Mention some limitations of the research and their impact, and the reasons behind such limitations.

Finally, state the thing(s) you can do differently if you were to write another extended essay.

Step 8: Bibliography and Appendices

On a different page or the next page after the conclusion, reference your sources of information using the correct format (APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard styles). Always remember to arrange the references from A to Z. Bibliography or references are not part of the word count.

The appendices section showcases the extra work you have done such as transcripts of the interviews conducted, additional analysis, and any other data that you found interesting but did not include in the body of your paper. 

Once you are done with writing, thoroughly proofread your work and correct any grammatical or spelling errors made. Make sure that the work is well formatted with all the sections included.

At the same time, make sure that nothing in your paper is copy-pasted because it will be regarded as plagiarism. Always do this before submitting your extended essay. 

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Best Length of an Extended Essay

While there is no universally agreed minimum word count for an extended essay, you should not write less than 3,000 words. This is because lesser than that will demonstrate that you did not adequately research your topic.

Since the acceptable word limit on the upper side is 4,000 words, always strive to write more than 3,500 words. Unlike other types of essays like a GRE Essay that is short, an extended essay is long in terms of word count.

In other cases, the minimum word count is 1,500 words, and the maximum word count is 4,000 words. It is up to the student to decide what their word count should be. It is important not to go over or under the prescribed word count by more than 10%. The upper limit of 4000 words should be a guideline rather than a firm rule.

Can the extended essay be over 4000 words?

Yes, the extended essay may be up to 4000 words in length. The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays. This upper limit includes the introduction, the body, the conclusion, and any quotations, but does not include:

• the abstract
• the contents page
• acknowledgments
• any diagrams, charts, tables, and graphs
• the bibliography

How Many Pages is an Extended Essay?

4000 words is 8 pages single spaced, and 16 pages double spaced. The number of pages changes depends on the number of words, the font, and the font size. Usually, the extended essay is 4000 words in length, so it is quite a bit longer than your average essay. Double-space, Times New Roman 12 is pretty much universal, in college anyway.

What are the extended essay minimum and maximum word count?

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12 Examples of Extended Essay Topics

• What is the effect of age and gender on the photoreceptor cells in the human retina?
• How is climate change impacting the appearance of coral reefs?
• An evaluation of how antioxidants work in our bodies?
• Is there an association between viewing violence on television and the display of violent acts?
• What motivational climate should a coach employ to achieve optimal performance in athletes?
• How does the X hormone affect human behavior?
• How were women treated differently in the 1920s and 1950s Great Britain?
• What role did economics play in the unification of Germany from 1834 to 1871?
• How does the sugar concentration affect the refractive index of water?
• What factors influence the location of industries in country/city X?
• An investigation into the significance of preserving the quality of water in a continent/country/city?
• What effect does the coating of aspirin tablets have on the hydrolysis of aspirin?

People Also Read : Get Non-plagiarized and Untraceable Essays by top writers

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you redo an extended essay.

Yes. You can redo an extended essay if you appeal to the relevant institution about the reason(s) why you failed on the first try. You should provide credible and sensible reasons for you to be considered. It is only then that you are granted a retake. 

Can You Fail an Extended Essay?

Yes. You can fail an extended essay if you do not follow the essay’s requirements, instructions, or rubric. 

What Happens if You Fail an Extended Essay?

If you fail an extended essay, you will not graduate with a diploma. Therefore, if you fail, you should request a retake and do your best to write a good extended essay. 

How many points is the extended essay worth?

The Extended Essay is a 4,000-word essay that you write on a topic of your choice. This counts towards your IB Diploma and it’s worth 3 points of your overall score.

The Extended Essay is often the most rewarding part of the IB Diploma. It gives you the chance to study something that you want to learn about in-depth, and it can be on any topic you choose – as long as there’s an expert to supervise it!

Can I publish my extended essay?

You may publish your extended essay. There are some things to consider before you do though: • Check that the subject of your essay is appropriate for publishing. Some subjects, such as science and math, may not be appropriate for publication because of how quickly the field develops. Also, check that your advisor approves of publishing the essay. • Check that you have gotten all the necessary permissions you need before you publish. • Check with your advisor if you have any doubts about these things.

Josh Jasen or JJ as we fondly call him, is a senior academic editor at Grade Bees in charge of the writing department. When not managing complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In his spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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Extended Essay: Criteria D - Check your Formatting

• Introduction to the EE
• Step 1 - Choose a subject
• World Studies
• Step 3 - The Researchers Reflection Space
• Identify Sources
• Tools for Note Taking
• Video Guides
• Step 5 - Creating Research Questions
• Step 6 - Outlines and Plans
• Step 7 - Citing
• Criteria E - 3 Reflections
• Know Your Criteria
• Criteria D - Check your Formatting
• 4000 words final hand in

Why it is important

Criteria D is giveaway marks time - You get 4 marks for just formatting and citing properly. Do not lose any of these marks for simple errors.

No Abstract required

PLEASE NOTE

7 years ago the syllabus changed. You must not put an abstract in your Extended Essay. If you do you will lose many marks.

a) because it will show your lack of engagement

b) it will use up 300 words at the beginning of the essay. Therefore your conclusion will not be read.

Use only the latest criteria!!! DO NOT WRITE AN ABSTRACT

There are a number of checklists that you can use to ensure that you max out for Criteria D.

1) This is one that I recommend and is in a google doc format -    the checklist.

2) The one below (which you can download here as a pdf ) is taken from the excellent EE course companion by Kota Lekanides that is found in all of your AG classes.

There is also a fantastic check list in the book that you have in your AG classes. It is Simply called Extended Essay by Paul Hoang. 

What you need to do

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.

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. 

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. Given the holistic nature of the assessment criteria, students who write in excess of the word limit will self-penalize across all criteria. 

Note for Chinese/ Korean/ Japanese Essays -  Clarification of word counts in Chinese for EEs. When typing in Chinese, word-processing software is likely to include the number of characters along with punctuation. Teachers and students are asked not to include punctuation in the word count for assessed work. The word count should only take into account the number of characters typed. (IBO Feb 2023)

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)

source: ibo.org

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.

source: concordian-Thailand

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• Next: 4000 words final hand in >>
• Last Updated: Jun 3, 2024 9:36 AM
• URL: https://cis.libguides.com/extendedessay

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.

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
• << Previous: Citations and Referencing - IB REQUIREMENTS
• Next: IB Resources for Students >>
• Last Updated: Jun 7, 2024 11:21 AM
• URL: https://nist.libguides.com/ee/home

How Long is Extended Essay? Minimum and Maximum Word Count

Table of contents.

Welcome! This article will dive into the world of extended essays, exploring the most important aspects like minimum and maximum word count.

To start things off, let’s define what an extended essay is. An extended essay is a type of academic writing assignment that requires a student to research and write about a specific topic . They are typically longer than traditional essays, allowing for more in-depth research and analysis.

Furthermore, extended essays are usually part of university applications or part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. The purpose of such assignments is to assess the student’s ability to think critically and apply the knowledge and skills gained from their studies.

Now that you have an idea of what an extended essay is, let’s move on to the actual topic of this article: the length of an extended essay. This is an important factor in writing an extended essay since it determines the scope of research and analysis that needs to be done. In this article, we’ll discuss the general length of an extended essay, any variations as well as the minimum and maximum word count.

By the end of this article, you should be able to determine the right word count for your extended essay and understand why sticking to it is important. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

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What is an Extended Essay?

The extended essay gives students the opportunity to explore a particular field or topic in depth. For example, a student studying art history might choose to explore a particular artist or school of art. Similarly, a student studying physics might research the properties of a particular phenomena. The research process allows students to apply the theories and concepts they’ve learned in class to real-world scenarios.

The extended essay is also designed to give students practice in critical thinking, research skills, and writing. By having to conduct thorough research, develop a well-structured piece, and form an argument in their written work, students are able to hone their academic writing skills.

Overall, the extended essay provides students with a valuable learning opportunity and the chance to delve into a topic of interest at a more in-depth level.

Length of an Extended Essay

The standard length for an extended essay is typically between 3,000 and 4,000 words. The exact word count required for an extended essay could vary depending on the subject and area of the topic being discussed.

In some cases, students may be asked to submit an essay of a different length. For example, essays related to arts and film topics can sometimes be longer, while essays related to science topics are often shorter.

When deciding how many words to write in your essay, it’s important to consider the complexity of your topic, the depth of your research, and the requirements of the assignment or institution.

It’s also important to note that if you exceed the maximum recommended word count for an extended essay, the quality of your essay could suffer. Exceeding the word count limit could result in the essay sounding rushed or incomplete.

Minimum Word Count for an Extended Essay

Maximum word count for extended essay.

When you are writing an extended essay, there is a recommended maximum word count that you should aim for. This maximum word count is usually required in order to ensure the essay has enough depth and detail while not going over the top and becoming too long. It is usually recommended to have an essay of 4,000 words or less.

Having an essay that is too long can be detrimental for several reasons. Firstly, it is likely that your essay will become disjointed and unfocused if there is too much information included. Secondly, having a longer essay can make it harder to assess, as the markers may struggle to read and understand all of the content in your essay without getting bored. Furthermore, exceeding the maximum word count can also detract from other parts of your submission, such as the quality of your research or the written presentation of your essay.

It is important to remember that having an essay that is more than 4,000 words does not automatically mean that it is a bad essay. However, it is usually best to avoid going over the maximum recommended word count, as this can have a negative impact on the assessment of your essay. The best way to make sure you are meeting the maximum word count is to keep track of your word count while writing and to stick to a specific structure to ensure your essay stays focused and concise.

Writing an Extended Essay

Extended essays (EE) are in-depth research papers that require significant effort and planning. While each institution has its own unique requirements, there are generally accepted guidelines to follow when writing an extended essay.

Generally, both the structure and format of an EE should be clear and concise. It should begin with an introduction, followed by body paragraphs which support the thesis statement, and end with a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay.

An introduction should provide some background on the topic of the essay and introduce the reader to the main idea that will be explored. This will help the reader gain a better understanding of the paper’s purpose.

The body paragraphs should provide evidence and analysis to support the main point. Make sure to cite all sources used and include relevant facts and quotes. The goal is to make sure the reader understands the argument presented and can easily follow the paper’s flow.

The conclusion should be a summary of the main points discussed in the body and should leave an impression on the reader. Additionally, if any particular requirements or style guidelines were requested by the institution, they should be adhered to.

By following these guidelines, one can create an effective and well-structured extended essay that meets the requirements of the institution that it is being submitted to.

Pros and Cons of a Long Extended Essay

Writing an extended essay is no easy task, so it’s important to consider both the pros and cons of writing a longer essay. On one hand, a longer essay provides you with more space to develop your argument, while on the other hand, it can limit the scope of your research if you run out of time and words.

On the plus side, having more words allows you to properly explore the ideas, evidence and arguments that you have available to you. This can provide more space to make your case stronger and more convincing. Your reader will be able to get a better understanding of your viewpoint as well as the depth of your research.

However, there can sometimes be disadvantages to writing a longer essay. If you don’t manage your time effectively and you get towards the end of your essay with too many words left to write, then you may find yourself rushing through your conclusion. This could leave your essay feeling incomplete and your argument underdeveloped.

Additionally, having too many words can also make it difficult to stay focussed on your topic. Your essay can meander, as you try to cover too much ground in too few words. This can also lead to a lack of clarity in your paper, leaving your reader feeling confused or unable to see the connections between your points.

In conclusion, writing a longer essay provides both advantages and disadvantages. A longer essay allows you to properly explore your arguments and provide more space for evidence and proof, however it can be difficult to manage the word count and maintain momentum throughout the paper.

How to Measure Word Count and Plan Time

Measuring word count, planning time, breaking it down, sticking to the plan, advantages of sticking to the word count, examples of word counts.

When writing an extended essay, it is important to understand what the word count guidelines are, and what kind of essay should be written according to each one. Here we will look at examples of essays with different word counts and discuss their content.

A good starting point is the standard minimum word count for an extended essay. This is usually 1,500 words, although the requirement may vary depending on the subject or the school. At this length, it is possible to cover a fairly broad topic in-depth. For example, an essay about the history of the American Civil War could include discussion on the causes of the war, key battles, and the results of the conflict.

On the other end of the spectrum is the maximum word count for an extended essay. This is usually 4,000 words, again depending on the subject or school. At this length, it is possible to have a very focused examination of a particular event, issue, or person. For example, a student might write an essay on the life and works of Martin Luther King Jr., including his campaigns for civil rights and his impact on the world.

In between these two numbers are other word count levels ranging from 2,000 – 3,000 words. These can be used for more specialized topics that require greater detail. Examples include a study of the psychological effects of cyberbullying or the role of gender in modern literature.

It’s important to note that it’s possible to write good extended essays within any of the word count ranges, as long as the content is suitable for the length. The key is to identify a topic that fits the overall length and achieve a balance between breadth and depth.

With this in mind, here are some examples of extended essays of different lengths and what topics would be suitable for each:

• 1,500 words: A comparison between the civilizations of Greece and Rome
• 2,000 words: An analysis of the role of technology in the modern workplace
• 3,000 words: A study of the rise and fall of Napolean Bonaparte
• 4,000 words: A close examination of the Cuban Missile Crisis and its implications

As you can see, there is a wide range of potential topics and word counts when writing an extended essay. The key is to identify a suitable topic, understand the required word count, and create an essay of the right length with enough detail to cover the topic thoroughly.

Summarizing the Article

When summarizing an article, it’s important to make sure you have a strong conclusion. This means going back to the main points of the article and providing a summary. It should cover the main ideas, facts, and opinions discussed in the article.

To sum up the tips from this guide, here’s what you need to know about extended essays:

• Extended essays are a valuable tool for writing assignments, especially in academic contexts.
• The standard length of an extended essay is usually around 4000 words, but there can be exceptions to this.
• The minimum word count for an extended essay is usually around 2000 words and the maximum is usually around 6000 words.
• An extended essay should have an introduction, body, and conclusion, as well as any specific requirements outlined by the assignment.
• Writing an extended essay that is too long can hurt the quality of your work, while sticking to the recommended word count can help improve it.
• It’s important to track your word count and plan your time accordingly so that you don’t exceed the recommended length.

For best results, it’s important to remember the key points from this guide and apply them when writing your own extended essay. By sticking to the recommended length and following the structure, you’ll be able to create an effective and successful extended essay.

Writing an extended essay is a challenging process that requires plenty of research and planning. Understanding the guidelines for length and word count is essential for producing a high-quality essay.

Essays must meet the minimum requirements for length, typically ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 words. Successfully meeting this requirement depends on the complexity and scope of the subject matter. Exceeding the maximum word count can negatively affect the quality of the essay, so it’s important to adhere as closely to the guidelines as possible.

Nailing down the structure, format and content of an extended essay are all part of the writing process and require careful planning. Following the guidelines for word count helps ensure that the essay is succinct and focused, and will help the reader understand the key points of the essay quickly.

We hope this guide has been helpful for any students embarking on the journey of writing an extended essay. By understanding the importance of the word count guidelines and how to use them, you can write an effective and well-structured essay that meets the necessary demands.

• Last edit 22 APR 2023

Valerie Green

Valerie Green is a dedicated educator who spends her time helping high school and college students succeed. She writes articles and guides for various online education projects, providing students with the tools they need to excel in their studies. Friendly and approachable, she is committed to making a difference in the lives of students.

What’s the Roadmap for Data Collection in Science IB Extended Essays?

From understanding the basics of data collection to choosing appropriate methods and effectively presenting your findings, this article provides a step-by-step approach to mastering the data collection process. Designed for IB students writing their Extended Essays, this guide offers practical insights and tips.

Data Analysis in IB Extended Essays

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my expertise as an experienced IB writer to help you understand the intricacies of data analysis. From choosing the right methods to effectively integrating results into your narrative, this article will equip you with the skills necessary to improve the quality of your essay.

What Is the Difference Between MYP Personal Projects and DP Extended Essays?

While the MYP Personal Project allows students to express their personal interests in a creative and individualized way, the DP Extended Essay requires rigorous academic research in specific subject areas. Understanding these differences is crucial for IB students who wish to maximize their learning experience.

How Can You Enhance Your EE with Graphs, Charts, and Tables?

In academic research, particularly in the IB Extended Essay, graphs, charts, and tables are strategic tools for communicating complex data effectively and persuasively. These visual aids help break down intricate datasets into comprehensible visuals and engage the reader by adding a dynamic layer to the narrative.

What Steps Should You Take If Plagiarism Strikes Your Extended Essay?

Finding plagiarism in your Extended Essay can be disconcerting, but addressing it promptly and effectively is crucial to maintaining your academic integrity. Whether the plagiarism is accidental or not, it’s important to take immediate steps to correct it.

What Tools and Techniques Can You Use to Avoid Plagiarism in the EE?

As an experienced IB writer, I’ve gained essential insights into how to avoid plagiarism in EE. From using advanced plagiarism detection software like Turnitin and Grammarly to identify and correct potential integrity issues, to mastering the art of paraphrasing, these tools and techniques will ensure that your work maintains its academic integrity.

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The Purdue On-Campus Writing Lab and Purdue Online Writing Lab assist clients in their development as writers—no matter what their skill level—with on-campus consultations, online participation, and community engagement. The Purdue Writing Lab serves the Purdue, West Lafayette, campus and coordinates with local literacy initiatives. The Purdue OWL offers global support through online reference materials and services.

A Message From the Assistant Director of Content Development 

The Purdue OWL® is committed to supporting  students, instructors, and writers by offering a wide range of resources that are developed and revised with them in mind. To do this, the OWL team is always exploring possibilties for a better design, allowing accessibility and user experience to guide our process. As the OWL undergoes some changes, we welcome your feedback and suggestions by email at any time.

Please don't hesitate to contact us via our contact page  if you have any questions or comments.

All the best,

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