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Extended Essay

Extended Essay Supervisor

Mr. M. Gelinas

​​​​​Purpose of the Extended Essay

The extended essay is an in-depth study of a focused topic chosen from the list of approved Diploma Programme subjects—normally one of the student’s six chosen subjects for the IB diploma. It is intended to promote high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity. It provides students with an opportunity to engage in personal research in a topic of their own choice, under the guidance of a supervisor (a teacher in the school).

This leads to a major piece of formally presented, structured writing, in which ideas and findings are communicated in a reasoned and coherent manner, appropriate to the subject chosen. It is recommended that completion of the written essay is followed by a short, concluding interview, or viva voce, with the supervisor. The extended essay is assessed against common criteria, interpreted in ways appropriate to each subject.

The extended essay is:

  • Compulsory for all Diploma Programme students
  • Externally assessed and, in combination with the grade for Theory of Knowledge, contributes up to three points to the total score for the IB diploma
  • A piece of independent research/investigation on a topic chosen by the student in cooperation with a supervisor in the school
  • Chosen from the list of approved Diploma Programme subjects, published in the Vade Mecum
  • Presented as a formal work of scholarship that contains no more than 4,000 words
  • The result of approximately 40 hours of work by the student concluded with a short interview, or viva voce, with the teacher mentor

In the Diploma Programme, the extended essay is the prime example of a project where the student has the opportunity to show knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm about a topic of his or her choice. In those countries where it is the norm for interviews to be required prior to acceptance for employment or for a place at university, the extended essay has often proved to be a valuable stimulus for discussion.