If you are a student who wants to pursue a globally recognized education, you might have heard of the International Baccalaureate (IB). The IB is a non-profit organization that offers four different programs for learners aged 3 to 19, covering various subjects and skills. As of 2017, there were more than 1.4 million IB students in over 4,600 schools across 152 countries, with the US having the largest number of IB schools at 1700.

One of the most popular programs offered by the IB is the Diploma Program, which is designed for students aged 16 to 19 who want to prepare for university and career success. The Diploma Program has several requirements, one of which is to write an extended essay on a topic of your choice. This essay is a significant part of your final grade, so you need to plan and research carefully before you start writing.

In this blog post, we will give you some useful tips on how to choose a good extended essay topic, how to structure your essay, and what other information you need to know to ace this assignment.

Definition and Purpose

If you are an IB student, you probably know that one of the core components of the IB Diploma Program is the extended essay. This is a research project that you conduct on a topic of your choice, under the guidance of a supervisor. The final product is a paper that can be up to 4000 words long, although it can be shorter if it meets the criteria. The extended essay is not just an academic exercise; it also contributes to your overall score, which can affect your chances of getting into the college of your dreams.

However, the extended essay is not something that you can do overnight. It requires careful planning, research, writing and revision over several months. The IB sets the deadlines for submitting the final version of your paper and the accompanying documents, such as the reflection form and the bibliography. But your school may have its internal deadlines for each stage of the process, such as choosing a topic, submitting a proposal, writing a draft, getting feedback from your supervisor, etc.

Therefore, you must start working on your extended essay as soon as possible and follow the instructions and guidelines provided by the IB and your school. In this blog post, we will give you some tips on how to choose a good topic, write a strong proposal, conduct effective research, structure your paper, and avoid common mistakes.

IB Extended Essay Layout

If you are planning to write an IB extended essay, you need to know the basic elements that make up its layout. An extended essay is a research paper of up to 4000 words that allows you to investigate a topic of your choice, under the guidance of a supervisor. It is a chance to demonstrate your academic skills and creativity, as well as to explore an issue that interests you.

Here are the six essential components of an extended essay layout that you should include:

• Title page

This is the first page of your essay and it should contain the following information: the title of your essay, which should reflect your research question and thesis statement; the research question itself, which should be clear and focused; the subject area and category that you have registered your essay in (for example, History or Biology); the theme and subjects that you have used for a world studies essay (for example, Global Politics and Economics); and the total word count of your essay.

• Contents page

This is a table of contents that lists all the headings and subheadings of your essay, along with the page numbers where they can be found. You should number all the pages of your essay, starting from the title page. The contents page helps the reader to navigate your essay and find the information they need.

• Introduction

This is where you introduce your topic and provide some background information on it. You should also state your research question, explain why it is significant and relevant, outline the sources that you have used and how you have collected and analyzed them, and present your main argument or thesis statement. The introduction should be engaging and concise, and it should indicate what you aim to achieve in your essay.

• Essay body

This is the main part of your essay, where you present your research, analysis, discussion, and evaluation of your topic. You should structure your essay body according to the requirements of your subject area and the type of essay you are writing. For example, some subjects may require you to use headings and subheadings to organize your essay into sections, while others may prefer a more continuous flow of paragraphs. You should also use appropriate evidence and examples to support your claims and arguments and cite them according to the citation style that you have chosen. You should make sure that your essay body is coherent, logical, and well-developed, and that it convincingly answers your research question.

• Conclusion

This is where you summarize what you have done and learned in your essay, and evaluate the strengths and limitations of your research. You should restate your research question and thesis statement, and explain how you have answered them in your essay. You should also discuss any implications, applications, or unresolved issues that arise from your research, and suggest some directions for further inquiry or action. The conclusion should be brief and clear, and it should not introduce any new information or arguments that were not discussed in the essay body.

• References and bibliography

This is where you list all the sources that you have used in your essay, either as references (in-text citations) or as a bibliography (at the end of the essay). You should follow a consistent citation style throughout your essay, depending on the discipline that you are writing for. For example, some subjects may require you to use MLA, APA, Chicago, or Harvard style. You should consult with your supervisor or check the IB guidelines for more details on how to cite your sources correctly.

• Other sections

Depending on your topic and subject area, you may also need to include some additional sections in your essay layout, such as a methodology section (where you describe how you conducted your research), an abstract (a summary of your essay), an acknowledgements section (where you thank anyone who helped you with your research), or an appendices section (where you attach any supplementary material that is relevant but not essential for your essay). 

However, these sections are not mandatory for all essays, and they may vary in length and format. You should check with your supervisor or the IB guidelines for more information on whether you need to include them or not. Also note that since 2018, an abstract is no longer required for an extended essay – adding one will only reduce the word count available for your main content, which may affect the quality of your essay.

Writing an extended essay can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following these six elements of an extended essay layout, you can ensure that your essay is well-structured, well-written, and well-presented.

How to Choose a Good Topic

If you are an IB student, you have to pick six subjects from different areas of knowledge, except for the Arts, which is optional. You can replace it with another subject from the other five areas. Your extended essay topic should be related to one of the subjects you chose, and it should belong to one of these six areas:

• Group 1: Studies in language and literature. This area covers subjects like your native language, Language and Literature, or Literature and Performance, which is a mix of literature and theatre.
• Group 2: Language acquisition. This area covers learning a new language or improving your skills in one you already know.
• Group 3: Individuals and societies. This area covers subjects that deal with human and social issues, such as Economics, Geography, History, Business Management, ITGS, Psychology, Philosophy, Social and Cultural Anthropology and Global Politics. It also includes Environmental Systems Societies and World Religions, which are interdisciplinary subjects that combine natural and social sciences.
• Group 4: Experimental sciences. This area covers subjects that involve scientific experiments and investigations, such as Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology, Computer Science, Sports, Exercise and Health Science. It also includes Environmental Systems and the Nature of Science, which are interdisciplinary subjects that explore the connections between science and society.
• Group 5: Mathematics. This area covers subjects that involve mathematical concepts and applications, such as Mathematical Studies, Mathematics, or Further Mathematics.
• Group 6: Arts. This area covers subjects that involve artistic expression and creativity, such as Dance, Music, Theatre, Foreign Languages, Visual Arts, and Film.

Choosing a good topic for your extended essay is very important because you will spend a lot of time researching and writing about it. You should pick a topic that you are interested in and passionate about. Here are some tips to help you choose a good topic:

• Think about what you enjoy learning and doing in your IB subjects. Is there a specific aspect or question that intrigues you or challenges you?
• Do some preliminary research on the topics that interest you. See what kind of information and sources are available. Make sure your topic is not too broad or too narrow. You should be able to explore it in depth within the word limit of 4000 words.
• Consult with your supervisor and teachers. They can give you feedback and guidance on your topic choice. They can also help you refine your research question and plan your methodology.
• Be original and creative. Try to find a topic that has not been done before or that offers a new perspective or approach. Avoid topics that are too common or obvious.
• Be realistic and practical. Choose a topic that you can manage within the time frame and resources available to you. Consider the ethical implications of your topic and how you will obtain consent from any participants or sources involved.

By following these tips, you can choose a good topic for your extended essay that will showcase your skills and knowledge in your chosen subject area.

Are you looking for some inspiration for your IB Extended Essay? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll share 50 IB Extended Essay Topic Ideas that you can use to spark your creativity and get started on your research. Whether you’re interested in science, history, art, or anything in between, there’s something for everyone on this list. Let’s dive in!

1. How does the use of colour affect the mood and symbolism in the paintings of Vincent van Gogh?
2. What are the effects of caffeine on the memory and learning of students?
3. How did the Cold War influence the development of nuclear weapons and international relations?
4. How does music therapy help patients with anxiety and depression?
5. How do different types of honey affect the growth of bacteria?
6. How did the French Revolution impact the role of women in society and politics?
7. How does gender representation vary in different genres of literature?
8. What are the environmental and economic impacts of palm oil production in Indonesia?
9. How does social media affect the self-esteem and body image of teenagers?
10. How did the Industrial Revolution change the urban landscape and social structure of Britain?
11. How does climate change affect the migration patterns and behaviour of birds?
12. How did the Holocaust influence the creation and development of Israel?
13. How does artificial intelligence challenge the ethical and philosophical foundations of human society?
14. How do different cultures perceive and express emotions?
15. How does bilingualism affect the cognitive and linguistic development of children?
16. How did the Vietnam War affect the music and culture of America?
17. How does genetic engineering affect the biodiversity and evolution of organisms?
18. How did the Renaissance influence the artistic and scientific achievements of Europe?
19. How does meditation affect the brain and mental health of individuals?
20. How do different factors affect the quality and flavour of wine?

Bottom Line

The selection of an extended essay topic is a crucial step that reflects your interests and aspirations. The essay’s layout should be well-organized, incorporating an introduction, body, and conclusion. Diligent research, critical analysis, and structured writing are key to success. For expert guidance and impeccable writing assistance, turn to Peachy Essay Writing Services. Your academic excellence is just a click away.